Saturday 1 October 2022 - Aviemore parkrun #201

Sue and I are staying in Newtonmore for three nights - the TGO Challenge autumn reunion - and having to go to Inverness to collect my bib for tomorrow's Loch Ness Marathon, we couldn't resist calling into Aviemore for their 201st parkrun.

Above, we were guided under a railway bridge that a steam train later passed over, and sixty participants congregated at the start.

I was practicing a pacing strategy for the marathon and soon found nearly everyone else had disappeared ahead into the woods. 

I met Neil, then Sue, flying along on the return leg.

Meanwhile, Sue O was slowly freezing to death in the middle of the woods. There didn't seem to be a risk of going the wrong way there*, so I was a bit puzzled as to the need for a marshall. The dogs looked puzzled.

* Sue assures me that people do take a wrong turn here if there's no marshall on duty...

A rainbow appeared as I reached the 2.5km turnaround point. A sign of things to come on what at that time was a lovely sunny morning.

The turnaround marshall and I admired the view.

 

The Tail Walker stopped for a cheery chat as I ambled past in the other direction. 

This parkrun offers good views to the Cairngorm summits. The view towards those became blurred as the rain started. My pacing practice was binned as I now ran to the finish, and a trusty waterproof that I'd stashed in anticipation. 

Then the usual coffee shop was full, so we went to a better shop, with a better view and excellent cake.

Friday = Isabella Day (23)

The last of our strawberries and raspberries were quickly dealt with this morning. The two year old is rapidly gaining the vocabulary to support her strong will.

Her new scooter goes nearly everywhere, though explaining why we don't want muddy wheels on the carpet took a little while before it was accepted.

Sue found a 50 year old wind-up record player that was her sister's.  Isabella quickly learnt how to work it, and she danced her way to lunch time.

The afternoon was shorter than usual as Sue and I had decided to have tea at The Plaice To Be, in Pitlochry. 

This and That

This entry is just a brief catch up on stuff since our return from Wales.

Jacob has recently joined Rossendale Harriers running club. On Sunday, he and Seb and Francis took part in the Under 13 Boys relay race at Sports City, next to Manchester City's home at the Etihad Stadium.

I went along after Car Park marshalling duties at Wythenshawe Community Run. Francis got the team off to a great start, and was leading the field as they sprinted out of the stadium on the 3.1km course.

From there, it was downhill all the way, unsurprisingly as Seb and Jacob are only 11, and Jacob has been out of action for weeks with a broken toe. Even so, he completed the course faster than I could have done, and as a United supporter he could be heard to announce that this might be the only time this season that they could run rings around City.

Meanwhile, a message from Izzie said she was looking forward to her second birthday.

On Tuesday Sue and I attended Ian Carr's funeral. (Blog posting here.) A sad occasion followed by a gathering at Arnside Educational Institute, where Ian used to play badminton. We enjoyed a brief walk along the prom before a shower drove us homeward. It's a shame that Conrad was busy bagging trig points near Pateley Bridge, so we didn't get to visit him.

Sadly, this was the second such occasion amongst our friends in the past couple of weeks, Colin Hardy's funeral having taken place in Ilkley on the day we went to Wales. I was in touch with Colin quite recently, when he provided some photos to supplement the ones I took in 1980 on our Lechtal Alps backpacking trip.

On Wednesday, it was Isabella's second birthday. A joyous occasion, though I'm not sure whether she really likes that helmet!

Finally, you may have noticed the image at the top right of this blog, referring to my participation in the Loch Ness Marathon this coming Sunday. As usual I'm raising much needed funds for the Levana School Partnership. 

Thanks go to all those who have so far generously donated. All donations, however small, are really appreciated and can be made here.

Thank you.

Ian Carr - 11/8/56 to 1/9/22

Tuesday 27 September 2022 was a sad day. 

Ian died on 1 September after contracting E.coli that led to multiple organ failure. A very rare cause of death. Ian was exceedingly unlucky. We thought he would live for ever. His dad was amongst the mourners.

Ian appears on my trip reports for the 1970's and '80s, and he enjoyed legendary 'Minivan trips' with other friends before settling down to family life with Rona and his children, Hilary and Duncan. But he did continue to 'wander the hills' and he joined us more recently on evening walks in Cheshire, before moving to a lovely location in Arnside, where Sue and I were occasional visitors.

Ian was given the sort of farewell that may be the envy of many - a life remembered and celebrated, with very appropriate readings, photos, and music.

A sad day indeed.