Review: The Rocky Horror Show

The Rocky Horror Show, Monday April 29, Cambridge Corn Exchange

I’d never been so terrified. This was no ordinary Cambridge Corn Exchange crowd; suspenders, stilettos and feather boas lined the stalls, and the atmosphere was more akin to a rowdy football crowd than a theatre audience.

But then again The Rocky Horror Show is no ordinary musical. The rip roaring, hip-thrusting campfest has a cult following, and its disciples at the Monday night showing were ready to party.

Telling the story of squeaky-clean college sweethearts Brad and Janet and their adventure at the hands of Dr Frank-n-Furter (“a sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania”), The Rocky Horror Show is packed full of fun, frolics and timeless numbers, and is, by far, the raunchiest show I’ve ever seen – this is definitely not a show you’d take your mother to.

Not that that put anyone off though, as soon as the first few bars of Time Warp rung through the theatre, everyone was up on their feet, stepping to the left, jumping to the right, and pelvic thrusting like there was no tomorrow. The atmosphere was infectious, and even though it did feel a bit like a party I hadn’t been invited to, by the end I was wriggling away with the rest of the Rocky die-hards, minus suspenders of course.

The audience participation is all part of the show’s charm, with people regularly chipping in with little ad-libs, admittedly some did fall a little flat, but I think if I had been a little more familiar with the show, I’d have been giggling away with everyone else.

Show director Christopher Luscombe has given the show a new lease of life for its 40th anniversary tour, and the star-studded cast really packed a punch, with the energy, vocals, and comic timing right on point, and the amazing live band producing an electric atmosphere.

Oliver Thornton as Frank-N-Furter truly stole the show though, giving a high-octane performance packed with crudeness, killer vocals and even better legs – he had half the ladies in the audience wishing they could look that good in suspenders.

The show ended on a high with a sing-along to Time Warp and Sweet Transvestite, and the rousing standing-ovation proved that 40 years on, The Rocky Horror Show still has the wow factor.

Although not always my cup of tea (the plot borders on bonkers), I think a Rocky die-hard could be made of me yet, next time I just might have to start drinking earlier.

A little of what you fancy at Cambridge’s newest foodie experience

Lydia Fallon indulges her sweet tooth at Cambridge’s newest foodie experience – and discovers that when it comes to chocolate, the word ‘No’ is just not in her vocabulary.

As much as I like raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens and brown paper packages, cocktails, wine and chocolate would top my favourite things list hands down.

So when I discovered Cambridge Food Tour’s latest Sweeter than Chocolate experience included all three of these marvellous creations, I almost dropped my Dairy Milk in astonishment – this was an event I could not afford to miss.

Launched last September by the infectiously passionate Gerla Pusey-de Boer, Cambridge Food Tour is an independent company offering exciting foodie experiences and tours inspired by our beautiful city. From walking tours to supper clubs, Gerla is evangelical about getting people off the chain-lined beaten track and discovering Cambridge’s array of hidden gems – which, as it turns out, there are rather a lot of.

One of those gems is Chocolat Chocolat on St Andrew’s Street. A chocoholic’s heaven, the charming store is run by local husband and wife duo Isabelle and Robin Chappell, and the master chocolatiers have teamed up with Gerla for this latest Cambridge Food Tour experience.

“When I first started Cambridge Food Tours, I really wanted to add something sweet,” Gerla explains. “I got chatting with Isabelle and we decided to organise a tasting which she could run, and I could market.

“We wanted to do something challenging that would take down the boundaries, show people different combinations. You might not always like it but it allows people to try something different.”

Turning up to Cambridge City Hotel for the tasting, which promised “a decadent journey for your tastebuds”, it would be fair to say I was just a little bit excited. See, I adore chocolate. I truly believe a mere nibble makes the world a much happier place, and the Chocolat Chocolat variety is pretty much the pièce de résistance of the chocolate world. Add some tantalising tipples to the mix too, and you get the picture: I was in dreamland.

Settling down in my seat, an intoxicating aroma of cocoa took over my senses. I felt like I had stumbled on to the set of Chocolat (minus Johnny Depp, of course) and practically had to sit on my hands to stop myself reaching for the array of glorious flavours set out neatly in front of me. Nervously scanning the room for fellow chocoholics, I was pleased to see that everyone else appeared to be struggling to resist the urge to tuck in, too.

Luckily, before we could crumble under the pressure, Isabelle distracted us with talk of exactly what was in store. As well as catching a glimpse into life as leading chocolatiers, we would be learning more about the beans behind the bar and discovering exciting new flavour combinations to drool over.

But first it was time to put our tastebuds to the test. Three different bowls of chocolate had been laid out and after sampling each of them, we had to label the chocolate ‘good’, ‘better’ and ‘best’. After much deliberation, we all agreed we would label the chocolate that tasted suspiciously like Cadbury’s as ‘good’, and a mouth-watering dark piece took the ‘best’ accolade.

“Good chocolate should contain a minimum cocoa content of 53 per cent for dark, 30 per cent for milk and 25 per cent for white,” Isabelle explained. “Cheaper brands substitute cocoa butter with vegetable fat, so once you eat it you only get oil left in your mouth. That’s one of the reasons why you keep wanting more – a good dark chocolate will linger for 45 minutes.”

With barely enough time to lick our lips, the next batch of chocolate was brought to the table by Robin. Another tasting test (this was the kind of exam I could get on board with), we were told to use all our senses to match six different types of chocolate to six different descriptions. “One whiff of fresh chocolate and your defences come down,” Isabelle bubbled excitedly.

The chocolates originated from all over the world: there was a scrumptious white chocolate with hints of lemon from the Dominican Republic, a slightly bitter but gloriously fruity variety from the shores of Peru, and even a pure cocoa one – not for the fainthearted!

Our tastebuds now well and truly satisfied, it was time for wine. Bringing out a white and a red, Robin informed us the right wine with the right chocolate could instantly be a match made in heaven, pouring us a glass each so we could see for ourselves. The fruity white Viognier from France went beautifully with the Venezuelan milk chocolate, but the red paired with a smoky dark left me unconvinced. Of course, I glugged down the whole glass nonetheless; when in Rome and all that.

Our decadent journey continued with a cocktail tasting. The two drinks we sampled had been specially designed by Robin and Isabelle to complement their array of treats. The first, a Raspberry Martini, was a delicious mix of chocolate and raspberry vodka, garnished with shavings of white chocolate, and the second, Green Surprise, was a surprising concoction which, despite the garish colour, was incredibly satisfying.

You’re probably thinking that by this point, an hour and a half in, I must have had enough. I mean, how much decadence can one girl take? And in all honesty, my sweet tooth was feeling the strain. But before I had a chance to say ‘enough is enough’, a brand new batch of Chocolat Chocolat treats was unveiled, and as a piece of white chocolate and dried raspberry touched my lips, there was no turning back. I nibbled away with extra vigour, making a mental note that tomorrow a gym session was an absolute must. That’s if I could manage to get out of my seat.

The tasting ended with a quiz on everything we’d learnt over the course of the evening, and with the prize a bouquet of Chocolat Chocolat handmade chocolate, proceedings got rather competitive. Unfortunately my score of 5 out of 10 wasn’t enough to take the ultimate chocaholic crown, but a little Chocolat Chocolat doggie bag softened the blow.

Munching away on my goodies in the taxi ride home, I couldn’t help but think this evening was going to be hard to top. “I think everybody comes in a bit sceptical and not really sure what to expect,” says Gerla. “But then as the evening evolves, it’s really great to see the response. People seem to really enjoy themselves – it’s a great evening out.”

I vowed after my evening of pure indulgence, I’d steer clear of chocolate for at least a day, but then succumbed to that enchanting Chocolat Chocolat aroma again come breakfast time. I think I may have a problem . . . I guess I’ll just have to sign up to the next Sweeter than Chocolate tasting to satisfy my cravings.

The next Sweeter than Chocolate experience is on June 19 at 7pm at the Cambridge City Hotel. Spaces are limited so booking early is essential. To find out more visit the Cambridge Food Tours website at http://www.cambridgefoodtour.com or email Gerla on hello@foodiehaunts.net. 

Tea for two

Meet Gail Shreeve and Jane Myhill, two local ladies on a mission to bring real tea to UK homes. Lydia Fallon joins them for (what else?) a cuppa to talk elephants, Sri Lanka and how a 30 year friendship turned into the perfect business partnership

Be it a horrendous day at work, an icy winter’s day or a terrible case of the flu, I come from a family who live by the rule that a steaming mug of tea will make everything better. So on meeting two ladies whose job it is to sample tea all day, I was just a tiny bit jealous that I hadn’t come up with this perfect business model myself.

Set up in March 2011, The Kandula Tea Company was the brainchild of Gail Shreeve, 56, and her close friend Jane Myhill, 53, and was grown out of a desire to offer innovative, exciting and, most importantly, delicious tea to households across the country. “We were getting feedback from friends and family that no longer was one tea in the cupboard enough, so we wanted to create a range that suits lots of different tastes, moods and moments. A repertoire for people throughout the day,” Jane, who lives in Wilburton, explains.

I have always been a milk and two sugars kind of girl, so when greeted with a mug of black, sugarless, Kandula English Breakfast Tea, I was a little apprehensive. But the first sip diminished my worries in an instant. Refreshing but full-bodied and sweet, the cup exudes quality and sophistication, a grown-up tea if you will. “A lot of cheaper teas, you have to disguise with milk and sugar and people are quite wary of experimenting without, but with a good quality tea you can do that,” Jane says knowingly.

Each one of the 12 Kandula teas is grown and picked in the lush tea plantations on the beautiful island of Sri Lanka, a country which Gail fell in love with on a visit back in 1995, and which has proved paramount to the business. “When I first went over there I felt like it was a country with so much to offer – fabulous beaches, great food, amazing historical sites, but most of all the people are delightful; everything comes with a great big smile,” Gail recalls warmly.

That first visit signalled a lifelong love affair with Sri Lanka, and on one of her many return visits, Gail decided that she wanted to give something back to the country that had provided her with so much joy over the years. “I spend quite a lot of time over in Sri Lanka and had met some super tea blenders,” she explains. “Drinking and sampling the Ceylon teas over there made me realise what quality tea was really like, and I wanted to share that with the UK and beyond.”

After selling a successful refrigerated vehicle company back in 2008, Gail was searching for something new and exciting to get to grips with, a business which combined her love for tea and her passion for Sri Lanka seemed the perfect fit. “I phoned up Jane and made this mad suggestion which she leapt at too, also needing something extra to do and it all started there really.”

“I have a background in graphic design and taking new food and drink products to the market, so an opportunity to design and create my own brand was really exciting for me, having done it for lots of other people over the years,” Jane adds.

Armed with their new idea, the ladies went about building an ethical company that put quality and taste at the forefront. All the teas, which range from refreshing fruit infusions to antioxidant-packed white and green varieties, are premium whole leaf blends and gathered from carefully selected plantations. Gail, who splits her time between Sri Lanka and her home in Norfolk, works closely with the tea producers to oversee the picking and blending, and ensure the collection is completely individual to Kandula. “We really wanted to have a hands on approach,” Gail explains. “I think doing things face to face is important and being able to build a really nice relationship with the tea blenders, they’re like friends now.”

Another important aspect of the business is the elephant. The animal is an integral part of Sri Lankan culture and history, and very sacred to the people there. Both ladies saw this first hand and were inspired to dedicate the Kandula brand to these wonderful creatures. Hot pink elephants adorn the kitsch packaging, the brand name is a famous Sri Lankan elephant and the business supports the work of the Pinnawella Elephant Orphanage.

And this rather larger member of the business team seems to be winning over tea-drinkers too. In the two years since its launch, Kandula Tea Company has picked up three prestigious industry awards, is stocked in farm shops, restaurants, spas and food halls across the country, and is gaining a dedicated following of tea-lovers searching for something more than the poor quality brands lining supermarket shelves. “People are really starting to recognise the brand and seek us out now,” says Jane proudly. “We get calls from people all over the place, who say they have gone in somewhere and found our tea,” Gail pipes in. “That’s really rewarding.”

Working together has also proved a real labour of love for the lifelong friends. “We have always worked well together in the kitchen and I think if you can work well in the kitchen, you can probably start a business successfully together too,” Gail laughs.

“Working for ourselves is very rewarding,” Jane adds. “It’s tough but we are learning so much, which is exciting, particularly at our age.

“We are giving ourselves new challenges; every day is a different one.”

It has also proved a very welcome distraction for Jane, who is battling the blood cancer Lymphoma. “I was diagnosed four years ago so my health goes up and down, but Kandula has been fantastic as I can work from home and it has been a lovely thing I can focus on away from the hospital.”

And despite having to battle something that, Gail admits, “they didn’t envisage at the start”, the future looks bright for the entrepreneurs. They already have plans to introduce more teas to the range and hope to secure business from other larger multinational companies, including Harvey Nichols, who have already expressed an interest in the product. “We feel we’re ready for that now, we have a good firm base and know that people are happy with the product,” Gail bubbles excitedly.

But more importantly, they’re determined to enjoy every moment of the journey along the way. “We really wanted to work together and build something that we could grow and that would become part of our lives as appose to a job.

“And that would be a lot of fun too.”

A.A Milne once said: “A proper tea is much nicer than a very nearly tea, which is one you forget about afterwards.” Trust me; you won’t forget a Kandula tea, or the ladies behind it in a hurry.

The Kandula Tea Company are taking part in a tea talk at The Cambridge Folk Museum on May 12. Find out more at www.folkmuseum.org.uk.

You can find out more about The Kandula Tea Company by visiting their website atwww.kandulatea.com. You can also follow them on Twitter @kandulatea and like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kandulatea.

Me by Laura and Tom at Jolly Edition

I just had to share this gorgeous illustration painted for me by Laura and Tom at Jolly Edition. The super-talented husband and wife duo even managed to get my boots and coat right!

A curry masterclass at Cambridge Regional College

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Cambridge Regional College invited celebrity chef and curry guru Oli Khan along for an Indian cooking masterclass. Lydia Fallon donned her apron and hat to give it a go

First a confession; an Indian takeaway might possibly be my biggest vice. Come Friday night, I often find myself daydreaming of crispy poppadoms, a sweet dollop of mango chutney and a creamy, coconut korma. Cooking a curry from scratch though always proves tricky to master.

The different spices leave me all in a muddle, a pestle and mortar is generally a tool I try and stay well clear of and if I’m being truly honest, picking up a jar from the supermarket always seems so much easier.

So when I find out that Oli Khan AKA the Curry King was delivering a masterclass to catering apprentices at Cambridge Regional College, I jumped at the chance to put on my chef whites and give it a go.

As an avid watcher of anything food related (The Great British Bake Off, Masterchef, Saturday Kitchen, you name it, I watch it!) I was just a little bit star struck when I entered the apprentice kitchen, and straight away realised that I had been watching Oli on Saturday Kitchen only a few weeks ago, quite probably drooling over his latest mouth-watering creation.

The internationally-recognised chef has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Curry Chef of the Year title and wasted no time in revealing that unlike the perception, an Indian dish can actually be quick and simple to make, and healthy to boot.

To prove his point, Oli got us to all gather round and watch him make three completely different but equally tasty Indian dishes. Conscious of the fact my signature dish involves pasta and cheese, I knew I was way out of my depth, so grabbed a spot at the front and listened intently to every instruction.

He started by showing us how to make a spicy fish chom chom – a delicious tilapia fillet covered in bread crumbs with a red hot salsa for that extra bit of Indian spice. Next up was handi bengal murgh achari, a chicken dish served with vegetable basmati rice and finally a prawn curry, the dish we would all get a chance to create.

Heads brimming with perfect spice combinations, there was a scramble for a chopping board as we set about putting our new knowledge to the test and creating a curry to be proud of.

My skills in the kitchen border on inept at best, and watching the apprentice chefs swiftly chop up an onion in to perfectly sized slices while I plodded along tentatively, only ensured my terror intensified. Luckily, Oli and his expert team were on hand to guide us along.

We started by frying the sliced onion and whole garam masala until golden brown before mixing in the ginger and garlic paste. Next up was adding the array of herbs and spices for the flavour kick (tumeric, cumin, red chilli and coriander powder). The chopped tomatoes and prawns followed, plus a splash of water if things looked like they were getting too dry.

Eventually the ingredients start to form a sauce, and I even received a compliment about the consistency of mine (miracles do happen!). Unfortunately I didn’t win the title of ‘Chef’s Pet’ though, that honour went to one of the apprentices, who admittedly had created the best looking curry in the kitchen (“Restaurant standard,” Oli remarked).

Surprisingly, my attempt was pretty damn tasty though, mildly spicy with a hint of tangy tomato; this was a curry bursting with authentic flavours, and not something you would ever find in a jar. I started the masterclass fearing I might be a lost cause, but maybe there’s hope for me yet.

National Apprenticeship Week is all about celebrating the skills and talent of apprentices across the country, and inspiring more people to sign up to the scheme. Although it may be too late for me to sign up as an apprentice chef anytime soon (restaurants across Cambridge breathe a huge sigh of relief), I’ve definitely been inspired to ditch the jar and have a go at making a curry myself instead.

Can you guess what’s on the menu this weekend?

Find out more about apprenticeship opportunities at CRC by visiting their website at www.camre.ac.uk.

Dream becomes reality for local interior designer

The tragic death of her beloved older brother inspired Julia Pockett to ditch the day job and follow her lifelong dream. Lydia Fallon meets the budding entrepreneur to talk beauty, business and doing what makes you truly happy

Julia Pockett’s story is an inspiring one. A tale of love, loss and most of all, making life count.

Passionate about interior design for as long as she can remember but frightened to leave the security of her job in sales and marketing, it was under tragic circumstances that 48-year-old Julia decided to take the plunge and set up her stylish homeware company Sujiivana.

“I dwelled on trying something new for a while but thought it was such a risk,” she recalls. “In spring 2010 my brother passed away, and it just knocked me for six a little bit. I went back to work but nothing seemed the same, it all kind of lost its importance.”

Realising that life is too short to be stuck in a job you don’t love, Julia, who lives in Tilbrook near Kimbolton, resigned, enrolled on an interior design course and decided to use the money she was left by her brother to launch her own business, a few months later Sujiivana was born.

Meaning beautiful life in ancient Sanskrit, Sujiivana works by the ethos that if your home and surroundings are beautiful, your life and wellbeing will be enhanced too. The online ethical emporium is a treasure chest of gorgeous goodies for the home, from shabby chic wooden picture frames made by Cape Town’s homeless to elegant ceramics sculpted by local designer Katharina Klug; every single piece has its own unique story to tell.

“I really wanted my brother’s money to go to good use, I wanted it to change my life but also have some sort of meaning,” Julia muses. “I wanted Sujiivana to not only help me but also help the people whose products I was selling.

“Everything is ethically sourced and made by small producers and artisans who haven’t got another outlet for their work.”

Julia sources her products from far and wide, scouring the globe for beautiful, one of a kind products that perfectly fit the Sujiivana ethos. Her online shop is a sheer haven of loveliness, packed with everything from silky soft alpaca throws and pretty pink rose fairy lights to dainty trinket boxes and chic teapots, its clear Julia has found the career she was destined for.

Which is something her brother had always wanted for his little sister. “Because he suffered from depression he almost felt like he had underachieved in life,” Julia says. “I had quite a long career of high pressure sales and marketing and he always used to say to me: ‘life’s too short, you shouldn’t be putting all this time and energy in, but not being happy.’”

His words really resonated with Julia, and having found the courage to quit the daily grind of her previous job, Sujiivana has given her a whole new lease of life, as well as hope during the dark times.

“I never thought I had a creative bone in my body,” Julia giggles. “Then all of a sudden I’m designing logos, creating my website and choosing different products.

“It’s amazing how I have found this inner creativity, it’s got me my enthusiasm and ambition back again, which I think I lost at one point.”

Not that it has all been plain sailing, Julia admits that working for herself has proved a huge learning curve, but one she is embracing all the same. “It was really nerve-wracking, but it was a time in my life when I had been questioning everything and was ready for a change.

“It’s amazing how you go into it [starting your own business] thinking you’re fully prepared but then you realise you don’t have an accounts department, a sales department. It’s just you.”

Luckily the unwavering support of her fiancée and devoted dog Phoebe have made things just that little bit easier. “He’s been really supportive, he knew that for a long time I was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with life and my work, so he was just like: ‘stop talking about it and get off your arse and do something.’”

The other arm of Julia’s business is the newly launched Sujiivana Design, which also holds personal meaning for the 48-year-old. “My first interior design project was my brother’s flat, because when he died he suffered from depression, and the flat was in a dreadful mess,” she recalls. “It was quite therapeutic, as it was something that we had always talked about doing together and it was healing to know I had done it and that’s what he would have wanted.”

The process reignited Julia’s passion for interior design and was the encouragement she needed to enrol on a part-time course. “I really wanted to have a qualification behind me to be able to say I’ve studied it and know the disciplines,” she explains.

 

Describing her own interior style as “rock chic”, Julia admits that her home is an eclectic mix of the old and the new, the contemporary and the antique, with a hint of quirkiness thrown in for good measure too. She describes her latest find, a standing lamp which comprises an antique rifle with a pheasant feather shade, as amazing, if a little unusual. “My partner thinks I definitely have my own unique style,” she laughs.

It is clear that Sujiivana has put a smile back on Julia’s face, which is surely the best way to honour her brother’s memory.

“I think he would be proud and happy that some good has come out of it.”

For more information on Sujiivana visit www.sujiivana.co.uk andwww.sujiivanadesign.com to find out more about Sujiivana Design or contact Julia on 07876688929. You can also read Julia’s blog atwww.houzz.com/pro/jpockett/julia-pockett.

Insane Terrain: a race with a difference

On the hunt for a race with a difference, Lydia Fallon braved five kilometres of hills, obstacles and a whole lot of mud at an Insane Terrain run in Woodbridge

Picture this; I’d just crawled on my hands and knees through mud, waded through freezing cold rivers and launched myself over 10 foot walls. I’ve never been so dirty in all my life, have numerous bumps and bruises and have quite probably ruined an expensive pair of trainers. Yet, I can’t wipe the smile off my face; Insane Terrain has me totally hooked.

Launched last year by Ashley Edwards, Andy Ison and Cathy Ison from Histon, and Barry Norman from Mepal, Insane Terrain Running offers off-road trail running and obstacle race events at locations across the UK. Whether you’re a complete beginner, fitness fanatic or adrenalin junkie, the down-and-dirty events promise thrills, spills and a lot of fun.

All runners have a choice of a 5k or 10k route (I opted for 5k, but will definitely be doing 10k next time) and the races are professionally chip timed, so you can find out how you fared as soon as you cross the finish line.

Sunday’s (March 3) event was held in Woodbridge, Suffolk, and as I scoured the scene (rolling hills, sheep grazing, A LOT of mud) I couldn’t help but wonder, what had I let myself in for?

Lining up on the start-line, the company slogan ringing in my ears (“You don’t have to be mad but it helps”), the terror intensified – my comfort zone was a mere speck it was so far away.

But there was no backing out now; the siren sounded and we were off, over 100 runners heading into the unknown, sure of nothing but the fact we would finish the race a lot muddier than we had started.

And we’d barely run 100 metres when the first obstacle presented itself, of course there was no chance we would be eased in gently. Getting down on to my stomach, I attempted to manoeuvre my way under a cargo net, conscious of the fact that I was crawling through thick, slushy mud. I’d just about managed to reach the end, when I realised I was stuck; rather embarrassingly my ponytail had got caught in the rope, luckily another runner was on hand to detangle me. Not quite the start I had been hoping for.

Regaining my composure, I picked up speed to make up for the time I’d lost during pony gate and prepared for the next obstacle, which turned out to be a waist deep pool of muddy water -  actually surprisingly refreshing after plodding my way up hill after hill.

As the race continued I took on a whole range of obstacles from sticky mud pools and rope climbs to tyre jumps and ladders, every one was a challenge but still a million times better than the monotony of pounding the pavement. Anytime I spend on a treadmill or road running drags but with a different challenge at every corner, the Insane Terrain event flew by in a flash. Who knew keeping fit whilst rolling around in mud could be so fun?

Having fun is the Insane Terrain ethos to a tee. Rather than worrying about time splits and pacing, the company is embracing a whole new genre of fitness, a genre which puts laughter at the forefront, and which is growing at a phenomenal pace.

 

Twenty-two-year-old director Ashley explains: “We’re all keen runners ourselves but had grown a bit bored of road runs and half marathons. We ran a Mucky Races event last year and loved it and just thought: ‘how hard can this be?’

“It all started as a bit of fun really but has just snowballed, I think people like the fact that it gives them a chance to be a kid again and they know that they’ll have a good time.”

And as I approached the finish, layers and layers of mud weighing me down, limbs aching and shouts of “pain is only temporary, quitting lasts forever” echoing in the wind. I realised I was grinning from ear to ear. I’d had one helluva time.

I may be mad but I loved it. 

The next Insane Terrain event takes place on April 28 in Wansford near Peterborough. To register for this event, visit the Insane Terrain website atwww.insaneterrainrunning.com. You can also like Insane Terrain on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/insaneterrain or follow them on Twitter @insaneterrain_.