A run from Lothersdale

I managed to get out for a run last night with the KCAC Wednesday night crowd. For a change from the usual run from Kildwick we ran up Pin Haw from Lothersdale to pay our respects to the former 'Beacon man' Robert Wilson who's body was found near the hill top back in 1805

We went back to the White Lion for the usual beer and food after our run. I'm not sure if this was my first head-torcher of the winter but all being well it won't be my last!

Fells and Bells

Entries are now open for our wedding day fell race up the Beacon. Details including a route map and how to enter are here

The Mighty Two

The Eternals

Alva Lewis

I cannot believe I'd not heard this before this evening. Classic rock steady from guitarist turned superb vocalist Alva Lewis

No Lakeland 100 for us this year

Stef and I have been struggling to find time (and commitment) to train and in spite of doing some running and making a degree of progress with healthier eating / weight loss we've decided there's no way we can prepare properly for this year's event. We've volunteered to marshal and at the moment I'm not sure we'll be doing any 'serious' running this year; certainly for the first half six months or so

Still dry

Today is my 20th day without a drink. I've only really had an urge for a drink a few times in the best part of three weeks and have mostly slept better for not drinking; especially on evenings when we've run. We have a few social events around the beginning of February but I'm tempted to carry on not drinking for as long as possible 

Run run run

Wedding plans progressing well

I went to collect our wedding rings on Thursday. I'm 50 this year and have not been married before, so trying on my ring at the jeweler's was an emotional moment. It was a great fit, and just what I wanted

We've booked a wedding photographer, the venue was organised last year, we've been to church and sorted out hymns etc, and Stef's dad played us a lovely piece of gentle music we both loved, which will be perfect for while we're playing the register

My twin brother and his partner have given us a very kind gift of money, which will make a large sent in the honeymoon bill. Stef and her mum have been busy today making some lovely stationary and entries will be opening soon for our wedding day fell race too

There's still a fair bit to do but we're getting there

Yours until tomorrow

Beautiful Studio 1 late-period rock steady tear-jerker

The Thrillers

Dry

We've not had a drink this year. Stef had a dry January last year and extended well into February if I remember correctly, but there are very few days I don't have something to drink. I joke regularly that I don't really have anything to drink much other than tea and hoppy beer, and there's a large degree of truth in that. I've often thought about stopping drinking (for several reasons) and maybe after 30 years of guzzling now is the time? ODAAT as they say

Giving up food for funk

Jessy Lanza

Bands of Gold

We managed a run along the river yesterday afternoon. I guess we were out an hour or so all told. Just about long enough to get some mud on the box-fresh pair of Walshes I've had for months but never worn. Kingfisher, heron, goosander, wren, long tailed tit and a treecreeper were spotted during the run

Part of the reason we didn't get out running until the afternoon was we'd been to Skipton to buy wedding rings earlier. Stef's didn't take too much sorting but I was frustrated because our chosen shop had samples which were too small for my (I thought very average size) fingers

I had a very clear picture in my mind of what I wanted: 'gold' gold (not white), decent band width and a curved top, not flat i.e. something very traditional. Eventually after around half an hour and with an increasingly sore ring finger we found what I'd had in mind since my proposal back in October 

We'd been served by a lovely guy who I'd guess was in his 50's (a gentle man, Stef said later), but I asked one of the younger women working in the shop what she thought to my choice, 'does this look like the sort of ring your dad, uncle, elder brother or grandad would wear?'. 'Yes', she said, 'and the kind of thing I hope one day my husband would wear'. A perfect reply I thought

Out

The plan is to get out this weekend for some 'proper' training and (at least as importantly) some fresh air. Ilkley Moor, Beamsley Beacon / Round Hill, along the Wharfe towards Bolton Abbey or maybe across the Roman Road to Skipton are all possibilities, but it's going to happen and on both Saturday and Sunday

I'm not too worried how fast we run (or if walking is needed) but I want to be out for a minimum of six hours over the weekend. Oh, and short-eared owl, a woodcock or two, or peregrine would be nice too. Actually I'll settle for dipper and a mipit and maybe some winter thrushes

85 kilos

Our bathroom scales don't lie. 85 is 10 kilos too many (at least!). Fat as fat can be. Head like a pumpkin. Arse the size of Wales. Worried whether I have a pair of trousers I can wear for the office next week. A return to proper training (and sensible eating) starts this weekend

Fire