“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”, thus spake John Shakespeare or was it William Keats? Well, on this mid-autumn day, we certainly had mist which never let the sun through, prolonging the morning chill. But being dry, the weather was clement for this time of year. As for fruitfulness it was a very large pack (in contrast to last week) which threatened to overwhelm the medium size car park. Fortunately, the lack of pedalists and dog emptiers made it adequate. By the time the ever “fashionably late” Atalanta arrived, we were off and she had to wait till the hordes of walkers eventually cleared the CP and made it safe for her to park. It took her over a 100m to overtake us.

  I’m mostly a walker these days so I took the short cuts. This decision meant that the softest (underfoot) part of my route was the (slightly sandy) car park! I clocked 3.67 km and JArt who, sort of, did the whole run (?) 7.57 km (about 4.7 miles). The trail took us (by road) to and along the A25 (another road) and then across it to Milton Court Lane (yet another road) and past the unum (what a weird logo, three of the letters are dotted, with no “i” or “j” in sight!) headquarters with the Milton Brook on the left. The trail then turned left over the Pipp Brook. It wasn’t all tarmac, many of the farm tracks were concreted. I and many others managed to do the S/Cs which went by housing estates and came to a non-marked check by a path which went down into the woods (we were ahead of the runners). There was also a S/C arrow pointing down the road that we were on and it led to the beginning of the out trail.

  It was some time before the runners got back and they were all well-spaced out.

  The GM called Missing in Action and Bigfoot into the circle to wave goodbye to them on their long stay in Malaysia. He then called in a portion of the many visitors: Layby, Featherlite, Scud and Phil the Greek. After that, the Hares, SBJ & Bluesuit were Down-downed.

  Bonn Bugle reprised her role as RA and called in UG & Mrs G for, “Miracle Hallelujah” their illness having changed them from wine and beer to tea and coffee drinkers [does anyone really believe that?].

  Mouthful for waxing lyrical about the cake she baked but failing to bring it! Also, intending to make Onion Bhajis for the Hash but missed one ingredient, onions!

  Dr Death for leading Bonn Bugle astray several times and never on flour so she couldn’t try out her new trail shoes.

 Stevie Blunder for still having his scary Halloween costume on.

  Over achieving Bigfoot, after 8 weeks of no running due to knee issues, got the all clear by the Doctor and then ran 5 miles and pulled his calf muscle then into the garden and broke a rib.

  The OnOn was at the quaint “Old House at Home” and the Hares had reserved the “Narnia Room” which is entered through a wardrobe. Fortunately, maybe, the old harmonium that I used to play had been removed. The very large pack was reflected in the number that came on to the pub and the “Narnia Room” was too small, so, we spilled out into the bar.

  All in all, it was an enjoyable run with lovely countryside that most of us never got a chance to run in/on.

  OnOn,
  Breast Mates