Beacon n Eggs !

Mark, one of my two older brothers lives just North of Cardiff, South Wales, in a lovely little village. At short notice I'd arranged a visit and on early Saturday morning found myself struggling to get myself on the road early to beat the traffic. Luckily Mark texted me late the night before saying a good hearty breakfast awaited my arrival. So it was with this thought that I managed to summon enough...just enough energy to go...
Bleak aspect to the relentless climb to Corn Du...the picture doesn't do the cold wind any justice!

My efforts were well rewarded by a swift effortless drive and a timely arrival! Breakfast was every bit as good as I'd hoped, bacon, eggs, beans n toast. Just the kind of stuff to base a good day out on. Not far North of Cardiff is the Brecon Beacons National Park. This was on Marks suggestion where we drove, with the idea to walk to the highest peak in Southern Britain, Pen Y Fan. What a great way to spend a day!
Final frenzy to the summit of Corn Du with a hint of the mist to come on Pen Y Fan to the right..

I haven't walked in this range before and hadn't realised how accessible the almost twin peaks of Corn Du and Pen Y Fan are to the A470 road. We started close to the Storey Arms, just South of a small wood, along with many other walkers. Despite the clear blue sky and wall to wall sunshine, the most noticeable thing was the icy Easterly wind, which was blowing relentlessly into our faces. Bracing against this and pushing hard up a fair slope brought us sight of Corn Du. From here summit fever took hold and we soon found ourselves glorying in the achievement and celebrating by taking lots of pics of each other and getting very cold hands.
Mark, racing ahead for a closer inspection of Fan Y Big!

Pen Y Fan is barely more than a good stones throw away from Corn Du and our next peak. Up till now the sky was cloudless. Then almost as though to make things more interesting, a cold mist descended and Pen Y Fan hid...not to re-appear all day. Moody mountain! Once on the top, we did get fleeting glimpses of its North escarpment face, plunging vertically at first, in shadow and all frosty and foreboding. Exposed and cold we descended a little and found a spot out of the wind for a snack and time to decide our next move.
Looking back across to Cribyn, the North face all cold and still frosty.

Looking East, the next peak, Cribyn looked temptingly close and beyond the interestingly named Fan Y Big was definitely worth a visit. Maybe my map reading is a little rusty and perhaps my legs not quite as well used to hills recently. But the steep grassy descents and climbs between these summits really made for a testing time. Nonetheless enjoyable and the views worthwhile. Mark did really well. I'm far more accustomed to slogging up and down hills, yet he kept on going...showing more than just physical strength, as the last climb was hard.
Delightful Wild Welsh ponies, seemingly oblivious to the cold and poor grazing.

With the Winter sun lowering and shadows lengthening, the constant cold was now feeling all the keener. We retraced our steps and now made our way back. We timed our return to the car park exactly to make our rendezvous precisely for a drive back home with that glow that comes as circulation returns. Made all the easier by that dozy feeling and anticipation of a big pan of curry on the stove and steaming piles of rice!

Kauto Star..??

Boxing Day and a chance to ride. Beautiful cool clear weather and I had a plan for something a little different. I spent yesterday like many other people, eating and drinking and watching far too much tv! I really seem to have lost the knack of eating three Christmas dinners though. Anyway sunshine and blue sky soon had me up and about today.
Not quite Kauto Star...Heather today happy to be going out.

I've not kept up to date with Heather's progress here recently, I'll try and fill in some gaps soon. But essentially, she's living out, un-stabled 24/7. This has both advantages and drawbacks, but I'm keen to try and adapt to anything thrown my way. Over the holidays many of the other school horses have been turned out as well, and I half expected some trouble in the field today. Last Winter it was when all the "hooligans" were out that Heather got kicked. Fortunately I found her safe, stood in the deepest mud where the others probably wouldn't go. Not doing much to help her Mud Fever, but that's another story!
Down the lane from the yard as on so many other days...but never with such a shadow!

Soon brushed off the worst of the mud and tacked up. The wind, well breeze had picked up from the East and I was surprised how cold it was, despite the sun. I almost changed my original plan and decided to stay safe in the back outdoor school. There have been a couple of accidents out and about with riders falling and I was all too aware that there'd be plenty of walkers cyclists and loose dogs around...plus I had little light road work in mind.hence my hi-viz tabard.
87 South Drive....the house where I grew up and never in my most imaginative thoughts, dreamt I'd ride here on horseback!

So off down the lane with the sun on our backs. Quickly over the green bridge to the other side of the river. I wanted to hack over to Chorltonville and ride past the house where I grew up and where I re-settled until recently. Most people I grew up with or knew there have moved away, but I really secretly hoped to surprise an old friend...no one there would know me on horseback!
Lovely hacking through Chorlton Ees and somehow managing to find the place to ourselves.

Heather behaved impeccably all the way. We even managed to dodge a big ride from another yard..some ten or more horses heading for a pub. We didn't trample any children or kick any dogs and she stopped and waited and moved on when asked...very good horse. We went past the old house and continued down memory lane and though I was concentrating on riding I was feeling quite proud. We didn't see any familiar faces but I was pleased to be heading back to the yard without any problems...we were quite a distance away.
Urban contrast! Heather judging the graffiti under the M60 motorway..

On the way back we headed through Chorlton Ees. I really love riding through the woods there and as we were homeward bound, Heather had that extra spring in her step. Strangely enough she had her only spook of the day here....at a little girls pink bike! Blowing and snorting. It was at this point that one of the many friendly walkers we passed today commented on Heather's resemblance to a famous race horse, Kauto Star! After another such comment later on I decided to find out more...Yes at a quick glance and it seems her race double did quite well today...so that's two happy horses. As we returned to the yard, I turned round to see who was trotting so quickly behind us. A riderless horse with stirrups banging and reins flapping...rider was later found safe!

Marathon Mayhem and Personal Victory

So finally the time had come. The weather was every bit worse than the forecast. Or so it seemed to me and probably the best part of the 1500 or so fellow competitors. The wind was funnelling straight down the Pass of Llanberis, carrying a sharp steady rain, from Pen Y Pass, four miles up the valley. Gusts were strong enough to knock runners sideways and large people were useful to hide behind! The gradient isn't really that steep but steady, though today it was tough and I was conscious of starting comfortably. I was a little disappointed that it took 39 minutes to reach the top of the climb.
Minutes before the start at Nant Peris, with the climb up to Pen Y Pass in the background

A change of direction and now downhill. I found it difficult to find a good rhythm and I was worried about my left knee. I was cold and soaked to the skin. We were now running on roads still open to traffic which made for an unwelcome distraction and I was trying hard to relax. After only 7 miles my left knee pain began! At least I now had something to focus on...
Moments after finishing the 2008 Snowdonia Marathon....and taking tightly fitting cap off!

Beddgelert is at 12 miles and had good cheering crowds outside warm cosy pubs...and the start of a steady climb up towards Rhyd Ddu, where a year ago I'd stood watching this very race. My knee was not getting any worse and I'd kept myself well hydrated and fuelled. People infront of me now seemed to be slowing. At 13 miles I glanced at the time 1:56. I realised that my dream of finishing in under four hours was probably out of reach...if only the weather was kinder! Somehow or other I was now starting to eat up runners and my confidence started to rise. Somewhere at about 17 miles my race number which had been flapping annoyingly on it's two remaining safety pins, finally ripped free in a very strong gust. In a field near Betws Garmon there is a sheep now sporting number 754.
Timer and T-shirt!!

At 21 miles is the so called Welsh Wall...the climb up from the village of Waunfawr to the exposed tops leading over and down to the finish at Llanberis. Had I gone too fast in the last few miles? Something inside me said under four hours...But I was now confronted with everyone infront of me walking!! Surely this was wrong. I was not sure what to do as this was the only part of the course I knew nothing about...apart from its notoriety. So I kept up a steady slow jog. I was hurting yes..but no worse than in my training on the Orme. Then I saw the way down to the finish...steep. Great, I had the legs and the head for this. This is my kind of ground. This part of the course is on rough track, muddy and rocky. I descended like a madman...the gale force wind now pushing from behind, the rain couldn't keep up!! Fantastic...a glance at the time and I knew I was in! I sprinted over the line with the broadest smile that hid the tears as every possible emotion burst out at once. For a moment I was totally overwhelmed...this was a mammoth achievement. I finished 347th out of 1500 in 3 hours and 56 minutes...with legs to spare!!

Countdown to the crunch..

This will be my last update on my on going training, simply because the race is this Saturday at 1030!
Following my last update my mood was upbeat and confident, despite hurting myself on my 21 miler. However only a couple of days later I aggravated an old back injury, which was uncomfortable enough to almost stop me running for two weeks. With some careful stretches and lots of hot baths..and cold beer, I nursed my self fit enough to get on my feet again.

Evenings are dark and leaves are falling..my two month old shoes smell like a cat's peed in them...and have they lost their spring?

So last week I decided to get one last long run on the Orme under my belt to hopefully boost my confidence back up. I wanted to make sure I still could make some sort of distance, but was very aware that any injury now could impact the big day itself. I completed three circuits, sixteen miles. I ran defensively...what almost felt slowly, but trying to remain as relaxed as I could. I only dropped a minute each time round but felt so much happier in myself. I also managed to stave off the stiffness I'm prone to, in my neck and shoulders by periodicly letting my arms flop by my side as I ran. There is always a down side though. At thirteen miles my left knee began to complain....not good news. At the end I was okay and my knee was fine later, but I know it would have got progressively worse.

I've done my shopping and will use all this lot to some extent on the day...not forgetting plasters, of course..

My race number is 754. Jos has promised to drive me there on Saturday morning and help pick up what's left of me at the end. I'm looking ahead at the weather forecast and hoping for a nice day. Though it looks like it's going to be windy...just hope it's not raining too! This is after all reputadly the toughest marathon on the calendar...I'm starting to understand why! I know I've got the stamina and strength to finish...I don't know if my knee will hold up, I'm hoping for the best!

Running Madness..

After last weeks 16 miler round the Great Orme, I'd already decided that this was the perfect spot for my continued training..and especially my sternest test, a 21 mile run. There are many schools of thought regarding training for a marathon. I happen to believe in laying down hard mileage to get used to the punishment, both physical and mental, which will make or break a good run on the day.
My running companions for a while...

So this week I got up even earlier and drove to Wales through mist and fog, to find blue skies and sunshine! Still a nice coolness to the morning as I set off running through Llandudno, from West Shore. The smell of full English, or perhaps Welsh breakfasts was wafting from every hotel and B 'n' B and the sun reflected off the sea past Little Orme across the bay. This felt more like a holiday.
Setting a cracking pace...which I just couldn't match!

The idea was to run four circuits, which would total just over 21 miles. To keep things interesting I alternated my direction, first anti-clockwise to give a longer slower ascent, with a steep descent...to the other way round with a sharp climb and gentle roll down through town. So for my first circuit I enjoyed the splendid sea views and relaxed into a nice stride, which took just forty five minutes..bang on the pace I intended.
Just over 3 hours for just over 21 miles on undulating road...I'm quite pleased and know I can't go any faster. If I can match this pace in the race I'll be very happy!

Curiously there don't seem to be any other people using this area to run. Plenty of walkers and a few cyclists, but I was alone. The final circuit was my undoing. I'd just changed direction, so had hammered my legs down the steeper descent above Llys Helig, and was now climbing the same slope. I made the top by the cafe but the energy had gone from my legs and each stride seemed to jar through to my bones. This was now very tough..even on the level ground. Almost unbelievably I also got stung by a wasp that got down my left shoe?? If I hadn't been the furthest from the car, I think I'd have used this as an excuse to stop...but had to keep going. Every ounce of me was hurting and it was such a relief to finally, what felt like stumble back to the car through town. Despite feeling so slow on this last round, my time only suffered by just two minutes when compared with the previous. So that's it now...till the race I will not go any further, distance wise. I will treat the downhill sections with a little more caution. It took some Ibuprofen and a days rest till my knees were happy again. But I'm generally pleased...no other aches or pain.

Burghley X-Country Day

For quite a number of years I've watched the BBC TV coverage of the Burghley Horse Trials. The bravery and courage of riders and horses competing through the rolling countryside over impossibly sized obstacles, makes this a thrilling spectacle! So at last I was making the trip down to see all the action first hand..
One of the first riders to to finish the course comes home through fence 32 infront of Burghley House

This Summer's weather has again been trying its worst to spoil things. So after the the last few days rain, I wasn't sure if the cross country would go ahead. However almost miraculously Saturday was relatively bright and dry, as things go! We arrived in good time and spent little time queuing, and found ourselves parked quite close to the heart of things!
Belgian rider Karin Donkers jumps fence 30 The Flower Frame

There's a huge tented shopping area and I did have a small list of items to look for. But the crowds were busy and the place was so muddy that in reality I would be wasting my time. Plus I had that impatient anticipation of the event to come that shopping was really the last thing I could focus on! I did notice though, that there were several icecream vans with no custom...something which I remedied through the day!
After a fast down hill gallop it all went horribly wrong as Sparrow Hall takes off vertically and too early falling on the fence throwing Marie Ryan over onto her back!

Just before the start time of eleven, we met up, all too briefly with Debbie, a very good friend, who goes to Burghley every year for the whole four days. She showed us the scoreboard and the course secretaries tent, where we obtained a list of the running order and riders. By now it was time to start and the crowds were excitedly gathering at the course sides to see the competition unfold.
Sparrow Hall still panicked by the fall and having a leg trapped in his reins...

We watched the first couple of riders off from the start before beginning to walk round the course in reverse...as the majority seemed to be doing the opposite! This plan failed because the sheer numbers of people made every fence crowded..but it was always easy to get a view. What a tremendous feeling to be so close to the horses galloping by at a thumping speed, at barely arms length! Just as sobering, seeing a horse clip an obstacle and hear the resounding crack of hoof against wood and the inevitable topple and spill. We saw a couple of falls and plenty of near misses. We cheered as a crowd on valiant efforts and the feeling was ecstatic! What a brilliant place to be...what a fantastic competition!
Nicola Wilson on Opposition Buzz flying over the impossibly vast fence 19, the Cottesmore Leap..

Though the ground stayed in remarkably good condition, the heavy going obviously took its toll on many horses...some finishing..just, but plenty being retired. We managed to get round and see almost every fence. However just as I thought I had all day to continue enjoying the competition, the commentator announced only a handful of riders to run! The day finished with a heavy shower as we watched William Fox-Pitt on Tamarillo almost stumble at the sharp drop of the Leaf Pit, before recovering to post the best time of the day! Eventual winners of the competition.

Running progress..

In the last few weeks I've really stepped up my training for the 2008 Snowdonia Marathon. The knee pain that almost stopped me in my first week, has long passed. With barely five weeks to go I'm now trying to lay down some long runs and mileage, to ready myself for the ardure of race day..25th October!
This GPS device has been quite useful in my training, thanks to Tom for letting me use it!

One reason I've written less here than usual, is my pre-occupation with running. If I'm not actually running...I'm recovering from my last run...or thinking about my next one. Fatigue is a constant shadow in my life and I've done well to stay illness and injury free. When I last ran these sort of distances I was much younger and thought nothing of a quick ten miler...while the adverts were on, as it were. So it's been hard work, but I've been creative in my training and generally enjoyed my self inflicted pain
I "ran" up Snowdon itself, lurking in the mist, but it was a very hard lesson...

I've run far and wide..through muddy fields and slippery river banks. Stupidly thought I could run up a mountain and probably caused some concern to passers by with my red face and stumbling across misty rocky crags! So pavements and roads are now like a glide to my ever stronger legs. I seem to have put on a little weight..which I presume is muscle. My upper body is shrinking whilst my legs grow! Perhaps I'll have to learn to walk on my hands after this is all over, to redistribute things..!
At the top, the seagull in the picture was laughing at me and people were giving me concerned looks...but not making eye contact!

Someone from work thoughtfully let me use his GPS device to aid my training. So I've now become a collector of miles. If only it was money in the bank! However it's been useful to know how far I've gone. To date, eighteen miles is my longest run. This coming week I'm aiming to run four circuits of Marine Drive on the Great Orme. This will make a total of twenty one miles in similarly undulating road conditions. This should be the pinnacle of my training and I can then go on with confidence...The rewards being as much beer, chips, curry and icecream as I can eat!!
The descent of Snowdon was swift and my feet were on fire, so you can imagine the sensation of cooling them in Llyn Padarn, the lake by Llanberis where I'll hopefully finish my marathon.

Wild Welsh ponies and a lash of wet weather..

A surprising and magical meeting..a herd of wild ponies on the headland with views to Bardsey

I defiantly announced " I'm going camping this weekend come what may!" Brave but stupid words spoken as bravado in front of work colleagues who I knew would give the desired answer. " You must be bloody mad...have you seen the forecast?" Yes I'd seen the forecast and I was hoping and praying that something dramatic would happen to change it....after all they quite often get it wrong! Well for once it was very accurate..it rained...very much, but mostly from one direction. The rain was blown by the wind...which was far stronger than forecast. So strong that five miles away,in Abersoch, 45 small boats were smashed on the beach on the Monday evening.
Idyllic scene with Cilan and Bardsey top left with nothing but sea beyond

I was glad of Jos's company..for a while it looked like I was going to be "Billy no mates". I also delayed our travel a day because the forecast for Saturday was abysmal. So it was nice to arrive at Treheli in warm sunshine. I'm always uplifted by the view down across the wide bay, the sea and waves, which usually results in an excited, frenzied clatter of camping paraphernalia. So all pitched up..what next?
Cheesy grin can't deflect from the fact it's peeing it down...but it was fun and the chilli was great!

As the tide was in, a walk on the beach was out. I've been here so many times but have never been to the point or headland that lies South West of the campsite. Trwyn Talfarach. So we set out on the steep climb that takes the road up to Rhiw. The crags from which the village takes its name are notorious with us camp dwellers below as the "weather machine". At close to 200 meters above the sea, these crags are the first higher ground that the predominantly South Westerly wind hits, freshly ladden with moist sea air. The resulting lee-side is quite often misty and wet. So it was going to be nice to see the otherside of the "weather machine" and perhaps find an off switch!!
Morning after the storm..nice waves forming off "winkle pond"each one slightly different!

Beyond the craggs is the high point of Penarfynydd with a trigg point. The views here are far reaching and evocitively maritime. The land ends in points, past Aberdaron anchored safely in it's bay, pointing towards Bardsey, resting place of so many ancient saints and the Cetic Sea beyond. There's powerful peacefulness here that easily sells some of the faerie stories that almost make you hear a whisper on the wind.
Even in the depths of Winter have I ever seen so much water on this campsite..Aug 2008!

As though by magic, we stumbled on a herd of wild ponies! I counted ten and they let us approach just so far...before trotting off. All this time I never knew what was beyond the "weather machine", now I think I might just visit again. We didn't find a switch and things got very wet and very, very windy. The campsite was ravaged and the inhabitants dwindled, leaving only the hardy stalwarts to enjoy the morning after.This is a good place!

Lesson from a Lusitano Stallion..

I discovered Pen Llyn stables near Llaniestyn, about three years ago. Still very much a beginner horse-rider, I'd only just started cantering in the school and booked myself on effectively my first hack. I rode Tia, an unremarkable mare who looked after me well and I enjoyed every minute. Despite being the only rider in a large group to decline the invitation to canter. We rode the local lanes and through fields on the lower slopes of Carn Fadryn on a lovely warm Summer's day, in the heart of the beautiful Llyn Peninsula in North Wales.

Early first steps in walk

Pen Llyn is also located conveniently, only five miles or so from my favourite campsite, overlooking the wide open bay at Porth Neigwl. The beach here is a gold mine for beachcombers and the waves bring surfers from miles away. I had recently planned a camping trip and knew the weather forecast was poor. Previously I've found it all too easy to make excuses not to go, only to regret the decision later. So I made a reason to go. I booked an hour classical riding lesson for Monday lunchtime.

A wet and windy sleepless night in a cold, damp tent is not the ideal preparation for probably the most interesting and important riding lesson to date. However pulling on familiar boots, polished just for the occasion, soon settled me into a positive frame of mind. My camping comrade Jos came along with his camera and we arrived early!

Perhaps a little too early as we were shown to the indoor arena and watched a group lesson in progress. A mixed ride of horses were being ridden in more advanced moves than I've ever seen...let alone attempted. So I was starting to feel a little concerned that I'd taken on a little too much. Almost suddenly the arena emptied and before I knew it and with little time for introduction, I was up in the saddle on board the handsome Lusitano stallion Rez. I barely got time to look at him before..maybe just as well as I was feeling a bit intimidated by things by now anyway.
Leg Yielding

I need not have worried. My instructor, Lucy, put me at ease by starting off very slowly with nothing more than walking Rez into a contact on both reins. Then moving onto shoulder in at walk and trot. Followed by familiar circles and serpentines at trot, then some leg yielding with some invaluable tips from Lucy and some pointers on some of my weaknesses.
Flying Change

My "driving" seat is a problem and poor Rez thought I was asking for passage. So every now and then I was asked to extend him down the long side in trot. We cantered large, then circles, on both reins, before trying figure of eights with flying changes, which he gave with little more than a nudge. This whole ride was an experience I will remember for a long time. Rez is probably used to far more advanced riders than me but never made me feel out of place or took advantage. Lucy obviously knows him very well and had me weighed up quite quickly. Coming on close to an hour later I was ready to finish. Everything had gone so well, mentally I was switching off...full to overflowing with all the different movements and actions I was trying hard to coordinate, the concentration and emotion spent on riding such a beautifully talented horse.

I was invited to try some Spanish Walk and Passage, which Rez is obviously well versed in. However it was the more simple, familiar school figures, done well, that gave me most satisfaction. Possibly because I know where I might struggle sometimes, perhaps cantering on the right rein on a circle. Whilst I'm sure there was plenty of room for improvement on some points, in general I think my riding has come on very well and that I justified my ride on a Luso. I hope I'll return very soon for more...

One question that keeps coming up in many of my riding lessons. I understand the the concept of asking and needing impulsion from the horse. How exactly it is achieved is slightly more tricky. In my simple view I ask with my legs. The horse responds by going faster. If I am to keep a soft hand, how do I contain the speed and change it to impulsion? Am I approaching this wrong?

New Shoes..as promised!

A week has gone by without me running a yard! Which isn't to say I've done nothing at all. My work has me on my feet a good deal and I've been horse riding and swimming. I've started to take Glucosamine supplement in a slightly desperate hope of improving my knee trouble. Of course I'm fully aware that any effect will not be quickly noticeable...but I've got to do something!
Are these the shoes in which I'll run the 2008 Snowdonia Marathon..??

Each day through the week my knee has got better. I'm still having a 400mg Ibuprofen at breakfast but the effect of it lasts longer through each day. So I went and bought my new running shoes. Apparently I supinate, my feet have high arches and I run on the outside of my foot. This narrows the shoe choice right down. Anyway after some deliberation, mainly at the price...how much?? I got Asics Nimbus Gel. Far too fancy looking for my taste, but at least they're not dayglo green, like some! Tried them on a gentle three miler out along the river and today on a five mile uphill run on a treadmill. They feel good and though I have some reaction from my knee, it's not like previously. So fingers crossed for my marathon attempt!

Willing Horse...

The horses have been moved back to the bottom field. The advantages are that the field is on the yard and visible. However it is low lying, poor to drain and the grass has not had a chance to recover sufficiently. On the plus side again, some damaged bales of haylage have been left and the horses have constant access...so Heather has quickly chosen her own bale and started tunnelling through with gusto! On the downside, this means she doesn't have to forage and has well and truly parked herself...fat mare even sleeps next to it!
The worst of a few cuts and grazes on her hind legs, which caused some lame-ness.

Bordering the bottom field to the left is a golf course. The contrast between the horses scrapping for food in the mud and the immaculate fairways and greens next door could not be more stark! So perhaps it's really no surprise to find Heather with an number of cuts and grazes from the barbed wire fence separating. The temptation must be immense because the grass definitely is greener next door! She managed to cut both hind legs and the minor infection filled both legs and she was lame to some degree. In the general scheme of things a minor annoyance....
Astonishing new hoof growth, can it all be down to Cornucrescine?

Heather's poor feet have been a constant battle for me. Before I knew her, she'd obviously suffered some neglect here. However I've picked out, cleaned, dressed and nourished her feet for more than two years....daily! That with regular attention from the farrier, I think I was starting to become resigned to her feet being a conformational fault. I had being using Effol a hoof moisturiser for quite a while, without any real difference. So last visit from the farrier, I asked his opinion. So for the last six weeks, I've been using Cornucrescine. Perhaps it's a coincidence with increased Summer growth from the brief spell of good grass. But since I've been regularly massaging Cornucrescine into her feet, particularly into the Coronet band, where hoof meets flesh, the results have been astonishing. The new growth is all too apparent...hope this continues!
This horse appears to be developing a round back end..!! At last...

When I first met Heather, she'd not long returned from a long stint living out. She's never really slotted into the riding school and had no tack or saddle. She is an odd shape and it was difficult trying to borrow a saddle from another horse who might need it for a lesson...let alone it fitting her. So I searched and found an old, beautiful English GP saddle, that fitted her...but it's very heavy. I've been told it is a copy of an old Police or Military saddle. An amazing piece of work and so comfortable to ride in. For a while though I suspected the deep knee rolls might be interfering with her shoulders. Possibly compounding her long standing canter lead problems. So I'd been looking around for something different.
Measuring up for a new saddle..

Didn't take long for me to narrow my search down to the Thorowgood T4 Hi-Wither. This is a synthetic saddle with changeable gullets to alter width and removable fish to adjust height. I'd decided another second hand leather saddle might take ages to locate. So splashed out at Robinsons! I followed the fitting guide carefully. That with plenty of reading up elsewhere and I think we ended up with a reasonable, well, good fit.
Part of the saddle fitting guide, which s easy to follow and use.

It's comfortable to ride in and best of all I'm sure Heather really appreciates it. Since her injury, on the few times I've asked, she's picked up correct canter lead on her stiff right side. The new saddle seems to help and she's not put a foot wrong so far. In fact left unchecked she willingly continues into a gallop! With all this recent improvement, I'm also wondering if the Top Spec Feed Balancer is helping things along, she's been fed this now since February. I'm sure she's gradually muscling up and her hind quarters no longer look flat and weak! She's developing a rounded full back-end!
Initial fit looks promising...

So now she's sound and with a new saddle that she likes. Time to step up the work and try and get her fit and more difficult, supple. As usual I'm up for the challenge and to be perfectly honest I enjoy every moment in this horses company..

Fitted and ready to go..!!

Excuse not to run...

Only a week after entering the Snowdonia Marathon, I'm starting to wonder if it's going to be possible. About this time, a year ago, I started having trouble with my left knee. So much so, that I mentioned it to my Doctor, on an occasion when I'd accumulated enough ailments to feel a visit was warranted! So I was sent for an MRI scan. This revealed a tear in the Medial Meniscus. All this took so long, that by the time I had the results, my knee felt much better.
Faithful old trainers may need replacing if I'm to make a serious attempt.

So I knew there might be a problem. During the last week I've done three five mile runs. One of which was at a good pace. This is when I felt the old injury. Yesterday I decided to put things to a real test, and ran twelve miles on a treadmill in the gym...taking just about 1 hour 37 mins. My knee hurt all the way through and was very stiff this morning. So realistically the marathon attempt seems out of reach. I did take one 400mg Ibuprofen at lunchtime, then went for a mile swim. I've since been riding too and the knee is not painful. So I'll take it easy with the running this week and see how I go. No matter what, I think I deserve a new pair of trainers!

Tripped up, down a Mountain!

Was definitely a wrench leaving Manchester on a warm sunny morning, knowing that my destination was already grey and damp. The forecast wasn't great but good enough and I'd taken a peek from the webcam that sits on Elidir Fach, looking across to Snowdon. Mist and light rain...typical mountain weather. So by the time I arrived in Nant Peris, I was pleased to find the cloud above the tops and felt optimistic for a good day. On a practical note I have a couple of grumbles. The car park toilets were locked...not good at the end of a two hour drive fuelled on coffee! I also noticed with disgust that a pay to park machine was being installed by workmen. This car park is underused and traditionally has been used as an overspill from the always chocka Pen Y Pass car park further up. I've always seen not having to pay as a reward for keeping things running smoothly, as it were, and putting up with a long walk in.
Looking South West from Carnedd a Filiast across the Marchlyn Mawr reservoir to Elidir Fawr

My first ascent was in front of me. Elidir Fawr stands at 924 metres commanding the backdrop to the North. This is a hard slog. A path cuts diagonally up, relentless in direction and slope, though always up, interspersed with bogs. Not until the last hundred metres or so does the grass give way to rock and loose boulders. So it was with relief that I stumbled into the summit cairn crater. Since the mountain stands alone, the views are far reaching with all the familiar tops easily recognisable. Keeping on a Northerly theme, I descended steep scree and skirted round the far end of the Marchlyn Mawr reservoir. This is part of a hydro-electric power station deep with in the mountain and well worth a visit to the impressive man made caverns within. I was soon climbing once more, amongst flowering Heather to the top of Carnedd Y Filiast. The views now down into the Ogwen Valley.
The Atlantic Slabs, former sea-bed like crazy paving gone mad at 45 degrees!

The obvious path across to the next peak of Mynydd Perfedd skirts the edge of Cwm Graianog. Here without a doubt are some of the strangest and most impressive rock formations to be found. A former section of seabed perches crazily at forty five degrees, halfway up a mountain! I did cautiously venture on, but soon retreated after slip on some moss made me remember the saying about rolling stones gathering no moss!
View from my new found path, looking at the head of the Ogwen Valley, with Tryfan central.

I was looking forward to the next part of my adventure. The obvious and popular way ahead is to now follow the ridge and stay high.I've walked this many times and it is very satisfying. However the views into the Ogwen Valley are not as good as perhaps expected. Just before the steep climb to Foel Goch, there are two stiles. So shunning the ridge, I took the second stile and descended a steep grassy slope into Cwm Bual. On good advice, I easily located a stile painted blue and crossed it following a broken wall and fence line. Soon I was on a feint but obvious path that contoured round and headed up the valley about halfway between the valley floor and the ridge above. What a delightful little path, never in doubt and entertaining enough. With views into the Cwms above, crossing small streams and short-lived scree, flowering Heather and a different slant on familiar slopes! I passed beneath an enticing looking puzzle of rock formations marked on my map as the "Mushroom Garden", so have left further reason to return! The path even deposited me exactly at the climb from Llyn Idwal to Y Garn.
Refreshing waterfall in Cwm Padraig, useful for washing away blood and sweat....

Y Garn is an impressive mountain in its own right. Today it was getting just a bit part in my day. The cloud had covered the tops now and a slight drizzle kept me busy climbing as the closer I got to the top, the lower the cloud seemed to come! I didn't even stop on the summit. My mind was already ahead of me and I was feeling a bit tired after the excitement of discovery earlier. So I soon found myself on autopilot running down familiar slopes of scree. Then in an instant I caught a toe...fell onto my elbow, banged my knee, rolled over on my pack and was on my feet still descending wondering what was about to give! Unbelievably both hands had mere pin pricks on the palms, my right elbow was grazed and slightly cut and I had dirt all over my right thigh and back pack..that's all! So I slowed and counted how many blessings. Found the scenic route down through Cwm Padraig and stopped a while to refresh my self and wash by a waterfall. This is a brilliant way to spend a day!