Lomond Hillrunners' Trip to Picos De Europa

ALAN'S GREAT REPORT - IT SAY'S IT ALL

 Thursday O'leary eyed at an unearthly hour we just managed to withstand the 6am siren call of the airport W'spoons (sorry Deek - I was fibbing - we were Guinnless!). On the plane Gordon felt woozy and for a spell didn't know who he was or even where he was - most would pay a lot for that on a Ryanair flight! Later I spotted C and J getting a severe ticking off for illicit alcohol consumption - naughty but one up on big bad Micheal! We picked up the car (spared the hard sell when he recognised me from June!) and headed to the beach to relax. Gordie slept on the sand, the rest of us had a snack and a beer, Colin and Joan paddled, Alan swam (briefly!) Gordie woke up a new man. We drove through the impressive foothills to Arenas de Cabrales. With the Supermarket not opening till 4 it was either head up to the house or wait at the bar supping beer - we waited at the bar and supped beer! Laden with booze and food we drove the 4k up the hill to our house in the lovely wee village of Arangas. The key was in the lock but opening the door proved to be the greatest challenge of the week. An old lady was found who showed us the technique - three turns and then a kick! The evening sped past with John whipping up a fine meal washed down with local Rioca (the strategy for the week was to work down from 3euros to under 1euro and nobody seemed to notice (much) - although at one point there complaints about fuzzy heads - forgetting that quantity counts as well as quality! Alan brought back memories of Morocco by producing the Hanky Banister quiz book and we spent the week on the quest of the perfect score.  

Friday Blue skies - easy choice - the Caries gorge walk - the plum of the Picos! We parked at Poncebos and set off on the three hour walk gorge walk to the wee hamlet of Cain at the other end. You teeter along the exciting narrow path with the river far below and the mountaintops high above - narrow ledges hacked into the cliff and tunnels make for an exciting time. Near the end we found a good lunch spot but had to fend off the local goats who had smelled food. In Cain we found a welcome hostelry to quench our thirsts. There is really no alternative to returning the same way but no complaints in this case. Another fine repast from John then Gordon regaled us with a story about his visit to Italy to see the mummified flying priest of Lorretto (in a box) - go easy on the magic mushrooms next mealtime John!

 Saturday Alan suggested a look at the Western massif which involves a longish drive up past he Covadonga shrine and then up the narrow mountain road to the lakes. Joan particularly enjoyed looking down the huge drops as driver Alan guessed at how much clearance he had - a scream meant you're close! We arrived safely (otherwise you wouldn't be reading this!). The terrain up here was much more open with pasture around the two lakes and 2500m mountains a few hours walk away. We opted to follow the decent path undulating up to the Vega de Ario hut. In less than the 3 hours recommended we reached a superb open area of limestone with fantastic views across to the main peaks. After lunch we decided to bag a small peak of about 1800m but then failed to find any trace of the return path marked on the map. Up here you leave the path at your peril! 'Badlands' sums it up perfectly! Summoning up every iota of our navigational skills we emerged at the lakes unscathed. Alan's turn as chef (spud con chorizo) seemed to go down well and washed down with another fine selection of wines we launched into a heated debate on the referendum. With a 4 to 1 majority wee Eck should be happy next year. A few Hanky B's rounded off the night. #

Sunday It was a bit overcast but the forecast was good so we packed the sacks and headed back to park at Poncebos. A good path leads up a fine gorge to the remote hamlet of Bulnes. Instead of following the crowds we opted for the now unfrequented route up to the Uriello hut. An awkward clamber up slippy rocks beside a waterfall took us into a fine steep sided valley. Passing a camper and two ponies we reached a dead end and lunched in a stone circle. The route now sidestepped with a steep climb up a gully disappearing into the glour. At the top and now in the clouds the route turns into the main valley and we were climbing on a steep scree path. To make the effort worth while we popped out of the mist to give stunning views up to the bulging 550m face of the Naranja de Bulnes. Up at the bustling hut kitty man was persuaded that a couple of beers was essential to life and we sat chilled enjoying the views over the clouds and the surrounding rocky peaks. Our meal at 8 was worth the wait - three refills of the excellent minetrone with bread (tip - save some bread for your lunch) and then big servings of a pasta dish and a chickpea stew. The green banana served as desert seemed to have arrived at the hut a fortnight early. Bed came early (unlike sleep!) as the 5 of us squeezed onto a sleeping bench. With about 20 in the wee room and the window closed the only blessing was no snorers (no sleepers?).

 Monday Brekker (dry biscuits with jam and wee buns with tea and coffee - one cup) was disappointing but the sun was kissing the surrounding summits. We decided to try for a peak and Gordie had discovered that the nearby Neveron de Urriello at 2559 would go. Leaving some gear at the hut we followed the rough track round to a col and then set off up the slabby ridge. When it started to get steep we checked the book and spotted the track below. A steep scree slabby scramble brought us to within 100 feet of the summit. Al and Joan called it a day and watched the others disappearing up the steep rock. In the end only Gordie summited with the final moves being a bit too airy hairy for Colin and John. Back at the hut Gordie got into conversation with an American tucking into a platter of bread with ham and cheese. Maybe he thought Gord needed fattening up because he offered some to Gord and then told us to help ourselves - we fell on the plate like vultures! We opted for the 'easy' but longer tourist route back down. A great path took us easily down to the pastures of Pandebano and Colin got a good discussion going on whether the moon landings really took place (maybe the flying priest made it first!). From there we got onto a endless track of unpleasant slippery round boulders down to Bulnes. The final gorge walk to the car was much more impressive than we remembered. Even more impressive was El Matador Gordy's handing of a large bull blocking the track - he walked straight up to it and shooed it along with a clap of the hands. To celebrate our great wee trip we passed the night feasting on fajitas, tippling the Tempranillo and brainstorming over the Hankey Banister.  

Tuesday Not feeling like rushing off today we lingered at breakfast with Joan in definite danger of becoming the Mrs Doyle of LHR as she delivered endless cups of tea upstairs. Today we opted for a short day up the hills behind the village (just the height of Ben Nevis!) - Gordie was on a roll! Our first route ended after a few metres when an old man conveyed that the path was impassable. Further along the road we found a good track leading up to a parked car where another local pointed out the track through the crags. A steep zig zag brought us to the edge of a plateaux where the views over the Picos were stunning. Al decided to chill out while the others led by El Torro disappeared up the rocky ridge of Turbina. Tonight it was definitely time for a treat so we headed down to the town to sample an all day menu - great value with a good starter (the local fabada, bean and chorizo stew is to die for!), main course and sweet washed down with plenty of wine - all for 11 euros. John offered to drive us up the road - an exciting taste of bareknuckle rally driving (Alan desperately checking the excess insurance!)  

Wednesday Gordon, Colin, Joan and John decided to go for a final climb while Alan felt he deserved a day off (although he did walk down to the town and back!). Parking at Poncebos (200m) again they headed up the hill to the left of the gorge eventually reaching 1600m - the views were impressive!. On their return Al thought they all looked like they had had a good beasting. After some recovery time we returned to the town to enjoy another menu of the day in a much busier restaurant - as can be seen our attempt at a tip was returned in the form of the local liqueur.  

Thursday In the morning it was back to reality with our dreich early morning drive back to the airport. No complaints though - by common consent we'd had a brilliant week!

Mer to Montagne 400K

a great week's cycling in France. Alan devised this 5 day, 400KM route from Narbonne Plage to Mont Ventoux, the famous Tour de France climb (12 miles & 5000feet) to celebrate his 50th birthday, and to complete his 3rd different ascent of Ventoux.

2012 TOTALS

RUNNING = 1554 MILES ; 238 400 FT ; 319 HRS ; 219 RUNS ; 17 RACES CYCLING = 1604 MILES ; 83 700 FT ; 117 HRS ; 43 CYCLES WALKS = 7 ; 20 000 FT ; 27 HRS

Lomond Hillrunners' Pub Run

The annual beer and pub run in Fife, this time from St Andrews to Kingskettle. Joe's report copied below - "The Lomies annual pub run is now one of the most anticipated events in the calendar year. Its not by chance that its conception was initiated around the new year period, with the idea of dragging us all back into the reality of training/running as a group again, especially after our excessive festive performances. (Some would say “let’s start the year as we mean to carry on”). Over the past years the pub runs have never been duplicated, and so it was with this year with St Andrews being nominated as our start point. Ossy came up with a provisional route that would make its way thru north east Fife, then continue on across the How of Fife to finish at the Station Inn in Kingkettle. Ann at the Station Inn had been forewarned of this invasion and agreed to put on soup and sandwiches for our eventual arrival, so all that was needed now to get this procession up and running was for the delinquents of the club to enrol. Logistically it was quite ideal to arrange as buses run regular from Glenrothes to St Andrews (and back) passing thru Kingskettle, so those that that had no intention of carrying on thru the evening once the run was complete, had regular transport back to Glenrothes and beyond. As all early plans go, it is inevitable they have to be tweaked a little here and there, and so it was, the establishments we had intended to visit. Firstly the Pitscottie Inn was no more, the Kingarroch Inn in Craigrothie was just a restaurant and to add salt to the wounds, the Strathkinness Tavern did not open its doors until 12noon. This last set back meant we had to put back our arranged meeting time in St Andrews by one hour etc. 

Well, the big day arrived and with it a little apprehension, reason being that this would be my first Lomie Pub Run and yes i’am as surprised as some of the members, but circumstances etc sometimes dictate events. Anyway, plan A was to meet at Alan Grahams in Kingkettle drop of our change of clothing and catch the 9:50 to St Andrews, and plan B would be for those that elected to make there own way and meet up with the rest of us at around 10:30/11:00 in the West Port pub/cafe for the usual pre-run Bacon Rolls. One of the many highlights that re-occur each year is Pats attention to his “completely of the scale” dress sense, and this year was no exception. We had been on the bus for around 15/20 mins when it was noticeable that Pat seemed very quiet, when we looked around we could not believe what we were seeing. He had only attached around 20 party poopers (back/front) to his running vest, well the bus was in a uproar and John Donnelly comment put us all in a even more state of laughter with “Pat the Party Pooper Bomber”. Right then, lets get down to the serious business and why we are all meeting over in the North East of Fife.

 

Phase 1 West Port pub/cafe (GR505155) Alan, Andy, David, Joe, John, Pat and Robert kick of in the above premises for Bacon Rolls etc. (delicious) Phase 2 Whey Pat Inn (GR505155) No joke, this is the name of the pub. So, after getting the solids in it was literally thru the West Port Arch, over the road and into are first pint, (taste good).

Phase 3 Whey Pat Tavern to Strathkinness Tavern (GR-458164). On leaving the Whey etc, John suggested taking the scenic route out of St Andrews, which meant going into Lade Brays and following the Kinness Burn then cutting over to the high road leading to Strathkinnss. What an inspired choice this was, not only a beautiful area within St Andrews but amazingly it revealed one of Pats early romances. It appears that in his teenage years, Pat had worked in a restaurant in the town and thru this had struck up a LIAISON with one of our female American cousins, (cordial de’tente), and all this was re-kindled as we passed thru Lade Brays. Wonderful stuff Pat, thanks for sharing it with us. So, once on the top road it was only 15/20mins to our next water station of which we hit the premises just as they opened the doors, (perfect timing). (Approx: 3 mls)

 Phase 4 Strathkinness Tavern to Ceres Inn (GR 400116) This section would be one of longest, so with the weather quite mild them that had shorts with them decided to discard with the lycra and on with the shorts. With knowing this area well, my suggestion was and accepted that we take in part of the local (mid-week) race route passing thru Bonfield and then continue along into Blebocraigs. This then leads down into the wee hamlet of Kemback with its 17th century church and all that. A short run down from Kemback leads us into Dura Den, another small community of about dozen dwelling, and unfortunately was recently on national TV for all the wrong reasons. After days of heavy rain, the weir that sits just above the cottages/houses got blocked with all the debris that flooded down the burn, with catastrophic consequence, the water was re-routed onto the road and apart from severely damaging a number of properties, also took a large section of the road away. After a brief stop for some photo’s it was on and up to the main road at Pitscottie were we turned right and along the last stretch into Ceres. We had decided beforehand to have a prolonged stay in the Ceres Inn and take in lunch and extra refreshments, (2 pints). So comfortable that we were that Ossy had to remind us of our mission, but still, the beer was good, the darts were good (hey Robert/John) and the company as ever was hilarious. Just a quick mention about the landlord who could not have been more accommodating, he not only allowed us to consume are own food in his pub, but also advised us the local conve: store supplied ample sandwiches etc if needed. ( approx 6/7 mls).  

Phase 5 Ceres Inn to Springfield Tavern (GR 342119). On leaving the Ceres Inn John noticed that Alan have somehow sneaked away stealth like, and after a quick check up and down the roads decided to proceed along our next planned route. This would follow the Hill of Tarvit race route from the car park up and over paths tracks and lanes until we reached a beautiful stone bridge across the Craigrothie Burn. In the race itself you have as many runners going thru the burn as going over the bridge. From here its a short climb up the farm track onto the Tarvit/Ceres road, it was about here that a woman walking her dog mentioned that a runner had asked her up on the road if she had come across a group of athletes. It was then that we knew that Alan must have run out of the village along the Cupar road and then swung left along the Tarvit road, at least we knew he was going in the right direction. Anyway, we turned right along the road for about 400m then a left into the Tarvit grounds which would take us past Tarvit House, here one would normally swing into the car park and thru the small wooded area before ascending Hill of Tarvit itself. As time was getting on we carried along to the west exit of the grounds and right onto the Craigrothie/Cupar road which gave us a 200m run along before turning left down along a quite back section that led down to the crossroad with the main Cupar/Glenrothes road. It was possible to cut out this last road section by crossing over the road at the west exit and following the track along to Scotstarvit Tower, but not sure of the route down from here to the crossroads we went for safety, (laugh). From the x-road it was a short run into Springfield and a much needed bit of re-hydration, and the possibility of re-grouping with are wanderer. Inside the pub we were greeted no only by Alan but also by Jabba (inc: hip flask) who had been chauffeured up from Glenrothes by Diedrie, his better half. Alan’s explanation for his solo section was he came out of the pub and not seeing no one assumed we had moved on, but we were all still inside, and not fully aware of our intended route decided to played safe, (another laugh). Well it all turned out fine and from now on in it will be more or less a strait run into Ladybank?. (approx 5 mls).

 

Phase 6 Springfield Tavern to Ladybank Tavern (GR306097) This section was left in the capable hand of Andy who informs us that he trains along this route regularly, (with a refreshment station at either end, not surprised to here its one of his favourites). It was only a short run from the pub along the main drag, before a left turn had us approaching an almost strait landrover track that ran parallel with the main Cupar/Ladybank rail line. Not much navigation to do here? but with the evening drawing in and head torches out and beaming, (2 of us had forgotten them) it did turn into a little bit more technical especially after entering Sweethome and Sunnybraes woods. But as true Lomie, we managed thru with little difficulty and staggered into the tavern a little after 5pm. It was here that David gave Ann at the Station Inn a call, just to give her some idea of the time that we would be arriving so the soup/sandwiches will be ready. First we have to finish of in here, and what a finish it was, apart from the usual refreshment we also consumed three large silver trays of chips. ( just what the doc ordered). (approx 2/3mls). 

Phase 7 Ladybank Tavern to Station Inn (Kingskettle) (GR307084). So this was it, a strait run along the road into the village with the knowledge that the easy part was almost over and the more demanding part of the day still to be conquered. At the initial planning stage of this sortie, Alan and Andy had intimated that as we are going to finish in Kingskettle they would be more that happy to offer shower/changing facility’s if needed. This was very generous of them and was gladly welcomed by one and all. As we entered the village it started to rain slightly, but hey, it did’nt matter as we had just spent the day running in shorts and t-shirts in very mild conditions. (approx 1/2ml)

 Phase 8 Station Inn (the finale) ( GR-who cares?) We all seemed to convene at Ann’s Abode smack on 7pm, and what a welcome they gave us as we entered the bar, staff as well as the regular punters cheered and applauded which was much appreciated. So this was it, the night was young with plenty of hours to make up for semi-abstention we imposed throughout the day, and to chill and ease out all the effort/energy we all put into making 2013 pub run memorable. No sooner had we all sat down with our first pint, (or was it the 7th?) Ann was strait in with her hand made sandwiches/home made soup which where plentiful and delicious. Again, the Station Inn had excelled in making the Lomond Hill Runners more than welcome, and we thank Ann & Jock for all there effort they have put in and mega patience they must have to put up with a group of reprobates (laugh). The evening seemed to fly by with plenty of the usual consumed, and of course the inevitable discussions/opinions covering a wide range of topics. (not a good idea with drink involved). Donald made an appearance for a couple, but as the evening drew on the local guys started to drift away and the usual scallywags hung in there until the last minute before ordering taxis, thus hoping Ann would take pity on us and grant us some light refreshment until our transport arrived etc.

 

Phase 9 Summarization ( GR-**** *** ) The whole day from start to finish (inc: evening) turned out superb, much better than we had anticipated, after all, was this not the “raison d’etre” for the conception initially. There was a couple of long sections between re-hydration, but with having a bigger percentage off road than on it and doubling up in the Ceres Inn, did eliminate any anxiety that we may have had before the day began. I myself enjoyed every minute of it from the moment we picked Pat up, then over to Falkland to collect Dave/Robert and on to Alan’s place to park up and group up with the rest of this motley crew. The short bus ride up to St Andrews, well, Cheers Pat for that hilarious moment, another classic mate. All the runs/route where very reasonable under foot with no injury’s/problems to mention, at least not to my knowledge, and the weather also smiled kindly on us which certainly make it even more enjoyable. And the conclusion of it must be one of the best, as for some of us, just a short taxi ride back to “The Dark Side of the Moon”. Stats: Distance ran 19/20 miles. Pints on run 6. "

London Mini Break

a great wee trip down to London on the sleeper train. Saw We Will Rock You, ate at Roux at landau and generally had a fab time.

Beinn Bhan

A trot up this nice Corbett near Banavie with Paula and Max