Original Mountain Marathon Oct 2016 - Galloway, SW Scotland

Original Mountain Marathon Oct 2016 - Glentrool, Galloway
Day 2 - Sunday 7.15am Start

By Galloway standards, the weather was kind - not that cold and no rain!

We had the earliest of the Day 2 Starts and were soon away, covering the area we had 'spotted' during our overnight planning.

Unhelpfully, the Start location was mismarked on the map and it took a little while to get our route out fixed.

Daniel has really developed as a strategist on these events and he largely planned our route, taking a sweep of the fells around The Minnigaff Hills. My experience told me that an excursion to an outlying control would be just that much too far - we agreed to get to a decision point and then decide!

Morning wake-up to the haunting sounds of the reeds

Dan fills his water bottle with energy powder - 6.45am

Everyone getting ready for Day 2 - 6.50am

The Start - Day 2 - we're off at 7.10am

Early morning stillness across Loch Trool

First big climb of the day - up through rough fell and felled pine brashings

The views are stunning!

Dan's ahead (!) and sets the route across the fell

A photo of a Photographer taking a film of us!

Apparently to be shown on the Adventure Series

Big open spaces! I'm in front this time heading on a contour route around the fell

We circumnavigate above the forest line

The last section was on forest tracks - faster progress and a good deal of running to get back within our 5 hour time limit!

[Still time for a photo though!]

Arriving back! Relieved (my dodgy knee held up) and very tired - at least I was!

Proud Father and Son finishers in the Medium Score Event!

We managed a fantastic 49th place on Day 2 - which just about made up for our disappointing mistakes and placing yesterday.

Covering 12 miles and 3000ft of climb over rough open fell country, we were very pleased with this second day.

Walking up to the Event Centre Tent

When we got through Control Download, we got 'selected' for a kit check!

Daniel was happy about this - I was exhausted and just got my whistle out!

 Overall result over the 2 Days - 21.5 miles and 5824ft of climb in 10hr 38min

69th out of 154 starters and 146 finishers

30th out of the 31 Vet Teams finishing

Overall, in retrospect, we are very pleased with this result. We recovered well on Day 1 to get some points and showed our potential on Day 2.

We had a great time up on the fells together - there is something special about doing it together - and we know there is more to come given being injury free and good navigation!!

Til next year?!

Original Mountain Marathon Oct 2016 - Galloway, SW Scotland

Original Mountain Marathon Oct 2016 - Glentrool, Galloway
Day 1 - Saturday 8.00am Start

Daniel and I made the journey across the border to SW Galloway for our fifth go at our annual Mountain Marathon test!

We were reasonably fit and have done more races this year in preparation than previously.

A distinct downside was I was still carrying a knee injury having fallen in the Dales a few weeks earlier.

Anyway, with great anticipation of the competition ahead we walk into the Galloway forest for our 8.00am start.

Event Headquarters at Glentrool

At the start with the flash catching the rain 

Up onto the fells - the mist got thicker as we climbed!

We failed to locate the first Control and took ages before moving on and struggling to find the second Control. Having lost a good hour plus, we needed to move fast to make up lost ground!

Daniel looking serious alongside a Scottish burn

Looking down the steep slope into the forest - we follow the stream!

On the side of the fell - which way Dad?

Looking back up

Found it - and 'dibbed' the Control for 30 points

Approaching the last Control of Day 1 - made it with 10 mins to spare of the 6 hours allowed

Having pitched the tent etc- Dan puts on his shoes using a plastic bag over dry socks

My end of our spacious tent for two!

Almost asleep?!

Time for another brew?

Enjoying the luxury of the warm tent!

Day 1 Saturday - 180 points 5hr 49min 99th out of 154

  9.5 miles and 2824ft

Autumn Docking 2016

Docking - Autumn Oct 2016

Time rolls round for a maintenance docking to black the boat and do some minimal remedial welding.

'Song of the Waterways' was last out and blacked 3 years ago, though this year I decided to complete my summer cruise and get the scraping etc over beforehand.

On the booked date, I brought the boat over to the engineering dock, however, due to the idiosyncrasies of the vintage engine and speedwheel, needed to guide the boat on the docking sledge.

Once on the dock, the views are great, though it is windy!

In discussion with the Workshop Manager, I decided to have some mid-anodes put on.

Blacking and welding completed and the tunnel bands given a fresh coat of paint, The Song is now back in the water, on it's berth for the Winter.

Looking back at my berth, having just reversed out

Slowly approaching the slipway

Up onto the docking sledge

Being towed into position on the dock - the summer flowers have definitely had it!

View from up top!

 

Up on the blocks, washed off, awaiting inspection

Showing the older anode done in - there is life in the newer one

Looking shipshape with blacking done, counter bands painted and the two pairs of mid-anodes fitted

Rab Mountain Marathon Sept 2016

Rab Mountain Marathon Sept 2016
Mallerstang Fell - Yorkshire Dales

On the last weekend of September, Daniel, my lad and I, did the Rab MM.
This is a new event for us, earlier in the year so longer days and warmer!
We went up to the Yorkshire Dales in a new area for us, the Mallerstang Fell.

Setting off very early, we made good time and we ready for the off by 9am.

We entered the Long (Elite) Score Course, having 7 hours on Day 1 to get as many check points to score points as possible.

8am - getting ready from the back of the car

9am - at the start

Climbing up looking north

Warm weather - already eating my favourite peanut and marmalade sandwiches

Looing east

Daniel 'resting' on a climb - see his trademark with map tucked in the chest strap

A view down to the Event Centre and the cars

Enjoying the challenge

Dan rests in a rock field

Climbing to the ridge - up and ... up!

The top - 30 points!

Which way Dad?

Er, I'll follow you?!

Overnight campsite - Dan's already in!

Hot water for the adventure food - Pasta Carbonara - yummy!

Life inside a small tent

Start of Day 2 - under the Settle - Carlisle Railway at Garsdale

Up on the moor again - a big open, wonderful space

Looking north back to Mallerstang Edge, where we were on Day 1

East Baugh Fell - beautiful !

Strange stone people!

Dropping onto a pool in a remote area - 30 points - top navigation!

Proud and tired finishers!

Day 1 285 points in 85th of 105 starters 12.5 miles and 3060' of climb

Day 2 235 points in 75th place - 13 miles and  2965' of climb

Overall - 77th out of 105 starters in the Long (Elite) Score Course