January, Shorts and Dogs

On a Friday I generally go for a few beers at The Dudley Arms Location

The Dudley Arms Link

Run by a good friend Don Hirst, the Dudley Arms does an amazing Breakfast and has a top-rate carvery and a comprehensive support menu. The beer's good and the staff are helpful and friendly. The car is left there on a Friday night and today I walked through Baggeridge and Himley country parks to collect it. On January the 5th I was walking in shorts!
There were a number of people about, many of them with dogs. Here's mine

The Dolly

She's an arse hole. The above picture of tranquillity fails to capture or even hint at the carnage she is capable of causing. This means she goes nowhere where there is the chance of her encountering another dog. She has  killed and interred a number of garden animals-some of the under the house; cornered, killed a rat (x) and tried to bring it in to "show us" and brought down fat, slow pigeons in mid-flight.

So, Baggeridge and Himley.

 Baggeridge

One Saturday I walked through to get my car-it was the last time I took her there she encased herself in mud. She won't stay in the dog-hatch, preferring to spring about the interior instead. I decided she need a wash in the old water-cress beds. She decided she didn't and pulled on the lead. I lost my balance and fell in. A guy was about to take a photo. I suggested that he would probably have better ideas than taking the photo. He apparently agreed and put his phone away.
The remainder of the walk? I had about 1.5 miles of squelching to do during which she continued her pugnacious approach towards other canines, all done with a face that said "I pulled you in the water didn't I?"
So a good walk today: dog-less but tranquil and dry.

Got Lost Didn't I?

Highgate Common http://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/page/highgate-common is around 5 miles from my house and it's a nice enough spot to walk/run and I thought I'd use it today.
It's well known to me, I've used it for years and the terrain is gently undulating and I thought I could put a bit of extra work in to today's session by going on some heath & woodland trails using the hills.
I was out for 45 minutes and ran for 40. Why the big increase? I got lost.
The new Nikes of a couple of days ago are unrecognisable. The area look dry-looks deceive.

It also "looked familiar" that was deceptive too!
The woodland is being managed and that's fine, they're keeping the public informed about progress and making some accommodating efforts with conservation

All that's really needed are some large balls of wool so that people like me don't get lost!

January 3rd 2013 Back to Birmingham: Bella Italia

The German Market went just before Christmas, here's the Iron Man presiding over it!

The market and the Christmas shoppers have gone, the Iron Man's still there and will welcome everyone back next year. I guess it gets a bit lonely for him sometimes! So New Street is a good place to drink coffee outside of Bella Italia: to do so in comfort in the afternoon sun on January the 3rd was remarkable. Too cold to eat outside though.
Today has been fine-a suit returned for alteration-more to be taken in! Great company and rest this evening. My left leg has been sore today and I felt that a day's rest could only help it to heal more quickly. The sensible part of my brain says of done the right thing, the bit that's emotionally engaged in my running is telling me that I will, by missing today's run sacrifice every step of progress made since September/October. Sometimes the emotional part of my brain need to STFU.