Run No : 1194 Weather : Frosty, sunny intervals
Date : 5th January 2003 Venue: Puttenham Common
Duration: 1 hour 10 mins
How spiffing…that the sun poked its head above the freezing fog to lighten all our hearts. This popular location on the Down’s once more proved to be a winner.
Our resident ‘trolls’ JGG and Old Thumper explained a few ground rules to the dosy throng, then propelled us alongside a trench and into the heath. After a tricky dogleg the first check went to Horn before we were waylaid by a back-check. I then found the next along a track but my lead was lost at the next check with numerous paths to choose from. Eventually, JGG egged us in the general direction and Flying Doctor found the third blob before I took us out of a wood, over a stile and across some fields. The next check took me down a country road but I then overshot to a back-check but succeeded in entrapping the other FRBs by hiding behind a hedge. This allowed those behind a chance to check out at a stile and Aquafloosie took us past some cows and sheep as we meandered toward another stile.
Leading the way down to Puttenham village I met hare Old Thumper who gave me a tip off at the next check. Calling On my luck finally gave way at the next, the fog rolled in (that’s my excuse)and I made my way in error up in the direction of the Hogs Back Café. Horn and Spotted Dick then took us on a long run up a road before a back-check halted progress allowing me following up to find flour on a slope leading to the Common. Shortly after a shiggy trail led to the SCBs at a regroup. With the sun shining we criss-crossed a wide heath and down a very steep drop and Dickhead took advantage to pull out a big lead finding two consecutive checks, before finally a regroup called by the hares allowed us a chance to catch our breath.
Spotted Dick called On and then I found a check as we skirted some woods, then Fruit N’Nut found a one blob check up another steep climb before a circular route allowed him to claim a hat-trick for the second week running. The pace was constant with Dickhead, Kevin Raine (Cloggs friend) who looks a good runner, and I finding checks in quick succession as we closed on the car-park. The On Inn at the bottom of a hill seemed too easy and so it was…three large angry black dogs took a fancy to me while Dickhead hid behind a tree. Suitably chastened we clambered up to the car-park with our tails between our legs.
Down Downs by Acting RA Firework:
JGG/Old Thumper– The hares.
Spotted Dick – Called On three instead of On On.
Horn– Called On after two blobs.
Silvier Fox– Confused by arrows.
Charmaine Chardonnay – Youngest person on the hash?
Horn – Birthday boy.
Cloggs – Heard to say ‘ I’m never going down again’
JGG – 400th Run.
Firework- Miscounting in the circle.