high winds

On the 29th December, M and I headed to Flotterstone. A quick refuel at the cafe included an excellent cheese cake with cranberries, and a coffee. Quite highly priced but REALLY worth it. It gave us the oomph to head up Turnhouse into the fierce wind that was sweeping along the Glencorse valley and roaring up the nw face nearly lifting us out our hillshoes at the summit. It really blew away the cobwebs, and had it been frosty or snowy it would have cut right through us. Luckily the temps had picked up and it was comparatively mild.

partial sundog

The second and lower summit of Turnhouse was about the windiest spot of the day. You really had to lean into the wind before the descent to Carnethy. We thought it might have got worse along the next 2 higher peaks but this point was the worst and was on the borderline of fun and OMFG. Going up Carnethy we bumped into Chris and pal coming down and so I took pics of them once we had swapped places to see how they responded to this blustery area.

flying lessons anyone?!

Apart from not being able to think for the wind blasting through one ear and out the other it was pretty good conditions: as I said, quite mild for the time of year and blue skies the whole run. It really did quite a bit to renew my love of running there. (We used to run here every weekend until we started running down at Gullane and Aberlady. There is more wildlife in general down the coast and in East Lothian, but for hill training it has to be the Pentlands.) (Entries open soon for the C5 😢😢🤢)

 

capturing the moment Mary took off and circled West Kip

Rather than run E and W Kip we headed down towards the Howe then turned left to go round and up the side of Black Hill. It was a bit soggy on top but not absolutely waterlogged as per usual.

The views over the top were splendid.
Although it's always a hateful struggle up Bell's Hill groove.

From there it is nearly a straight line back down the Maiden's Cleugh to the road next to Glencorse and back to Flotterstone. Excellent sunny day out which always helps.