Thursday, June 17, 2010
Nice Out Again...
I have still been quite active! Decided to do an 18 miler Sunday, which actually ended up being 18.75 miles (probably cos I got a bit lost!)
I followed the Trent Valley Way past Holme Pierrepont to Radcliffe-on-Trent, and then along the path at the top of the cliff, through the fields and by the River Trent to Shelford as before, then left the village by a footpath leading up to the Radcliffe/ East Bridgford Road.
Shelford
The path zig zagged round crop fields before climbing up to the road, giving an excellent view over the Trent Valley;
Trent Valley
I intended to take a Bridleway which eventually leads to the A46. I figured it would be closed off at some point, but a footpath leads from it down to Saxondale Village and the A52 road. The path lead towards some RAF buildings; I had noticed that it skirted some houses, which I had assumed were the abandoned and derelict ones originally occupied by RAF staff and their families. I was busy scoffing an energy bar, so when I saw hoof prints travelling left along the field edge, I didn't bother looking at the map and followed them past the RAF buildings.
I realised I was nearing the houses, and instead of the derelict, empty shells I was expecting, I was quite surprised to see washing hanging out and cars in drives! All the houses looked very much occupied, and I started to imagine I had gone back in time! I passed a garden with an elderly couple sitting in the sun- they called a cheery hello and I was tempted to ask them what year it was!
I stopped and consulted the map- and discovered I was in the village of Newton- the abandoned houses were further on- Newton is very much alive and kicking! The trouble was, I shouldn't have been there... I should have turned right instead of left when I saw the hoof tracks. I retraced my steps, and, sure enough, there were markers directing riders around the RAF site.
A new dog training centre had been built where the footpath branches off, and the path wasn't signed, so I followed a track to the corner of the wood where the map reassured me I would pick the path up- and I did, so my navigational skills can't be all that bad!
The path was well signed following this, and I reached the A52 without any problems. This was the least fun part of the walk as I had to walk/ run alongside the busy road- luckily there is a footpath/ cycle path.
When I got back to Radcliffe-on-Trent, I ran through the town centre and retraced my route home, I actually managed to run quite a lot of it so am quite happy.
I went out for another run/ walk Tuesday night- more walking than running cos I was chatting to both sisters for most of it. I walked up the road towards Tollerton to pick up the footpath to Cotgrave. Some good paths had been created through the crop field- unfortunately one had overgrown so much it was almost impassable- I felt like Indiana Jones creeping through the jungle! I took a photo with my phone;
Somewhat Overgrown Path!
The paths were ok after this, and I managed to run quite a bit;
I took a different path just before Cotgrave, and cut through field to the canal, then back home along the canal- about 6 1/4 miles.
Tonight I have done... nothing! But I have had an incredibly difficult day...
I followed the Trent Valley Way past Holme Pierrepont to Radcliffe-on-Trent, and then along the path at the top of the cliff, through the fields and by the River Trent to Shelford as before, then left the village by a footpath leading up to the Radcliffe/ East Bridgford Road.
The path zig zagged round crop fields before climbing up to the road, giving an excellent view over the Trent Valley;
I intended to take a Bridleway which eventually leads to the A46. I figured it would be closed off at some point, but a footpath leads from it down to Saxondale Village and the A52 road. The path lead towards some RAF buildings; I had noticed that it skirted some houses, which I had assumed were the abandoned and derelict ones originally occupied by RAF staff and their families. I was busy scoffing an energy bar, so when I saw hoof prints travelling left along the field edge, I didn't bother looking at the map and followed them past the RAF buildings.
I realised I was nearing the houses, and instead of the derelict, empty shells I was expecting, I was quite surprised to see washing hanging out and cars in drives! All the houses looked very much occupied, and I started to imagine I had gone back in time! I passed a garden with an elderly couple sitting in the sun- they called a cheery hello and I was tempted to ask them what year it was!
I stopped and consulted the map- and discovered I was in the village of Newton- the abandoned houses were further on- Newton is very much alive and kicking! The trouble was, I shouldn't have been there... I should have turned right instead of left when I saw the hoof tracks. I retraced my steps, and, sure enough, there were markers directing riders around the RAF site.
A new dog training centre had been built where the footpath branches off, and the path wasn't signed, so I followed a track to the corner of the wood where the map reassured me I would pick the path up- and I did, so my navigational skills can't be all that bad!
The path was well signed following this, and I reached the A52 without any problems. This was the least fun part of the walk as I had to walk/ run alongside the busy road- luckily there is a footpath/ cycle path.
When I got back to Radcliffe-on-Trent, I ran through the town centre and retraced my route home, I actually managed to run quite a lot of it so am quite happy.
I went out for another run/ walk Tuesday night- more walking than running cos I was chatting to both sisters for most of it. I walked up the road towards Tollerton to pick up the footpath to Cotgrave. Some good paths had been created through the crop field- unfortunately one had overgrown so much it was almost impassable- I felt like Indiana Jones creeping through the jungle! I took a photo with my phone;
The paths were ok after this, and I managed to run quite a bit;
I took a different path just before Cotgrave, and cut through field to the canal, then back home along the canal- about 6 1/4 miles.
Tonight I have done... nothing! But I have had an incredibly difficult day...
Labels: Cotgrave, Newton, radcliffe-on-trent
Friday, June 11, 2010
Yes- I Am Still Alive... Just!!
I have been quite good at exercising this week- I just haven't been so good at updating my blog... really must get organised...
This week has finally seen a return to the gym and some walking and- gasp- running going on...
I have been concentrating on doing interval type workouts on the treadmill to try to increase speed, and did another longish walk/ run last Saturday- 14 miles from Barrow-On-Soar. I'd done this one before but not for a couple of years, and, being as I was on plant watering duties for mum, I decided to fit in a walk fairly local to where they live and kill two birds with one stone.
I parked up at Barrow and set off along the canal- the path starts off with the canal on your left, but shortly after a field containing a mare and foal, a footbridge is crossed so that the canal remains on your right;
Footbridge Over The Grand Union Canal
Shortly after this, the path crosses under a railway bridge;
It was a lovely hot day, and I soon found myself dripping sweat (I always sweat when I walk or run though even if it's freezing!) I took plenty of water with me, and made myself run as much as I could along the canal. Well, for 'run', read 'slow, shambling jog interspersed with spells of walking and photo taking).
The route passes across the road into Mountsorrel and past the pub (tempting!) before marching on to Sileby Locks;
Sileby Locks
The path runs for around another 1 1/2 miles before reaching Cossington Mill. I managed to jog most of it which I was quite pleased about. The only sticky moment came near to the Mill when I encountered a herd of cows in the field- standing practically on the path! I am not that keen on cows, ever since I read about people getting trampled to death (that kind of thing does make you slightly wary!) but luckily these were the kind that were so used to human traffic that they barely batted a bovine eye brow.
I had a bit of a road march into Rothley and round the church before picking up the path across Rothley Park and into the golf course. I did walk across the golf course, in case I was taken out by a spare golf ball! After going through a railway tunnel and across a couple of fields I was in Thurcaston.
Now, the footpath the guide book instructed me to follow into Cropston is one I have never actually been successfully able to follow as I can never work out where it's supposed to go! Today was no exception, and I gave up when I found myself floundering in a blog. I retraced my steps through a lot of nettles back to the road, and noticed another footpath a little further up. This one gave the option of reaching Cropston Road earlier, but I pressed on, hoping to find the original footpath. Eventually I gave up though- it appears to have completely disappeared so I had to use the other path into the village and walk down the road to my next path- to Swithland.
I ran along the fields and woods, stopping to gather some wild garlic stems- there is loads of wild garlic growing round here and it smelt lovely. There were some good views across to Bradgate Park;
Bradgate Park & Plastic Fields!!
Swithland is a lovely traditional village, characterised by thatched cottages;
Swithland
It was a lot cloudier now, but still very warm. The route followed fields to a railway bridge, and was easily runable as it was downhill! I was feeling the effects of the heat a little; the railway track serves the steam railway running from Loughborough through to Rothley, and I was tempted to stop a while to see if one would come along (I knew they were running as for a few miles I had heard the hoot of their horns) but decided to press on to Quorn. Typically enough, 5 minutes later I heard one go past...
The path to Quorn is one I have followed loads of times, and always seems endless (it comes near to the end of the Charnwood Challenge). I made myself jog until I reached Quorn, and bought a welcome drink from a shop. Whilst I was drinking, I spotted a funny sculpture carved out of a tree trunk;
Quorn
Then it was just a matter of finding the footbridge over the A6 and getting back to the car- I managed it in just under 4 hours, and what with all the to-ing and fro-ing trying to find that footpath, I probably did around 14 1/2 miles- quite a good result for me!
I decided to give mum's plants a real good soak as I wasn't sure when it would next rain- and so we then had torrential rain for the next few days!! We had a couple of storms Saturday night- I attempted to photograph the lightening, but failed miserably...
I have a family do this weekend so will be a bit more limited to what I can do, but am feeling much more confident about my fitness than I did a few weeks ago, and am feeling quite a bit more motivated.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
This week has finally seen a return to the gym and some walking and- gasp- running going on...
I have been concentrating on doing interval type workouts on the treadmill to try to increase speed, and did another longish walk/ run last Saturday- 14 miles from Barrow-On-Soar. I'd done this one before but not for a couple of years, and, being as I was on plant watering duties for mum, I decided to fit in a walk fairly local to where they live and kill two birds with one stone.
I parked up at Barrow and set off along the canal- the path starts off with the canal on your left, but shortly after a field containing a mare and foal, a footbridge is crossed so that the canal remains on your right;
Shortly after this, the path crosses under a railway bridge;
It was a lovely hot day, and I soon found myself dripping sweat (I always sweat when I walk or run though even if it's freezing!) I took plenty of water with me, and made myself run as much as I could along the canal. Well, for 'run', read 'slow, shambling jog interspersed with spells of walking and photo taking).
The route passes across the road into Mountsorrel and past the pub (tempting!) before marching on to Sileby Locks;
The path runs for around another 1 1/2 miles before reaching Cossington Mill. I managed to jog most of it which I was quite pleased about. The only sticky moment came near to the Mill when I encountered a herd of cows in the field- standing practically on the path! I am not that keen on cows, ever since I read about people getting trampled to death (that kind of thing does make you slightly wary!) but luckily these were the kind that were so used to human traffic that they barely batted a bovine eye brow.
I had a bit of a road march into Rothley and round the church before picking up the path across Rothley Park and into the golf course. I did walk across the golf course, in case I was taken out by a spare golf ball! After going through a railway tunnel and across a couple of fields I was in Thurcaston.
Now, the footpath the guide book instructed me to follow into Cropston is one I have never actually been successfully able to follow as I can never work out where it's supposed to go! Today was no exception, and I gave up when I found myself floundering in a blog. I retraced my steps through a lot of nettles back to the road, and noticed another footpath a little further up. This one gave the option of reaching Cropston Road earlier, but I pressed on, hoping to find the original footpath. Eventually I gave up though- it appears to have completely disappeared so I had to use the other path into the village and walk down the road to my next path- to Swithland.
I ran along the fields and woods, stopping to gather some wild garlic stems- there is loads of wild garlic growing round here and it smelt lovely. There were some good views across to Bradgate Park;
Swithland is a lovely traditional village, characterised by thatched cottages;
It was a lot cloudier now, but still very warm. The route followed fields to a railway bridge, and was easily runable as it was downhill! I was feeling the effects of the heat a little; the railway track serves the steam railway running from Loughborough through to Rothley, and I was tempted to stop a while to see if one would come along (I knew they were running as for a few miles I had heard the hoot of their horns) but decided to press on to Quorn. Typically enough, 5 minutes later I heard one go past...
The path to Quorn is one I have followed loads of times, and always seems endless (it comes near to the end of the Charnwood Challenge). I made myself jog until I reached Quorn, and bought a welcome drink from a shop. Whilst I was drinking, I spotted a funny sculpture carved out of a tree trunk;
Then it was just a matter of finding the footbridge over the A6 and getting back to the car- I managed it in just under 4 hours, and what with all the to-ing and fro-ing trying to find that footpath, I probably did around 14 1/2 miles- quite a good result for me!
I decided to give mum's plants a real good soak as I wasn't sure when it would next rain- and so we then had torrential rain for the next few days!! We had a couple of storms Saturday night- I attempted to photograph the lightening, but failed miserably...
I have a family do this weekend so will be a bit more limited to what I can do, but am feeling much more confident about my fitness than I did a few weeks ago, and am feeling quite a bit more motivated.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Labels: barrow-on-soar, Bradgate Park
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Messing About On The River!
There hasn't been all that much training information on here lately... mainly because there hasn't actually been much training! But I am determined to rectify this now- I have made the odd foray to the gym and out for shortish runs/ walks, but am going to get back on top of a proper training schedule!
Bank Holiday Monday I was invited to a 25th wedding anniversary celebration on board the Nottingham Prince- it moors at Colwick and we were taken, at a leisurely pace, down the Trent to St Wilfreds Church in Wilford and back up to Holme Pierrepont. Very nice (although not too much endurance required...)
Here are some pics;
The Nottingham Prince
Lady Bay Bridge
A Crested Glebe!
Kate Winslett Eat Your Heart Out!! (Little Sis & Fiance)
Trent Bridge & Notts Bus!
Right- it is a gorgeous evening and I am going to go out for a nice country walk/ run.... I am, I am... honest- look, I'm going right now...
Bank Holiday Monday I was invited to a 25th wedding anniversary celebration on board the Nottingham Prince- it moors at Colwick and we were taken, at a leisurely pace, down the Trent to St Wilfreds Church in Wilford and back up to Holme Pierrepont. Very nice (although not too much endurance required...)
Here are some pics;
Right- it is a gorgeous evening and I am going to go out for a nice country walk/ run.... I am, I am... honest- look, I'm going right now...
Labels: nottingham, river trent
