Falkland Hill Race

First time doing the new longer version of this race. A really nice route and a fair bit of runnable trail as well as some steep bits. 10k, 426m climb, 1 hr 9 mins. Reminded how pretty Falkland village is.

 

Carolside Gardens near Earlston

Yet another sunny day to enjoy in this long warm summer. We set off at 11 am to Lauder where we stopped at the Flat Cat Gallery for a light lunch. A nice cafe.

Then onwards a short distance to Carolside Gardens for a very pleasant wander around the compact but very well designed gardens. Roses a major feature of the garden and we were a couple of weeks late for them to be at their very best.

Tea and biscuits on the lawn.

Worth a return visit in late June in a few years time.

 

Boys Weekend to Liverpool 2026

The crew for this trip was me, Warren, Mark, Glenn and Tim.

Staying again at the Birkenhead Premier Inn which worked well and the good air con was very welcome o on what was a heat wave weekend of 30+ temperatures every day.

On Friday the boys had all arrived before me and spent some time in Liverpool. I met up with the crew at the hotel and we visited Sawasdee for Thai dinnerand the Glen Afric brewery before the boys needed an early night.

On Saturday I managed a run in the morning before we heads to Liverpool to do the Beatles Story. Then drinks and late lunch at the Baltic Market. We wandered on the Grapes before deciding we needed a break from the heat at the hotel. Dinner was another visit to Sawasdee and then we watched the England v Norway game at Gallaghers pub.

On Sunday I again managed a run before we headed to town to visit the two cathedrals. Very different but both great in their own way. Great views from the rooftop of Liverpool Cathedral. Lunch at Love Lane Brewery. Then a long walk via White Star pub to Blackstock Market for dinner and a newcomers comedy show between 7 & 9 pm. Got an Uber back to the hotel before we had a last drink at the Brass Balance.

Dollar Hill Race and David Sedaris at Usher Hall

A pleasing run at the challenging Dollar Hill Race on Saturday afternoon. Have run much less this year due to concerns about heels so very nice to run a tough race over 2 hrs 15 mins without any issues. Slowest time ever at this race but still felt like a pretty good run.

In the evening we went to see David Sedaris at Usher Hall. He was pretty good but maybe better in small radio doses than in a live "concert" setting.