Diary: 29 October to 4 November 2025

We are generally lucky weather-wise at parkrun, but today the decision to leave the bike at home despite it being a fine morning was a good one, as soon before the 9am start time a deluge arrived in Wythenshawe. There was lots of sheltering under trees ... until they started to drip...

Luckily the worst had passed by 9am and I was able to jog around the 5km course in 37 minutes without getting too wet. 

I was most surprised to receive a photo from near the start, as it had been forwarded from South America. It turned out to have been taken by a neighbour, 'D' and her daughter, who had decided to volunteer and were processing finishers' barcodes. Well done them!

Later, in the Courtyard Tea Room, sorting the bar codes etc.

Full results are here.

Meanwhile, earlier, Sue, Richard, Jenny and Julie appear to have met in a bar, from where parkrun excuses were proffered.

Several hours later, they appear to be some way away, claiming that this shot is from Santiago, from where the picture of me jogging was alleged to have been sent.

Back in the UK, starlings were assembling near Smithills. (See separate entry after this one.)

By now, Sue and her gang had managed to get to a 12th century pre-Incan fortress just outside San Pedro.

My second visit to Eagley for the day (3 November) was to enjoy New Orleans Joys and guest singer Olivia Frances Brown. The rest of the line-up is: Richard Slater (Trombone), Howard Worthington (Bass), Dave Pogson (Clarinet and Alto-sax), Brian Woods (Drums),  Andy Wallace (Tenor sax and clarinet),  Malcolm Horne (Banjo and guitar).

Olivia was involved in two numbers in each set. I doubt whether a better jazz singer has graced this stage; she was outstanding. Well done to the 'Joys' for getting her on board.

Manwhile, Sue was sheltering from the midday sun next to some petroglyphs.

These pictures were apparently taken on the morning of 4 November. The petroglyphs are 3000 years old.

The tourists are holed out at a fancy hotel in San Pedro. Here's the main street.

Sue says I wouldn't like it. 'Too hot!'

Hmmm...