Val Doonican

[Bierzo Baggie]

Met Roland the bird-man on the bridge at 9. This is the second flying Durtchman I have run with. A previous running partner was Roel, a 20-something oenologist, all short bursts of speed and power but hopeless on the hills.

Running with Roland, 56 years young and as lean as a butcher’s dog, was a more humbling experience.

As I lurched forward at the top of Monte Pajariel and clutched my knees I told my Dutch friend (not a habitual runner) that he was a natural climber and that it was never too late to start. He was scarcely out of breath and seemed only vaguely interested in what I was saying. Too busy admiring the view and identifying the call of a song thrush in the woods below.

Up and down Monte Pajariel. Around 50 minutes in all.