Spot the Christmas tree...

[Oldfloss]

My last run before Christmas, this morning.

I was trying so, so hard to rise to IannodaTruffe 's Christmas challenge.... but mud , puddles and total lack of orientation.... thwarted me !

You try running to make the outline of a Christmas tree..! Even a modernised version!I t was tricky! Slow and steady took on a whole new meaning as I tried to form a shape!

But... I had terrific fun, and even the slate grey sky, and the threatening rain clouds did little to quash the feeling.

A loopy old lady, in the middle of fields; running round, in apparently meaningless and aimless shapes...beneath the clouds, pink edged, softening the brooding solemnity of the morning,, holding the day; the air filled with a trembling expectancy of what is to follow... and a world waiting for the unknown.

Mornings like this are priceless ... and they are held in my heart and mind... ready to recall on the longer, darker days of life.

In the hustle and bustle of the season... I want to wish all of you, my wonderful forum family... whatever you would wish for yourselves...Another running year drawing to a close and the anticipation of what is to follow...

We are all so very different and yet, all so much alike...faceless and nameless, yet held together by friendship.

So.. in the Spirit of the Season...

"There's more, much more, to Christmas, than candlelight and cheer; It's the spirit of sweet friendship, that brightens all year. It's thoughtfulness and kindness, It's hope reborn again, For peace, for understanding and for goodwill, for all men."

Happy Christmastide.

Flossx

PS

It helps if you zoom in slightly!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Totally bonkers.................

................and here's wishing you all the best.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

But soooooo cute with it And you, Tim x

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate]

*Jumps up and down with hand in the air* I can see it Oldfloss, at the top..!! Good work..!!

I’m going to see what I can do while I’m down on the south coast... I can only map run a penis at home (and, unless I run some holly round it, it really isn’t very festive) 🤦🏻‍♀️

Lovely, lovely post...

Wishing you a very happy Christmas and huge thanks for your invaluable support. Have a great one..!! 🎄🎁🎅🏼 xx

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

Totally missed it until you said!

Ha ha .. well done

Merry Christmas one and all

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Richard7]

Thanks Richard... God Bless us...Every one

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

Holly and penises just do not go together...........please!

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

OK, I shall refrain 😬

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

Yeay..... I knew it could spot it!!! Go you... Happy Christmastide!!

[TJMazz Graduate]

Ahh, bless you. Such a good attempt. I’m impressed with your effort. I’m glad you enjoyed rising to the challenge.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎉🎄🎅🏼🎁😘

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to TJMazz]

I tried... Happy Christmastide

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Brilliant- happy Christmas! 😄

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

..and Happy Christmastide to youx

[Bridget007 Graduate]

Happy Christmastide to you too xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Bridget007]

Thank you!

[McFitty Graduate]

I see the tree! Wot no baubles?😉 Have a wonderful time Floss. Wishing you every good thing. I shall be raising a glass to our running tribe and then running off the inevitable overindulgence! Here's to peace, goodwill, and happy runnings in 2018 😘

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to McFitty]

Thanks you xxx. I was shattered trying to work out where I was running to and from .. Have a super time,my friend .. we are off to Little Mum's for lunch

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

I see the tree (perhaps a bit abstract) and if I put on my imaginoscope, I can see a bow near the A521 and the outline of a bird body (perhaps a partridge?) on the far left of your route :). It's like looking at an old school ultrasound image - squint and you'll see it 😆. Nicely done floss for trying. My outdoor runs are thwarted by extremely cold wind chill but even then, I just can't see anything in the maps of my old routes.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, dear friend, and a Happy New Year!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I can see those things !!!! Thank you so much... xxx Happy Christmastide

[Decker]

I see the little tree. And if I look at the larger run lines, I see a female lion’s head in profile. Maybe its a sign of whats in store for the new year Floss. Get ready to roar! 😄

A very Happy Christmas to you and your family my friend! Hope the new year brings all you hope for!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Decker]

I see it.... I do ! Thank you my friend... Happy Christmastide to you and yours xxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Fabulous Oldfloss ....I started this year on the couch but I’m finishing it very much off the couch...you, well, what can I say??!! You have helped me along my journey & for that, I will be eternally grateful, I cannot imagine my running life without this forum. I’ve been inspired by stories on here & I love that I’m running past MacDonalds when others are running past the Vatican or on the beach, up hills n slopes up north or pounding the streets of London, wherever my family are running I’m enjoying reading their stories & sharing mine with them....so, I’m wishing each and everyone of you on here a happy Christmas & a very happy new year....keep on running & smile while you’re at it xxxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Thank you... xxx

[Slinkymalinki Graduate]

Beautifully written as usual Old Floss. Running is poetry... Thank you for your words of wisdom throughout the year - they have literally kettle me going. Merry Christmas to the whole running community and a happy new year! X

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Thank you so much... Have a wonderful Christmastide x

[Theziggy Graduate]

It looks very much like an anatomical diagram of the vas deferens !!

Just would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas Oldfloss

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Theziggy]

Thanks !!! Happy Christmas to you

[AnnieW55]

I see the tree and Dexter's lion and...... The bottom half of an elephant! Trunk to the left and raised tail to the right 😀

Best Wishes for a lovely Christmas. Looking forward to more of your running musings/ descriptions in 2018.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to AnnieW55]

I can see all of those.. i did not realise I was such a running artist

Thank you.. enjoy this Christmastide

[quirkybee Graduate]

Ah, heart warming lovely post Oldfloss. Even my phone knows you now as I type O, my phone does the rest. Sending hugs your way, you're a fab lady with lots of wisdom, advice and wonderful tales xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to quirkybee]

Huge hugs to you too ! Hope your Christmas was good I got a run in on Boxing Day, and due one tomorrow.. although we have had snow and it is snowing now!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I totally agree with quirkybee Floss, you bring so much to the forum, and we really love your writing and poems, and I see the lion too...

Snow again😯... oh dear...

We just have a frosting and sunshine here. Maybe your lion 'Aslan' will provide a thaw...

If not build a snowman and run another day... xxp

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

You are so kind... Yes.. it came earlier than forecast and we keep having some quite heavy showers, although the sun in between, is glorious.. trouble is, it is cold and the surface underneath is icy!

More forecast for tomorrow morning!

I am busy inside, making some big cushion covers for Little Mum

Have a good day x

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

..no, I have zoomed in and I cannot see a Christmas tree! 😉..the beginning of one, maybe! 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Top left.. a bit of a modernistic, abstract sort of tree... I have had so much fun since registering on Strava!!!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Mmm?...oh, ok - I guess..😉!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

It's okay.. I was so shattered afterwards... it was really hard! I had to convince myself it was there

This next Christmas.. I shall be doing a snowball! Easier