So I had a day's rest after the 7 hills to recover myself, and then I had the rest of the week off work. On the Tuesday I suddenly formed a desire to get up in the Pentlands which was odd as my hill legs were tired from the race. Peter had hatched a plan to hunt for small pearl bordered fritillaries by wading about in bog and nettles but we agreed to save that treat for the end of the run during which I might join him or poke my eyes out or cut my wrists...or read a book in the car.
It was good to get back to the Pentlands anyhow. I realised I hadn't been round the far-side for quite some time as the high deer-fencing, or whatever it is, is all new to me.
The grasses gave been enjoying the mixture of sun and rain.
We ran into this dung beetle which kept us entertained for a while.
And then I spotted a frog. I do the spotting and Peter does the handling.
By the end of the run I was out of juice. I knew I would be. Peter went off in search of his PBFs as planned. I followed him a small distance into the nettles and bog and then gave up on it. I didn't want bog stink in my nice hill shoes, which the grasses had just cleaned. Instead I sat on the wooden landing someone has built next to a pond on the red-moss and watched the red damselflies scoot aboot.
Who's this coming out of the bog? Is it a frothing maniac? PB arrived cursing the SPBFs and declaring that they were playing some kind of a trick on him. I think he's had too many tick bites.
The next day I had half a plan to go a small run in the morning and then rest up and maybe do the Meadows 2 mile race at 7pm which was a championship counter. I ran 3 very pleasant miles in the morning and then had a nap and when I woke up nothing in the world would have dragged me up to the hot meadows to try to race. Aileen and Julie - my main rivals - both turned up and ran times that I couldn't have hoped for, so nothing was lost. I was slightly disappointed with myself, but nothing that I can't handle.
The next day we went to Gullane. We saw
birdies
speckled woods
we found a magical glade with
a red admiral the size of a cargo ship just flitting about
there were glamorous skies
and grasses
and a tame little deer
and painted ladies
and then we popped over to Saltoun Big Woods
and the ponds were reflective
and there were plenty of newts
I was so tired after that I nearly died. I know I did something the next day but perhaps cleverly didn't take my camera with me.
Then on Friday night Nick W messaged us to say did we want to go for a park run and then for cake and coffee afterwards? The answer was yes and no. On the one hand, is the pope a bear? Do Catholics shit in the woods? The answer to both questions is "maybe".
To cut a long story short, we did it. I nearly died. I have just today found some photos taken by Chris Pilley and I think you can see that I was very nearly going into the light. One good push and I would have gone. There wasn't much wind and it became very hot. I thought I'd run a substantial season's best but must have just reset my memory cells as it was only a 5s season's best.
nearly
Afterwards I could barely crack 11 minute miles and even cake and coffee couldn't restore my function, so we didn't get far. We went to Cammo but the wee robin was nowhere to be seen and I got a couple of blurred pictures of coal tits which I won't even bother you with.
The next day...I was just running for the sake of it. Me and PB went a run around Arthur's Seat. There is a fair bit of rewilding going on up there and an impressive array of beasties and you only have to stray a little way from the well-beaten paths to get a bit of peace from the continual stream of tourists climbing in lines like ants to the polished summit.
We can get you anything. We can get you;
blues
speckled woods
ringlets
Is it a pearl-bordered fritillary? No, it's a northern brown argus, you fool.
6 spotted burnet
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So that was that. It was terrible, but necessary, to go back to work. I needed a rest. My legs were so done. I quite like work but at the moment I'm trying to win the lottery. I would like to buy a reliable car and then drive and drive and drive. I would like to drive to India.
All week I never won the lottery though, so at the weekend we went a drive to Gullane. It was really warm, sunny at times yesterday, and it took us in the region of 4 hours to cover just 8 miles. We saw;
old ladies passing the golf shop in my rear-view mirror
some squids
stagshead revisited
I think it's a....small tortoise-shell, that's what it is!!!!
Cannes
grasshopper
70s skirt
lighthouse through a telescope
some bird eating my grasshopper!
PB has tamed a dark green fritillary and is anticipating wowing the East Scotland Butterfly society with his photographs.
a little daisy
the ringlet likes to hide in the grasses
a fish with a kind heart
a gossipy gull
5 spotted burnet, prince of darkness, fresh out of his cocoon
What time is it? 4 hours later.
We nearly ran on round Aberlady bay which would have added a further 6 miles to the run. I wanted the distance in theory but I couldn't be bothered going any further. As it turned out it was lucky for us and also for our ex-neighbour Alan. As we were drawing out of Gullane in the car, the skies were growing darker and darker. Suddenly we spotted our ex-neighbour Alan who used to live downstairs. He was just about to go and get a bus back to Edinburgh so we gave him a lift. Shortly afterwards the skies opened and it rained hard on the righteous and the un-righteous alikeous.
Today I went a 10 mile run sans camera. My legs were sore from the get go. Is it the heat? Is it my age? Is it a kind of punishment? I'm not sure. The weekend is nearly over, again, and we are not yet saved.
