Yum

Yum, originally uploaded by rantoutloud.

Raspberry, lemon syllabub, oatmeal needs chocolate.

Google acquires picnik

All your base are us

Well I suppose it had to happen eventually, all the good bits of software on the web get swallowed up by the behmoth that's Google.

Now I know I use lots of Google stuff but I'm beginning to object to the giant gobbling up everything that's useful. Now I suppose that the tune would be a different one if Google came to Off Exploing and offered even a fraction of the sum that's roumoured that they paid for picnik, nice retirement plan that'd be.

Off Exploring new printed Travel Journal

Off Exploring new printed Travel Journal,
by rantoutloud.

The new leather look design of Off Exploring's printed travel journal is amazing. The new design will be available for general release in the next few days. You can even customise the photograph on the front cover.

Off Exploring is an on line travel journal for travellers to record their trips and travel experiences using blogs, photos and video. Off Exploring powers a number of travel company's web sites including some well known global brands such as STA Travel, Kilroy Travels and many others.

Rumour has it that these guys are working on a funky new iPhone App that'll allow you to update your blog from the phone with maps and photos and everything too.

Best before 30th Dec

Best before 30th Dec, by rantoutloud.

Creme Fraiche from the fridge.

Training : Bywell

Sunny Running by the Tyne

I've said before that running on the flat is harder than uphill and way more than downhill (my favorite) but this morning's training down by the Tyne at Bywell was glorious. The sun shining, the birds singing, dogs barking... You get the picture. When the weather is like this, cold mind you, the running seems all that easier even though the effort isn't. We were trying to get the speed up and doing 2.5 mile stretches at 10k race pace inter-spersed with steady sub 9 min miles and the odd sprint. It still seems we're catching up after the extended Christmas break. Yes I know it's nearly March already but the break, the weather and just lately the job just hasn't let me find the consistency I need.

Hexham Farmer's Market

Hexham, by rantoutloud.

Jazz folk band in Hexham playing this morning in less than balmy weather. The monthly Farmer's Market in Hexham is a real crowd puller and there's often street entertainment like this to keep the shoppers amused after they've spent all their money. The market itslef is healthy with a variety of sellers, an over abundance of organic meat stalls perhaps but in general the variety and quality food and produce is fantastic and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.

Kielder Greys Summit Race

Castles, Crags, Summits, Snows and Bog

The Kielder Grey's Summit race last Sunday lived up to it's expectation, perhaps with a little less snow that forecast. It was a cold and slightly foggy lunch time start from Kielder Castle, sent on our way by Will and his dog. A substantial turnout, given the weather and remoteness of the location, of some 55 runners all eager and variously willing and able to take on the task of 7 and a bit miles, 1400ft of climbing across icy and snow bound bog and fellside in this remote part of Northumberland.

The race was tough, with the long steady gradient along the toll road at the start of the race taking it's toll good and proper on my legs. Then across a couple of burns before climbing very steeply up to the summit ridge, the final part in snow. The route then proceeds across the ridge and a mixture of snow banks, inch thick ice and frozen bog and heather, cold underfoot even though you're running. Feet becoming numb and slippery conditions don't make for confidence down hill either.

Finally back to the forest and the path, track and the route brings you out at the back of the Castle, final sting in the tail some steep steps up to the finish line. I'm done! (for). Strange feeling of satisfaction even though I'm next to last and a time that's not at all impressive. It's a great route, just the Christmas excess and the lack of training in recent months making it's presence felt.

Photos © Of Respective authors. See results on NFR web site.

Training : New Year

Kielder Greys Summit Race

View Kielder Greys Summit Race in a larger map

It's next weekend and the training hasn't been enough and there's something about this aerial photo that looks dark and gloomy and foreboding. Friend said at the weekend 'Oh you'll be OK just do it anyway!'. It's alright for you to say you aren't operating these legs or carrying that extra weight from Christmas excess, or feeling your age! Actually training last week wasn't too bad, yes it hurt but I wasn't comatose at the end. However this weekend hasn't been productive at all. Time spent with daughter before her leaving for two month trip to Ecuador rather than training. Just time for a last minute blast tomorrow evening then legitimate rest for the remainder.

Oh and news fromn the organiser just to cheer me up "Be prepared for calf deep snow on top of three pikes across to grey's pike, a few inches most other places, and some ice! Will make for an interesting race. Clockwise. Route will be marked and dare say there will be tracks in the snow to follow unless you're at the front. See you on Sunday Cheers Will"

High Spy with my little eye

High Spy

High Spy, originally uploaded by rantoutloud.

Weather or not to go?

Tomorrow and tomorrow

The MIS weather forcast yeterday suggested a short window on the weather over in the Lakes and I was all prepared to go. Now, the revised prediction issued today looks a little less settled with high improbability factor. Thinking that H2G2 just councils "Don't Panic" and the thought of "infinite Improbability" we'll go anyway. As Oats said... "I may be some time".

Basketball

Basketball, originally uploaded by rantoutloud.

Newcastle vs Worcester

Training : Hill Starts

Hill starts, false starts

Just another training evening in Hexham. Short 'efforts' uphill interspersed with longer runs. Everyone complaining to one degree or another that Christmas has done them some damage and that ther're feeling dreadfully unfit. Time is running out so to speak. Two weeks to the Kielder Grey's.

Training : It's a start anyway

No racing here

The Kielder Greys Summit Race had been cancelled; still too much snow. It's now on for the 7th Feb. It is probably a good job too for my sake anyway. Training has to start in ernest but work (too much) and motivation (not enough) keep me stuck behind this desk. Thanks to Bryan's article an the link to what is fell racing?; I kicked myself and got out for an hour or so this afternoon. Feeling much better for it.

Ice & Snow

Winter weather Jan 2010

Ice, by rantoutloud.

1 foot

The snow and ice around my house is very pretty. All the same it's hard work too, I had to clear the square out before I could get to the wedding last weekend. and it's a constant battle to keep it all clear. We've had a least a foot of snow over the past two weeks and there's more forecast.

Travelling, even on the A1 and A69 trunk roads has been difficult at times and my trip to Yorkshire last week was pretty challenging at times. I have to go back next week too, twice.

I had to dig all this out