Running around

Hailes Castle

......like a headless chicken. It's getting to be that time of year where things start piling up more than usual. Mostly it's self inflicted as I have a stupidly ambitious list of things I want to make before you-know-what.



So, in an attempt to reduce some of the stress, I have been trying to get back into running regularly again. I think I've mentioned before that I don't really like pounding along pavements and roads, it's just not really me. I much prefer somewhere quiet and peaceful, except for my own ragged breathing of course, with some scenery to take in.

Heading up towards Traprain Law

My new favourite route starts at Hailes Castle on the banks of the River Tyne. This ruined castle has always been a favourite of mine and I have strong memories of visiting as a child. It dates from the 13th century and has two impressive vaulted pit prisons......needless to say the kids love these. It's also one of the many places to have been visited by Mary Queen of Scots. I sometimes think it would be simpler to list which Scottish Castles she didn't visit. It's had a fairly bloody and exciting history including sieges and being occupied by the English (my goodness!).

Traprain Law with the remains of several lines of ramparts running across the hillside

From this dramatic spot I head uphill along farm tracks to another impressive and equally historic site - Traprain Law. Around here a 'Law' is a hill and Traprain is one of several volcanic lumps or Laws dotted around East Lothian. It is special though. Originally used during the Bronze Age (1500 BC-ish) it became the capital of the Votadini tribe who were there when the Romans invaded Scotland in AD80. The hill was defended by a series of ramparts made of stone and turf and these are still clearly visible.

Part way down - Hailes Castle is nestled in the line of trees running across the photo

I can't yet run the whole way up the hill but I reckon as long as I keep walking as fast as possible I'm getting a good workout. And then it's downhill all the way back which works a whole different set of muscles. My last run up there was last Wednesday when the wind was so strong I had to brace myself on the top. I tried to take photos of the views, which can be stupendous, but really struggled to hold the camera still. Maybe next time I'll be able to get some decent pictures.

Almost back

I had two bee projects to tackle this month. Marg (Quick Christmas Bee) had asked for little patchwork pockets which will be sewn into an advent calendar, I think for a friend of hers. She sent some deep traditional colours.



Maria (Fresh and Funky Bee) chose bright colours for her fabrics and asked for us to make them up into whatever we wanted, with a Christmas theme, as long as the blocks had a white border and were around 8" square. I decided to go for one traditional star and a make-it-up-as-you-go-along. I came up with a little squinty forest. My ecology head won over my forestry head and the trees are nicely scattered over the hillside (perhaps a Caledonian Forest?....a couple of beautiful little video clips from the BBC here, as long as you can cope with Alan Titchmarsh!) - they won't produce very good timber but will be good wildlife habitat instead.





I hope they both like them - it does feel good to have them completed and sent off. Now, I'd better dash to update my list and try to get on with ticking some more things off it.