Fourteen took part in this
eclectic event, a 16 mile overnight run of the Pentland Skyline,
chasing the midsummer sun, to greet the dawn on our return.
After a brief sup at the Steading, at 11 pm or so we headed
up and out into the warm wet mist. Quickly to Caerketton (to
lay down some sustenance), thence to Allermuir, Castle Law,
through the farms at Flotterstone to wet our feet in the burn.
Up Turnhouse and Carnethy where a spooky reunion took placein
near-total darkness and thick mist. Impossible to recognise
a newcomer (Moi) at 2 yards distance. Issues about sticking
together were discussed.
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Around here we encountered
Michael d'Oc with a bright headtorch and limping from a 7Hills
accident; who then set off cross-country to catch us later.
Skald Law, mist even thicker, some excursions to find the
right path; the Kips to regroup before plummeting down through
the pea-souper to find the Drove Road, where Alan gained an
impressively bloody knee (hope it's OK). On the track the
surface was quicker, until we hit the thick heather and some
started to feel the pain. Up, over, down, across, through
knee-deep stinking mire. We skipped the mundane mounds of
the Western Pentlands to prefer the long fast track round;
Cali and Bob shot off to fix the pancakes... Getting quite
light, headtorches no longer needed, we skirted Bell's Hill
and Capelaw to plough up Allermuir and the last painful jog
over Byerside to reach Caerketton.
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5 am, the pop of the corks
accompanied Michael arriving through the mist as we greeted
the hypothetical sunrise (pure gloop) with champagne, and
toasted friends on the West Highland Way heading towards new
glories. Nick did the honours, adorned with bow-tie, but where
was the tuxedo? (standards are slipping). A tough run, breakfast
at Woodhouselee made up for it - hot bread rolls, croissants,
bacon, pancakes, pastries; we gulped down pints of tea and
coffee. Wow! Thanks Bob and Cali, magnificent! Feet were shot
- shoes were too much - tried to run down Caerketton in socks
but not a good idea. When Gordon was dropped off in town,
he headed gingerly down the road in bare feet.
Surreal, yes. Knackered, yes. Enjoyed it, em.. Do it again, yes.
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The Team (for all or just
part)
Willie, Gordon, Nick, Greg (Lanark), Alan, Richard, Kate F, Moi, Keith,
Cali and Bob, Michael O'Connor, a jet-lagged Cath, Andy (not forgetting
some ladies we crossed on the hills at 5 am and a
multitude of puzzled sheep)
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