April Showers

Woke to a typical April morning, sunshine and showers. After breakfast drove to Cherry Burton and took the dogs for a walk down the old railway line. A shower came on as we passed the farm on Etton Road and so put on the foldaway cagoule from my bum bag. There is a cold gusty wind from the southeast. On the line the dogs chase rabbits, as usual, and we find the first bluebell. Soon there will be thousands. Afterwards drove to the leisure centre and changed into trackster bottoms, thermal top and gloves. Decided to run round Beverley Parklands again because of the wind and rain. The shower passes and so run across the sports field, through the gate and on to Sparkmill Lane. The dirt track studded with puddles from all the rain over the holiday weekend, low clouds scudding along in front of the strong wind. The wind penetrating my top when exposed to its full force and I am glad to be wearing my gloves. Turning right at Cherry Tree farm, make my way between the hedgerows towards the level crossing at England Springs. The blackthorn in full blossom now, interspersed with hawthorn that will bloom at the end of the month and herald the month named for it, May. The old Yorkshire saying, "cast not a clout til may is out", refers to the hawthorn blossom and means you should stay warmly wrapped until the hawthorn blooms. The sun appears brightly as I cross the railway line, it's as strong now as in early September, it's warmth a contrast to the chilly wind. Still weaving around puddles make my way onto Long Lane, a metalled road and settle into an easy rhythm, picking up the breathing meditation, counting the breaths round from one to seven and back to one. My legs feel much lighter than last week when I ran down here, but they have had a few days rest. My neck and shoulders are still a little tight after yesterday's swim so try to run tall and loose and let them relax. There are a few walkers coming the other way and we exchange greetings, several cars pass, usually slowing a little and giving me a wide berth, but inevitably, one driver in a BMW whizzes past within an inch. Obviously in a hurry, mind in neutral. Run along for a mile or so noting the alternating feel of the wind as I pass a gap in the hedge, or the warm heat of the sun as it occasionally breaks through the clouds. Turn right on to Shepherds Lane and run round the hairpin bends between fields of oil seed rape that have come into bright yellow blossom since last week. Then turn right again, just past the farm onto the path across the fields that leads to the Lincoln Way estate. Surprisingly the path is not too wet and there are no puddles, perhaps because we are on a slight slope and about fifteen feet higher than Long Lane. The larks are still singing wildly, fearful that I will trespass too close to their nests that are built on the ground. The Minster, in the distance has scaffolding around its twin western towers, probably some repairs to the clock face. Soon I am running on the path that borders the estate and only about a mile from the Centre, moving well and easily. Turn right through the gate down Willow Lane and past the Jersey cows still snuggled up in their byte full of hay. A car towing a caravan turns onto the lane and squeezes past me on its way to Willow Tree Farm campsite. Then turn left onto Long Lane once more, run round the bend and into Hall Garth, past the bungalows and back onto Flemingate. The level crossing's gates are down and I wait with the motorists whilst passengers board the diesel in the station to my left a few hundred yards away. After five minutes it trundles past, the gates lift, and I am across and turning left on the path that leads to reception.
It is warm back inside, retrieve a towel and a water bottle from my locker, before warming down on the exercise bike. Then swim a few lengths to cool off, the pool is packed again, perhaps I may come first thing tomorrow for Swimathon training.