MdS finishline !

 I've got hooked on watching the webcam footage from the MDS  finish line. It's the end of the long stage today, a wopping 85 km in desert heat. Some of these guys have been going all day, all night, and then some more. That takes some doing. Inspirational viewing from my chilled out treadmill time.

 Well, what a stunning couple of days on the Pennine Way. I managed to cover the first stage of the Spine, but spread over two days instead of one. A friend agreed to meet me for my overnight stay at Diggle,  making the whole trip into a social event rather than just a recce. 

Some parts I remembered from previous Spine

events/attempts. Some I had completely forgotten.  Whichever way I looked at it,  the trail looks far better in dry sunshine than hideous winter rain. 

 Just come off the Pennine way onto Hebden Bridge,  so P.W. adventure over for now. Pretty chuffed, completed what I hoped to do. 

 Made it from Edale up to Diggle,  just off the pennine way.  I'd forgotten how hard going it can be out here. Not complaining -stunning trotting day

Pennine way recce

 Doing a couple of recce days this week,  just done Edale to torside, very beautiful 

 With the aim of trying to get kit together for this year's  summer spine,  I had the pleasure of a morning at Edale.  Part of the thrill of this event is the prep, as all big events.  I am loving the banter and pics on their Facebook group  , and have big hopes that maybe I could get past Hawes this time.  Maybe.

So off I went,  with a new bit of tech, a garmin Etrex 20. This is a big deal for me,  I would rather just get lost then try a new bit of tech. It took me approximately three days to actually transfer the Spine route data files, and there were tears involved.  Even finding the on switch gave me palpitations.  But, there we are: I'm hoping this will guide me through and be enough for the kit check.  Just follow the line Rachie. Hhhmmm.