What a lovely run. Downhill start and corvids of all sorts were out in force this morning against a backdrop of mewling gulls. Lots of crows and jackdaws and two groups of 6 magpies were spotted. 6 for gold x 2. Looks like my lucky day 
And then came the onslaught of the infamous (here anyway) Cichle Hill. It's been a long time old friend and I tried it and it beat me but only for a brief walk before carrying on. There was a flare of gold as the rising sun caught the clouds above the mountain as if it had burst into flames but the false promise of a glorious sunrise faded to an insipid yellow as the grey clouds siezed the day. Down into the narrow lanes where black bellied sheep and curly horned rams stare with indifferent eyes. Oh, just another runner. On down the quiet lanes with just a pause or two for the odd solitary car to pass. And then decision. The longer route past the standing stone or back towards Cichle Hill? Sense prevailed and what a marvellous decision! High hedges with the odd glimpse beyond but so nice to let the legs go. Oh if only I could stride like that on the flat I would be flying! Down the gently curving lane to emerge on Cichle Hill. Couldn't think of a better way to end the run than going along the coast for a bit and stopped by a bench to do my stretches and gaze out across the straits but there was a rustling behind me and there scurrying through the leaves was my second bit of gold. Two red squirrles. Oh, if only I'd had my camera 
And that my dear friends is why I have missed the long run so much. Hope all you runners and racers have a fantastic day xx
First run of the decade!
