Run #1808 Monday 19th August from Brixham Rugby Club with Wigwam & Bobbiball
Blessed
we are with the seemingly endless succession of epic trails for TVH. I
try vainly to avoid the word, fearing to lessen its impact but Monday's
trail was another epic indeed.
Still
awaiting a replacement cam (it did arrive at Sainsbury's at 5:30 pm
but too late to pick up) I am indebted to Beefy's video scan to reveal
those present at the
circle. Nary RA or RA Organizer sighted but a Penner chariot brought Wet
Johnny and Manopause back out to play and quite a few others
including:
Piltdown,
Georgie & Rambo in their yellow submarine chariot (I tried to show
them the scenic way through the town but they preferred the direct
route); GM Shitfaced, Winfield, 'Poles' Piddler, Going Down, SatNav,
3Sum, Jackie, Beefy, Wiggy & Bobby, Mrs S, Doris, Only Here, Slip on
Me, Libby, Linda, Hollie, Dan, Hotlips & Zoot, T Humper, I-Poo'd,
Getting Wet & Never Wet, Fukarwi, Coldtits, Pork Torpedo &
Hornie, Wetfart, Flasher, Plonker, Ollie, Triple Jump, Twin Buffers,
Hotlips, Zoot, Melon Picker, Soapy, 69, BB, Poacher, Archangel and
Klingon. I might have missed out one or two but made it close to the
fifty mark once more.
The
Rugby club CP was soon overwhelm-ed with chariots from afar (quite a
drive over the bay to Brixham so well done all) but most secured a place
by utilising the overflow section at the back of the club.
All
the FRBs wanted to know was the distance for the longs and with these
warriors of old, we knew we wouldn't be disappointed - a six plus miler
to whet our appetites. A short and walkers' trail was mentioned as well
as an exotic SS.
It's
the mad moments on trail that are neither seen nor recognized that are
worthy of mention in the words at least. Such a moment was the immediate
somersault by Ollie over Poacher's dog lead. Pretty good going after
only five yards of running! But never mind, the FRBs were straight onto
the bunny and no silly attempts at keeping the pack together as there
would be many an opportunity to do so in the trail right up to the SS.
No
messing about either as we hightailed it straight to the Berry Head
Nature Reserve with good clean running and, for now, flat terrain as
promised...
An
early casualty was Poacher who lurched forward and stopped with a
sudden back spasm and was forced to return to base. Fortunately, no
lasting damage and he soon recovered after taking a cider infusion (the
drink - not the dog!).
We
came across Going Down, SatNav and Linda (I think) who thought they'd
gone Pete Tong when they saw the longs charging towards them but were
in fact on trail.
Catching
an unfortunate blow from an overhanging branch, I was lucky to be able
to continue relatively unscathed. The (fruitless) pursuit of Plonker
and Flasher made me desperate and I was sav-ed from further damage when
Hornie caught me as I careered down the side of a hedge. Another
casualty appeared to be Twin Buffers who brandished a bleeding hand at a
photo op with SatNav and Coldtits.
And
there was Coldtits, striding out in her usual determined fashion with
Piltdown, Georgy and pooch considerately sidestepping to let us pass.
Then the SS mark appeared on a corner and a little further up the path
(to Sharkham Point CP) there unfolded a swaying mass of good time
hashers tucking in to the Port & cheese and added refreshments.
The
FRBs had a brief discussion and decided to give BB a head start out
onto the next stage of the run as he was clearly having a bit of a sulk
at being left behind. Beefy remained to take some more snaps.
A
check materialised immediately and with fervent hope, the Bird chose
left. Rounding the corner and there was Doris - Shirley I'm on a winner
as Doris knows a thing or thousand? YES, we were only ON and thanking
Doris, the Bird fled.
Flasher,
Plonker and Ollie soon caught up again and drifted away leaving me
alone to ponder the wisdom of chasing the youngsters. Poor Fukarwi was
also privately bemoaning his fate of losing his usual running buddies
(Manpig absent) and amused himself by statue staring en route. The Tour
de France style S bends ascent to South Down Cliff was 'invigorating'
and I only twigged late on (as did Manopause and WJ) that you could
cut through the hedge on most of the turns.
At
the summit a glorious vista unfolded that brought a tear of joy to mine
eyes - the Man Sands peninsula. My first thought was of regret that
only the longs would see this beautiful sight. But never mind, the
fearsome descent to Man Sands was jarring; one slip and a stretcher
would be needed to carry you back to the bar. At the bottom, Flasher,
Ollie and Plonker were waiting and they seemed to know the way back
past the mini lakes. Just as we set off, the main body of longs hove
into view: Beefy, Dan, Fukarwi, Manopause and WJ and I wondered what
resources I had left to stay in the game.
Fortunately,
the long climb out of Man Sands assisted as well as Flasher and Plonker
checking and calling but by the summit Beefy had appeared in the rear
view mirror and the band of five merrily stampeded down the lanes in the
fast gathering gloom - Beefy using his phone light to assist.
The
run for home took us into a myriad network of urban roads with many a
twist and turn before bundling us back into the Rugby club CP.
Show me
the bar...
Twilight now reigned, a salutary reminder that summer is nigh gone already and perhaps time to dig out the head torches.
By
the time I got to the bar, the Proper Job had gone, gone forever! so
the consolation prize was Tribute with a foaming head but it still hit
the spot after that magnificent thirst inducing trail. A family
atmosphere prevailed with Poacher and T Humper playing pool and Pork
Torpedo enlisted to do the downdowns after the hash grub - at £3 agogo -
was dispensed.
I
was surprised to see Flasher, Plonker and Ollie go outside and thought
they had mistakenly assumed the DDs were outside (as last week) but it
transpired that they were directed to the outside tap when they asked
for a glass of water!
The
verdict of the evening is in and the hares have been found guilty of
providing an alarmingly good run and après trail entertainment at the
Brixham Rugby Club. But in all seriousness (?) the longs were rewarded
with a wonderfully panoramic and testing trail - I cannot recall ever
going out as far as Man Sands before - what a treat, thanks Wiggy and
Bob.
WINFIELD'S WISDOM & AWARDS
A
great trail with many fantastic views, an excellent Port & Cheese
stop, followed by some testing running for those FRB'S AND well received
at the Rugby Club with excellent refreshments.
Awards from the evening were presented to....
Hollie for not changing after that long run!
Poacher for being beaten by T.Humper at pool
Naming Linda, now for ever to be known as Ga-Ga 4it
Manopause offered a kiss behind! at the kissing gate?
Hare Wigwam a DD reward? for an excellent evening!
Very well done to both Hares!
On-On
to Staverton Railway Station TQ9 6AG next week. Please remember to
bring food to share and a change of shoes!! Fingers tightly crossed, the
Bank Holiday Monday weather looks very good.
