Travel is fascinating in so many ways – for me it’s about sampling the local food, the people, experiencing other elements of the culture, the sights, the language. Running also offers a chance to clear your head, breathe in the fresh local air. Below are my pics which hopefully give you a sense of the trails and some food I enjoyed.
Okay I only managed 4x relatively short runs of 5-8km each during August. Plus 2 spots of speed training around our villa grounds (the Brownlee drill). So it’s fair to say I put on about 5lbs, or around 10-12kg! So now I’m back home and working off that barrel!
Some shots from Pontevedra, Galicia – I’ll definitely return…
Isla Cies – Best Beach In the World?
Buenos días!
Forest fire planes in action
The food and quality of ingredients was amazing. Local market fayre so much better than what we can often buy here in the UK. I took full advantage of the seafood, such as Fried Fish, Paella, Galician Hake Stew and the odd homemade smoothie…
During our stay, I was inspired to add the Camino de Santiago to my bucket list. I’m not at all religious but have no doubt such a route and adventure would be good for the soul
Then it was a flight home, followed by 2.5hrs sleep max and a drive to Holyhead for the ferry to Ireland. I knew this would trigger the Lymes symptoms but was prepared to lose 2-3 days to that for such a time away.
We spent 6 active days in Rosscarbery, West Cork, then enjoyed 5-star luxury at the Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny for 2 nights R&R, followed by 4 days of joy in near Blessington, Wicklow – a great base for some stunning scenery. The Lyrath even served Butternut Squash soup very similar to my own – though theirs was nicer due to serving it with Guinness bread!
Selected pics from Ireland – where we’ve holidayed about 9 times now…
Post-run rest
Lyrath Estate approach
Wicklow Way nr Glendalough
Classic Celtic honesty
Double rainbow on Lake Blessington
As you might suspect from above, the 127km Wicklow Way was also added to my bucket list. I’ve invited some fellow Rochdale Harriers and friends to consider doing this with me in around 2 years time
So all being well, Autumn/Winter looks ahead to several Lakeland Trails adventures, plus some off-road training. Can’t wait!
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There is no better way of getting a real feel for a place than exploring on foot. The sights, sounds and smells give you a sense of the atmosphere and help embed the destination in your memory.
By a quirk of fate, it was almost 25 years to the day that I’d last visited Venice during a truly amazing Interrail trip with 3 mates. You can still do this and I’d recommend to anyone! I’ve never forgotten the four of us ambling around, discovering such wonders as Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, Ca D’Oro – the incredible gothic palace etc. Neither have I forgotten the incredibly moving sound of baroque musicians playing Mozart on the Rialto Bridge after 10pm: 4 Liverpool lads joining tourists and locals to listen.
I have to admit to taking my running trainers, shorts & top to other places and not always having the time or inclination to go for a blast. But like I had done in Finland, this was different.
I decided to rise about 90 mins before required and just enjoy a bright early morning jog. Venice is so small and a real maze of a place, so finding myself doubling back from dead-ends was part of the fun. So too was pausing to take some pics. I only saw one other person out running in the hour I was enjoying the freedom of the place – whereas in any other city or town in the world I’ve gone running, I’ll see many fellow runners. No doubt this is because of the layout and confined space.
A lovely morning temperature of about 15C plus a slight breeze off the Adriatic Sea made this a real pleasure. It was a flat as a pancake too.
I returned to a shower and a continental breakfast, fully energised for the working day ahead – and slightly smug that I’d been out for a run Hopefully I won’t be leaving it another 25 years…
