Some good news today. My chiropractor has said I can try a run in a weeks time. Its been over 2 months since the injury happened so I can't wait to get back in track....literally!

Watch this space as I will be hitting the reserves again very soon!!

Thanks for reading :)

Hello......

Unfortunately I have been out of action due to badly pulled intercostal muscles on one side :(

I am missing my running and the reserves so much, but I do hope to be back very soon. It's been 2 weeks already but I have to wait for all the pain to go away.

In the meantime thank you to everyone who has donated already...I'm over half way there! I am so grateful to all those who have made this happen, thank you!!

I will be back! :)

Rushbeds Wood

I ran just over 5k through this reserve. I have a 10k race this sunday so I thought I'd save my legs a bit. Its a lovely reserve quite small but some lovely trails throughout. It opens out into a beautiful meadow full of wild flowers. Here are the photos....

Bernwood Meadows

My photos really do not do these stunning meadows justice. They are absolutely wild flowers and butterflies, a carpet of multiple colours! Running along side the meadows is a Forestry Commission wood which provided some fun trails and a great butterfly trail. Dozens of Ringlets and Speckled Woods raising up as I ran through. The trail ran for a short time along the M40, cars rushing by, a dramatic contrast to the tranquil wood. 

I ran 12k around this one. Through the meadows then zig zagging through the wood followed by a few circuits of the meadows. Trails varied from wide surfaced ones to twisting narrow ones with ditches and logs to jump...great fun!

I am trying to get to most of the meadow type reserves done before they get cut which will be soon I think. They certainly don't disappoint. They are so well managed, you can see a big difference between BBOWT's reserves and adjoining land. So much more diversity :)

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy the photos and I really hope that it tempts you to visit these wonderful places.

Warburg Nature Reserve

I have been really looking forward to this one...the handbook made it look amazing and included a photo of Steve Backshall so it must be good, (in my eyes he's a living super hero, they should make an Action Man of him) Anyway, I digress, the reserve didn't disappoint. It's sited down a tiny country lane, with a visitors centre and great pathways all around it. Hilly and flinty in places, open and sunny in others, but not much mud which made me very happy ;) Wide footpaths join on to the Wildlife Walk so there were plenty of trails to run on. I have to admit I did get a bit lost and found myself in Maidensgrove and Russells Water Commons. I ran the direction I thought was right and in the end asked a helpful mountain biker if I was heading in the right direction, which thankfully I was. I found my way back and did a couple of circuits of the Wildlife Walk to make up the distance but not risk getting lost again! 10K in total, and a few photos. I spotted a Silver-Washed Fritillary - I have included a picture as I couldn't get a photo. A first for me so I'm well chuffed with that. Bullfinches, Sparrow Hawk and loads of Marbled Whites. I stunning place.

Finemere Wood

This one is my nearest reserves and I'm ashamed to say its my first visit! You can see all the hard work that goes into maintaining this woodland and meadow land. Many areas suiting butterflies and plenty of habitats and bat boxes for other creatures. Lots of information as you go round. Today was very very muddy in places. I was fore warned. It got to the stage where I couldn't get any wetter so I just ploughed through it. Quite good fun for a while but I did after 7k finish off my run on the road to have a breather from the mud. Cool and damp yet again, so very little insect activity. I'm looking forward to doing some of these runs in hot sunshine! 

I picked up the graphics I have had done for my car today also. Not put them on yet due to the weather but as soon as I do I will post a picture. 

Here is todays photos.