Winter Solstice Run

I know the Solstice isn't until Tuesday - but many of us will b working - so the second Solstice run of the year was today.

All we had to do was to run from the headland at Burghead to Hopeman harbour and back. Lovely day we thought with beautiful blue skies in the morning - a great way to spend the last Sunday before Christmas. The aim was to start to run at 1.45pm and be back in Burghead before the sun set at 3.32pm - and we smashed it.

(credit to Paul Jamieson for the above photo)

But we didn't ask for the biting cold almost gale force winds at the start!

The way out was fun - helped along with the winds at our backs.

The return journey not quite so much fun - had to hang onto my woolly hat at one point.

But I enjoyed it - and that's the main thing. And our times weren't too bad either.

Thank you to Penny for keeping me company.

Belles on Bikes.

I have been out twice this week with the Belles - rocking up almost 50 miles in the saddle.

On Wednesday evening 6 of us braved the drizzle and had a 20 mile round trip to Pluscarden Abbey and back, En route we spotted rabbits, hares, more pheasants than you could shake a stick at and several deer. The most surprising thing was that the monks have a remote controlled lawnmower to keep the grounds neat and tidy!! They also have a scruffy and slightly smelly cat - who was very interested in Mels rucksack - possibly he could smell the Bakewell Slices inside :)

Today the weather was glorious and 5 us left Elgin Academy for a trip out to Lossiemouth via a loop around Duffus. We stopped at the halfway point at the new Aroma cafe at the gold course. It was so nice we could sit outside to enjoy the sunshine (and the delicious home made cakes) will definately be making a return visit.

Tired tonight and it seems the early night I promised myself has been and gone - but fingers crossed for a long lie tomorrow.