It was drizzling when we arrived and the dampness was a constant theme of the run.  General dampness exuded from the hares.  “It’s a rubbish trail”, “If no-one turns up, can we cancel and go home?” etc etc.  But, as always happens when the weather is bad, it was an exceptional turn out.

It was good to see Will again.  He had volunteered to come – obviously not checking an app to see what the weather was doing outside his window first!  He did have a hoodie to keep him warm.

The hares insisted it was a rubbish trail, and it had to be pretty simple because Big Stiffy kept it all in his head.  Hence I have no map to help me detail the route.  As usual, I was looking at the ground to make sure I didn’t slip or fall, so we could have gone absolutely anywhere!

The dampness continued both from above and below as the grass was soaked.  There was flour visible so it must have been a 4 bagger.  We set off left from the pub, then left down the next lane.  Here the front runners were perplexed as the path seemed to be a private drive.  Then Ringer found the footpath off to the left and we were off. 

The trail was really a rectangle with very long stretches.  The interesting features were a bridge which went over the stream. Ringer was front running, which gave him time to have a wee in the stream before the ladies arrived.  The footpath sign pointed through the water so Zorro waded in and got even wetter.  The bridge had no railings and Sadie ran on to it and jumped up at Gnome Alone.  If he hadn’t been ready for her he would have gone backwards off the bridge, probably taking a few others with him!   After this failed attempt to get some company Sadie went for a swim by herself.  It was here that Snoop Doggy Dog slowed up with a bad back leg.  Kind Uncle Hutch took over control of her – later regretting it as she pulled him through some of the muddy stretches at quite a speed.

We also came to a drain running over the water which Hotlips had wanted to lay the path over but, in the wet conditions, it seemed dangerous.  So we by-passed it.  There were puddles galore and Wimpey took delight in splashing Hotlips by running straight through some.  But she got her own back as he fell over a tree route on the next section of path.  He was fine and she then stood guard to ensure no-one else met the same fate.

It was rather funny running along roads that are normally busy, but were deserted due to the bridge closure (how long has that been now?).

Back at the pub we met Wilson who had arrived late due to the closure of said same bridge.  Well, that was his excuse.  CS had a warm glow.  He said it was picturing the hares laying the trail in the rain but I think it was the alcohol and large quantities of chips.

Then came the namings!

Will had been noticed because his hoodie was sticking up round his head in a rather odd fashion which reminded the RA of Dan Ackroyd and Cone Head came to mind.  But then his shorts had been noticed and it was decided that he was either stupid or brave to wear them.  Brave was the consensus of opinion.  So he became Conehead the Barbarian.

Sadie was an easy one.  She is a friend of Lena so must be called Zavaroni.

Charlie was next up.  Epic was not at all happy with the name chosen and I, in my innocence, realise that I don’t understand where the name came from or how to spell it.  So – watch this space!  I still think Huggie would have been a brilliant name as Epic calls him Charlie Bear.

Hares:  Big Stiffy and Hotlips

Hounds: Rubber Sole’s Buddy, B’Cider, Northern Soul, Ringer, Dingaling, Pressganger, Billy Whizz, CS, Rear Admiral, Gnome Alone, Chicken Head, Zorro, Rubber Sole, Hutch, Epic Fail with Snoop Doggy Dog and Charlie, Wimpey, Lemony Snicket, Qwerty and Sadie, Will and Professional Peach

Date: 27 May 2014

Distance: 4 Miles