Run 878 - Sunningwell
Run: 878
Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Venue: Flowingwell Inn, Sunningwell
Hare(s): Big Stiffy
Hounds: Golden Shower, Plod, Twitcher, Eric, Pressganger, CS Gas, Lonely, Bootsy, Little Prick, Hash Crim, Lemony Snicket, Hash Hoody, Laurence, Dover Sole, Rubber Sole, Preperation H, Clare, Hutch, B-Cider, K9-1 Meg, K9-2 Hattie
Scribe: Plod
Very noticeable by his absence tonight was Wii Wee Waffler. That's your fault, Twitcher - I know you let him wrap a bandage round your ankle, or whatever, when we got back to the pub last week - not the same, though, as doing it on the trail. You've hurt his feelings.
I spoke of a b****y big hill last week. Where's Sunninghill located - it's at the foot of Boars Hill. As with all hills, there's an easy way up, and there's a difficult way up. I'm not sure which of those tonight's route falls into. We did a couple of loops before we started to climb, and i have to say, the climb didn't seem too severe, to begin with. But then, it went on ... and on ... and on. Along the way, we had a fantastic view of the Power Station - large and almost beautiful - but did anyone pay it any attention. I know we were climbing at the time but ... yes, ok, Boars Hill was our intended destination and it was a bit hard going.
We paused at the Open university to admire the view over towards Oxford and its Spires. We then continued on, only to stop again at the official View Point at Yarn Mount. And it was here that Pressganger caught up with us, singing Big Stiffy's praises for the way he had marked the trail. She had arrived late.
We then meandered around Boars Hill for ever and a day. We saw The Fox - but of the promised beer stop, there was no sign. I never realised how big Boars Hill actually is until tonight. And we missed your customary run down of the draining System, S/Shoveller. But eventually we made it to the gate overlooking Sunningwell church. And the Beer stop! And a rather bemused couple out walking their Alsatians. They did accept our hospitality though and joined us for a tipple. Draught beer too. To celebrate Lonely's bithday. Belated greetings.
And then it was the final downhill burst to the Church and the Pub. Straight over a courting couple lying across the path at the bottom!
As we arrived, what was there to greet us but a tray of gooey cakes sent by Treacle Tart (we're almost expecting something every week now). But also a couple of jugs of chilled water and glasses - courtesy of the licensee! Nice touch.!! And weren't the chips delicious - yes I did pay my £1. Plenty of them too. No shortage of Mayo or Ketchup. And of course, everyone noticed how changed the inside of the pub was!!! Nice.
Now Lonely got told off on the trail for using his mobile! He was talking to someone who had gone to the crown at Nuffield tonight! It was a bad connection and he had no idea who he was talking to. We found out as we were eating our Chips - as a rather cheesed off MR PRESSGANGER walked up - with Dynorod. To make matters worse, Pressganger was responsible for them going to The Crown!!!!
Distance tonight? 4.8 miles. But a very pleasant, if somewhat long trail, Big stiffy. Many thanks.
Misdemeanours on the Trail? Well, Lonely for pretending he had earache - but then he did provide a beer stop, didn't he. Although, did anybody else notice how long it took him to get back from the beer stop. But then he did have Bootsy in the car with him. So, proof enough, as far as I'm concerned that they stopped off to do some canoodling! So he's prime candidate. accompanied by his co-conspirator, Bootsy, for a virtual down down.
Now last week I spoke about WWW and over achievement. What about CS Gas? Otmoor Challenge. A 10K last week-end and then he's doing a Longest Day Run at Donnington this week-end. Think of your age, CS Gas. Slow down. You're getting too serious about this running lark.
Why have I got the word 'Viagra' in my notebook? Was there a joke?
We've already mentioned the Crown at Nuffield - that's where we are next week. Mr Pressganger didn't seem best pleased when Golden Shower announced this. I think he thought Golden shower was taking the proverbial, but not so, sir, that's where we really are next week./p>
Oh, and Twitcher wants to remind you all to test you torches and get in a supply of new batteries. Well, the evenings are going to get shorter from now on.
Plod