Wednesday Night Runners
Here is a link to Google map for directions to Five Horseshoes, Maidensgrove. Not sure if links work but thought I'd give it a go.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
Amanda & Jules Place, Radnage. 17 May 06.
This was the usual run from Villa Amanda & Jules that we last ran a couple of years ago. Maybe it was the weather, but starters were a little thin on the ground, though perhaps not surprisingly attendance post-running was boosted by Jerome (problems with his Broadband) and Chris & Sue (feeling a tad unwell).
Runners were (as I remember, forgive me if I've missed someone out): Amanda, Fred, Kate, David, Duds, Jules, Steve T and myself. Julian started late and did a little circuit of his own - even so he managed to pass me on that last bit of steep climb before the finish. He was running - I wasn't.
It was wet and it got wetter is a fair summary of the conditions. A bit slippery underfoot but not too boggy. Kate managed not to fall over. From the hi-tech kit available to me (i.e. thumb's length on the OS + counting the contours), I reckon we did about 5 miles (the extra-loopers a bit more), dropping rapidly about 50 metres at the start, climbing steadily for the first half of the run approx. 100 metres and vice-versa on the return. Amanda, Duds, David and myself opted for the (only slightly) shorter route back. At least we avoided the fully grown rape field which apparently the others encountered, making them even wetter.
A start at 6.45pm ensured a return of approx. 7.45, K.O. for the Champions League Final. This we were able to observe in great style on Amanda & Jules' new giant plasma screen with surround sound audio. With a few cans in tow, good company, nibbles and hot dogs (sausages from the reknowned local butcher) kindly served up by Amanda, what could be better?
Our thanks again to Amanda & Jules as our hosts.
Don't think we sorted the venue for this Wednesday's run, so as the poster of this report, can I suggest Stag & Huntsman @ Hambleden 6.45 for 7.00 pm start?
Runners were (as I remember, forgive me if I've missed someone out): Amanda, Fred, Kate, David, Duds, Jules, Steve T and myself. Julian started late and did a little circuit of his own - even so he managed to pass me on that last bit of steep climb before the finish. He was running - I wasn't.
It was wet and it got wetter is a fair summary of the conditions. A bit slippery underfoot but not too boggy. Kate managed not to fall over. From the hi-tech kit available to me (i.e. thumb's length on the OS + counting the contours), I reckon we did about 5 miles (the extra-loopers a bit more), dropping rapidly about 50 metres at the start, climbing steadily for the first half of the run approx. 100 metres and vice-versa on the return. Amanda, Duds, David and myself opted for the (only slightly) shorter route back. At least we avoided the fully grown rape field which apparently the others encountered, making them even wetter.
A start at 6.45pm ensured a return of approx. 7.45, K.O. for the Champions League Final. This we were able to observe in great style on Amanda & Jules' new giant plasma screen with surround sound audio. With a few cans in tow, good company, nibbles and hot dogs (sausages from the reknowned local butcher) kindly served up by Amanda, what could be better?
Our thanks again to Amanda & Jules as our hosts.
Don't think we sorted the venue for this Wednesday's run, so as the poster of this report, can I suggest Stag & Huntsman @ Hambleden 6.45 for 7.00 pm start?
Monday, May 15, 2006
Route details for The Chequers, Wheeler End 10/05/06
Here is the map and some data about the route.
Click on the map to enlarge.
Tour time: 1:08:00 ish
Distance: 5.5 miles
Climb: 702 feet
The Chequers, Wheeler End - 10th May 2006 (run number 7)
12 hardy souls set off at 7:05 for the (now) traditional Chequers tour via Towerage and the track above Adams Park. As we entered Denham Wood there were gasps of amazement as a fabulous display of Bluebells stretched for hundreds of meters ahead of us and the sweet smell was enhanced by the moist conditions. It was reminiscent of the Christmas Calendar photo for the Chilterns in Springtime!
Conditions underfoot were a little slippery as the rain had wet the surface but not soaked in to the very dry ground below. A fairly long and winding track then led us to an uphill track with a fantastic view of the Golden Ball to the right. We then regrouped at Towerage (top of the hill behind West Wycombe House) before heading towards Adams Park down Towerage Lane – a little known footpath often used as a back route to the Ground on match days.
A short distance on we were faced with a very new fence with no obvious crossing point – so we all scrambled over the fence and through a large patch of fresh stingers! The next section involved a climb through some very pleasant woodland on a twisty track eventually leading across the track to Grove Farm and the Horse riding centre used by Fred and Jerome’s kids. Horses then featured strongly as, after the long track to Fryers farm with Duds leading the way – spurred on by discussions about squid (don’t ask!) we headed steeply downhill through a field of particularly frisky Horses that threatened to trample us and kick out. This only slightly spoiled the fabulously picturesque view to the right that looked just like a moody Scottish forest with mist in the valley shrouding the tall pine trees in a moist haze. I was very thankful of Susie who spotted (while I was admiring the view) that one young horse had put its ears right back and was reversing in our direction! Fortunately we all survived unscathed and, apart from the occasional shout of “I thought you said this run was flat”, we all made it back to the pub within 70 minutes. Not bad for the 5.5 miles and not inconsiderable 700 ft of climb.
The pub was very welcoming and whilst Chris R reminisced about Presso at his wedding we got regular updates from the UEFA cup final which Middlesbrough eventually lost 4 -0. Apparently Presso had mounted Susie’s horse bareback during the evening celebrations and comprehensibly trashed his DJ. Horses are VERY greasy - be warned!
Next week’s run (actually this week as I am so late in publishing) is from Jules and Amanda’s house so that those that wish to can enjoy the Champions League final on the big screen. Start 6:45 as the game starts at 7:45. Please bring your own or give us your order by Wednesday morning. Nibbles to be supplied. Swimming is optional!
See you there….
Conditions underfoot were a little slippery as the rain had wet the surface but not soaked in to the very dry ground below. A fairly long and winding track then led us to an uphill track with a fantastic view of the Golden Ball to the right. We then regrouped at Towerage (top of the hill behind West Wycombe House) before heading towards Adams Park down Towerage Lane – a little known footpath often used as a back route to the Ground on match days.
A short distance on we were faced with a very new fence with no obvious crossing point – so we all scrambled over the fence and through a large patch of fresh stingers! The next section involved a climb through some very pleasant woodland on a twisty track eventually leading across the track to Grove Farm and the Horse riding centre used by Fred and Jerome’s kids. Horses then featured strongly as, after the long track to Fryers farm with Duds leading the way – spurred on by discussions about squid (don’t ask!) we headed steeply downhill through a field of particularly frisky Horses that threatened to trample us and kick out. This only slightly spoiled the fabulously picturesque view to the right that looked just like a moody Scottish forest with mist in the valley shrouding the tall pine trees in a moist haze. I was very thankful of Susie who spotted (while I was admiring the view) that one young horse had put its ears right back and was reversing in our direction! Fortunately we all survived unscathed and, apart from the occasional shout of “I thought you said this run was flat”, we all made it back to the pub within 70 minutes. Not bad for the 5.5 miles and not inconsiderable 700 ft of climb.
The pub was very welcoming and whilst Chris R reminisced about Presso at his wedding we got regular updates from the UEFA cup final which Middlesbrough eventually lost 4 -0. Apparently Presso had mounted Susie’s horse bareback during the evening celebrations and comprehensibly trashed his DJ. Horses are VERY greasy - be warned!
Next week’s run (actually this week as I am so late in publishing) is from Jules and Amanda’s house so that those that wish to can enjoy the Champions League final on the big screen. Start 6:45 as the game starts at 7:45. Please bring your own or give us your order by Wednesday morning. Nibbles to be supplied. Swimming is optional!
See you there….
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
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