The weather forecast says it is going to be scorchio again and in fact at least 25 degrees at 8am. That means getting up early and we know how good I am at that. In fact it wasn’t too bad, I was out just after 9am and yes it was even more scorchio. Up to Mill Lane, customary vee sign and onto Lovers’ Lane.
Yesterday’s alien invasion preparations are evidently complete, with all the tables and chairs ready and the telescope observatory in waiting. The local Comune have put up ‘no parking’ signs, threatening a tow-away for offenders – I wonder if that applies to spaceships? The preparation are in fact for tonight’s red moon and a ‘spettacolo’ at Villa Bali. Ticketed event only including supper, because no Italian event ever excludes food – that just wouldn’t be right.
I am able to run around Villa Bali’s grounds, although I do have to do some nifty footwork around some police incident type duct tape. On my way down to the bendy, scary road, it’s all quiet, except for the thundering of large tractors, combine harvesters and similar. I enter Royston Vasey and see that tonight’s red moon event has given the local market stalls an obvious merchandising opportunity, with a pinafore stall taking pride of place in the piazza. Martians in pinafores anyone?
Out of Royston Vasey and coming towards me is a smiling (as ever) Miss Marsupio, this time we are on the same side of the road and she says to me ‘ Brava eh’ – pretty much a well done, I say thanks and return the compliment, as generally we are the only two pedestrians on that road – it’s mainly cyclists. Geed up by the contact, I make my way to the fish shop village and it’s hotter there, loads of buildings reflect the heat and the shade is hard to find. I pootle on and realise I am pleasantly cool (well cooler than normal) – that’s because my water bottle has been leaking, so my back is soaked and I’m half a bottle down for drinking.
I trot up to Bin Lane and get some overtaking in, that’s a little old lady pulling her shopping trolley – you’re hardly Lewis Hamilton JCR. Next in my sights, old guy walking his bike up the hill – similar really – does an overtake count when the overtakee had no idea they were being targeted? Out onto the all roads lead to Rome road and cripes the lorries are equally as big and scary as the agricultural machinery I managed to avoid earlier. At this stage I’m quite pleased, although this was not one of my fastest runs, I’ve managed to avoid too many drink/rest stops – possibly because of the leaking water bottle. The 10km prompt comes up and just as I’m about to press the stop button a cyclist passes me and shouts ‘brava per correre’ – well done for running.
What a nice way to end my run.
Playlist
Stray Cat Strut – Stray Cats
Stand and Deliver – Adam And The Ants
I’m Free – The Soup Dragons
Take It To The Limit – The Eagles
All Together Now – The Farm
Money – The Flying Lizards
Dirty Harry – Gorillaz
Caravan Of Love – The Housemartins
Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime – The Korgis
Dancing On The Ceiling – Lionel Ritchie
Daydream Believer – The Monkees
Crying In The Chapel – Sonny Til and The Orioles
What Have I Done To Deserve This – Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield
Black Betty – Ram Jam
Crazy – Seal
Can You Dig It – The Mock Turtles
Hungry Like The Wolf – Duran Duran
Crazy Horses – The Osmonds
Union Of The Snake – Duran Duran
Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
The Lion Sleeps Tonight – Tight Fit
Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
S-S-S Single Bed – Fox
Stats
Distance 10.26km
Time 1:15:53
Average Pace 7:23 mins/km
Elevation Gain 41 metres
Alzheimer’s Challenge
Kms Run 1264.22
Kms To Do 753.78
