SPIDERMAN'S POEMS
JANETS’ “ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA'' ('Running the Highlands' May 2014)
We gathered at 3 at the home of the Stokes
4 of the girls plus a couple of blokes
Pack our shared suitcase at Gill & Mikes
With walking poles plus pairs of Nikes.
To Collington station at 4 and a bit
Raring to go and fighting fit
The train to Gatwick went quite well
No incidents to report, or for me to tell.
At Gatwick we had time for a bite
A meal to eat before our flight
A taxi was waiting at Inverness
The guest house being perfect no less
Neil picked us up from our B & B
With Claire and Ruth our guides to be
Drove to the station, more runners to get
So Jacqui, Sarah and Belinda were met.
With all our gear stacked in the boot
Made our way to the start of the route
Out of the bus and ready to run
All feeling good and expecting some fun.
We started our run through Inverness
Not the prettiest start I must confess
On through a park the town quickly gone
Getting off road, and moving on.
A few miles in and going uphill
First stop of the day, greeted by Chris & Gill
A brief respite with a drink & a snack
We are on the way now, no turning back.
Onward and upward, was there no end
Just a bit more uphill, just one more bend
Eventually flattened and running eased
Don’t know about others, but I was pleased.
A longer break for us to have lunch
A sandwich or cereal bar to munch
Then onward along the undulating road
At one point Mike spotted a toad.
Some spectacular views down to the loch
But we must move on, look at the clock
The end for the day into Drumnadrochit
By then some of us struggled a bit.
Then into the bus and to our hotel
Day one completed and everyone well
A bath or a shower, time for a rest
Dinner, then bed and prepare for the test.
Day 2 and breakfast to start the day
Into the bus to drive a short way
Start running and again Westward bound
A huge Douglas Fir invited us round.
The hills started immediately after
Soon put a stop to any laughter
Again Stunning views from up there
But not enough time to stand and stare.
The ground flattened and fell for a stage
Then continued on through a local vill-age!
Another break and briefly, all together again
Near a burial chamber where others are lain.
Onward and upward the ground rose
Look in a Bothy, we all had a nose
Still a bit more climbing and getting wet feet
Then downhill, more wetland as we cross some peat.
Eventually clear of the boggy marsh
The terrain slowly becoming less harsh
Gradually dropping and sweeping round many a bend
Meeting Gill by Tomich, the days end.
Another meal and rest for the night
Day 3 dawned, it's looking quite bright
Breakfast, and discuss the day ahead
Just 9 miles today, a doodle Neil said!
A gentle flat start still heading West
Then more uphill, I'm not impressed
The downhill was better, feeling less pain
Alongside the Loch, I forget the name!
Finish the run and a picnic to eat
I'm so pleased to stop, and get off my feet
Fed and watered then walk round a track
Down to the Loch side then uphill and back.
A journey back driven by Claire
Neil ran the trail saving the fare
To Plodda Falls to stroll around the site
View the water cascade from a height.
Wednesday brought Gill a birthday
Something to cheer us, as we got under way
Our start was back at the river Affric
Twenty one miles today. That won’t be quick!
The weather was good as we set out
Dark clouds ahead, it would change, no doubt
A cuckoo was calling along the track
Maybe to tell us we should turn back!
Some 4 miles on a break on this stage
At the delightful named Strawberry Cott-age
Rested and watered we continued on West
Taking in the scenery, this is the best!
Skirting Glen Affric Forest on our left flank
The weather turning rather wet and dank
Onward we moved to another short break
The Youth Hostel at Alltbeithe soon in our wake.
Undulating paths then a stop at a Bothy
I wish someone was here to make us coffee
Rested and refuelled we moved through the valley
Take in the views but little time to dally.
On through the mountains both uphill and wet
Eventually downhill, but the slipperiest yet
That cuckoo is calling, I hear it again
Or is it saying ''you must be insane''
At last over the bridge to flatter terrain
An added bonus there's no more rain
Straight forward end without a hitch
The days end in the town of Morvich
Relax in the bus then our hotel we seek
A few miles away we find ''Tingle Creek''
A beautiful setting overlooking the sea
With views of the Isles of Skye and Raasay
Into our rooms and a nice hot bath
Then fantastic food was served by the staff
An evening to rest then off to bed
A good night's sleep with just one day ahead
Drive back to our start on Thursday morn
The enormity of the event now starting to dawn
A shoeless local with his piglet and sow
On top of a climb, a rest for us now.
Down off the hill and on to Dornie
Views of Eilean Donan Castle for us to see
A section of roadside run lie ahead
Then met the bus to be watered and fed.
Leaving the van, going uphill once more
Of road terrain, the surface quite poor
Over stiles and yet more wet ground
To the final section we are now bound.
Our destination is getting nearer
But the bridge is not ay clearer
Down the hill into Kyle at last
Nearly all of the run is now in the past.
A final jog to the bridge onto Skye
Stop for a photo at the peak on high
Off the bridge and onto the island
A celebratory drink for all of the band.
Our epic journey has finished now
Inverness to Skye with plenty of ''wow''
Janet's ''Adventure before Dementia'' is done
5 days hard work but we sure had some fun.
Tingle Creek for a final night
A cake for Janet with candles alight
Thanks to Claire, Ruth and Neil
A fabulous week, an excellent deal.
We all travelled home with our own highlights
The up's and downs and the great sights
Looking back it was sometimes quite tough
But we need a rest we've had enough.
What a wonderful week we just had
Now it's all over we feel a bit sad
Great companions, hotels, plus food
On hindsight it really was very good!
SPIDERMAN
"ITS" (Inverness To Skye) (Poem given to Neil,Ruth & Claire as a 'thank you')
'Run the Highlands' we saw the ad
85 miles in 5 days, we must be mad
But we all signed up & paid the fee
Look forward with excited glee.
Met Neil & the girls, start of day one
Thinking this is ok, it's going to be fun!
Little did we know what lie ahead
Had we known we'd have stayed in bed.
When Neil explains the route is undulated
We now know he has understated
What we call hills, he calls bumps
His mountain tracks are merely lumps.
It's much kinder to run with Clare
She looks after you and seems to care,
Always encouraging, and time for all
Particularly helpful when you hit the wall
Any information you get from Ruth
Take with a pinch of salt, it may not be truth
She always has a smile on her face
No matter how quick or slow the pace
Sharing this stunning area with all of us
Caring throughout, never making a fuss,
Thanks to you we had a super time
Now it's time to end this rhyme
We'll forgive you the hills you put in our way
Up and down for day after day
Every step was worth all the aches and the pain
Some may come back once more. but for me "its" Never Again!
We gathered at 3 at the home of the Stokes
4 of the girls plus a couple of blokes
Pack our shared suitcase at Gill & Mikes
With walking poles plus pairs of Nikes.
To Collington station at 4 and a bit
Raring to go and fighting fit
The train to Gatwick went quite well
No incidents to report, or for me to tell.
At Gatwick we had time for a bite
A meal to eat before our flight
A taxi was waiting at Inverness
The guest house being perfect no less
Neil picked us up from our B & B
With Claire and Ruth our guides to be
Drove to the station, more runners to get
So Jacqui, Sarah and Belinda were met.
With all our gear stacked in the boot
Made our way to the start of the route
Out of the bus and ready to run
All feeling good and expecting some fun.
We started our run through Inverness
Not the prettiest start I must confess
On through a park the town quickly gone
Getting off road, and moving on.
A few miles in and going uphill
First stop of the day, greeted by Chris & Gill
A brief respite with a drink & a snack
We are on the way now, no turning back.
Onward and upward, was there no end
Just a bit more uphill, just one more bend
Eventually flattened and running eased
Don’t know about others, but I was pleased.
A longer break for us to have lunch
A sandwich or cereal bar to munch
Then onward along the undulating road
At one point Mike spotted a toad.
Some spectacular views down to the loch
But we must move on, look at the clock
The end for the day into Drumnadrochit
By then some of us struggled a bit.
Then into the bus and to our hotel
Day one completed and everyone well
A bath or a shower, time for a rest
Dinner, then bed and prepare for the test.
Day 2 and breakfast to start the day
Into the bus to drive a short way
Start running and again Westward bound
A huge Douglas Fir invited us round.
The hills started immediately after
Soon put a stop to any laughter
Again Stunning views from up there
But not enough time to stand and stare.
The ground flattened and fell for a stage
Then continued on through a local vill-age!
Another break and briefly, all together again
Near a burial chamber where others are lain.
Onward and upward the ground rose
Look in a Bothy, we all had a nose
Still a bit more climbing and getting wet feet
Then downhill, more wetland as we cross some peat.
Eventually clear of the boggy marsh
The terrain slowly becoming less harsh
Gradually dropping and sweeping round many a bend
Meeting Gill by Tomich, the days end.
Another meal and rest for the night
Day 3 dawned, it's looking quite bright
Breakfast, and discuss the day ahead
Just 9 miles today, a doodle Neil said!
A gentle flat start still heading West
Then more uphill, I'm not impressed
The downhill was better, feeling less pain
Alongside the Loch, I forget the name!
Finish the run and a picnic to eat
I'm so pleased to stop, and get off my feet
Fed and watered then walk round a track
Down to the Loch side then uphill and back.
A journey back driven by Claire
Neil ran the trail saving the fare
To Plodda Falls to stroll around the site
View the water cascade from a height.
Wednesday brought Gill a birthday
Something to cheer us, as we got under way
Our start was back at the river Affric
Twenty one miles today. That won’t be quick!
The weather was good as we set out
Dark clouds ahead, it would change, no doubt
A cuckoo was calling along the track
Maybe to tell us we should turn back!
Some 4 miles on a break on this stage
At the delightful named Strawberry Cott-age
Rested and watered we continued on West
Taking in the scenery, this is the best!
Skirting Glen Affric Forest on our left flank
The weather turning rather wet and dank
Onward we moved to another short break
The Youth Hostel at Alltbeithe soon in our wake.
Undulating paths then a stop at a Bothy
I wish someone was here to make us coffee
Rested and refuelled we moved through the valley
Take in the views but little time to dally.
On through the mountains both uphill and wet
Eventually downhill, but the slipperiest yet
That cuckoo is calling, I hear it again
Or is it saying ''you must be insane''
At last over the bridge to flatter terrain
An added bonus there's no more rain
Straight forward end without a hitch
The days end in the town of Morvich
Relax in the bus then our hotel we seek
A few miles away we find ''Tingle Creek''
A beautiful setting overlooking the sea
With views of the Isles of Skye and Raasay
Into our rooms and a nice hot bath
Then fantastic food was served by the staff
An evening to rest then off to bed
A good night's sleep with just one day ahead
Drive back to our start on Thursday morn
The enormity of the event now starting to dawn
A shoeless local with his piglet and sow
On top of a climb, a rest for us now.
Down off the hill and on to Dornie
Views of Eilean Donan Castle for us to see
A section of roadside run lie ahead
Then met the bus to be watered and fed.
Leaving the van, going uphill once more
Of road terrain, the surface quite poor
Over stiles and yet more wet ground
To the final section we are now bound.
Our destination is getting nearer
But the bridge is not ay clearer
Down the hill into Kyle at last
Nearly all of the run is now in the past.
A final jog to the bridge onto Skye
Stop for a photo at the peak on high
Off the bridge and onto the island
A celebratory drink for all of the band.
Our epic journey has finished now
Inverness to Skye with plenty of ''wow''
Janet's ''Adventure before Dementia'' is done
5 days hard work but we sure had some fun.
Tingle Creek for a final night
A cake for Janet with candles alight
Thanks to Claire, Ruth and Neil
A fabulous week, an excellent deal.
We all travelled home with our own highlights
The up's and downs and the great sights
Looking back it was sometimes quite tough
But we need a rest we've had enough.
What a wonderful week we just had
Now it's all over we feel a bit sad
Great companions, hotels, plus food
On hindsight it really was very good!
SPIDERMAN
"ITS" (Inverness To Skye) (Poem given to Neil,Ruth & Claire as a 'thank you')
'Run the Highlands' we saw the ad
85 miles in 5 days, we must be mad
But we all signed up & paid the fee
Look forward with excited glee.
Met Neil & the girls, start of day one
Thinking this is ok, it's going to be fun!
Little did we know what lie ahead
Had we known we'd have stayed in bed.
When Neil explains the route is undulated
We now know he has understated
What we call hills, he calls bumps
His mountain tracks are merely lumps.
It's much kinder to run with Clare
She looks after you and seems to care,
Always encouraging, and time for all
Particularly helpful when you hit the wall
Any information you get from Ruth
Take with a pinch of salt, it may not be truth
She always has a smile on her face
No matter how quick or slow the pace
Sharing this stunning area with all of us
Caring throughout, never making a fuss,
Thanks to you we had a super time
Now it's time to end this rhyme
We'll forgive you the hills you put in our way
Up and down for day after day
Every step was worth all the aches and the pain
Some may come back once more. but for me "its" Never Again!
