Almeria Half 2008 - last weekend in January

[El Gordo]

Perhaps I could land a job with QPR - I hear they're flush with cash just at the moment?

Their owners certainly are -- a subtle but annoyingly important difference.

And on the subject of cultural exchanges, you'll be horrified to hear that there was some discussion about Hobart 2010/11 for the Ashes (if that 6th test match gets approved).

Anyway, I'm vanishing for the next 14 hours. Lots of work to do, plus tax return deadline today. Mercifully managed to do most before I went away but need to check a few things. Will aim to get a race report up in the next day or so.

Thanks for the Almeria photos, all. This is what we have so far:

El Gordo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/runningcomm...818959910/

Antonio: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23319530@N07/

Sweder: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8496543@N04/

[Sweder]

Just found this video of a song released in March 2007. I'll let the PR blurb explain it for all you (us) English-speakers:

The video tells a story of a girl who travels to Almería, Spain and falls in love with the nature, beach & charm. She returns home to find that she cannot stop thinking about it, dreaming of it, and being woken up with flashbacks from her enchanting trip. She keeps even a picture of Almería in a necklace close to her heart.

Watch as she struggles with her subconscious and conscious and makes love to the very beach she fell in love with. Listen as she plays the mystical, almost haunting, notes on her violin. Visit the more vivid than reality scenes from the very place she fell in love with...Almería.

The opening verse:

In the splendor of your warm air
which caressed me
my memories of long ago
they flow into the breeze

when I call you
can you hear me?
you were my first true love

I cannot continue because
everything I see
is your spelndor and your beauty

My Almería, the sound of your breeze
is the reason for my smile

Wow

[Antonio247]

Gracias, Sw. I like the song and the sights, especially Cabo de Gata where we went last year.

Saludos desde Almería

[Ana]

Well, the landscape is very nice, that's true. But she breaks a little bit the beauty of the nature...

[Seafront Plodder]

Well c'mon Andy, let's be 'avin' ya.

Not a peek of a post on your run/version of the trip for 3 weeks.

[El Gordo]

I'm floating across a transitional landscape, and waiting to discover which way I'll be facing when my balloon of destiny lands. Towards the darkening clouds of Pastville? Or towards the craggy foothills that guard the distant, sun-drenched Himalayas of future achievement?

[Seafront Plodder]

I'm floating across a transitional landscape, and waiting to discover which way I'll be facing when my balloon of destiny lands.

...and for those of us whose first language is english?

[El Gordo]

...and for those of us whose first language is english?

OK, I've added a bit of texture to help you understand.

[Seafront Plodder]

That's much better, thanks. Now it's clear.

[Sweder]

I'm floating across a transitional landscape, and waiting to discover which way I'll be facing when my balloon of destiny lands. Towards the darkening clouds of Pastville? Or towards the craggy foothills that guard the distant, sun-drenched Himalayas of future achievement?

That's all well and good El Large One . . . but it doesn't explain the lack of Almerían reportage from your good self.

[El Gordo]

That's all well and good El Large One . . . but it doesn't explain the lack of Almerían reportage from your good self.

There's no explanation really -- just been having some down-time. Coiling myself up, ready for the spring. February was a write-off: too much work and too much beer. I've been on the wagon for a week now, and starting to lose a few pounds. But I can't quite bring myself to write about it as it's the same old same old. Need to get somewhere before I send that postcard.

I see you have Mumbai in your signature now, Sweder. Tell us more. It's a race I've always fancied doing, must admit. Looks like the weekend before Almeria though, which seems to always be the last Sunday in Jan. Could be a demanding week?

[Sweder]

I see you have Mumbai in your signature now, Sweder. Tell us more.

It's a dream, EG, just a twinkle in my mind's eye . . . but I'm working up a schedule for next year that I would ideally like to include Mumbai, Almeria and Cape Town. Tempis fugit. With no Big Ones lined up in 2008 I'd love a long gentle winter incline towards the soul-crushing peaks of Chapman's and Constantia.

[Antonio247]

It sounds really exhausting, S, especially Almería half after Bombay marathon the previous Sunday. Anyway, you could do the 10 km , or rather 13 km run instead just in case you were too tired.

Saludos desde Almería

[El Gordo]

you could do the 10 km , or rather 13 km run