The Prince Albert, Frieth, 27th June 2007

Run Report by David

So, he's heard the need for change has he?

Not the most promising of starts, grammatically speaking, by the latest leader of the Scottish Raj that runs the country. Unless, of course, it was an oblique reference to the rattle of loose change, which is about all we've got left after 10 years of his stealth taxes and pension fund raids.

Sorry to start this report in such a gnarly fashion, but Brown's slack-jawed droning was the last thing I needed this morning after an arduous run and some dodgy beer from The Albert. Anyway, the report.

Amanda, Fred, Aude, Jules, Steve, Duds, Rodders and I met in decidedly damp conditions and set off uphill (when was it any different) As usual, I have no idea where we went, concentrating as I was on trying not to fall too far behind the aforementioned fitties. Apart from a brief conversation with Duds, not often those words appear in that order, during which he proclaimed that he was feeling like cack and Fred expressing concern about VPL (whatever that is). I can't remember too much about the first part of the run. Duds wish was soon granted though, as we made our way through a field containing several cows, a solitary bull and endless piles of the stuff that accompanies them. After a comfort break for Amanda, which was as welcome to me as to her, we ran down a long narrow path which had thoughtfully reinvented itself as a waterfall for the evening, ending up in another lane in the middle of I don't know where.

After wading one small lake at a junction, the fitties set off in the direction of Skirmett whilst I, map in hand, struck for home. No doubt some blogger will fill in the details of what happened to them, but my route back started with a near vertical half mile climb up another waterfall followed by another half mile hack through nettle-infested rainforest.

I eventually made it back to The Albert at about 7.55 and was joined 10 minutes later by Steve and Jools, who kindly put on a sprint finish for the cameras. The rest of the mud-spattered group arrived soon after, wrung out their socks and repaired to the pub. Despite the fact that the Albert was populated by more staff than customers, it still took about 20 minutes toget the first round. First the Fosters was off, then there was no ice for Amanda's G&T, but eventually we got there. Round two produced some cloudy Brakspears and soggy crisps but the company was good, so we persevered.

At some stage Selwyn arrived from a school meeting, sporting a sticker which indicated he'd been assigned to the "red stream", presumably for mature students. He's injured at the moment, but it didn't stop him leaping on to a bar stool like a spring chicken. At our end of the table there was chat about the relative merits ofprivate/state education and Thai/Chinese food. Not sure what was discussedat the other end. I was the first to leave, so can't tell you what happened after about 9.30.Next weeks run is from The Hare and Hounds at Marlow. I was in there for lunch recently and the floor is still stained by the beer that we spilt on it last time we were there. I'm sure they'll be pleased to see us.

David

PS Steve, would you mind blogging this, as I have no idea how to do it and I want to see which photo you choose