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The following day, having seen a report on the local TV news, we went to look at “Shrouds of the Somme,” an art installation at the QE Olympic Park. (I’ll post some photos separately). The artist had taken four years to individually wrap over 72,000 figures in shrouds, which was the number of allied troops who lost their lives on the Somme whose bodies were never found and so never had a burial. The figures were laid out row after row, and as the figures the artist used were jointed they looked extremely realistic because they each moved into a unique shape as the artist bound them into their shroud. As we walked along the rows a lady volunteer was reading out the names of the soldiers represented by these figures. We got there about an hour after the exhibition opened and the roll call was still just at “Boyle” which really brought home to you how many died at the Somme who didn’t have a grave. Alongside this was a separate display with a figure and cross for each day of the war that troops died, with the number who died that day inscribed on the cross. As I walked along and was confronted with the awful reality of the mass slaughter that had taken place day after day I found myself crying and couldn’t stop. I wasn’t alone, a number of other people were wiping their eyes or quietly sobbing. It was a very sombre and strange experience, total strangers comforting each other and sharing their grief for young men we’d never known. The most noteworthy thing about these two exhibitions is that the artist did all the sewing of the shrouds himself, even though he had damaged hands due to an accident some years earlier and was in constant pain. Very humbling.
DBIW, I don't know why you are still having problems with the forum, can you see this post?
Hello Helegant, I seem to remember that you used to post on RW forums before they ruined everything by so called upgrading them.
There was another spam post beneath the above photos when I looked earlier, but it has gone now! Have RW Towers started to get their act together at last.
I ran a good pace 5.25 mile road run yesterday, in quite awful conditions. The heavy rain kept stopping and starting. I'm posting a picture of Sarah and I waving at the photographer in the Oakhaven Forest Half Marathon last Sunday. We ran together the whole way, which enabled her to get a PB.
I think I'm going crazy, the spam post that had gone has reappeared and Aquarius's post has appeared before mine. I posted before midday, but it sais 2.09.
Firstly, I am going to flag the spam post, 4 flags should delete it.
Aquarius, I get that message "howdy stranger" when I'm logged out. I suppose that until we log in, we are all strangers.
Thank you for your very touching and informative narrative about the "Shrouds of the Somme." I was watching "Songs of Praise," and one of the hymns was "Abide with Me." My father, who had a lovely singing voice used to sing that at the top of his voice. I tried singing it and choked up. I imagined him sitting in the armchair singing it.
Hope you all like the photo of Sarah and I. We really enjoyed the race, and agreed that you can't beat off road races.
Incidentally, I haven't been able to post those "Somme" photos, but if you google it there's quite a lot of information and photos available.
Love your photo, you both look like you're really enjoying the event.
HS: That's a lovely picture of you and Sarah. You both have the energy to raise your hands and wave, which is great. It's lovely that you helped her to a PB.
Aquarius: I read about that art installation and read an interview with the artist on the BBC Magazine a few weeks ago. I haven't seen the installation itself. It must have been something to see it all there. When individual stories and scale go together it's very powerful indeed. I think I felt the same thing looking at the Menin Gate and Thiepval.
I'm finally dry after an incredibly wet and windy marathon yesterday. I found it very emotional, espeially when we all stopped for the 2 minute freeze at 11am. There were lots of marshalls standing around the route bearing large banners (we couldn't hear the canon fire from Dover as the howling wind was coming from the opposite direction and it was just too windy and we couldn't have heard the whistles from the marshalls either). Even the few brave souls out walking their dogs pased with us. Standing high up on the hilltop and looking out over the channel with its roiling sea was very atmospheric and I found myself getting teary. It was a very long and tough marathon yesterday but I got it done.
Aquarius, I've seen lots of photos of both those installations and I can understand why they moved you. We must never forget that a generation of young lives were lost so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.
TE, nice photos of you and Sarah.
I'm ignoring the spam and have flagged and reported.
Waves to Columba xxx
Just finalised and announced my fund-raising challenge for 2019 - another 100 miler which I really could not miss as it covers the route Harold and his army marched from London to Hastings for that disastrous battle. The route is now known as Harold's Way and it passes within 1/2 mile of our house, some of it being on footpaths I know very well! It finishes at Battle Abbey. It will be a tough one as it's a hilly route with lots of stiles but then it needs to be a tough challenge to encourage people I've been badgering for the last 15 years to donate to my charity yet again!
Have a lovely day everyone
Redhead, 100 miles way to far for me, best of luck with that .
Columba, Good time at Aber , where is your local PR . I am trying to get my club to start a PR here ( Brittany ) but even tho 5of them ran one whilst in Wales, it seems to be falling on deaf ears.
Weather has changed for the better after last week it just rained and rained.
Track night tonight 15x 200m should get the legs turning over.
Glad you liked the photo of Sarah and me. I very seldom buy race photos as they are so expensive since they became digital. I've got loads from the days when they were "proper photos" which they sent in the post. I decided to purchase this one, as it was good, and showed how much we were enjoying the race. I think it was taken at around 10 miles.
Red, sounds like a very tough and emotional marathon that you ran on Sunday. Well done! That 100 mile race will be a real challenge. Climbing over numerous styles is enough to put me off. I've never run an ultra and never will now. I won't do any more road marathons either, but if my knee holds up, am tempted to run the South Downs Marathon again in June.
Moks, good luck with your track session this evening!
Aquarius, hope you have a good club session this evening and that you have finally shaken off your virus.
I was supposed to be running the Solent Half Marathon route again yesterday with the other Sarah, but she is suffering with an aching back. She had a sports massage in the evening which has helped. I decided, as I would be running solo, to do the half marathon distance in the forest instead. Conditions were quite horrible, as there had been torrential rain on and of for the previous couple of days. Also very strong cold winds which threatened to blow me backwards.
Did another tough spin session this morning which was really tough after Mondays 13.1 mile run. Most of us are regulars, so the sessions get more intense week on week. Sweat was rolling down my face and onto the floor, so I knew that I had given 100%.
I've got a blood test tomorrow morning and an another appointment on the 21st, which constitute my annual NHS Health check.
Got back from a 5ml run a short while ago. A bit slower than last time but I think that's mainly down to the time of day and having to wait longer for traffic at various road crossings (the auto-pause doesn't kick in immediately). I'll be out running again at Thu morning's club run.
WtnMel, I've also flagged the selenarichard post as span, so that's two "spams." I'm sure that you are correct that he is interested only in selling treadmills.
Well done saving all that money whilst renewing your home insurance. I'll definitely be surfing the comparison sites when my car and home insurance are due.
I haven't set my Garmin to autopause, as I've found from earlier models that they can be a bit of a pain. Hope you enjoy Thursday's morning club run.
Had my blood test this morning, and my next appointment is next Wednesday.
I've ordered a new wardrobe this morning, as the hanging rail on the present one has come out of its socket at one end and won't go back in. I think the side must have shifted slightly as the rail doesn't quite fit in the socket. At the moment, the wooden rail is slanting downwards, and it is only a matter of time before it snaps. It will be ready for delivery between 2 and 4 weeks, so will be delivered before Christmas. They've confirmed that they will take the old one away.
I'm looking forward to Prime Ministers Question Time at 12.00, should be fireworks!!
HS - Margaret has come up with a 'cunning plan' (a la Baldrick) which involves swapping over the back bedroom with the front (spare) bedroom which is the slightly larger of the two. I need to measure up and do one of my famous scale drawings of room/furniture to find the best arrangement. It will also answer the question of whether we'll be able to fit an additional wardrobe in the front bedroom. The current bedroom furniture is from Ikea from around eight years ago - I've not checked but I'm hoping they'll still sell the model/colour we bought in the past so it will match.
Aquarius - I presume it did rain then? Hope for your sake your flu jab was "this year's model"
Re the above comments, I think I may try turning off auto-pause and see how I get on. I know (from other Thu morning runners) that you can manually pause the timer - but some of them complained they forgot to restart it. So I'll need to check how to stop/start myself but may end up just leaving it be ..
I turned auto-pause off on my Garmin for this morning's club run. Strava noted there were non-running portions and came up with an elapsed time of 57:50 but a 'moving' time of 52:00 whereas Fetch just recorded my overall time the same as the Strava elapsed time. An interesting experiment but I think I'll put auto-pause back on as Strava makes me look a better runner than I actually am.
Edited: to say after saving money on my home insurance a few days ago, I've had a letter from 'Ernie' to let me know I've won £50 on the Premium Bonds ..
Margaret's out this afternoon but as she has her car in for a service and they'll need to be paid, she's left me in charge of her credit card .. mwah-hah-harrrr (diabolical laughter ensues ..)
Aquarius, A bit of a lucky dip regarding your flu jab experience. I had the pneumonia jab several years ago the same time as my flu jab. The nurse said that it would last "for ever!"
Sorry to hear that your Grand Prix run seems to have aggravated your cold. Don't run tomorrow if you are still feeling rough. It could make matters worse.
WtnMel, good luck with Margaret's cunning plan.
My Garmin shows elapsed and moving time, but Strava just shows moving time, so I'm happy with that.
Congratulation on you Premium Bonds win!
Just imagining you running wild with Margaret's Credit Card!
I remember Connect 4. It's a game where you drop coloured counters down the 4 columns. My children had it when they were small. That was a very long time ago. I presume the reference referred to you swapping everything around.
Had a good evening run wearing head torches with Alice last night on roads and round the Marina. We were nearly 3 minutes quicker than when we did the same route a couple of weeks ago. Today is a rest day.
Forgot to say, the electricity supply was cut off for several hours yesterday, as there was a faulty electric cable under the road which had to be repaired. My cooker is electric, so I decided to drive into the village and have a bite to eat in the new "Tea Rooms" It used to be an Estate Agents. It's really nice, with nice "old fashioned" crockery. They have a large range of home make cakes, and choices of tea and coffee. I sussed the place out after I'd had my flu jab the other day and had an Americana Coffee and slice of walnut cake. Yesterday I had a pot of tea, which made 3 cups and a jacket potato with chicken, sweetcorn and a nice salad. It only opened recently and is already very popular. I arrived before midday, and it was already busy. I manged to grab the only vacant table, which was for two, so ideal for just me. The staff are very friendly and service first class. I'll definitely be paying it another visit next time "I'm in town."
HS - congrats on beating your previous time on the roads/marina run. The 'tea rooms' (and your meal there) sounds nice and lucky you nabbing the last available table.
Aquarius - Connect 4 was a reference to me getting four (posts) in a row (similar to getting four counters in a row like in the game). Yes, I only used Margaret's credit card to pay for her car .. didn't run riot with it!
I did some x-training this morning in the shape of sweeping up the leaves .. filled four dustbin-sized plastic bags with them. We'll be taking a look in a few days time to see how last year's leaves look - they've been stored beside the shed since this time last year and hopefully they'll have rotted down nicely ready for spreading on the borders.
Should be able to get out for a run tomorrow morning ..
Now Ellen is a determined lady but is having a morale crisis so as she's only about 30 miles away from me atm I'm waiting until she gets to within 10 miles of our village then I'm going to head off to meet her and run through our village to the next village which will leave her with about 8 miles to complete on her own and I know she'll be OK as her wife will be waiting for her in Rye.
Apologies for poor typing and punctuation etc!
Damian, do it as a leg-stretcher but don't push.
Bright and sunny but much colder.
Aquarius, yes it was a blessing in disguise the electricity supply being turned off. I really do prefer the old fashioned type of tea shops, with nice patterned crockery etc. We had a Costa Coffee shop open in the village a couple of years or so ago, which did cause one of the long established cafe's to close down. Thankfully, the more traditional establishments are making a comeback. As expected, the Costa is frequented more by the younger generations, and not old fogies like me.
Sorry to hear that your cold lurgy has returned. That was most unfortunate having to sit opposite a young lady coughing and sneezing throughout your journey. It's many years since I last had a train journey, but do occasionally use my OAP bus pass to go into Southampton. Invariably there is at least one person coughing or sneezing.
WtnMel, there seem to be more leaves on the ground this year than in previous years. My road and the one leading to the nearby supermarket are lined with trees, as the estate was formerly "the forest," so many of the forest trees remain. A couple of days ago, a man from the New Forest Forestry Commission was blowing the leaves off the pavements and onto the roads. Not very effective, as soon as a wind blew up, they blew back on to the pavements again.
Hope you managed to get out for a run this morning.
Runningfox, congratulations to you and your wonderful partner for both setting age records at the parkrun! A bit risky running with the aftermath of bronchitis, but once entering a race/parkrun, I'm afraid our competitive instincts cut in. Hope you enjoyed the wee dram last night, you earned it!
Morning Red, glad to hear that you are keeping busy. I really don't know how you manage to fit in so many hours of running/racing.
Damien, I wouldn't recommend doing a parkrun before the Preston 5k, but having said that; when I was in my forties, I frequently raced cross country on Saturdays followed by a Sunday road race. I often wonder, looking back, whether my road race times would have been any quicker if I hadn't raced the day before.
I ran 8.1 miles in the forest yesterday morning and it was quite a struggle. It was cold, with a bitingly cold strong headwind. I was wearing shorts so my legs were feeling the cold. I always try to run in shorts throughout the winter, just wearing tracksters on the way to races and after. I have to admit though that I do feel the cold more as I am getting older.