Big Black Mountain Challenge

Last weekend my old friend (in both senses of the phrase) Martin played host to Mrs Z and I. He gave up his bed for us (Mrs Z having previously professed a dislike of the floor), organised our packed lunches for the grand day out and BBQ'd when we'd finished. He'd generously entered us in the 'Big Black Mountain Challenge' which is a fund raising event for the Longtown (Wales, not Cumbria) Mountain Rescue Team. Hopefully this picture gives some idea of where the valley floor is. We walked 19 miles in glorious weather, up onto the ridge, along, down and up again at the other end and then back along another ridge to the finish.

There were two other routes; one shorter (which meant a comparative increase in the amount of up and down.) and one longer, which appeared to be being approached as an endurance run by the participants who had, in enthusiasm or error, subscribed to the marathon route.

This is some random ladies muscling in on my picture of my helpers.

I had a fantastic time, the dogs loved it, Mrs Z got a decent night's sleep afterwards (maybe she should walk 19 miles every day...) and judging by the amount of people there, there should have been a fair whack raised for the MRT.