Diving Chelle’s blog

Only two Merry Men and a dog made it out this morning. Left Karl's went along the old railway at the Haughhead Ford, up to South Middleton, then up to Brands Corner, along a track to Middleton Crag. Stopped for a short break trying to get out of the wind and a quick photo oppotunity, back onto a very wet track back down to Brands Corner. Headed down to Carey Burn passed two walkers looking lost whilst looking at their map, they looked at us as if we were silly running down the hill. Over the bridge at Carey Burn and headed up Skirl Naked, passed another runner, went then left at Skirl Naked towards Earlhill Head. Where we said our goodbyes as Karl headed to Yearl and back home, I headed for the ponds then back home too. Karl texted a little to let me know the milage, a gentle 14 miles :-) Good run for all three of us.

Training seems to be paying off, as the Braken Babes are now conquering the mighty Yeavering Bell and White Law.

The Saturday mornings are starting a little later these days, due to the absence of the sun.

So at 7.30am we set off for Yeavering Bell via St. Cuthbert's Way, A lovely jaunt over the moorland. Then up to the summit of Yeavering Bell, I was last as usual but did make it to the top without collapsing. We had met two guys walking up, and did pass them near the bottom. We just go our breaths back and a couple of photos, when the guys made it to the top too.

Not wasting time we then headed back towards White Law, the path was Ok, but not quite I expected after a description from one of the Merry Men. We took more photos and tried an artistic one of our shadows below Yeavering Bell, it came out pretty well. The view north from White Law was great too, looking at Humbleton from a different direction was a good sight.

We then headed onto the Gleadscleugh track, then back onto St Cuthbert's Way almost at Black Law, over the "Boggy Moor". The run finished with a lap around the ponds to make the milage to 11.2 miles.

Not quite as adventurous as the Merry Men, but never the less a great run.

Sounds like a bit of a Fairy Tale, but once you start reading you may change your mind :-)

As to our identiy we cannot decide, there are so many options, "Gorse Girls"......

But this week the "Braken Babes" joined a Merry Man to take the Cheviot Challange.

After wishing a "Cheviot Angel" luck on the shorter route, not by her choice, we set off west out of Alwinton towards our first checkpoint at Shillmoor, sorry if my directions are rubbish.

 We walked through a lovely valley below Copper Snout towards Batailshiel Haugh. What great names these places have. Our second checkpoint was the parting place which the shorter route peeled off on their way to Kidland Forest.Our route then took us via Hazely Law towards the 3rd checkpoint, a cairn on the Penine Way about 1 mile north of Windy Gyle. In the distance we saw a familiar siht, Cheviot, but from the "dark side". As we were nearing the said cairn it dawned on me why I had recognised Auchope Cairn on the map, oh my goodness, they want us to climb Cheviot too!!! The views were tremendous and seeing the Refuge Hut from that angle was quite special.

Onward and upwards we went. Next checkpoint was at Cairn Hil - one and a quarter miles from Cheviot Summit as the sign read. Heading downhill via Scotsman's Knowe was steep to say the least, but lovely views. Slater's Road was the next checkpoint then back up "Bloody, Bloody" Bloody Bush Edge. The views as we turned arount towards Cheviot were excellent, why there is no photo?? I thought actually getting to the top of here was more important, I know a "light weight".

After the trig point at Bloody Bush Edge we headed towards Yarnspath Law which joined the shorter and longer route through Kidland Forest, this was a nice bit of track and little chance of geeting lost. After Wholehope Knowe the last stretch took us via Clennell Street and back down into Alwinton.

The Rose & Thistle provided much needed refreshments, at which time we found out that we had knocked off one and a half hours from last years day out.

Sounds like there was a good turn out too, one of the Mountain Rescue Team told us that there was over 300 people out on the hills for that event.

A few pictures of our guys and guys we know who ran on Saturday at the Powburn Show.

Your Mission:

Reconnaissance school walk, look out for dangers and hazards.

Our findings:

Drizzle, Rain, Jungle of Bracken, Hidden Rabbit Holes, Mist, more than 2 fields to cross :-) one with cows :-o !!!

What a good run Kris, Tess & I had, although the views wern't that great we still had a grand time.

Started at Hepburn Woods, up over the moor to Ross Castle, through the jungle to the woods, ventured through fields to find the correct one, cows chasing us, luckily the other side of the fence - phew, onto the road, then to the track for Blarweary at Quarry House, finishing at Old Bewick.

Still back to club house in time for a  drink.

Picture of Blarweary, but not from last night :-).

Blaweary 31.05.2009 012

GOOD LUCK to everyone on Saturday.

The Gorse Girls cleared as much as possible at Carey Burn, so expecting all to take advantage.

Still picking spelks out of fingers :-(

Well last night was my first timed run.

Glen's Doddington Moor Walk / Run.

Sunshine ordered to schedule and glorious views.

A bit scary to start, but worked out OK.

Well my first timed run last night, how scary that ended up :-o

Glen's Doddington Moor Walk / Run, really nice scenery, and of coarse the sunshine was ordered to schedule.

In the end my time was OK. (For a beginner)