Another typical Lakes weekend...

 Another weekend in the Lake District. Another weekend of mixed weather. Another weekend of varied runs. Two of which couldn't have been more different.

 Sunday,  it was the 10 miler on the very quiet lane  up and down LONGSLEDDALE,  one of the most "secret" areas on the fringe of the Lake District, north of Kendal   Sparsely visited but offering a really atractive backdrop for a run, with just the occasional vehicle to cope with  ( just 5 in the 10 miles)   occasional   walkers and being a "no through road" no cyclists as we "experience"  in Wharfedale.
 It's often said we learn something from every run we do.  I learn continually that the longer the run the better the pace. Sunday morning's run started , albeit uphill, with a  9.38 minute slog but reassuringly improved over the following,  undulating 4 miles,  just as  I was consoling myself  with the lack of pace by enjoying the marvellous scenery.
 Turning in 44.51 and despite coping with a strong  chilly headwind, something seemed to suddenly click and another gear was found with an 8.05, 8.19, 8.15,8.08 and a final effort of 7.29.   Two minutes faster than the first!.  A very pleasing 40.19 on the way back.   So, a  sound 10,  minutes faster than 10 on the canal last week and completed in less favourable  conditions.  A quite pleasing end to the week which saw another 44 miles in the bank.
 A ten miler which certainly calls for a search for a decent half marathon or two in the second half of the year.   Perhaps I should consider a return to Amsterdam which couldn't be any flatter.  Other recommendations welcome!
 In contrast to this "secret" part of the lakes,  today  we revisited one of the lake District's most popular little gems, TARN HOWS,  situated in the hills between Ambleside and Consiston.

It's hard to believe we are approaching the midpoint of the year with the start of week 24 today.  A week which started with this visit to TARN HOWS  for this Monday morning's run.  I recall running around this much visited Lakeland beauty spot years back when staying at the famous Drunken Duck Inn.
  I had it in my mind that it was about 3 miles around and planned to do a couple of circuits; but it turned out to be just 1.7 and a bit of "padding" was needed to make it a 5.  
  Despite the damp, overcast conditions  the National Trust car park (£4 for 2 hours!) had few vacant spots.  I think running around on a warm, sunny day might have been a lot more problematic.

                   Good to see the money was being used to maintain the excellent trail around tarn as captured by Pat coming the other way on her walk. 
 The camera was passed back for a couple of shots of the foxgloves which are prevalent in the area.  These enjoy great over to the Langdales....through the low cloud.........