Run Report - Wednesday 5th July - Radnage

Here is Johns excellent run report from last night that he has asked me to place on the blog. Steve.

My memory only lasts for about 24 hours so I'm having to do this report Thursday morning to ensure no details of the evening's activities are spared. Met at Amanda and Jules as they had kindly volunteered their house as a viewing venue for the WC semi- finals although we realised it was not going to be quite the event we were expecting. More on that later.
I was first there and found a sensible parking space close to the hedge on the far side. As it turned out this gave me a wonderful view of Steve S (who appeared next) trying to find a suitable parking space for his car. Do you ever have those moments when presented with acres of parking spaces you simply cannot decide where to park which has the effect of usually causing some family row about decision making? Well this was it but fortunately Steve had no family in the car to argue with thereby avoiding what would have been a major ruckus.
At roughly 7 we set off through the Huck's back garden without the need for a United Nations conference on the route to be taken. The party included Jerome, Steve S (without car), Steve T, Amanda, Jules, Rodders, Susie, Michael, Selwyn and Kate although there were a couple of notable absentees namely Doug who has decided his body will only allow him to run once every two weeks and Carters who felt his neighbours 60th birthday party was more important. Can you imagine a 60th birthday party and being on the wagon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Conditions were excellent - recent storms had cooled the air and softened the ground for Rodders's knees so he set the pace from the start with Jules in hot pursuit. With the crops well into the growing season most of the party were nearly lost in an early cornfield but the scent of Kate's perfume kept people on track. Duds almost started reminiscing again at one point near Studley Green about some earlier life he had had. Jerome complained that he hadn't run for 3 weeks but was consoled by the fact that the evening only cost him 4 cans of Strongbow. It was a very pleasant run with lots of woody bits and Jules I'm sure will furnish you with the details later.
Showered (I had Jules's shower setting just in case anyone was interested - no.1, think Amanda's was no.2) and refreshed we assembled for the footie and watched the Portuguese shame their country once again with their diving and cheating on the 42 incher. England started to get a fair pounding for their inability to make the semi's but discussion was cut short by the head of the England fan club Rodders who thought England and David Beckham were wonderful and we shouldn't be giving them such a hard time. We consoled ourselves with lashings of pizza, garlic bread, bhaji's, nibbles, beer, wine and Jerome keeping Ollie and Sam amused. We should not forget to mention the sterling work being done in the kitchen by Barbara - apologies if that's not her name. Its certainly not what I called her when she appeared in my dream last night! As we all know France won through with another Henry dive and Scholari was left to berate the referee as Portugal's last pathetic effort to get into the final - and we lost to them????????? Well played England - better luck next time and all that bull....!
I left the Roddicks and the Hucks' to enjoy the rest of their evening together although Jerome was there as well - couldn't quite work that one out.
Huge thanks to Amanda and Jules and family for the use of their lovely home and next week we're off to the Spencer Arms, Downley at 7. See you then unless you're coming to Heather's on Sunday.

John.