Ed Heading for 80

Counting Hill is a fairly nondescript 'top' on another of my Winter Hill training routes. It lies nearly a mile SE of the top of Winter Hill. Many folk travelling along the gentle ridge on which it lies will have passed over it without being aware that it has a name, although its existence gained some exposure locally when it was included in 'Coope's Dozen' (an informal challenge round based on Winter Hill) about a quarter of a century ago. Nothing really to report on this outing, other that it was a fine clear day and the count is now 4 down, 76 to go.

...also Rivington Pike SD 643 138.  Still not straying off the Winter Hill 'massif', this is another of my short training runs. Started from Rivington Top Barn and headed directly to Noon Hill. The cairn has a long history, as various excavations have revealed, but was at one time a bronze age burial site. It's not often visited, except by errant fell walkers and runners, who see it as a fine viewpoint, deserving due reverence. From there my route took me across the moor to Rivington Pike - if you've not been there, shame on you! Enough said. Then back down to the Barn. Three down, 77 to go.

This is on one of my shorter training routes. As usual I parked on the small parking place at Hordern Stoops, the high point on the Rivington-Belmont road. Up the steep northern flank of the hill, minor scramble onto the summit ridge and on to the trig point. Then down the 'ramp' to San  Marinos, into Belmont and back up the road to the car. Recorded in my training diary as a 'PW' - things can only get better! One down (up?) 79 to go.

To avoid offering TMI, I'll just report that I've been gradually developing what I'm calling 'Unpredictable Bowel Syndrome' (use your imagination - or don't!).  The medics have carried out certain tests (!) without reaching any conclusion or appearing unduly concerned, so for the time being I'm not travelling very far from home, and experimenting with minor dietary changes.  This has meant that I've had to postpone a couple of planned outings, sorry Mark and Steve.  However, there's quite few decent little fells  close to Blackrod, so the show can go on.