The Royal Standard, Wooburn Moor - 17th September 2008

Run Report by Brett

Jules crafted a most excellent run last night enjoyed by all of the half
dozen participants. Just 4 miles of flat terrain from and to the Royal
Standard that took us across fields and through copse and lush common
land returning in a staggering 41 minutes (PB for me!) At the front was
the course planner along with JB having just returned from SA (again).
In the middle were Pete, Kate & Duds and at the back was me delayed by
having to run and take notes at the same time.
We passed through a Duck Farm (I will come onto food later)and
unfortunately not through, but to the side, of a quaint Brakspears pub,
The Blackwood Arms. This looks like a perfect venue for next year in the
perhaps unlikely event of having an influx of new members from the
Slough area.
The Royal Standard was heaven, an outside smoking area that would almost
be worth getting lung cancer for, whilst inside stood ten proud real ale
pumps of differing brews. Sadly my intended chauffeurs, Richard/David
failed to make the run so I restricted my intake to pints of Bargee,
Crested Newt and Broadside. Jules happily entered into a tad of beer
tasting, his palate seeming to particularly appreciate the Stout like
Crested Newt.
Further discussion took place on the choice of venue for next week
thankfully interupted with comments on breast feeding, Lauras
graduation, The Royal Cape golf course, cycling 2 hours to Twickenham,
selling mobile homes (it's a real option I think) and The Daily Mail
reporting RGS rugby. It shouldn't take too long to work out who were the
respective contributors.
Three bowls of chips were taken followed by a formidable peanut and
tabasco chaser for Duds and I, whilst the more gentil amongst us
restricted themselves to plain Cashews.
So next week and after much debate, this appears to be the choice for a
river run, food and drink:
A) The Spade Oak, Colmoorholm Lane,Bourne End. Traditional Bistro type
food.
B) The Bounty followed by a thai meal at The Bankok Lounge in The Parade
Bourne End
C) The Prince of Wales Marlow. Thai pub meal.
Please let me know if you will be attending for a 6.30 start and what
your preference is by close of business on Friday so that I can get it
booked. Apologies if I have omitted someones favourite hostelry. If you
feel that strongly please email me with your suggestion and I will put
it to the vote
See you all next week.
Brett

Bull & Butcher, Turville - 10th September 2008

(Yet Another) Run Report by Kate

With the evenings drawing in and our thoughts turning to Winter and Christmas, a much depleted group of runners met in the car park of the Bull & Butcher. Those running members would were due to go Gulan the next day obviously saving their strength for the drinking that they will be doing and not willing to risk a fall that could damage their right arm ! I presume they all drink with their right arm or do they use that for something else?
There had been much debate earlier and hints to Jules about the length of the run, but the weather and the time of year fortunately dictated a relatively short run and not the ‘roller coaster’ as feared. From what I can remember it was a fairly uneventful run, couple of hills, nasty flinty path two thirds of the way through. Poor Susie was not able to join us as she was suffering from a bad back and went for a brisk walk instead. In semi darkness we all arrived safely back at the pub.
The pub itself seemed to have gone through slight refurbishment, unfortunately for the rest of the clientele we sat in the lounge bar, far too good really for us, with very little ventilation which was not good everyone else in the bar. Many thanks to Duds for the drink to celebrate Tilly’s birth, congratulations to both Aude and Duds. From what I can remember we were very noisy and managed to clear the bar quite quickly of other patrons. Three bowls of chips arrived and were gratefully received, it may be my imagination but are we drinking more ?? Brett took quite a lot of stick about the current state of the housing market, something he bore very well considering the situation. Susie wants to go the Whitehart in Desborough, not sure whether to watch or to take instruction? Jerome joined us as well, he wasn’t so keen on going to the Whitehart, bearing in mind that most of the patrons he has probably sacked at some stage.
Next week we are at the Royal Standard, Wooburn Common, nr Odds Farm, for all those with small children and all those with children not so small but still have good memories. Those with neither of these tough !! I think this will be a 6.30pm start and following week will be the last one.
Following a brief discussion it was decided that we would, for this year, depart from the norm, and not have a curry to mark the last run of the season but instead choose a pub who serves good food and acceptable wine and bitter. The Royal Oak, Bovingdon Green has been mentioned, if not there is the Bull & Butcher which had a interesting room and there is always the Grouse & Ale in Lane End. I’ll do some investigation and let you know, if however you have any other ideas of places please let me know.
See you all next week, remember due the time of year we can only do short runs which might perhaps inspire some to put in an appearance (David, Heather, Dales?)
Kate

Royal Oak, Bovingdon Green - 3rd September 2008

Run Report by Jerome

We ran from the royal oak at bovingdon green. Turn out was good. We set off and as I separated from the group due to ex-smokers collapsed lung disease I have no idea what it was like or where you went but then again jules probably didn’t either. I went and got my wife’s bike.
The beer was good as were the crisps and olives. Duds made us laugh as usual and I sat next to yummy Susie.
Bull and Butcher at Turville at 6.45 although today it was almost dark by 7. Fantastic. Up the hill to the windmill and down again into the pub.
Jerome