Monthly Miles: November 2020

Coming up to the end of 2020 now. What a year it’s been!

02/11 – 9.25 miles – Quantock Hills, Somerset
08/11 – 9.25 miles – Crook Peak from Axbridge
09/11 – 4.25 mile run – Wick St. Lawrence, North Somerset
15/11 – 7.5 miles – Cadbury Camp
16/11 – 4.25 mile rule – Wick St. Lawrence
18/11 – 2 mile run – St. Georges, Weston-super-Mare
19/11 – 2 mile run – St. Georges, Weston-super-Mare
22/11 – 14 miles – Polden Hills, Somerset
27/11 – 2 mile run – St. Georges
29/11 – 4.5 mile run – Wick St. Lawrence
30/11 – 11.5 miles – Blagdon, North Somerset

Total for November 2020 = 70.5 miles

So, most of November was state in England’s second state of “Lockdown”. Somewhat more ‘relaxed’ than the restrictions of March-to-May.

Today, living in the “Tier 3” locality of North Somerset, I find myself facing tighter restrictions on where I can and should not travel for the purpose of leisure and exercise. Others will argue that these rules are not a law. Perhaps there were in place last month and I just didn’t do enough research.

You see, a number of last month’s walks were set in Somerset or Bath and North East Somerset. Both of which are now “Tier 2” counties. It is possible that I “should not have” been on those walks. I don’t know. But if that was my last walk on the Quantock Hills for 2020; at least I can say it was a good one. And very interesting… As I found myself in the middle of a stag hunt!

Then I was back to relatively local walks for the next couple of weeks, trying to stay true to my own Lockdown beliefs. From a familiar route up to Crook Peak from Axbridge, in the mist and cloud that would become a regular theme for the month.

As I do once or twice each year, I revisited a Cadbury Camp walk near Tickenham. Only a short drive up the M5 from home; my intention was to get out, stay local and get home in time for lunch, which allowed me to have a free afternoon… Walking through muddy conditions can be hard work and, at this time of year where I’m in work through most of the daylight hours, it’s quite nice to even have a quiet few hours at home. Curtains open.

As hoped, I have found my way back in to running. Or jogging, at least! I’ve taken to pounding the pavements in the darkness. Shorter distances but a habit I can stick to regularly. An old injury has resurfaced and forced me in to a break since then… But I was also able to record my longest single run at 4.5 miles.

For the very first time, I ventured down to explore the Polden Hills for the day. To the east of Bridgwater and south of Glastonbury. I’d never been far away – and will right about it soon enough.

On the last day of November, I was finally able to walk with another human being – for the first time in six weeks or so! I don’t know when that might next happen again (tighter restrictions and all) but it was very welcome, in this time without group walks.

Current total for 2020 = 625.75 miles

Thanks for reading.