Thursday 20 December 2012

E-Dallying


1st snow of the season
Dark & White Mini MM
Edale 16/ 12/2012

After  Dove dallying around the White Peak, earlier on this year. It was time for some E-Dallying, up in the Dark Peak.
The last Dark & White  Mini Mountain Marathon of the year and another top event. This was a four hour score event and again, like the Coniston  Mini MM, we were allowed off piste. The mapping this time was by Ordnance Survey, as we were in the Peak district this was probably a good thing. Much as I like Harveys maps, O.S. do show access land better.

There was one other difference. Ray, the other half of team Ibuprofen could not come out to play. I was entered as a 'Billy no mates' solo. 

'Mmmm'. Martin G checks the map Rich can't bear to look

I wasn't totally alone.  Martin G, Richard P and I travelled Northwards together (this was Martin and Rich's first MMstyle event). Up in Edale there were a few other familiar faces, and a couple of new ones to meet.

 The Dark & White course planner, obviously knows this area well and scattered the 27 controls over 35 square km. In a way that gave us few easy options. Making it tough but fun.


All went well for me. Almost perfect weather and no nav mistakes. Even with hindsight and without faffing with the camera, I don't think I could have picked up many more points. Yeh! If I was a bit fitter and faster, I could have got more points but I finished in the top half of the results table and had a cracking four hours mucking about on Kinder.


Heading for the first control  of the day

Cheesy grins

I even caught this fella smiling for the camera, apparently a rare event.
 Good to meet again.




Good to meet you Mr Speed


And back up again
The run in. Via Grindsbrook

Best mince pie of the year. Thanks Eva!

Other Highlights and randoms


  • More photos here check out the number of smiley faces.

  • Adam's Red and yellow Walshes. Good to meet you fella.

  • Karma. Telling the guy in front his rucsac was unzipped, then minutes later being told my bumbag was open.

  • Meeting Matt, Excellent result Matt.

  • The heather was very trip-upable.

  • The heather was soft to land on.

  • Catching up with  Russ from the White Peak Fell Runners.

  • Crisp shortcrust pastry and a tangy filling. Mince pie of the year award goes to Eva.

  • waterfalls

  • Place name of the day. A tie between Dunge Clough and The Madwoman's Stones.

As always,  a big thank you to all who made it happen


                                         
Obviously I was far too young, to turn out a punk

Friday 14 December 2012

Utterly bitterly


Puddle by M.C. Escher
 A fresh (aka effin cold) Friday afternoon and I have just finished a morning shift. Clear blue skies lure Billy and I out for a run.
The low winter sun and crisp air, clear work from my head and give my tired legs a boost.

 Lots of Escher like muddy puddles, many of them frozen. Yes its cold. Thankfully there is hardly any breeze. Even so no hanging about today, being a plodder I can only just run fast enough to keep warm.

Most non outdoorsy folk don't get it; School kids forced to do cross country, shiver or skive.  Drinkers sat around the fire in a cosy pub, mock and central heated Coronation Street viewers , ask why!.... but Billy and I love it.

To put this into perspective, the same night Iain Ridgway was starting his self supported, Winter paddy Buckley round.

Respect! well done Iain

Sunset over Kedleston