Neil Stevens - December 2021

I set off at 5.10 am after being dropped directly at the station by Tyrone Lewis after he got up at 3.30am to pick me up at 4am (absolute star)

Leg 1

Bar the start being boggy as always there wasn't anything to report it was lovely moving in to the day light before finishing 

Leg 2

This is where the obstacles began from the previous past couple of weeks storms. I was really enjoying the landscape and climbing over trees, fallen bushes and everything else dragged along...mainly up the single track lane up from the Lyth Valley County Inn.

Leg 3

The rain and wind joined the day and I thought yes now its a winter round!!! The lane from Levens Hall towards Heversham Head was in a real poor state and I had no choice but to hop over fences to navigate the lane. Then there's the wonderful canal section that feels like an ultra in its own right! Luckily at the end of that section Mr Lewis was there with a smile and cup of tea to warm the soul... quick 10 minutes or so re packing my food supplies then off I went to start leg 4

Leg 4

As I wanted to get off the hill before darkness I got over Farleton and Hutton Roof into Burton without needing to re attach the headtorch. The wind and rain was in full flow now adding to the dark winter effects, I was still moving well and as happy as Larry.

Leg 5

The wind and rain had decided to back off making for a tranquil traverse over to Yealand woods and my word the carnage from the storms was really visible. This is where I started to loose time, the path to Cringlebarrow was ruined, bashing over trees, bracken and brambles with mist made it very atmospheric to say the least....up to Warton  - similar carnage in the woods, finishing the last trig Arnside Knott and down to meet the good lady at Arnside prom's Christmas tree.

15 Hours 16 Minutes

Absolutely fantastic day out really enjoyed myself a great Christmas run to finish the year off.