Eyeballs out at sea-level and baltic in the hills.

On Saturday we went for a run round the shore with Michael G, who we've not seen for ages. The run was billed thus: "Do you fancy 4-8 miles SLOW at Gullane on Saturday?". Haha. Fool that I am, I took this at face value. It was 8.5 miles eyeballs out. I just about managed to hold on. There was a very sharp wind blowing and we had to keep moving just to stay warm. I am not complaining. The harsh wind and brisk pace blew away every suggestion of a cobweb that might have been left over from the week, and it was very nice to see Michael. Peter and Michael looked a bit surprised when I suggested the pace had been stiff, saying they were just jogging. Honestly, is that supposed to be helpful?

For today the forecast was looking sunnier. We contemplated an early rise to catch the sunrise. It looked like the earlier part of the day would be sunnier. We both slept in - but as luck would have it, the sun stayed out pretty much all day. We'd thought about the Pentlands and hummed and hawed, but we both settled on the Lammermuirs. I'm glad we did. I like the Pentlands but the scenery on the drive to the Lammermuirs beyond Haddington was just lovely.

The higher we got in the car the more the puddles were frozen over on the road and by the time we got to the car park at the Hopes Reservoir it was damn hard to get out the car. Get out the car we did, however, at the crack of 1pm or so...and after a mile or so of running up hill I was able to take my hood down.

There is a stretch - I'm not really sure where it starts and where it ends - but going up the steep hill - where I had a course record for a section on Strava for a while. Then someone took it off me, so I was looking to see if I could get it back - which warmed me up. I didn't get it back - the road was a bit slippy, and I was over-dressed. One for the warmer weather I think.

 

I did quite a lot of grouse whispering to get this bird's attention.

It's got lovely eyes!

Some friendly people came over the hill with their dogs and told us about a route which I didn't really take in. They mentioned "going round the back of the big house" after which I stopped listening and instead just imagined shouty men with guns and big dogs.