Wasdale.

Good morning folks

I trust you are well.
A swiftly produced blog this time, seizing the opportunity whilst waiting in for a plumber.
A quick round-up of the events happening in the maelstrom of chaos and nonsense that is called life.
(Including a new government and Three Lions into the Euro 2024 finals, but both of those events have been covered in the press elsewhere!)

Wasdale.

Wasdale (/ˈwɒzdeɪl/; traditionally /ˈwɒsəl, ˈwɒʃdəl/)

The one word that has been going round and round my head (and doubtlessly other fellrunner’s heads too) for quite a few months now.

Wasdale, the wildest of Lakeland valleys, boasting England’s highest mountain (Scafell Pike), deepest lake (Wastwater), Biggest Liar (competition held every year in November at the Bridge Inn, Santon Bridge, Lawyers and Politicians are barred from entering), and one of England’s most challenging fell races: The Wasdale Horseshoe fell race, 21 miles with 9022ft of hands on thighs climbing, or 34km/2750m in new money.
Not an easy place to get to, but more than worth the effort.

I have run it 3 times, first in 2000, which was a proper on-your-own clagfest adventure, then last year where I got sunburnt and borderline hypothermic on the same day and this year, when it is (using the present tense, as this is the day before and I haven’t run it yet) a British Championship race, which means instead of the usual 100-ish runners, there will be 300 people all trying to be first to get to the stile on the first climb!

What will become of those brave/foolhardy enough to set off from Brackenclose on Saturday morning. Watch this space…

From Gaffer back to Minion.

Well, I dipped my toes in the murky waters of management (again) and decided to abseil back down to the job I enjoyed, could do and didn’t involve spinning 15 different plates at the same time.
Good to be back 🙂

In the Summertime…

What a glorious summer we are having, both days of which were gorgeous.

Not a summer of (positive) note, yet, I am still hanging on to the hope that it will turn itself around into an Indian Summer that people will talk about for decades to come.
Although I am missing the BBQ of the year (sorry Pete) for Wasdale this weekend, we did squeeze in one sunny evening of outdoor eating at Langdale and fit in a couple of short walks, between and during the showers.

A life on the ocean wave.

The young ‘un and I have our annual summer pilgrimage to Whitby for a boat fishing outing, round about my birthday.
The first year was brilliantly productive, last year provided leaner pickings.

2024 trip planned for next week, will we be filling our freezer, or will we be having tea at Kirkgate Fisheries?

Watch this space…

Raider’s round-up.

After being positively mugged by Wakefield Trinity and more recently, shown up by York, confidence is not sky high for an away trip to Mount Pleasant on Sunday (wasn’t that nice last time I went) against Batley Bulldogs.
COME ON YOU SHIPBUILDERS!!!

Joss’s last run…

Set amidst yew trees in the Viking fields at the head of Wasdale, near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England, is the possibly the smallest church in England, St. Olaf’s Church. The church is roofed with massive slate tiles over beams that are claimed to come from wrecked Viking ships.

This will be Joss Naylor’s final resting place, with a perfect view across the valley to the fells that were his kingdom.

The funeral is next Friday and a final wish was for fellrunners to “Lead Joss home” in front of the hearse, wearing club vests, after having run over the fells to Wasdale Head.
I have booked the day off work and (providing I can still walk after the Wasdale race) hope to be their to pay my respects to a great man.

And finally…

In my quest to force out one-video-per-month, here is my latest offering.
Rambings in Langdale.

I have been (and still am) in two minds about making videos when racing, and the shaky ones I have made have had little talking/chit-chat.
Think I overcompensated with this one

Until next time amigos 🙂

Johnny