Welcome

Today’s forecast was totally wrong. We were supposed to have mist/fog and drizzle all day. Instead we had a dry day with lots of sunshine and blue skies. This must have been so welcome to the Spine runners. 

We thought the front runners would have passed through our village during the night, but when we woke up this morning it was to find that the first two men were only just approaching High Cup Nick. So we got up and decided to see if we could watch them. It was still dark when Gordon walked down for the paper and found the village hall all lit up and the cafe open and providing bacon sandwiches to support teams who were gathering.

I saw that the two were coming down from the top and would be past our house soon, so G went to meet them. The first extra was a photo he took of the front runner - Kim Collison -  who was happy to chat for a few minutes as he jogged down to the village. Joanne was delighted with the photo as he is  a hero of hers. She has done a few Endurance events - nothing as extreme as this! - but that is why she likes to follow them. 

Soon after came the second runner, John Kelly, and I managed a photo as he went by. As we were in no rush to go out, we decided to wait for the first women and, as they got near, G went out to meet them and they were happy for him to take a photo. He said they were running, and chatting as they ran, down to the village - he said they could have been just out for a morning run. Again Joanne was pleased that we had seen them - she said one of them was Lucy Gossage, a GB triathlete. 

For my blip I decided to use the photo Gordon took in the early morning. I thought the lights and the open door was so welcoming for these amazing people. The check points are obviously hugely important for the welfare of the runners and such a sight must be wonderful after you have spent long hours making your way through very difficult terrain. 

So that was all quite exciting. There are still many runners to come through so it will be interesting tomorrow to follow some of them. We then went to Rheged for lunch and I was happy to stay with a coffee and my book, and then have a wander round the Art Shop and gallery, whilst Gordon went to see the Everest Exhibition.