The Forum Weekend

Which turned into quite a small and compact affair, what with lots of people being too busy this weekend, and a few late absentees...

So - I was collected on the way through by Karen and Little Person (aka mini-womble!!) and we went to collect Mr Fat Face from his...
no point in taking two cars when one will do eh..?
and we made our way up to the Youth Hostel at Derwent Water..

There we were greeted by "monotonic android man" who was manning the desk..
having checked in we popped back to town for some 'supplies', had some tea in the YH (which was very good actually) and settled down for a relaxing evening of provision consuming and chat and stuff...

A walk in the howling wind and driving rain was the order of the day on Saturday - certainly blew the cobwebs away (along with the smallest member of our party - almost!!!).
There are some foolish people about though...
There we were - dressed to the nines for the conditions (mostly), and coming towards us as we descended to the relative shelter of the lowlands and trees was a family of VERY little people (one in a baby carrier and two under their own steam - in jeans and trainers - looking decidedly miserable)
It was pointed out to the M&D that they might need to tie a piece of string to their offspring in order to fly them as kites if they went any higher!!!!!
Initially they seemed oblivious to the subtlety of the suggestion that carrying on might be less-than-prudent, as they carried on!!!!
Fortunately they DID turn back soon after - which was a relief!!!!

So a little bit of puddle splashing and a rather nice drink in a nice pub followed... and we made our way back to Keswick to browse the lovely outdoor shops :o)
..and got a bus back to the YH

We waited for the others who we knew were coming that evening, to arrive.. and so our numbers swelled to 9!

We had a super home cooked meal and an evening of more provision consumption....
Very pleasant :o)
..Interesting point here though...
It was a Runners World group...
..and the Derwentwater 10 was being run on Sunday
guess how many RW people from our party were actually running in the event....!!!

none
[chuckle]

Two of our number WERE running though, and we decided to stay on in the morning and support the brave souls who were running..

So we went to a point at around 4½ miles (where there was a Tea-Shop!!) so that we could Clap; Cheer; Generally Heckle; and Support all the runners

The leader came through at about 21 minutes [gulp]....
and the last runner at around 46 minutes

In between we saw the two ladies from our little group, who were running nicely - and a great surprise then...
Little Miss Happy from Forum was running too (Saw her Mister (Mark*w) first and have him a clap and cheer)
Then did the forum race support thing of being all exuberant and loud when LMH went past..
We even got some photos!!!!
Apologies to Rhino, who was running with LMH - didn't know it was her... would have been more encourging if we had!!!

Excellent
:o)