Don Hale Blog

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Dave Munday from parkrun North Wales has provided details of a unique series of events including one that's available in North Wales in June! Cowfest 2026 We are delighted to announce the four locations for Cowfest 2026 on 20th June. What is a Cowfest?! It's an annual gathering for UK tourists.  Curious to learn more? Search this page for highlights and details from previous years!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193251831088739 Scotland - Crathes Castle South - Dinton Pastures Wales - Erddig North - Ushaw Historic House You will find each event listed in the events section, where we will be sharing the latest updates and information for every location. We look forward to seeing you at Cowfest on 20th June 2026. Dave Munday:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193251831088739/user/1239379759

*GOG Triathlon athletes Simon and Vicky Cole Bright and beautiful for parkrunners at Rhos – plus NW round-up of results Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog   It was another bright and beautiful Saturday morning at the Llandrillo yn Rhos 5k parkrun, which again attracted numerous first timers and visitors, with many recording some excellent finishing times along this picturesque promenade route. Armon Williams  was the first finisher overall with an outstanding performance and a new course PB in just 17 minutes and 15 seconds, with  Jeremy Pena  second in 1814, and JM15-17 athlete  Eban Jones  third with a new course PB in 18.28. The ladies results quite amazingly confirmed that nine out of the first ten finishers all recorded new course PBs, with international athlete and top coach  Rhian Roxburgh  (GOG Triathlon) leading her rivals home (in 8th place overall) with a new PB in 19.37, an...

*Some of the many hard working volunteers at the Llandrillo  yn Rhos parkrun Hot pace at Rhos after a frosty start for plenty of visitors. Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It was bright and sunny following a heavy early morning frost at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday, which also commemorated International Women’s Day. And there was another bumper turn-out by club and local athletes, plus plenty of visitors, who this week enjoyed an almost sand-free 5k promenade course. Nicolas Seguin  was the first finisher from 386 entrants, with a new PB in 17.41, and his talented JW15-17 daughter  Tamsin Seguin  (Menai T&F) made it a family double as the first female finisher (16th overall), with an excellent run in 19.45.  Harry Driscoll   (Meirionnydd RC) was the second male finisher in 17.55, with visitor  John Myers  (Helsby RC) third on his debut in 17.58. For the ladies, with  Tamsin ...

*Pictured above - some of the Llandrillo yn Rhos Run Directors team at the St David's Day weekend event last Saturday, and (*below) the start at Rhos parkrun. Fast times without the sand at the popular St David’s Day weekend event at the Rhos parkrun... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 The St David’s Day weekend attracted a large number of mixed ability athletes to North Wales parkruns last Saturday morning, where once again, numerous fast times were recorded. The hard work of Richard Peevor and his great support team of Run Directors and volunteers ensured the  Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun  went ahead as planned, after persuading the council to help clear plenty of sand from parts of the course and ensured all essential safety measures were implemented. This popular event now seems to attract the best of the best in terms of club, top juniors, and/or elite athletes, along with social walkers and runners from a number of respected ...

*Mac McKechnie's dog Daisy is shown above. Special Coast and Country book review:  * Run in conjunction with:  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 *Prolific writer and author Mac McKechnie (above) at a book signing. About the Author: Mac McKechnie (*pictured below) and his unique invitation to read all about Daisy:  One small dog. One big heart. Endless mischief . Meet Daisy - a fiercely clever, squirrel-chasing, slipper-chewing Sheltie-Poodle cross with a nose for mischief and a heart full of love. From her first day in a three-storey house (with far too many stairs) to life on an allotment, in care homes, and beside her human Mac through illness and recovery, Daisy's world is full of chaos, cuddles, and chicken treats. Told from Daisy’s witty and loyal perspective, this delightful memoir is a humorous and moving journey through one small dog’s big impact on the people who love her.  Whether she’s flunking her first therapy dog exam or reigning over her garden kingdo...

*Pictured above - Martin Green with young rival Tom Vale at Conwy. Milder weather  and a half-term boost at many NW parkruns. Report by Don Hale .  Most photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   The milder weather last Saturday morning and the fact that it was half-term attracted plenty of visiting athletes to the various parkruns around North Wales, with numerous personal best times recorded.  Visting athlete Ed Slaughter  (Porthcawl Runners) was the first finisher at the  Llandrillo yn Rhos  parkrun with a fast dash of just 16 minutes and 42 seconds, and he led home two other equally talented and fast rivals and course debutants in  Martin Sutherland  (Woking AC) in 17.05, and  Alex Compton  third in 17.46. The first ten finishers all dipped under18-minutes, with another visitor in  David Withers  (Southville RC) taking the fourth place with a good run in 17.46, just ahead of  Simon Cole  (GOG T...

Special Coast and Country book review:  * Run in conjunction with:  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 About the Author: Mac McKechnie, and his fascinating Garden of Words books... Mac McKechnie (*pictured above) is a Yorkshireman who lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Now aged 75, he has the welcome luxury of time to return fully to his lifelong love of writing. Mac is an active Christian and serves as Pastor of his local church in Barnsley.  Mac's writing reflects a deep interest in human character, moral choice, and the quiet resilience that surfaces in times of crisis. He has written several books across a range of genres, with science fiction and Westerns among his favourites, alongside more reflective and character-led work inspired by everyday life.   *Check out Mac McKechnie's Garden of Words series of fascinating books from Coast and Country online:   https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/perryscope21/list/1KF7IALOO18JR?ref_=cm_sw_r_tw_ud_aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_...