Category Archives: Surrey and Sussex

113. The Pilgrim’s Progress – Surrey Hills 2

Posted on 30 March, 2006 by | 5 comments

(… continued)

hackhurst-downs-north-downs-way-surrey.jpgAs I turn left off the main A25, uncharted territory lies ahead. The narrow lane rises in front of me, and I neither walk, nor confidently run, but somehow cobble together an unheroic if effective mix of both until the gradient flattens.

The ancient pasture land of Abinger Roughs lies to my left, that name describing quite well my personal symptoms of oxygen deficit and lingering virus.

It’ll only get harder from here, and so it’s just the ideal time to spy a couple of puzzled walkers standing by the roadside with their map.
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Posted in 2006, history, Surrey and Sussex, the marathon journey

112. Forests of fire and iron – Surrey Hills 1

Posted on 29 March, 2006 by | Comments Off on 112. Forests of fire and iron – Surrey Hills 1

tillingbourne-albury-abinger-hammer-surrey-hills.jpgA drizzly morning, the last Sunday in March. And so, it’s come to this.

All those freezing January lunchtimes, seemingly endless February slogs into that slowly lengthening winter dusk, and forays into the primaeval darkness in the rain.

Looking back, it was nothing more than preparation for what lies ahead today.
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Posted in 2006, history, Surrey and Sussex, the marathon journey

109. Happiness, more or less

Posted on 30 January, 2006 by | Leave a comment

river-wey-navigation-and-newark-priory.jpg

Happiness – more or less
It’s just a change in me
Something in my liberty
Oh my mind

Happiness – coming and going
I watch you look at me
Watch my fever growing
I know just where I am

Well, how many corners do I have to turn ?
How many times do I have to learn ?
All the love I have is in my mind
The Verve – September 1997

The runner’s high. Goodness knows, I’ve sought it long and hard recently. I’ve waited long enough.

Some would argue that it’s exercise-induced narcosis which keeps us running in the first place. But I know that’s not true. Because whilst I appreciate the benefits of running, and a certain post-run clarity of thought is up there on my list, there really is much more to it. You can’t manufacture those moments – they just happen.
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Posted in 2006, history, life and times, music, Surrey and Sussex, the marathon journey, winter

104. Puke, lies and finishing tape: Brighton 10 km

Posted on 22 November, 2005 by | Leave a comment

brighton-madeira-drive.jpg

What a way to spend an early winter’s morning. Late November sunshine streaming unbroken from a frostily huge and cloudless sky. Cool breeze hardly leaving a ripple on a dark blue sea. The gentlest ambling stroll along a quiet promenade, gazing up at the Regency splendour of Brighton seafront.
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Posted in 2005, racing, Surrey and Sussex

96. Jude Law and the Dirty Deed

Posted on 3 August, 2005 by | Leave a comment

It must have been just after 1 am on Sunday when Jude Law called. Of all the people to phone at that time, he seemed the very least likely, but it wasn’t really me that he wanted to speak to.

jude-law-sienna-miller-and-river-wey.jpg

He was having some trouble with his childcare arrangements (allegedly) and although I might well have offered a view, it was our houseguest he wanted to reach for advice.

And it only took a glance at the next morning’s papers to conclude that, for all of my experience in sorting out problems with nannies, even I couldn’t have helped Jude much on this occasion.

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Posted in 2005, summer, Surrey and Sussex

83. Seven Bridges Road – the Wey floodplain

Posted on 6 April, 2005 by | Leave a comment

sunset-river-wey-floodplain.jpgThere are stars
In the southern sky
Southward as you go
There is moonlight
And moss in the trees
Down the Seven Bridges Road

Sometimes there’s a part of me
Has to turn from here and go
Running like a child from these warm stars
Down the Seven Bridges Road
Eagles – November 1980 (words and music by Steve Young)

A summer’s evening, in spring. It’s a rare gift, and too good to miss.

The late afternoon warmth is still brittle, the low sun still shining through bare trees and fragile blossom. The far edge of an April day.
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Posted in 2005, Guildford, music, Surrey and Sussex