Racing ahead ...

Storm Malik only ruffled the feathers down here. A very different story was experienced further north with one tragic fatality in Aberdeen and significant power cuts.

A second storm, Corrie, is waiting in the wings for tomorrow.

We walked 6 miles from our house today. Our route took us beside Cheltenham Race Course where we coincided with the 1245 race. Today’s races were trials for the March Festival of Racing. The speed and grace of these highly honed horses is an impressive sight. However, I always deeply regret the horse fatalities when they break their legs and have to be put down on the course. (None fell while we walked the perimeter of the course today.)

My extra photo shows how snuggly the Cheltenham Race course fits into its amphitheatrical setting. It also shows how steep the slope is up to the finishing line and explains why many a nailed on winner fades within the final furlong.