Moonlight Run

[Beachcomber66]

Not a very good picture taken from the woodland path which is the scene of most of my moonlight runs. There were owls hooting tonight, one odd walker dressed in black from head to toe amd carrying no light, and a few intrepid runners with their headlights bobbing about in the gloom. I was walking with Molly, our equally intrepid Old English Sheepdog. She took me straight to a higher path we hadn't walked for years and she knew exactly where to go. It was a really relaxing walk, although I did drop her lead, probably when taking the photograph, so had to take of my jacket off when we got back to the road to use as a makeshift replacement! A good scouting mission for a new running route. Night runs are really special.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Lovely atmospheric photo, I hope you get some nice runs on that route

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks GTB. I think tonight was just a bit of man and dog in harmony..her keen eyes to keep us on the right track and me providing the reassurance when odd bobbing lights or strange noises invaded our peace. I didn’t take a torch...the dark came in very quickly. I think we will both both sleep well tonight!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Beautiful! Looks the perfect place for a run BC66.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Feels at peace with itself...nothing scary up there..pity the lighter nights are on the way; different for those who still have to work for a Iiving I know. 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Oh wow BC, all the ghosts and gooleys hiding out in those woods! But it does look lovely! I’ll watch you from the sidelines though and look forward to hearing how you get on - have fun! 👻 🏃 🌙

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I think it was the fact that Molly was with me that prompted the post Cheeky. It is years since she was up there (we always go to the beach because she was often a bit reactive in the woods... not enough space, some uneducated dog owners..confrontation, all of which I can do without). So this was a bit of spontaneous rehab at a point when we can’t get to the beach because she is having to learn to climb into my car up a ramp( our other car having been written off last week). I am not going to rush the training; one slip can set you back for days as you will know. So I decided to risk an evening woods walk when it would be quiet; she loved it!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

I bet you both had a wonderful time. 🐕👍 Great that you have the quiet woods as an option. (But in the dark?? 😱😅)

Aww bless Molly, needing a ramp. Is she arthritic? Our old Lab used to need one and he took him a while to get the gist of using it. I still have it in the garage although I’m hoping Flossie won’t be needing it for a few years. It’s her 8th birthday on Feb 26th. ❤️

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

She isn’t arthritic... but she took a flying leap at the boot of my car the other day, hurt herself, and she is not keen to repeat the exercise. To date she has always travelled in Mrs BC’s Honda Jazz where the seat arrangement at the back can be adjusted to leave loads of room and only a small step up. My Tucson car boot is much higher. Few treats should do the trick!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh gosh poor little thing, I don’t think I knew that BC. 😩 I hope she’s on the mend? 🐕❤️🤞

I know for sure that Flossie would be a complete pansy using a ramp, so I feel your pain! She always sits on the back seat of my Mokka pointing the same way! My daughter sticks her in the boot of her Jeep and that discombobulates her no end! A ramp would be a massive step out of her comfort zone!! 😅

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Just had training session 2; couple of practice runs with the ramp at doorstep height, then on to the car boot..she went up cautiously but willingly first time. She is a sucker for good boy crunchy chicken and calcium bones!! Heavy ramp though... good bit of cross training for me. This means that beach walks are back on the agenda so a bit of normality is restored 😊.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Clever girl! 😍🐕

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

At nearly 14 our old chap has to suffer the ignominy of being lifted into and out of our boot now - especially since we got the Range Rover, he can hardly reach the bumper anyway being a cocker! He is not impressed! What happened to your car? Hope you are ok!

Lovely pic by the way 😃

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Shorthand version is that Mrs BC is fine but bruised; she wrote off her jazz, which is our dog car, by hitting the rear of a minibus. Cause is unclear so she isn’t driving pending medical stuff. Molly now needs to travel in my suv, but the boot is a bit high and I am past lifting 37k of OES every day. So I have bought a very substantial ramp which she has taken to really easily. The breed, particularly Molly who is the brightest dog we have ever had, is very trainable but stubborn (like their owners😊). Hoping to get out for a run later..TLC coffee shop for Mrs BC first, once Molly is de-clagged from her woods walk this morning! Hope the skiing ⛷ is going well.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh dear! Glad to hear Mrs BC wasn’t badly hurt and hope the outcome is good. At least Ben is only 14kg, which is a bit more manageable, but as an alpha male, it’s beneath his dignity to have to be carried 😂 On the way home now - 15 hour car journey ☹️

[Jazzyrunner Graduate10]

Oh this looks so atmospheric! I must admit the only thing that’s tempted me to a night run is the promise of a Garmin badge! 🙈

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Jazzyrunner]

😊 I don’t mind a bit of virtual bling myself! I always assume that I will be the craziest thing up there anyway so I am completely relaxed, probably more relaxed than I am on day time run over the same course. All part of varying the experience really. 👍 🦇

[Dalmorangie]

Great photo, never mind Parkruns, let’s love the Darkruns!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Dalmorangie]

Oh each to their own Dalmorangie....don’t want to be tripping over too many people up there 😉

[Dalmorangie in reply to Beachcomber66]

🤣😂 get a lighting set! I love mine!