Run No. 527 30th September 2001

Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire

Runners:  22
Mutts:  -
Ankle Biters:  -
Knitting Circle:  -
Apres:  -
Newies/Returnees:  -

Historic Hardwick Hall, just outside the Peak District national park, was the venue for this week's run. The hare had 600 acres of National Trust land over which to confuse the pack. I awoke after a full night's sleep (well 4 hours is about all you expect on away weekends) and wondered why my legs were so sore: then I remembered the cardboard box game. At this point I must digress and publicly congratulate the Scribe on his elastic legs (not bad for a 38 year old in his dreams!!) and being crowned the champeen for this year SLAB (Short Legs Are Best). I will inform readers that he only won 'cos SKIDMARK was wearing restrictive jeans.

So we circled up at 10:45 (having established that PECKER was not going to be putting in a guest appearance), skipped the birthdays and anniversaries because they had been well celebrated on the previous evening. I explained the check back marking for those that had not encountered such a thing before and we were off.

FUC'A DUCK found the false trail at the first check and we then struggled up the hill. RAJAH and BELL END were amongst the first to arrive at the welcome held check half way up the hill and got the chance to run the false trail with WHITE RABBIT.

At the top of the hill the check was held for FLORENCE, NIK-NAK and G-STRING. No RINGKISSER in the knitting circle today as she was looking for her voice back at the Croft. Meanwhile back at the run PAINTBALL is checking and running down the hill again. I take pity on him and call him back (well I didn't lay any dust down there) to join the rest of the pack who have very shortly afterwards encountered another check. FIVE BAR runs the falsie here leaving RINGER to find the real trail - and then the check back 13 (unlucky for some); not DONUT though, who was suffering a coughing fit.

SHAGPILE and SHAGGY have anticipated the check back and take up the running to the first of a couple of lakes. Round the lake and the next check is a beer stop (or should that be non beer stop ...too much overindulgence last night). Beer stop over it was only a short canter back to the Croft. The circle was promptly called and numerous down downs were awarded (can't remember who to).

ON ON SMIFFO
P.S. May I just say a personal thank you to all those (you know who you are) who mucked in and helped to make the weekend run smoothly.