R*n 415: Crook

Well, after travelling down to Liverpool the day before to see my team’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League suffer yet another setback, I was ready to release some endorphins. Our travel to the pub was rendered very sedate due to the presence of the Old Bill in front all the way to Kendal. My frustration at not being able to fully extend the accelerator pedal made me unaware that I’d passed Feels on the way. How on earth therefore did she get to the pub before us? Does she teleport or does she just ride a broom?

As we gathered for the circle on a much-awaited fine sunny day, the Adams Family made their usual late entry, with Morticia still in full winter wooly wear. “One can’t be too careful”, was the retort. Speedbump, having just got back from a -8 Helsinki, was in contrast more casually attired.

We were about to experience a fine Septic run, complete with a beer stop, two wimps/rambos splits, two viewpoint gathers and no fish hooks. We ran past happy-looking pigs and I could hear some happy-sounding chickens at one point. Add to that the usual indifferent looking sheep and you get the animal welfare picture at least.

The run did the usual up and down round and about thing with lots of stile climbing and gate opening/shutting to boot. I had a minor problem with one obstacle and chose to throw myself over a small secured gate as opposed to simply opening the catch on the five-barred version adjacent. I might have got myself a down-down for that had there been time for a circle.

Feels was in a compassionate mood today, keeping a close eye on Dormouse to make sure that he was keeping up and a visitor from Canada was busy snapping views along the way. I spotted a very inviting trampoline at one point, but kept it together and behaved myself.

Despite there being plenty of beer, it was decided to skip the circle in favour of food and about 20 hashers retired to their banquette and an endless supply of vegetables. We are all going to have lovely skin on the next run! The chips got an 8/9 out of 10 and everyone was happy with their soup except Feels, who did a successful Oliver Twist impersonation. To finish things off, Baldbrick amazingly produced a red and white flag with a tea leaf on it to present to Miss Canada. What’s not in his pockets isn’t worth having!