To be honest I was a bit concerned about haring 1497. I had over indulged the evening before (a repeat offence) and only got to bed at 1:30pm in a highly-intoxicated state. At least the weather forecast was set fair, but laying a run on a Sunday morning after a heavy night is not my idea of fun.

Sunday arrives and I am up and out at 7am, leaving our house guests (my best man at our wedding some 35 years previous and his wife) and Tarzan [correctly titled Lady Tarzan I believe: Dep Ed] in their blissful slumber.

I decided to head for Chicksands Woods (route A). Admittedly, the trail was not particularly imaginative, as my main priority was to keep it short so that we could all get back in time and enjoy the Pork Pie, Pimms and Pickles in Elysium.

The trail laid, the day was set for an "OK" (sic) run, but more importantly a great celebration of our refashioned home and our Coral (35 years) wedding anniversary.

The circle was called and on this occasion, there was plenty to celebrate. Rapid & Globes were rejoicing the birth of Ivy Susan (their first Grandchild) and of course Tarzan, Captain F & Knobber were rejoicing their Coral wedding anniversary.

The turn-out was fab, probably due to it being the annual Pork Pie, Pimms (and with the introduction of Pickles this year) run. After a quick diagtribe from the hare, the pack was off. It was up Ampthill Road towards Chicksands Woods and before you could say "Crumpled 4-skins" it was a ladies check.

Using a combination of numbered checks, the infamous infinity check, a new stylie FRB+ check (where the FRB plus the first n runners loop to the back) it was hoped that the group would remain compact.

I won't dwell too much on the run, as it was pretty much standard fayre for a Shefford run and I am a bit pressed for time, as I am writing this early on Tuesday morning and Tarzan and I are off to an Aqua Sana Spa day as part of our anniversary celebration.

The checks did their bit in keeping the pack tightly grouped and everyone got back to Elysium as a single assemblage (I was going to use the work Phalanx, but for some reason it sounded rude).

As a hare, it was particularly nice to see some returnees, particularly Lush Big Knickers who always can be relied upon at the PP & P run).

Down-downs were awarded to the new Grand Parents, Captain F for haring his "OK" (sic) Shefford run, Tarzan, Captain F and Knobber for 35 years of harmonious marital bliss. Down-downs were also awarded for miscellaneous heinous crimes. I seem to recall them being awarded to Gorjoyce (I know not for why). Jane (our relative newbie) got awarded the hashit for a reason that also escapes me, but her expression was priceless as she was clearly overjoyed at receiving such a prestigious item or hash paraphernalia.

I hope you all enjoyed the run from our newly refashioned home. We really enjoyed showing it off, and look forward to hosting a future run after the works have been completed.

Yours affectionately,
el Capitain
On-on to The Bell, Marston Moretaine