A (not) parkrun challenge and even my car wishes that time would speed up!

My Dad had decided to run 16 (not)parkruns in October to celebrate their 16th birthday, and on the final Saturday of October I headed over to run his 16th one with him.

It was great to see him complete it, and to run together too. He usually does a fair bit of cycling, and maybe 2 or 3 runs a week, so it was a challenge for him to get them all done. The weather played ball and we enjoyed our final run together (for a while).

Of course we had those amazing Crosstown Doughnuts to work through, and walked into town for a takeaway drink and to stretch our legs.

I ran to Panshanger on the Sunday, in a Disney top to pay tribute to the Run Disney weekends we’ve enjoyed in the past 2 years (although in fact this year the Disney Run weekend was the weekend after half term, so had we had gone, it would not have matched up with the run dates).

When in Disney for our wedding day and our anniversary we had shared an ice cream cookie sandwich, so for posterity I made the  Pret chocolate cookies, and we had them with some ice cream. I also made some Christmas cakes as that’s usually an October half term job but they were in the oven a bit too long and I think need re-doing.

Then it was back to work. One of my best work pals has a balloon business, and so gave me this cute Disney balloon for our anniversary- it’s still going strong 2 weeks later!

All was as standard apart from no yoga on the Wednesday as we had a late meeting. Runs on Tuesday and Thursday (in the dark-boo- why do the clocks have to go back still???), and walks on the  other days.

In fact it was lucky I had no yoga on Wednesday because it was a frosty morning, and as happens each year, the tyre pressure warning light came on as I was driving to work. I once tried to sort it myself but ended up panicking because there were people in the queue, I ran out of coins and managed to deflate my tyre instead, so after that incident, Andy helps me! So in the evening we drove over to the garage to check them and inflate them all. On the Thursday morning I had to drop some shopping off at my parents- it was cupboard stuff so if the traffic was bad I could leave it in my car and take it on my way home. As I was driving, I glanced at my car clock and saw that it said 23:20- not even the minutes were right (it was around 7.40 I think). It also said the wrong day (Friday), and then on Friday morning the time was back to being right, but the day said Saturday. I have no idea how it works- it must update by radio because when the clocks change (boo- I wish they wouldn’t) it just changes by itself. I think even my car wants 2020 to be over (and that is with the promising news of the vaccine and US politics).

We did have some beautiful sunrises and skies in the week, and the cold evenings meant we had the wood burner on for super cosy vibes.

Did you do any (not)parkruns? Apparently lots of people have done them who have not even done an actual parkrun yet, so that’s exciting news.

Do you like the clocks going back? 

A different half term to usual- escaping to Cornwall

We would usually go away on holiday in October half term, and had booked a few days this week, so before we had our long drive I had a short run to stretch out the legs, wearing my run Disneyland Paris top (to remind me of happier times…).

I find it a good time to get away because the first half term is so busy, but with parents evenings and assessments all due in the final week, there is not much work to be done in the holidays (versus other holidays with report writing or other tasks) so you can properly switch off. Google Photos keeps reminding me of trips- 5 years ago we went to Iceland, 4 years ago to Edinburgh and 3 years ago to Devon (we were meant to be going somewhere warm that year as it was Andy’s choice, and had booked flights to Croatia but then the airline went bust so we travelled closer to home instead), and the last 2 years we’ve been to Florida. As it’s now our wedding anniversary I think it is safe to say it will still be a tradition moving forwards. Andy had the week booked off, but we could not decide where to go- we wanted somewhere with lots of outside options as we are not going in to restaurants or cinemas or anything like that, and of course lots of places were booked. He found a cancellation of a self catering place in Cornwall so we jumped at that.

The journey there was fine- we stopped at the services to pick up lunch (they had a Pret- I was very excited) and had booked a slot at Stourhead because the autumn colours there are very pretty, plus it was around half way so ideal for a walk and lunch.

We were staying in a converted boat house on a lake- the grounds had some yurts for people to stay in too. It was so peaceful, and you could look out across the lake. It felt like somewhere that Bob and Paul would stay in for Gone Fishing.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we had booked a garden visit each day (2 National Trust places and the Lost Gardens of Heligan) and then around those headed to a town or the coast for a walk somewhere else. We had taken food with us (our place had a microwave and hob) so could be fairly relaxed about what time we headed out and back- no need to get to the shops or anything.

We were super lucky with the weather too. It poured with rain in the night, but when we were out and about it was generally fine- we had to shelter under a tree a few times, but we didn’t need the waterproof trousers.

Tuesday- gardens, seaside, Lizard Point.

Of course I had my autumn sweater with me too!

Wednesday- Lost Gardens and the wood burner on for a cosy evening.

Thursday- gardens, awesome cinnamon bun (yes, we pack our own cups because often the cups in places like this are tiny and it is almost not worth using a teabag in such a small cup…).

Then to St Ives, which was so busy – I dread to think what it would be like in the summer. After a bit (and finding a bakery with some amazing vegan options) we headed out to the coast for a more socially distanced walk.

On Friday we had to head home, and the traffic was awful from the start. It took us 9 hours and we were so fed up by the end. It was a good trip, and we were lucky to have been somewhere, but that is a very long time. We have not been to Cornwall much in the past because it seems like such a long drive (and we could have seen lovely coast in Dorset/Suffolk etc), but thought we would give it a go. When we arrived after the  Monday drive (which I think was a little over 5 hours) Andy said that we could have flown to New York in that time, and of course on Friday it could have been to Florida!  When we were nearly home Andy said he had to make a detour to his parent’s house to collect something, and when he got back in the car he presented me with this box:

Yes, a box of Crosstown vegan doughnuts (pistachio, honeycomb chocolate and pear and blackberry). I was not much of a doughnut fan (although I think that is because I’d either had the big greasy supermarket ones, or weird dry Krispy Kremes), but in Portland last summer we had a proper one, and then when we went into London in February we shared a Crosstown one- these are something special- they use sourdough dough and they are not overly sweet or stodgy. Anyway, they have started delivering more than just to London, but not as far as us, but Andy’s parents were in the delivery area- how exciting! A pretty good wedding anniversary surprise.

Have you been to Cornwall?  Do you like doughnuts? 

Cosy vibes

So, the final week of half term arrived, and the plan was to try and just get through it. I’d bought an autumn leaf garland (with fairy lights) from Etsy which arrived, and I was really happy with how it looked on the mantle piece.

Much excitement when my brother added some Leon burger sauce to his online shopping this week- he gets Sainsbury’s and that is the only place that stocks it.

I only managed one run in the week- on Tuesday. I could have had one on Thursday but I felt so shattered that I decided a walk would be more sensible. We had parents evening, and although it was way better than usual (it was phone calls instead of meetings, but they could not go on as late as usual) it is still very mentally tiring to teach all day and then work through the phone calls.  Bake Off seemed all I was capable of concentrating on.

The cosy vibes continued with candles and warm drinks. We watched the Adam Buxton podcast on Wednesday night (part of the Unmute podcast festival). My 10,000 steps per day streak scraped by again, and on Friday my work pals gave me some end of half term treats- including vegan marshmallows so I can make some Mickey Mouse chocolate covered apples.

I am trying to have 100 miles each month for the year, as I’ve already passed 1000 miles (which is usually a good target for me), but as I skipped a run on Thursday I was a bit behind. Often if I run with my dad I will do a warm up run at home first, and so I did a 5k run before heading over to run with him. We did a new route though some woods that I used to cycle through as a child, so it was nice to go back.

After getting some work done (I had got so behind in the week but at least with half term you know you can do it then) we walked into town to get our Vitality drinks and then sat down for another podcast, this time Off Menu. It was really funny to see them instead of just hear them.

My new Disney order arrived (as I had to re-order the PJ’s – the size guide was way off because I had chosen a Medium according to the measurements but they were enormous so had to get the small- they are still fairy baggy)- anyway to get the free postage we had added a few more bits for Christmas presents, and I could not resist the candy cane ear decoration- I nearly bought the full size ears in Florida last year and had regret that I didn’t, so I thought a mini version was a good compromise. Later I got out the Christmas Disney blanket and enjoyed a hot chocolate while we watched a film. Definitely cosy vibes all round.

Look at the pretty mushrooms I saw on my run!

Sunday was more of the same- a run in the morning trying to avoid all the flooded roads and pavements, a bit of pottering in the garden (sweeping up leaves, scooping them out of the pond and planting some bulbs) and then packing for our half term trip to Cornwall.

While I was out in the garden Andy brought me a cup of tea- in  Disney mug to make me feel better about not being in Disney (not sure it helped?)- I watched one of the new Olaf shorts in the afternoon which was really good.

In the evening it was time for Frozen 2 again, with a Disney inspired candle and my Disney Christmas blanket. All the cosy vibes right there.

I hope you are doing OK in these strange and tough times?

Making mince pies and a walk around Hatfield House

Week beginning 12th October- I’m getting very behind with posts!

A few snapshot- our key hook that we bought in Canada a few years ago is finally up- we could not decide for ages where it should go. Plus standard autumn photos of chai, hot chocolate and gorgeous leaves.

I was very excited when my Disney order arrived- I had plans to buy these Little Mermaid ears when we went in the summer (planning in case they do the Princess Run weekend again some time), and I also got some PJ’s, a Christmas blanket and a Lilo top. The Lilo top was actually a dress, and the PJ’s were too big so I had to send them back and re-order which was annoying (as you could not just exchange). Anyway, they cheered me up.

More autumn leaves/ a parkrun in Oslo/ my pumpkin top and Christmas lounge pants/ gingerbread man.

The parkrun page were sharing photos of snowy and icy runs, and it brought back memories of my parkrun in Oslo last November- that was such a fun weekend. Who knows when parkrun tourism will be back on the cards?

Once home (and if I run, once out of the shower) it is straight on with the lounge pants now, and the Christmas ones have come out, although Andy didn’t approve of me mixing them with my autumnal pumpkin top. I messaged my friend who is into fashion and she said it was fine so I am  going with it!

I “made” mince pies at the weekend- if you can say that, because I used frozen pastry and that gorgeous Meridian mince pie filling, so basically a bit of rolling and spooning and baking and they’re done. No picture though- oops.

Runs have been standard- 4 miles after work on Tues and Thurs, (not)parkrun with Dad on Saturday morning (with a warm up first) and 10 miles on Sunday, plus yoga on Wednesday. This Sunday I headed to Panshanger and was very excited to see the cows close to the path. I am not normally keen on cows but these ones are super docile and so I don’t mind walking past them.

For a bit of a laugh I completed the Gov UK questionnaire about what to retrain as. Weirdly it didn’t ask anything about qualifications, mainly vague questions about whether you enjoy telling people what to do. My results were hilarious. Fairground worker was one (which includes maintenance on the rides- I can’t even fix a puncture on my bike…). Farrier was one. I am not keen on horses so I don’t think I’ll pursue that.  Beekeeper was one. I mean, I do like nature, but is there much call for beekeepers? One that looked right was in Education (am I in the right job all along??), but it turned out to be an education technician. I have to get my class to cross their fingers if we want to watch a DVD because the computer only works for me half the time.  Then I had the option of answering a bonus question, so I thought I would. It was “Can you read well?“. Well, I put yes, because I think I can read quite well. Then the careers suggested to me were Cosmetic Surgeon, Sonographer and Surgeon. I was not once asked if I like blood, or am squeamish, or faint when I have injections…. the list goes on. Safe to say I don’t think I will be retraining for any of these suggestions, but it was quite funny. I am glad that surgeons can “read well” too, although I feel like there are maybe more skills that they need???

I’d been feeling a bit fed up because work was so busy and all our weekends seemed to be merging into one (nothing significant to look forward to, and it’s not as if we would be busy every weekend but we would see a band or watch some comedy or have a day out every now and then), so I suggested to head to Hatfield House for a walk around their grounds.

There are a few marked walks so we opted for the 3 mile one, and it was really enjoyable to be outside in the fresh air and having a change of scenery.

Then only one week to go until half term in what has felt like the longest half term in the world.

Have you had a go at the career questions yet? I am intrigued to know what else was suggested.

The nights are drawing in, and happy birthday to Panshanger parkrun!

I heard a suggestion the other day that perhaps the clocks should not go back this year, because we really don’t need another hour of 2020! I don’t think they should go back anyway (lots of research around road safety for one) but I really think this could have been the year to get rid of it. At the moment my runs after work have been in the light, but on a few occasions if I’ve been stuck in traffic and arrived home later than planned, the final mile of my runs have been a little dark. Time to find and charge my torch I think.

Of course there has been lots of tea, and also a Caffe Nero gingerbread man to accompany a bit of work. Yoga on Wednesday has been wonderful- I am so glad that my teacher has carried on doing classes over zoom because I would not feel responsible in going to in person classes right now.

Last weekend was Panshanger parkrun’s 6th birthday! It’s crazy to think back to that first one. That was really the parkrun that got me into parkrun if that makes sense. Before then, I’d been going over to the St Albans one maybe once a month, when my dad and brother were free. At that time I was running with Sweatshop, and they had a poster up for the Panshanger one (remember when they advertised inaugurals?).  Once we started going there, it turned into a mostly weekly event, and on their first birthday I celebrated my 50th parkrun. They put a video on their facebook page and me in my Minnie Mouse skirt was in the first section of video. It was so lovely to look back and think about how it has grown since then. It really is a permanent fixture of our weekends now.

Dad decided he wanted to do 16 (not)parkruns in October to celebrate parkrun’s 16th birthday, and alongside that to raise money for Unicef, and once a month he has been keen to do a 10k, so it was perfect timing that on Panshanger’s 6th birthday we could run 6 (point 2) miles, and tot up 2 more (not)parkruns for him.

I wore my Panshanger top and parkrun long sleeved top, all very orange. He planned a lovely route through some fields over to Ellenbrook (the way he would cycle when parkrun is on) and at one point we rounded a corner and saw the most beautiful parkrun apricot-coloured tree. I had to get a photo of course.

I had a lot of work to get on with in the afternoon, but we did have a break where we walked into town to get our Caffe Nero drinks. I am still not wanting to eat in anywhere, but a 5 minute queue inside is fine, and then we can walk home the scenic way while we enjoy our drinks.

On Saturday night we fancied a film, and so watched Enola Holmes- an enjoyable film (some filmed locally) but it got the Manic Street Preachers song (Enola/Alone) in my head.

The weather on Sunday was beautiful, and I enjoyed a run around local streets, taking my time and taking photos of all the trees. I just can’t resist stopping!

I did some baking (pumpkin cheesecake brownies from here) although a total blogger fail as I took no photos! What was I thinking??

In the evening we watched one of the Michael Palin recap shows, and I just loved it. I think he is brilliant, and it was so good to see parts of those travel series again. Perfect Sunday night viewing.

How do you feel about the clocks going back? I feel like it’s dark when I get up anyway, so I’d rather have some light in the evening.