over the hills

 

12th November and a good forecast. Mary was up for a canter over the Pentlands so we caught a 44 bus to Oxgangs Road, ran down Swanston Road (across the bypass) past the golf club and headed for Allermuir. Light packs and no big cameras. Running mode. 

We bumped into Kathy just after the thatched cottages. She has been going really well lately and we swapped stories of getting older and who we like to go runs with. (Nobody!)

stonechat

It was hard going. It often is when you start a Pentlands run as there is always a mile or 2 of uphill before you get into the hills. I think that despite the decent weather it was quite high humidity. Either that or a heavy gravity day as I was not feeling light on my toes and it was mostly hard work. However the views were great and it was good to be out in the Pentlands again, a thing we used to do nearly every weekend. And after Allermuir summit it got much more pleasant!

ahh, that's better!

As we descended off Harbour Hill there was a snowbunting. We stopped running. It was just on the path ahead of us and although within photo distance it was hiding in the shade of the tussocks looking for small invertibrates and not posing very well for photos. We quietly stalked it but mostly it escaped without any worthwhile photos. One of the few wildlife highlights of the day.

Black Hill ahead

one of the longest ascents of the day and not much of note
to say about it other than eventually reaching the top was a relief

skipping over the hills tra-laa

Mary's plan was not to continue through Green Cleugh and on to Balerno but to turn back and contour round the base of Black Hill to cross the far (East) end of Threipmuir. Over to Harlaw and then down to Balerno. It made a more interesting route than the long tarmac slog down the Red Moss road and gave some nice running down the long gradual slope parallel to Threipmuir Reservoir.

I got distracted here by what looked like a dabchick (little Grebe) chick which was in the reeds beside where I was running. By the time I'd switched on the camera it had submerged and reappeared out in the centre of the water. Again not great photos, and by this time Mary was quarter of a mile ahead. I strove up the tree lined climb and caught her as she led us across the rocky shortcut over a very swampy wet-footed tiptoe through the reeds. Definitely her fault!  😄

We emerged at those flat fields before Harlaw visitor centre. There were people again and dogwalkers. (I used to run here occasionally with the Harrison Park Sunday group.) We ran down to the main road and turned left. I recognised the road as the one that the hire bus used to drop us at for the start of the Water of Leith Half. A race I used to organise a lifetime ago. It has undergone a couple of changes of organiser since but is still going and might happen tomorrow if memory serves, a long time since I have felt the need to take part.

where the bus dropped us off for the WoL Half

Another mile of downhill into Balerno and our end point. Well the end point was the bus stop but first we were both REALLY hungry and ready for a snack out the Balerno Scotmid Coop. I wondered why Mary was ignoring the sandwich counter then saw the hot pies counter. Glory be! The anticipation of a hot macaroni pie and half a portion of potato wedges outweighed even the insanity of the partially-self-serve counter. You had to do the shop assistant's job for her but because it was not instinctive she had to talk you through the process. How is this in any way labour-saving? We were too hungry to complain and eventually there was a moment, standing by the bus stop, when we were totally immersed in the hot macaroni pie experience. Best part of the day! Macaroni pies are great at any time but if you want a taste of heaven run nine miles over the Pentlands on a chilly day first.

Balerno Scotmid

immense!
Best hot pie ever!

I thought the potato wedges were extra to requirements when Mary bought them, although we manfully did our best to dispose of them. Which turned out to be a dawdle so maybe it was the perfect finish to a perfect run in the hills. The bus very kindly gave us a few minutes to demolish the feast before appearing round the corner. Perfect timing and about an hour later we were jogging stiffly down the road home. 

9.6miles in 2hrs55m