The Windmills

6 Dallam runners 1 COLT and 3 Dogs

This was one of Jarvo's routes so I was lost from the moment we left the car. Our meeting point was a lay bye up Littledale Road, this turned out to be a very muddy one, Jarvo had run up as he is close to his 1000miles in a year target and only a few days left.

I was trying out a new light, well its my bike light that I've had for twelve months and only used it on the Bike a few times, Steve J used his bike light on the Howgills its a great idea works well until the cable unplugs its shelf and I was plunged into darkness.
Our route took us through Littledale passing Littledale Hall or is it Littledale Manner, not sure about that one, and a rundown Church, now used by sheep, we trotted up on some narrow undulating muddy paths, then tarmac roads and final a gravel track at good pace as we climb to the top of Caton Moor and the Windmills my legs were starting to feel heavy as we approached the final summit, are we nearly there yet ? I asked cos I'm Knacked I said, glad you said that a few others replied, we were sufferings from the weekends racing, we didn't go to the Trig point Jarvo telling us to would be a very wet 400 metres not worth it tonight.

Them Windmills are massive when you stand under them they make a kind of whistling as they rotate. We did a loop of them before we started our decent over another gravel track as we pressed on I was finding it easier to do the climbs then run down hill. Through a few gates and out onto a tarmac road and I sensed we were almost back at the cars as we rounded the final corner we cheered.

Well done to Jarvo for planning a great route this was the last Darkness run of the Year they restart with The Blue road at Clouhga. Thanks to everyone who came along have a good Xmas and remember its not what you eat and drink between Xmas and the New year that matters its what you eat and drink between New year and Xmas that counts.


Total 6.75miles 1200ft ascent 5.7mph ave speed