It was cooler yesterday morning, around 16-17C when we set out, perfect. My husband suggested a different route. We walked down the very steep hill close to where we are staying then turned left a short way down. A gentle upward slope got us started, followed by a steep downward run. We had very heavy rain the night before so the smell was intoxicating, eucalyptus and pine and wet earth.
At the bottom of the hill there was a choice of route - up a very steep hill or cut through the back garden of a house that didn't look as if anyone was there. Many of the houses are holiday homes, so in November most are shuttered up for the winter. We took the short cut.
When we reached the main road we'd only done 1 km. Our choice was to turn right for home or turn left in the direction of the next village. We went left. This was a gentle slope uphill so we took it very easy and much to my surprise I didn't find it hard, no breathlessness, no puffing, no walking. After 1.5km we reached the top of the hill and turned. Carrying on would have been a downhill stretch but the idea of starting the run back with an upwards slope did not appeal, so instead we had the luxury of a long descent along the beautiful coast road. When we were here in March it was smothered in spring flowers but now, after a long hot summer, the verges are dry and brown. The blue sea makes up for this.
At 4 km we were back at our favourite swimming spot. We hadn't brought towels but never mind. The water seems chillier than when we arrived 2 weeks ago but it's absolutely perfect for cooling off after a hot run. I wonder if we'll still be swimming when we go home in 10 days' time?
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
week 2 begins! 
