Long time taken to post this (sorry long post) but issues with not being able to on my laptop have prevented me from doing so before now but I'm still unable to comment on other posts. Well, what can I say, running the Monsal 10k with Bluebirdrunner and meeting everyone else was a dream which came true. Magical doesn't cover it! Bucket list ticked off!
I arrived in the UK to spend time with my cousin to sadly discover that her MIL had taken a turn for the worse and she sadly passed away the next morning, meaning I had to move to a hotel. She was nearly 101 and up until her last few weeks was still on her iPad Facebooking and Skyping. Her funeral was yesterday where she had banned black clothes and colourful clothes and glitter were to be worn instead, a wonderful old lady .
So there I was in a hotel, jet lagged and not safe behind the wheel of my rental car and Cantstopmenow got in touch and came out of her way to pick me up and take me out to Lytham for fish and chips and a walk along the sea front and on another day to take me out to Haigh Hall, where we ran a not parkrun for just over 6km, it was good to get my legs moving again after so much sitting down in planes and airports (over 27 hours flight time alone). Thank you so much for your kindness and your company.
On to Chester for a few days and then to Trentham Gardens where I stayed in a Premier Inn on site so I could run the Trentham Gardens parkrun, along with nearly a 1000 others! around the lake and through some of the woodland, what a beautiful setting.
Sandie1961 and Mr S had very kindly invited me to stay with them for a few days, where Sandie took me to Lincoln Castle, we dined on fish and chips in a lovely restaurant in Whitby, definitely earned after walking up and down those 199 steps! followed by a visit to Bempton Cliffs, (amazing to see all those birds clinging to the cliffs) and Robin Hood's Bay and then before an English afternoon tea at Doddington Hall, a not parkrun walk. I couldn't believe all that food was just for me! I polished most of it off and it was delicious I had such a lovely time Sandie and Mr S thank you both so much.
Down to Derbyshire where Bluebirdrunner and I met for the first time and a few happy tears shed, with your support on HU and Strava the last 4 years has been constant. I feel so privileged to have spent time with you and your family over the last few days, going around Chatsworth and riding the Monsal Trail the day after our run, where we saw Dexy5 and @UTS lovely to see you both again too. Run/walking the Monsal 10k with you was so much fun, the 2:2 ratio soon forgotten, with chats and laughs. I know you missed Floss, but I felt she was there with us and we 3 crossed the line together, it was just so touching to be clapped in by everyone.
It was so good to see you again too Linda and to meet GTFC Tasha99 cheekychipmunks TailChaser Katnap Shake-and-run for the very first time was brilliant. It's been amazing to see your activities on Strava and now to have met you all in real life, I'm still pinching myself. Sorry this is such a long post, but there were so many highlights I had to mention them all.
This trip to travel from New Zealand to run the Monsal 10k has exceeded every expectation I had. Thank you everyone, I doubt anything will ever measure up to this experience again ❤️ xx
Going to give the local club a go !!!
First parkrun in 6 months and a PB!
(not)parkrun / Virtual 5K
Another beautiful Conwy Parkrun