There
is an old adage which says ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the
midday sun’ – too true, too true….
As
with a lot of people I think the COVID furlough had meant I’d been
able to get out more such that it felt I’d done sufficient training
to now give the JNC a go. It had been hot all week, very hot, but the
weather was due to change to rain in the coming days so, with a
minimum support crew, including Helene my wife and two daughters Lexi
age 16 and Eve age 15, we were off.
 |
| Pooley Bridge |
05.00
am at Pooley Bridge in the semi-dark. With Helene and Eve as pacers
we soon discarded torches as we gained height on the High Street
spine with a thick cloud inversion below over Ullswater and to the
South. A sliver of moon and cooling wind in a clearing blue sky
accompanied us to Kirkstone.
 |
| Arthur's Pike |
 |
| Descending Red Screes |
 |
| Ascent to Fairfield |
Great friend Gary Baum substituted for the ladies and we made good time over Red Screes before rising again above the fog rolling through Scandale Pass to reach Fairfield now in stark sunshine. The promise of a stifling day hinted as we descended to Dunmail and entered the hot moist air rising from the bracken.
A quick transition and Steel Fell came and went accompanied now by Phil Blanshard and Alex Heron who had kindly stepped in to help at short notice. We were making decent time but the oppressive heat started taking its toll on the ascent up High Raise. Things improved going up Bow Fell after which we made steady but slow pace through the baking glaring white stones of Esk Pike and Great End to arrive at Sty Head to meet my last leg stalwart Jane Meeks (12 hours 17 minutes herself on the JNC) and my eldest daughter Lexi.
 |
| Dunmail Transition |
 |
| Leaving Dunmail |
 |
| Ascending Steel Fell |
Great Gable was the killer. 3 o’clock in the afternoon now and sun full over head with no wind. Jane and Lexi did an admiral job of coaxing me on and keeping me hydrated; up and over Gable, up and over Kirk Fell before arriving on Pillar having lost my earlier time advantage but now back on schedule exactly.
 |
| Finishing |
With ten minutes to spare we
touched the bridge and celebrated with a socially distanced
celebration and swim in the river.
Many
thanks to my pacers and supporters for giving up their time and
helping me achieve this goal - a great day out. It was a privilege to
run with Helene and the girls. Who knows, perhaps they will remember
this day with their dad and will be inspired themselves to give it a
go when they come of age.
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