Run 888 - Hash BBQ - Sutton Courtenay
PhotosRun: 888
Date: Saturday, 22 August 2009
Venue: Lemony Snicket's Pad, Sutton Courtenay
Hare(s): Lemony Snicket, Wimpy, Buzz
Pack: Golden Shower, Twitcher, Plod, Eric, Bootsy, Lonely, Big Stiffy, Baby Driver, BMW, Monkey Whisperer, Deaf Aid, Rear Admiral, Rubber Sole, Preperation H, Billy Whizz, Phoebe, Leia,K9 Meg, K9 Trip Hazard. For the Barbie: R.Sole's Mate, pressganger, J-Wax, Baldrick, CS Gas
Scribe: Plod
A gorgeous Saturday afternoon, a reasonable turn-out, the promise of only a 2 1/2 mile trail and the promise of food by the bucket and alcohol to boot. is there a better way of spending Saturday afternoon?
So, the trail first. The Fish was the start point, the mid point and also the end point. Shame no beer had been pre-ordered for impromtu beer-stops. Going past any pub on a trail is bad enough, but three times, past the same one!!!
Anyway, from the Fish we headed out along the Thames to the Sutton bridge. Having crossed the bridge, a bit of confusion arose with the runners insisting on checking out towards the main road. Not so. In fact the trail dropped down onto the tow path along Culham Cut, through the Lock and onwards. We meandered around a big loop through the fields there, and through the Sutton Pools, before coming out just down the road from The Fish. The next check was at the George & Dragon - poor Stiffy was tired and so made use of a bench. The trail then led us to the other end of Sutton Courtenay where Twitcher and Buzz were captured 'sitting on the check'. Where also, Bootsy was caught in the act of the most hineous of crimes - using a mobile phone. The camera doesn't lie.
Of course from there where else but The Fish again - via the back of the church - and of course, Lemony Snicket's pad.
A gas BBQ had been fired up, a gazebo erected and a large number of chairs provided. Waiting for us was Pressganger, foot covered in bandages, and a rather dolled up R.Sole's Mate. The wedding! That accounted for the abandoned car on the main road with the purple tape! There was some in-depth discussion going on and size obviously was an issue - see the photos. Within a few minutes J-Wax and Balderick appeared - hardly dressed for the hash. The table under the gazebo became laden with various salads, bread, crisps etc. Wine bottles were popped, beers opened and slowly but surely people started to relax. Pressganger had obviously been practicing for this occasion. At one moment of time she had three different people attending to her various needs. Wimpy took over from Billy Whizz at the barbecue and did a fantastic job with the pile of ribs, sausages, chicken and burgers. BMW (6 months old now!!!) very quickly gathered her adoring fan club around her - did Preppy return her to you, Baby Driver? And Twitcher's white legs didn't seem to put any-one off their food. As i've already said, show me a nicer way of spending a Saturday afternoon.
The 2 1/2 miles was nearer 4, I'm reliably informed. But I didn't hear any complaints. Good trail. Even gave Twitcher and Golden Shower an opportunity to go caravan spotting and Twitcher and Lonely to go sight seeing. Phoebe and Leia apparently had spent most of the day preparing the salads - they even did the trail. Thank you girls. And the Lemony clan - thank you for the organisation.
Chaddleworth on Tuesday, and please note the other venue changes
Plod