A Christmas Canal

Tiny Tim and his family sat down to an unusually large Christmas dinner that day, and for that moment all was right with the world. But that is another story, for we are talking about A Christmas Canal, a very different kind of adventure.

The forecast was bleak and there were tales that there were going to be winds that would carry even Mary Poppins away. The morning of the run arrived and our hardy adventurers set out from their homes for the run along the canal to Bradford (on-Avon).

Our first eleven adventurers arrived at Bath Spa station donning outfits from festive Chewbacca to Santa outfits, festive hats, added jingles and even a hat with a mind of its own. This was going to be interesting.

After admiring each others outfits we stepped out of the comfort of the station, ready for the 10 mile run. Like some kind of Christmas miracle the rain and wind had stopped. We set off down the canal path. The puddle dance had started, we would soon all be experts at this. Do you tip toe around the edge and risk the mud or just go for the middle? Shortly after starting, the snow began. What a lovely festive backdrop for the run and it truly was now a Christmas Canal. As we ran along the canal path we wished passers by a Meeeeerrrrrrry Christmas and sang Christmas songs. A particularly stirring rendition of Twelve Days of Christmas from Graham a highlight. We were also greeted by a rather cold looking lady called Private Mooring on the other bank sheltering under her umbrella. I think she had the wrong season or maybe the army had just made her tough?

On the way to our first stop of AvonCliff we met Tricorn Matt, who had managed to catch us up like only Matt can, and Santa Dave who had run to meet us from Bradford-on-Avon. Right on schedule we arrived at AvonCliff and met with the other seven runners who had come from Bradford-on-Avon to meet us. We set off again with the thoughts of a warm pub at the end a perfect motivation. In a Christmas minute we arrived and we made our way to the Dandy Lion (we never met him but we think we saw one of his ancestors in a picture on the wall).

Hooray :)

As we all sat down for our food with the snow coming down outside like something out of a film we told tales of daring and adventure whilst enjoying hearty drinks and mulled beverages, and for that moment all was right with the world.

Thank you all for making this such an enjoyable run where the time just seemed to fly by.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight,

Goodgym Molly (Fa la la la la la la la!)