Some photos from today’s run. 24.6 miles up the South Esk from Musselburgh to Carlops.
2015 run – photomap
My calculations based on some detailed web searches and faded memories make this years Esk Run the 16th since we decided to aim for Carlops. For the first 3 years we went from Mussselburgh to Penicuik, Carnethy Summit, Heriot Watt and Cramond, but it tended to take a little too long!
It should get easier with the years, you just have to find last years email in your sent box, alter the day and date and send it out.
The you call the Royal Hotel, the Allan Ramsay and the Minibus company and you are sorted, If only!
There were Problems with the plan, but I don’t want problems though, I want solutions!
What gets me solutions ?
Pals!
Problem 1. Someone has built a railway across our route and failed to build a bridge for us.
Solution: Helen and I scouted around the exit of Dalkeith County Park, found a high wall climb option, but too high for Helen. Digby had suggested a main gate option with Iron Mills Park but it is a bit roady. We had a look at the river by Sherrifhall and there was a low bridge taking the river under the railway, but once Helen got thigh deep in the river and there was only about a foot gap between the water and the bridge we gave up on it. It had been very wet for a while. Helen and Digby revisited the day before the run, placed a few rocks in the ankle deep water and called it a goer.
Problem 2. The Roslin Glen path is closed due to large fallen trees.
Solution: Joel, Helen and I ran the route. After slithering down mud slopes, slipping under trees and sawing away some branches we decided it would take too long. The high route option, not as close to the river, but takes in Roslin Chapel and Roslin Castle was the way to go.
Problem 3. The minibus company had no bus available.
Solution: Leave Helen to use her phone for an hour or so and phone as many taxi companies as possible. She managed to find a bus, and cheaper than last year.
Problem 4. Floods
Solution: Joel checked the rickety bridge in Penicuik Estate, and Joel Helen and I checked the path at Polton Mill, We found no problems, but discovered new paths into Mavisbank House so added that to the route.
So on the day we had a few call offs with Man Flu, but 20 or so runners and 2 cyclists met at Goose Green Crescent, arriving by minibus, but bike and car. With the usual sprint to the Big wall we entered Dalkeith Park and had a lovely jog through the park with A lovely view of the Montague Bridge. Over or through the wall at the other end, there were a few shouts of derision as the water depth was over the ankles (we weren’t even at Lass Wade), but we are hill runners.
With a short stop at the folly in Kings Acre we ran to Lasswade where we were joined by Clare and Win Rampen. Mavisbank House was a good stop and the Glen option went down well, but not as well as the tea/coffee and bacon rolls at The Royal Hotel (thanks Simon for your 8th year as host).
Florence the dog had a altercation with a car on the way there but appeared unharmed. But an aborted second section as Heather and Rob went to find a vet, proved she was OK.
Nick Mac cycled to The Royal with Keith Burns and on to Carlops without Keith Burns.
Graham and Olly caught us up having left Musselburgh 75 minutes behind us, they stole three of our group and headed off for Carlops and beyond.
The rest of us headed off at 13:50 and enjoyed a slow jog through the wildest scenery of the trip passed the water sighting towers above the deep Esk Valley to Amazon Dean and on to the Beer and Food at Carlops.
A grand Day out.
Willie Gibson