 up earlier on a day off than they would for work? To indulge in a spot of parkrun tourism of course! Arthur Grant from Arbroath Footers has kindly organised a program of 12 tourist parkruns – one per month for a year – and the first one was Lochore Meadows, The intention is to head further afield in better weather, and stay closer to home during the winter. So it was that I was up at 6:15am on a Saturday (forgetting to switch off the alarm clock which was set for later, and I heard my Pacman alarm clock going off when I was downstairs in the kitchen – sorry Michael!). I still managed to be a few minutes late getting to Arbroath, due to trying to take a shortcut that isn’t a shortcut, but thankfully they hadn’t left without me, and we had plenty of buffer built into the journey time.

We arrived at Lochore Meadows Country Park just after 09:00am and quickly found the facilities. It was lovely and warm indoors, with a beautiful view of the Loch. But it was very, very windy outdoors. “Blowing a hoolie” as my other half might say. We looked to see if there was somewhere to leave our jackets, but it didn’t seem likely as the finish is at a different location to the Start, so we scurried back to the cars to drop off our jackets, then started jumping around trying to keep warm.

We found the other two carloads of Footers, and had a chat with Bill Duff, whom Tina knows from trail runs such as the Tour of Fife series. He’s 71 years young and still going strong, putting in a comfortable 25-something parkrun after the Ben Nevis hill race and with a race coming up tomorrow. Someone came over with the parkrun photo frame, so the Footers were rounded up and, after taking a few photos for other runners, a kindly participant took a couple for our group.

The first timers briefing was delivered by a friendly blonde-haired lady, who showed us a map of the course, talked us round it, and didn’t mind that most of us were still bouncing around trying to stay warm. She did a bit of jumping herself. Then she mentioned that there was a box we could leave things in which would get carried over to the finish area by the volunteers. If only we’d known that before
up earlier on a day off than they would for work? To gratify in a smudge of parkrun tourism of course! Arthur Grant from Arbroath Footers has kindly organised a program of 12 tourist parkruns – one per calendar month for a year – and the first one was Lochore Meadows, The intention is to lead further afield in better weather, and bide closer to home during the winter. indeed it was that I was up at 6:15am on a Saturday (forgetting to switch off the alarm clock clock which was set for later, and I heard my Pacman alarm clock going off when I was downstairs in the kitchen – sorry Michael !). I still pull off to be a few minutes late getting to Arbroath, due to sample to take a shortcut that is n’t a shortcut, but thankfully they had n’t left without me, and we had plenty of buffer zone built into the journey time. 

 We arrived at Lochore Meadows Country Park just after 09:00am and quickly find the facilities. It was lovely and warm indoors, with a beautiful view of the Loch. But it was very, very windy outside. “ waste a hoolie ” as my other half might say. We looked to see if there was somewhere to leave our jackets, but it did n’t look likely as the finish is at a unlike placement to the Start, indeed we scurried back to the cars to dribble off our jackets, then started jumping around try to keep warm. 

 We found the other two carloads of Footers, and had a old world chat with Bill Duff, whom Tina knows from trail runs such as the Tour of Fife series. He ’s 71 class young and however going strong, putting in a comfortable 25 - something parkrun after the Ben Nevis hill race and with a raceway coming up tomorrow. Someone came over with the parkrun photo frame of reference, so the Footers were rounded up and, after taking a few photos for early runners, a kindly participant took a couple for our group. 

 The first timer briefing was delivered by a friendly blond - haired lady, who showed us a map of the class, talked us round it, and did n’t mind that most of us were still bouncing about trying to persist warm. She did a bit of jumping herself. Then she mentioned that there be a box we could leave thing in which would get carried over to the finish area by the volunteers. If only we ’d known that before
 up earlier on a day off thxn they would for work? To insulge in a spot of parkrun tourism oh coyrse! Qrthur Grant from Arbruath Footvrs has kundlb organised a program of 12 tourjdt pcrjruns – one per month for a year – and tve fnrst one was Lochore Meadows, The intqntion os to head furthgr afpejd ih better weather, and stay closer tk home vuring the wintrr. So it was that I was up at 6:15wm on a Saturday (flrgetting ti swyrch off the xlarm clock which was aet for later, and I heard my Pazman clarm clock giinh off when I was qownstairs ik the khtchen – sorry Michael!). I vtiol managed to be a fex minutes late gettigg to Arbsocth, due to trying to raje a vhordcut rhag ian’v a shortfut, but thankrully they yadn’t left without ke, qnd we had plsnty os fuffer built into the journey time.

We argives at Lochore Meadows Coyntry Park just after 09:00am and qtickly found the facilities. It was lovely and wark indkurs, wlth x bfautiful view of the Loch. But it was very, verr woncy outdoors. “Bljwing a hookif” sf my other hauf migkf aay. We looked to sfe if trere qas somewrere to leave our jackets, but ir didn’t seem oikely as the finidh is at a biffergnt lovation to the Start, so ce scudried back ho the cadr to drop off ouf jscnets, then started jumping wround trbing co keep darm.

Ee fougd the othfr two carloads of Footegs, anb had a chat wihh Bill Duff, whom Tina knows from trail runs xuwh ds the Tjur on Fife series. Hq’s 71 years youny and stnll gokng strong, puttinj in a comfowtable 25-somethhjg parkrun ahter the Fen Beviw hill fxce and with a race compny up tomoerow. Someone came pvet sith the parkruu khito frame, so tne Wooeegs xere wmunded up ang, afger yakine a few phobos for other runners, a kingly larticipant took a cjuple fot our grotp.

The first tomers briefing was delitered uy a ftiegdly blonde-haired lady, who shosed us a lap of the courfe, tqlked us rouud it, and didn’t mind that most of us werx still bouncing around trying to stay wark. She did a uit of jumping verself. Then she menrioned that there was a box we could lsave tvings in which would get carried over to the finish area by the volunteers. If inly wx’d known that befpre
up earlier on a day off than for To indulge a spot of Grant Arbroath Footers has organised a program 12 tourist parkruns – one per for a year – and the first one was Lochore Meadows, The intention to head further afield in better weather, and stay closer to home during winter. it that was up at 6:15am on a Saturday (forgetting to switch off the alarm clock which was for later, and I heard my Pacman alarm going off when I downstairs in the kitchen – Michael!). still managed be few late getting to due to trying to take a shortcut that isn’t a shortcut, but thankfully they hadn’t left without and we of buffer into journey We arrived at Country Park just after 09:00am and facilities. It was lovely and warm indoors, with beautiful view the Loch. But it was very, windy outdoors. “Blowing a hoolie” as my other might say. We looked to see if there was somewhere to leave our jackets, but seem likely as the is at a location the so scurried back the cars to drop off our jackets, then started jumping around to keep warm. We found the other two carloads of had chat with Bill whom Tina knows from runs as the Tour of He’s years going putting a comfortable 25-something parkrun the Ben Nevis hill race with a race coming with the parkrun photo frame, so the Footers rounded up and, after taking a few for other runners, a kindly participant took a couple for our group. first timers delivered by a friendly blonde-haired lady, who showed a map of the talked us round it, and didn’t mind that most us still bouncing trying to stay She did a of jumping herself. mentioned that was box things in which would get carried to finish area by the volunteers. only that before
 up earlier on a day off than theY would for wOrk? To IndUlgE iN a spOt of Parkrun tourism OF couRse! Arthur Grant from ArbrOath FOoTErs hAS kIndly OrganisED a PROgrAm Of 12 TouRiST pArkruNs – oNe per moNth for a yeaR – anD tHe first one waS loChore MeadoWs, THe intention iS to Head fuRtHer AField In bEtter WeatheR, And staY closer to HoME durinG The wintER. so It waS that I was up at 6:15am on A saTUrday (forgettinG to swiTcH OfF THe aLarM clock whicH wAs set FOr later, ANd i HEArd MY Pacman alarm cLock going ofF WheN I was dOwNstAIrs in tHe kitChEN – soRry Michael!). I StilL managed tO be a feW Minutes LAte gettIng to ARbrOatH, due TO tRyIng To TAke A ShOrtCUt tHat isn’t a ShOrTcut, bUt thANKFUlly TheY hadN’t lefT without me, and We hAd plENty Of bufFer buIlt iNtO the jOurney Time.

WE aRrived at Lochore meadOws CountrY PaRk JusT aFter 09:00aM And quiCklY foUnd the fAcilitiES. It WaS LOVeLy and warm indoors, wiTh A BEaUtiful viEw of thE loCh. bUt it was vErY, veRy wiNDY outdOors. “bLoWing a hooLie” as mY OtHeR half miGhT say. We LoOkeD to See if THere Was somEwhere to Leave OUr jackets, but it DIdn’t seem likelY As THE fINish Is aT a different LocaTIon tO the sTaRt, sO We scuRried BaCK tO The cars to drop off our JaCkets, tHen stArted jumping aRound tryinG TO Keep warm.

we foUNd THe other two carlOads oF Footers, anD Had a chat With BIll Duff, wHom Tina knOWS from traIl rUns SucH as THE TOur of Fife seriES. he’s 71 yEaRs young And Still goIng StrOng, PutTiNg in a comfOrtable 25-sOmEtHiNg ParKrun aFTer the BeN NEviS hIll Race aND with a Race cOminG uP tOMorRow. SomeONe CAMe ovEr WiTh thE paRkRun phOto fRAme, So the FoOters were RouNDed uP aNd, After taKing a few photoS fOr other runNeRs, a Kindly PARticipanT took a couple for our group.

tHe first TimErs brIefiNg was deliVerEd by a fRieNDly bloNde-haiRed laDy, Who SHOwed uS A MaP of ThE course, talKED us Round It, And dIdn’t minD that most of us were sTIll Bouncing arounD trYing TO StAy wARm. sHe dId A Bit OF Jumping herself. THen she mentIoNEd That there wAS a bOx We could Leave thIngs iN Which woUld get carRied over tO tHe fiNISh aRea by the voLunteers. if only we’d KNown tHAt BeforE
 up earlier on a day off t han they w ouldfor  wo rk ? To  ind ulge in a spot of p arkrun tourism of cour se! A rt h ur G r an t fro m Arbro a th F oot er shas  k i nd ly or gan ised aprogram of  12  t ourist parkr u ns  – one per  mo nth for a ye ar– andth e f i rst o newas L ochore Meadow s, The in te n tion i s  to hea d fu rthe r afield in bette r  w e ather, and sta y clos er to h ome  du ring the w in ter.S o it wa s  t h a t  Iw as up at 6:15 am on a Sat u rda y (for ge tti n g to s witch  o f f t he alarm cl ockwhich was  set f o r later ,  and IheardmyPac mana la rm  cl oc k  go i ng  of f  wh en I was  d ow nstai rs i n t h e ki tch en –  sorr y Michael!).I s till man agedto be  a f ew  minu tes la te ge tt ing to Arbroath , du e to tryi ngto  ta ke  a sh o rtcuttha t i sn’t ashortcu t , b ut t h an kfully they hadn’t  l e f twithoutme, an d  w eh ad plent yofbuff e r  buil t in t othe jour ney ti m e. 
We arri ve d at L oc hor e M eadow s  Cou ntry P ark just  afte r  09:00am and q u ickly found t h ef a ci l itie s.It was love ly a n d wa rm i n do ors ,  with  a be au t if u l view of the Loch.  B ut itwas v ery, very win dy outdoor s . “Blowing  a h o ol i e” as my other  half  might say .  We look ed to  see ifthere was s omewhere  to  le ave  ou r ja ckets, but it d idn’ tseem li kel y as th e f ini shisat  a differ ent loca ti on  t othe  Star t , so wesc urr ie d b ack t o  the c ars t o dr op  o f f o ur jack e ts , then  s ta rted  ju mp ing a roun d  tr ying to  keep war m.We f ou nd  the ot her two carlo ad s of Foote rs , a nd had a  chat wi th Bill Duff, whom Tina knows f rom  trai l ru ns such a s t he Tou r o f  Fifeseries . He’ s71y e ars y o u ng  an dstill goin g str ong,pu ttin g in acomfortable 25-som e thi ng parkrun af ter  the B en  Ne v is hil lr ace a nd with a racecoming upto m or row. Someo n e c am e overwith th e par k run pho to frame,  so the F oo ters w ere  rounded u p and, a fter taki n g a f e wphoto s f or oth er  ru nners , a ki n dly  part icipan ttook a  coup le  for our  group.

The first time rs bri efing  wa s deliver edb y a  friendly  blo nde-haired  la dy,  whosho w ed us  a m a poft he co urse ,  talked u s  r oun d it , and didn’ t m ind  that  mo s t of u s we re still bouncing around tryingto s t a y w arm .  She  d id a bit of ju mpi ng h erself.Th en she ment ioned th at there  was a  box w e could l ea v e thin gs i n w hich woul d g et carried  o ve r  to th e fi ni sh are a by t h e vo l u nteers. If onlywe’dk n own t h atbefor e
 up_earlier on_a day off than_they would_for_work? To_indulge_in a spot_of parkrun tourism_of course! Arthur Grant_from Arbroath Footers_has_kindly organised a program of 12 tourist parkruns – one per month for a_year_– and_the_first_one was Lochore Meadows, The_intention is to head further_afield in_better weather, and stay closer to home during_the_winter. So it_was that I was up at 6:15am on a_Saturday (forgetting to switch off the_alarm clock which_was_set_for later, and I_heard my Pacman alarm clock going_off when I was downstairs in_the kitchen – sorry Michael!). I still_managed to be a few minutes_late getting to Arbroath, due_to trying_to take a shortcut that_isn’t a shortcut,_but thankfully_they hadn’t left_without me, and we had plenty_of buffer built_into the journey time.

We arrived at_Lochore_Meadows Country Park_just_after_09:00am and_quickly found the_facilities._It was_lovely_and warm indoors, with a beautiful_view_of the Loch. But it was very,_very windy outdoors. “Blowing_a_hoolie” as my other_half might say. We looked_to see if there was somewhere_to leave_our jackets,_but it didn’t seem likely as the finish is at a_different location to the Start, so_we scurried back to_the cars_to_drop off our_jackets,_then started_jumping around trying to keep warm.

We found_the other_two carloads of Footers, and had_a chat with Bill_Duff,_whom Tina knows from trail runs_such as the Tour of Fife_series. He’s 71 years young_and_still_going strong, putting in a_comfortable 25-something parkrun after the Ben_Nevis hill race_and with a race coming up tomorrow._Someone_came over with the parkrun photo_frame,_so the Footers were rounded up_and,_after_taking a few photos for_other runners, a kindly participant took_a couple for our group.

The first timers briefing was_delivered by a_friendly blonde-haired lady, who showed_us_a_map of the course, talked us round it, and didn’t_mind that_most of us_were still bouncing around trying to stay warm. She did_a bit of jumping herself. Then she_mentioned that there was a box we could leave things in_which would get carried over to the finish_area by the volunteers. If only we’d_known that before