The great outdoors

 Orla is making sense of her new world, if that is something a traumatised K9 is capable of.

 My motivation to train is reaching new lows even though the main event if frighteningly close to actually taking place. Tonight I managed to persuade myself to the top of Stanner rocks on the MTB on the proviso that it wasn't a road ride, that I was only going to the end of the lane, that if I did go further I really was not going to go up Stanner Hill, no I would go up Old Radnor, but as I had got up Old Radnor I would go straight on to the base of Stanner rather than home but there was no way I was going up it and eventually I managed to convince myself I wasn't going to do it as I sat on the top looking at the fast way down. Having successfully lied myself into a good training session I rested up the later part of the evening and fretted about the route, the food needed, the bikes to be serviced, the support team and all of the things needed for this challenge.

 Meantimes Orla took it easy.

Making the most of it

 Training for the big event continues but not as much as A)I would like, or B)Is needed so every opportunity is grabbed, providing it means I don't have to ride my bike as road miles are now crushingly boring despite being essential when faced with a 480 mile ride in 72 hours.

 So this morning instead of spending 2 hours churning the pedals I "ran" across the ridge to the office early doors to fetch the trusty MTB abandoned at the office Saturday,

 This meant I got to see some great views in the spring sunshine and avoid the road bike. Once the MTB was safe back at the ranch yours truly left to go to paid work and travel to the land that time forgot.

 A curious village to the south where the local shop and garage would be something Noah would recognise.

 Clearly open and functional and presumably selling Raleigh bikes as a side line

 this museum garage lacked a few mod cons like an ability to pay at the pump.

Back at HQ the Romanian rescue dog, Orla is looking just as sad but has made at least one friend.

One way ticket to Hull and back.

 Sunday, a day of rest.

 So I rested by driving to Hull to fetch this lovely girl.

Orla, a rescue from Romania. The saddest dog I have ever met. We can rebuild her!

That time already?

 Under grey skies and grey mood as Spotty the action Berner was not with yours truly for the first time in 5 years, the BBMC 2016 starter with two non Steves. We posed for the obligatory start pic and headed off into the wilderness

 which was full of like minded gear rats and kit zombies intent on finishing the annual Big Black Mountain Challenge organised by the Longtown Mountain Rescue bods to raise cash for a new command and control vehicle. Off we trundled along the familiar trails, some 1000 of us on 3 different length routes.

 It does get pretty bleak at times

 and soon we reached the highest peak of the day in good shape.

 But as we descended problems arose for one non Steve who's toes started hurting. 12 miles in out of 27 there was no option but to press on, slowly.

 Taking in the views

 enjoying the solitude

 the food

 and sucking up the pain.

 The other non Steve started to have a technical issue with his footwear

 and at the halfway point yours truly was firing on all cylinders while

 the rest of the team were in bits, literally in this case as his boot fell apart.

 This was bad as we were a long way from the car, it being at the base of the mountain in the far far distance.

 At a checkpoint we found a gear rat with gaffa tape so effected repairs.

 But the best vet in the world couldn't help this poor pony.

 Gospel pass saw both non Steve attempt skin grafts to brutal looking blisters

 while the mountain rescue bods provided water and ferried the non finishers back to camp.

 We pressed on and found an alternative way of enjoying the views

 but decided that keeping our sore feet on the ground was the best bet.

 Non Steve by now was really suffering

 but was a brave soldier at mile 27 when we were told there was a route change and we had to get another 3 miles done before tea and cakes.

 The views were magnificent but the blisters on the non Steve's were now massive.

 Finish line crossed still smiling

 and we did our bit raising money for another one of these.

Damage done to boot.
A great event, as ever, and this time I was in good shape at the end so training is paying off. Very sad to think that Spotty wont be joining me on this epic trek again, 15 miles is now about his limit. Roll on 2017 and this time we will know that its 30  miles not 27!

One for the ladies

 Hardy showing off again.

Not my type mate.

When two worlds collide

 Sad dog

Happy dog.

Pre breakfast nano adventure

 Spot the dog? Its not far past 5 am and Spotty and yours truly are on a pre breakfast nano adventure to do the 8 peaks challenge. Hill one ticked off, Worzel wood.

 Then on to Old Radnor Hill, what's left of it after the quarry have had their way with it.

 Summit 3 saw us on Stanner Rocks summit, Spotty playing catch up.

 Time for a victory roll at the almost half way point.

 Which is Herrock Hill

 which leads to Rushock Hill.

 But the weather and visibility was appalling, a 600 metre compass bearing took me right where I was supposed to be but soooo slowly.

 And it rained, heavy rain, here we are on Bradnor hill

 looking cheerful despite just finding that somewhere along the trail I had dropped my breakfast snack.

 Visibility got worse, there is a trig point here.

 Closer still, Hergest bagged

 finally the Bonsai Mountain

and home ward bound in time for tea and medals.