Run from Chequers at Fingest 22 July 09

Not exactly a large turnout, but a very pleasant evening, nevertheless.

Only 7 diehard runners this week - no doubt because the holiday season has kicked in but also probably because others just can't be arsed. Steve T (having chosen the venue) had a good excuse mind you - it was his daughter's birthday & he chose to do the right thing. However, it was his birthday the day before - maybe we can remind him of this next time we see him?

Susie & Chris, Amanda & Jules, Sarah, Jerome & yours truly was the order of the day and in a rather laid back fashion, commenced the run approx. 7.05 pm. We had a vague idea of the route we would follow, but nothing definite, and it was all rather relaxed (apart from the physical exertion of course).

A bit of a gut-wrenching start up the path by the side of Fingest Church, across the Ibstone Road and over to Turville, then heading off diagonally across the field at the back of Turville towards Ibstone. Into the woods at the top, momentarily losing Susie for a wee stop, eventually ending up at St Nicolas Church, Ibstone. Through the churchyard, hanging a right through more woods towards Ibstone Common. Jerome and I noted that we were still running away from where we started. Furthest and highest point reached, we set off south, downhill towards the Turville to Christmas Common lane. At the bottom, most of us followed the bridleway running parallel to the road back to Turville. Chris & Jules did a loop up towards Turville Grange. Amanda & I chose the road route back to Fingest. Susie, Sarah & Jerome took the footpath we started out on.

We peeled off our sweaty attire in the overspill car park beyond the pub's garden & gazed down the valley towards Skirmett. Susie decided it would be a nice spot for camping. Jerome was pleased to see that his bike was still there.

Adjourning to the bar, no problem fitting our depleted number around a table, we enjoyed the first round, closely followed by a couple of bowls of chips. They were quite chunky, but the ladies didn't seem to mind too much. The landlord had provided a couple of small bowls of ketchup to accompany, but we asked if we could also have mayonnaise. This turned up in sachets, without bowls, so Jerome tastefully squeezed these out onto the red paper napkins also provided. No matter, the mayonnaise was definitely the preferred accompaniment.

Conversation was varied as usual. The Tour de France, Thorpeness, Steve's age, a face lift for Jules, younger generation runners joining us, the psychological & physiological pain experienced by Jerome when he runs, etc. All in all, a very pleasant evening.

The venue for this Wednesday? The Frog at Skirmett. Look forward to seeing everyone there.

Prince of Wales, Marlow - 15th July 2009

Run Report by Brett

After my bollocking from Amanda and despite the fact that I have three artificial limbs and the early signs of mad cow disease, I was determined to run and it proved to be a very pleasant evening.

The group consisted of The Hucks, Roddicks, Neil, Selwyn, Duds, Doug, Heather, Steve T and David as our bicycling back up person. On a rather flat and well trodden riverside Marlow run and return via Bisham, David was the first to tend to the plentiful gate opening and closing as well as the counting back of the troops.

Jules and Selwyn appeared to be the route planners which lead to them leaving the plodders, along with Chris, Steve and Neil to venture under the A404 to Bisham Woods. Meanwhile, Susie and Amanda scooted off to Court Gardens to witness Kates spooning, I mean spinning. Sadly I could notbe there as I was still struggling with the Bisham Road, rather late for my scheduled meeting with Landlord, Timothy Taylor.

Rodders limbed back with calf trouble, Doug & Duds spruced themselves up in readiness for that famous al fesco POW experience. Heather returned to choose the cloudy Brakspears whilst the other girls (soon to include Kate) wisely chose the Cloudy Bay. The drinks were complimentated by mountains of crisps but sadly no chips nor pork scratchings.

Next week on Steve T's recommendation we will be meeting...... DUH! so what is the French for ALREADY?

Blogmeisters Note:-

Next weeks run from The Chequers, Fingest, 7pm start.

Queens Head, Little Marlow - 8th July 2009

Run Report by Richard

My second run of the season!

Meeting at the Queens Head, Little Marlow, last night’s runners were Amanda, Jules, Sarah, Aude, Selwyn, Rodders, Baz and I.

I have to say the first quarter of the run was not the most inspiring as we headed off along the footpath back towards Marlow. Over the bypass bridge, through the industrial estate, over the railway, into the rugby club and down towards the river. Baz was concerned that running through Marlow rugby club would bring him out in a rash! Of interest during the first half were the Travelers, Gypos, Pikeys who had taken residence in one of the fields. Opinions were shared between Baz and Rodders on how to combat the Pikey, and also what contribution they made to today’s society.

Rodders main complaint was that if the Pikey insisted on dumping their rubbish the least they could do was to separate the nappies / sh** from the rest of their rubbish. (I thought back to when my kids were babies and made a mental note to separate my rubbish if a third came along)

Heading up the river towards Bourne End we encountered a Bull (the one without the udders) which seemed to spook the girls who ran with greater pace between fields. The air smelt particularly unpleasant at one point along the river which apparently was down to the sewerage or maybe I thought those Pikeys dumping their nappies?

I did notice that as I crossed each field directly in a straight line, Rodders, Baz and Jules set off to the left and ran the circumference yet they still arrived at the next stile before me? We all looked for the Rivett’s house across the river but due to the foliage we could only see the summer house, although the construction of Tesco/Sainsbury’s next door was very visible. One lap of the gravel pit / lake and back to Little Marlow and the pub.
We sat outside for the first drink with a couple of bowls of chips (slim chips not chunky chips) and then Doug and David arrived. Doug was carrying a paper boutique type bag (something that those girls on sex in the city would carry when shopping) and his hair looked very blonde, maybe highlights? Selwyn said he looked gay? Not sure really. I think you’re still allowed to run on Wednesday if you are?

It got cold so we went inside and shortly Susie and Kate arrived, the table was very girls down one end and boys up the other. Our waitress was very attentive to the orders from the girls for olives, more chips and large glasses of Chateau La Fete (at £9.46 per glass). The girls filled their boots.
Conversation? Rodders was talking about a bet his brother had in connection with South African wine named after animals and Doug was complaining about turning up at the Brewery on Saturday to find that everyone had left!

Kitty money? I doubt it.

It was great to see everyone, I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed the Wednesday night run! It was suggested that next week we run from the POW, Marlow.

Chris and Susie's, Radnage - 1st July 2009

Run Report by Kate

The Stranger Returns..

On a hot sultry evening last Wednesday, 10 tough, if not fool hardy runners met at the Roddicks, in the sweltering heat to run, hopefully in the shade and hopefully not very long! Those included in the pack were, Sarah, Susie, Kate, Julie, Amanda, Duds, Chris, Steve, Jules and Max. Yes, you have guessed it I had returned to the fold, having been given a permission to miss spinning, (although I believe I was missed!)

Duds had already worked up a sweat, having been spotted cycling to Chris & Susie’s, I recognised his bottom, Brett said he recognised the hair style?
Despite initially running in blazing sunshine, we were soon enjoying the shade of the woods and feeling a little more comfortable but not much! Cries of ‘Why are we doing this!’ and ‘How far are we going?’ could be heard but mainly from back. A short sharp hill sorted the men from the boys, or perhaps not, as Max Roddick very ably kept up with his father, despite running in denim shorts! Well done Max, I think Dad has some serious competition!

After about 25mins, and weary that Jules was about to take us of in another direction, Duds, Susie and Sarah, cut loose for home, joined about 10mins later by all but Jules, who can always be relied upon to take his running seriously. So 40mins from ‘the off’, we all arrived safely back and the Roddicks, tired but in good spirits, to be met by Brett, tired and emotional through having to look after numerous children!

At this point I would like to say a big thank you to Susie & Chris for the bbq, the lamb burgers were amazing and cooked to perfection, the sausages were good too! Once showered and smelling a whole lot better, we were joined by Fred & Jerome and Baz & Liz. All of which no doubt had very pressing appointments making them unable to make the run! Duds continued to enhance my education by supplying meaning to words I didn’t know, stealing the show as always with his description of his latest operation. Vivid descriptions of bruising and its various colours, it all sounds very sore! Jerome not to be out done informed us that he had also had it done, secretly without telling Fred!!

I was intrigued to hear that JB has now been banned from a campsite in Bude, you will have to ask him what he did?? Great evening, as they usually are, making me realised how much I had missed them. Promise to make an appearance every other week!

Susie & Chris, thanks again.

Next weeks run is from The Queens Head in Little Marlow, 7pm start