The Macclesfield Half Marathon

I usually go running a couple of times a week to keep fit and to keep my weight down. The area that I live in borders the Mersey Valley in South Manchester, so I can run for miles along the river and through nature reserves. I really appreciate being able to run without coming into contact with busy roads. At the same time I get to see the area that I live in, changing through the seasons.
I don't take part in events like the Macclesfield Half Marathon all that often because I enjoy running on my own (or with a couple of friends) so much. But running with 200+ people on a pleasant autumn morning in the rolling Cheshire countryside has been great (if slightly painful) fun!
I was joined by 2 colleagues Tina (left) and Tony (right) the picture above was taken before the race!

The race course is quite hilly and I normally run on the flat. I didn't find the hills too difficult but that's possibly down to my enthusiasm for hillwalking.

This picture (above) was taken a good five minutes after we had all finished. The smiles gradually returning, once painful memories of the last hill begin to fade. There are more pictures of Tina, me and Tony on the official race photos website.

Is it possible to find Jesus at St Bees Head?

I was once told by a friend that St Bees Head was a good place to give yourself a good talking to. Perhaps in the eyes of some, this could be thought of as finding ones 'self'. One thing is certain ........
........ This is definitely the place to find religion!

Thankfully we had a lovely paddle around the stunning sandstone cliffs without the need for calling the Lord's name in vain.

There was enough swell to make the rockhopping interesting......

....... light winds and plenty of sunshine for a perfect paddling day.