Visit to Essex Part 2

After 2 days and 50 odd miles and still having a sore foot( from standing  on the  thorn) I had a day off running
My parents and  I went for a pub lunch at the Hurdlemaker's Arms at Woodham Mortimer, a typical  Essex country pub with low beams, a flagstone floor  and open fires. It serves good real ale and  excellent food.
 My parents had had a meal at the same pub the week before and had left an umbrella behind . They realised their error as soon as they got home so phoned the pub to ask the staff to look for it. They were confident  that the umbrella would be there because they had been the only people in the bar, however the barman could not find it.
 Returning  to the pub a week later with me they were presented with the brolly. Apparently it turned up in the evening at the same table that my parents had sat at and where the staff had searched.
Asking the barman for an explanation he said it was probably the  pub's resident ghost! He then told us about various instances when the ghost had moved things and opened bolted cupboards. Whether you believe it or not it was an intriguing episode that gave us somethng to think about over our lunch.

On the  Thursday I was back running  and  had a wonderful trot along  the  canal at Beeleigh . In some places the path is overshadowed by mature oak trees that overhang the water. The sunlight glitters through the leaves and  there are deep shadows and  wonderful reflections.Words don't do the scene justice, but here is a painting of it I did today.

Visit to Essex

I am just back from a trip to Essex and Norfolk to see family. I opted to get the bus down which was quite gruelling but cheap .
I arrived in Central London at 8am on Monday. After a night sitting up my first priority was coffee! Then I walked to Oxford Circus through the city . I don't know London well but of course all the names are very familiar through the news, culture and playing monopoly.
I passed Buckinham Palace ,went through Green Park ( beautiiful  plane trees)  passed the Ritz and went up Fleet Street. I like to imagine the landscape before London was a concrete jungle what would it have been like when there was a River Fleet running down towards the Thames?
From Oxford Circus I cheated  and took the Underground  My original plan was to run from Central London to my parent's house in Maldon Essex. However I realised that this would be a tall order given my current state of fitness and  the amount I was carrying , So I took the tube to Epping which conveniently is where the Essex Way starts- a well marked footpath heading initially in the right direction.. The first part of my route took me through some lovely forest containing many ancient pollarded hornbeam trees. Then some equally beautiful farmland . The wheat and  the barley was almost ripe; its pale gold complimenting the greens of the trees and  the blueness of the sky .
It soon became clear that it was going to be a long day as the paths were very overgrown with tall grassess nettles and  briars. Often navigation was a challenge too. It slows the running  down if you have to check the map and look for hidden footpath signs every 100 metres or so.
At Greensted I stopped at the church which to me is a marvel. It is the oldest wooden church in the world and  the oldest wooden building standing in Europe. That the original wooden walls have survived since Saxon times in our damp climate without rotting is incredible. To lay ones hand on a piece of oak and know that it was cut and  fashioned by unknown hands nearly one thousand years ago is humbling.

At Chipping Ongar I switched from the Essex Way to the St Peter's Way and continued thrashing through overgrown paths. Listening to my litle pocket radio I learned that Theresa May was to be elected unapposed as the leader of the Conservative party and therefore to become Prime Minister of our country in 48 hours!
At Stock I was stung by a wasp and near Bicknacre I stood on a thorn which went straight through the sole of my running shoe and deep into my foot -Ouch! Here was me used to the wilds of Scottish mountains,being stung, scratched and impaled on a low level country run in Essex.
I limped on and soon reached familiar places; paths and lanes around Hazeleigh that I have known since I was a boy .I eventually arrived at. my parents in the evening.

On the second day I set out from Purleigh to complete the St Peter's Way. The route was clearer since I was now on home turf . Still I was confused once or twice with styles and footpath signs being hidden by foilage .
 The seawall at Maylandsea was very overgrown but once that was passed I felt I was making  progress.
Despite a poor weather forecast it was very hot  and at Tillingham I gave in to temptation and  had a deliciously cool beer at the old pub by the church .
Back on the route I was soon on the sea wall again . Beautiful open country with huge skies and  views that go on forever .
My final destination was St Peter's on the Wall an ancient church built about 660AD on the ruins of a Roman Fort .

The church interior is sparsely  furnished with bare stonework walls. It is a very spiritual place and a fitting end to a long distance footpath. I sat for a while and sketched the light streaming in through the open door.

Ramsay Round Attempt

A friend of mine attempted a Ramsay Round  this week.
The last time I wrote about the Ramsay was last year when Jez Bragg broke the record of the round which consists of 24 Munros  completing  it in 18 ours 12 minutes. Then a month later John Ascroft  beat that record by over an hour completing  in 16.59.That in itself was remarkable but this year a lady, Jasmin Paris smashed both the male and  female records completing  in  16 hours 13 minutes. I cannot comprehend  how anybody could run that fast over that sort of terrain. It is worth remembering that only 4 females have ever completed a Ramsay in under 24 hours.
My friend  was not attempting  anything so spectacular just wanting to get round even if it took more than 24 hours. My job was to pace her on the section from Loch Treig to Aonach Mor  I spent most of last weekend doing a recce and depositing  some water on the Grey Corries. The weather was showery and  it was quite grim on Aonach Mor. However as I descended the sun started to shine through gaps in the gloom illuminating  small wispy clouds floating in the valley- simply stunning.

Descending Aonach Mor

On Tuesday morning my friend started her attempt. She was wearing  a tracker so we could watch on the internet as she  traversed the mountains which was very exciting.
 Unfortunately it soon became clear that she was slower than planned .By mid afternoon she was several hours behind  schedule. It turned out that she had some problems with her eyes and  was struggling  to see - not good when negociating steep slopes and ridges. Eventually with the weather deteriorating and  night falling she was forced to pull out . However as she said the mountains will always be there for another go
. So I didn't get to run a step except to retrieve the water I had stashed.

The Summit of Sgurr Choinnich Mor with Aonach Beag in the background

Loch Ossian near Corrour Lodge

I had another good run last week; I took the the train to Corrour Station, and ran  around Loch Ossian.
 I enjoyed a coffee at the station restaurant., ran to Loch Treig and then homewards. It was a gorgeous, hot day. I passed a group of  teenagers doing their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition. They were all carrying heavy packs, wearing big boots and looked very hot.
 Further on I found a deep pool in the river and  went for a swim; it was incredibly refreshing. The D of E group trudged past as I swam and one  exclaimed "I'm so envious!" They were on such a tight scedule that they couldn't spare five minutes for a dip .
From the Meannanach bothy I took the path north but then  climbed the slopes of Stob Ban .
Stob Ban is an outlier of the main Grey Corrie ridge and  you have to descend an unpleasant bit of scree before climbing up to Stob Choire Claurigh on the main ridge.
 Needless to say the views are spectacular on a fine day.

Looking East along the ridge of the Grey Corries

The Grey Corries make up a fine ridge that twists and turns . You have to watch your step but there is no real scrambling. I descended via the initially runnable slopes of Beinn Bhan, Lower down the grassy hill is steep and  slippery- I ended  up on my backside a few times. From the bottom of the mountain it is only a few miles through the forest to our village.

Glorious Summer Weather

Last week I jogged the  the West Highland Way, in some glorious summer weather.
 I started at lunchtime on Tuesday having got the train  down to Milngavie.
 The first section to Drymen  I normally find the least inspiring section . However on Tuesday it was delightful. In Mugdock park there were carpets of bluebells .The trees were a brilliant green with deep dark shadows.On the road section the hedgerows were a profusion of wildflowers; pink campion , more bluebells , buttercups and  cow parsley. My main concern on the first day was getting  enough to drink and getting enough salt on board. I stopped at Balmaha shop, the hotel at Rowardennan and at Inversnaid to buy drinks. I really enjoyed running  along  in the sun, but by far the best bit was beyond Rowardennan.By then  the crowds of WHW walkers were gone and I had the trail to myself . It was a beautiful evening, the heat of the day was away but the low sun still shone . The pictures below are from two of the many photos I took.
 At Inversnaid I couldn't resist a half of guiness; by then I was parched and  it tasted delicious ! In previous years when I have done a three day West Highland Way it has always been raining by this point and I normally sleep under a particular rock I know of near Inversnaid . This time I was more concerned by the clouds of midges so I found  a high point  on the path hoping for a breeze off the loch to keep them away. I bedded down in my bag in the middle of the path and  got a few hours sleep.

Day 2 I always find tough . Carrying a sleeping bag ,bivvy bag,spare clothes ,waterproofs, food and  water (and of course sketchbook and paints) makes running just  that little bit harder. I stopped to write in Dario's book ( close to the bothy ) and was glad to see the usual suspects were keeping  up the tradition of writing  there. I didn't linger for long as the  midges were getting  fierce.

Woodland by Loch lomond

I normally get a coffee at Beinglas Farm but on this occasion I was too early ( 7AM), so continued without the stimulation of caffeine. The day started to heat up again as the morning  progressed and by the Crianlarich woodland section I had slowed down considerably. This section is a switchback trail through the forest and  can be fun if one is feeling fit - but I wasn't ! Lack of fitness,sleep and caffeine  were taking there toll and  I was unused to the heat. However a cup of tea , at Strathfillan  sorted me out and  by the time  I got through Tyndrum I was starting  to pick up. I did the last section of the day  much faster than I expected and arrived  at Bridgeof Orchy before midday with 3 hours to spare to catch the train . So I went and  sat in the river for a bit then did a sketch.

I took the afternoon train home for a good feed and  a solid night's sleep in my own bed then got the morning  train back to Bridge of Orchy for day 3. The train fare is far less than paying  for accomodation and  allowed me to leave some of my gear at home . I suppose a purist would have bivvied for a second night but is so much easier running  with a light rucksack.

Unbelievably the third day was hot as well ! Fortunately a brisk breeze kept me cool running . and I had a great time.. Again I had to buy drinks at every opportunity as most of the streams were almost dry .

I arrived in Fort William about 5 minutes to late for the 5.35 train but fortunately Helen was able to pick me up. 

Although I am quite unfit it was a glorious run , Great weather from beginning  to end and the scenery was stunning as always

We have had some terific weather recently - an actual heat wave! ; The other week I was back up Aonach Mor in perfect conditions. Amazing skies filled with billowing clouds, warm sunshine but with a cooling breeze sufficient to keep the midges away. I sketched the view from the cable car station . Running home through the forest was a delight.

Mountain biker at the top of downhill track on Aonach Mor

The Eastern side of the Aonach Mor summit plateau

A recent painting of the Glenfinnan Monument 

Mountain Biking

Yesterday we went for a run on Aonach Mor, by chance the downhill mountain biking championships were on . We were blown away by the skill and courage of the riders as they negotiated jumps, tight bends and large boulders .I tried to sketch riders in mid air at one of the water jumps but found it very difficult to get the details down as each rider sailed through the air .Eventually I did the above  quick sketch of the start of the course. The riders start down a ramp from a small pod near the top of the cable car.It takes the top riders about five minutes to descend the 3kms and about 2000 feet to the valley bottom.
Watching  the biking was exciting but it was good to get higher up beyond the noise and bustle to the quiet solitude of the plateau with the mountain hares and ptarmigan.The snow has shifted fast over the last week but there is still a lot in the corries and the eastern cliffs of Aonach Mor were very dramatic.

Below are some recent paintings