Make up and runiversaries. in Summertime, and the living is easy... 2015

MAKE UP

On Saturday the girls asked me if they could do my make up, I got all my slap (as my sister calls it) down from the bathroom, explained what it was all for, closed my eyes and let them get on with it.

They had decided to do one half of my face each and this was the result. Lila had control of left side and Talaia practiced her skills on the right.

They thought it was hilarious!

And then I did their make up for them…

And no, I don’t condone make up on children of their age, it was just a bit of fun!

RUNIVERSARY

We drove through ever heavier rain towards the River Severn, the motorway sometimes obscured by the spray from the vehicles in front. It eased off as we reached the Severn View Services.

We walked up the half mile to the start of the bridge, I kissed the family goodbye and started my run to Wales.

I felt strong, my 1985 soundtrack pumping me along the road. The sky was heavy with cloud, spray spattered me as the vehicles thundered by and I felt great. Grinning and singing was the way to go.
(This was swiped from Google)

By about half way the rain had started again, a fierce sideways rain coming from the estuary. I stopped to move my phone over to my other arm so that it wouldn’t get wet and then carried on. My hair was sticking together, rain running down my face. My feet squelched as I ran through puddles the depth of my trainers and still I smiled, still I felt alive. I crossed over the peninsula with Beachley army base, the lush trees and sports facilities.

And on, across the River Wye. My bladder was thanking me for all the water I’d drunk and I wasn’t convinced I’d make it back so I headed for the concrete building near which we had eaten bananas on Friday, checked for visibility and squatted!

Then I ran a little further since my app said I had run 1.97 miles… May as well make it a round 2 ;-)

Then I turned around and headed back.

The return journey had far more uphill so was harder and I was overtaken by another runner, also soaked to the skin, also grinning :-) we acknowledged each other with a smile and a nod. I love runners, such a supportive bunch.

Back at the other side there was no sign of my family waiting to cheer me over the finish line so I jogged on a little way, eventually stopping to phone them. Apparently they had got too wet and didn’t want to get wetter, and when I say ‘they’, apparently the girls begged to be allowed and Rich said ‘no.’

So he photographed me back in the services.

THE SCULPTURE TRAIL

Obviously, having dragged Rich over to wait for me, we had to do something fun with the family. I showered in the truck stop shower, basic but clean, and we drove over the bridge (after forking out £6.50 for the pleasure).

There is a forest called The Forest of Dean which has all sorts of fun stuff. Years ago Rich and I followed the Sculpture Trail so we took the girls on it.

(This is where Talaia fell in)

(This is where Lila fell in)

(Soggy foot!)

Dragonfly.

It was a lovely day and we were all exhausted by the end.

In fact, at 9am the day after the girls and I are all in bed together, staring at our screens!