New Year Festive Run

The year has  begun well with a great turn out at the New Year Festive run.   I should know by now that it's impossible to find out in advance who is coming - although we did get a text from Phil MacQuaid at about 10am saying "There's a gang on the way from Yeovil".  Very enlightening - what is the definition of  a "gang"?  Presumably more than two, which would be a couple, but when does a gang stop being a gang and become a crowd?  Ah the joys of catering - anyway fortunately there was enough champagne to go round!

Twenty of us set off from the Fox and Hounds, having discovered that there was no point rushing back because the pub was closed for a week.  They had obviously been unable to discover the exact date of our run and decided to close for several days to be on the safe side!

We laboured up Kennel Lane, splitting at the top with the speedier legs heading across to the Wessex Ridgeway and the sensible people taking the most direct route across to Sydling.  A re-group at the church in Sydling where we lost Jackie but gained Dave.  Unfortunately we had started too promptly and run too fast and the Greyhound was yet to open so rather than loiter at their door we decided to press on.  Our group shrank slightly as Andy decided to return to Cattistock and Richard Blackmore found the temptation of passing his front door too great to resist.

The rest of us tackled the climb up the other side of the valley, again splitting with Martin taking the faster legs on a detour, the rest of taking the slightly less arduous route.  A leisurely pace took us across Eastfield Hill, down to Pond Bottom and then the only way was up and up and up.............

Finally reaching the ridge at the Turning Point we broke for refreshment - champagne, flapjacks, chocolate and a welcome chance to take a breather and enjoy the view.  A group on horseback passed us -the riders enviously eyeing our refreshments, some of the runners coveting their horses!

An easy run along the ridge now with all the climbing behind us and then the descent to Stratton and finally a pub that was open - the Saxon!  This was the point where the foolhardy were sorted from the sensible - after some real alcohol and a break from the weather which had decided to turn particularly damp and unpleasant, our gang was greatly diminished and just nine of us set off on the final leg.  In fairness Charlie and Dave also continued on foot but had decided to get a head start on us. The rest of the group sensibly decided that enough was enough and the ever popular Mike found that he was everyone's best friend once it was discovered that his car was parked in Stratton!

Injury and illnesses were making it a bit of a struggle for some and the rain began in earnest.  It was like making a long car journey with children in the back of the car "Are we nearly there yet?" being heard at regular intervals.  The Chalk and Cheese was a welcome oasis of warmth and Mike and Di were waiting there as Jim finally gave in to his post flu symptoms and made the final leg by car. Richard also wisely decided that there was no point passing up his front door and so it was that only seven of us sloshed up the path by the river back to our starting point - where Mike and Di were again waiting to greet us with mince pies for everyone.

What a great way to start the New Year, despite the weather and thanks to everyone who came along and made the day such a success.  A few pictures which Martin took are up on the MNR Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=202491522257