Diary of a middle aged runner

[Bierzo Baggie]

May draws to a close. 5 short runs locally and 3 longer excursions in the hills to record.

Route 1. The Tebaida Berciana.
Inspected the fire damage which affected zones that have periodically burnt as long as man has sought pastureland. Like much of El Bierzo.
 Sometimes things get out of control which was the case here.
 Ran through the charred remains of La Tebaida Berciana and over a post-run beer we spoke to Sara from the “cantina” who took the terrifying photo posted above. It’s bad, but some valuable areas of woodland have also survived so there is some room for optimism.
The race has been re-routed and re-scheduled for June.
https://goo.gl/photos/KFE8ZWHmAfpW1Mfx5

Routes 2 and 3. The Compludos.
More run-walk-stop-start-pissing around in a zone which has largely avoided fire devastation in recent years and the oak forests are significantly larger and healthier as a result. These were exploratory expeditions with view to joining 4 villages in the most imaginative way possible. It is still an ongoing project but the route is taking shape and would one day make for an excellent race circuit.  
https://goo.gl/photos/DRXWqHUqnsLCJNfq5
Aquilianos next Saturday, short route this year.