Winter Solstice......

Maybe there's a bit of Druid blood in me for I just had to get out today on the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice.  I struggled a wee bit up Castle Hill (read walked!) but got into some sort of flow again once I reached my old running track on the flatter top. 

My running track  (Click to enlarge pictures)

 I just had to stop and take a photograph, it felt so good to be back again, running on top of my little world, even in cloud and a nithering wind.  I could hear music playing and drums beating and I felt they were playing just for me, a welcoming back from that dark world I'd been living in for the past few months. 

Approaching the tower

 A little thrill was rippling through me as I approached Victoria Tower.  The folk group, Thieving Magpie, were going through their exuberant paces on the grass in time to the music of half a dozen darkly dressed instrumentalists. 

Thieving Magpie performing

There was shouting and clacking of sticks as they went about their merry dance. It'a shame the sun didn't join in the celebration. peeping over the horizon to light up the fun and proclaim that we were hopefully going to see a lot more of it in 2020

I jogged home through muddy fields, shouting 'hello you lot' to the horses I mentioned in yesterday's post.

This animal was happy,

very happy.

I'n not done yet.....

I went for a run today, or rather I jogged across waterlogged fields, along a lane that resembled a muddy river before saying hello to a posse of mainly skewbald horses on the steep part of Castle Hill.  

Oh, and it was raining.  

 It was my first run for 88 days and in spite of inclement weather it felt so good to don my studs in the early morning and to feel wind and rain on my face again.  After the big C and drastic treatment, it had seemed doubtful whether I'd ever run again.

Friendly horses on Castle Hill  (Click to enlarge picture)

 I'd set my mind on December 21st because at each Solstice a Folk Group, Thieving Magpie, dance on Castle Hill to greet the sun on the longest or shortest day.  But they weren't there today, I assume because Winter Solstice this year occurs on the 22nd!  

I'll probably go again tomorrow.

Besides all the rain we've had some mixed weather in the Dales.

We've had mist, making it feel quite atmospheric,

a blanket of snow 

and occasionally a beautiful sunrise,

but unfortunately I've felt too knackered to enjoy it.  

Perhaps that will change over Christmas and New Year when Old Runningfox will attempt to acquaint himself with local trails again.