Lightning Strikes Again for the Summer Bushfire 
Season
– as Moishie sets Smith’s Creek alight
Lightning now back in residence at Lightning’s Run – the recently refurbished ‘Horse Centrale’, our hopes for a real summer run were surely assured. The best summer running bush is off Booralie Road. Not that Buffalo Creek Reserve or Lane Cove National Park weren’t summer runs ……well….of a sort, but 1) the weather was cold as a witches tit (no offence Benny), almost winter temps, and 2) both these locations are really suburban fringe bush. Half manicured and definitely well worn. But NOT at ‘Horse Centrale’. It’s the real thing up there.
The usual Hash misfits and odd balls turned up to sample horse manure marked fire trails. But first Wee Willy was so super keen to limber up and stretch the boys in readiness for the evening that he completely forgot the Mr FOES et al were no longer on Committee. (Your Choice……Put that man on Committee before his enthusiasm wanes!) Nevertheless half a dozen half hearted hashmen followed his exercise routine for a couple of minutes. After which Wee Willy pulled up his shirt to reveal his generous “love handles”, one of which had finger nail scratches all over. When questioned that his Mrs was a little violent in the ‘passion parlour’, he denied that it was her, thus alluding to the strong possibility that a mysterious mistress might well be the culprit. But too much information!
And so ‘orrrff’ into the bush, at a slow trot or fast walk depending on age, ability and temperament; such is the pack these days.
This time we were promised a different route and run complete with very steep down hills and long and hard uphills. Walkers be warned!. It was well recce’d and well marked; initially running parallel to Booralie Road but soon we plunged into the bush and downhill through the scrub and over the sandstone outcrops.
Our august TM, Plunger, was terrific, running from back to front, and back again, but mostly ‘following from the front’ to keep the runners pack together. Meaning that he was keeping an eye on the stragglers, comprising mostly Goon Show (fresh from his so called altitude training and food surveys in the delta lands of SE Asia) and Grape Ape, who were going to walk the runner’s trail come what ‘may’. ‘May’ meaning night fall and inky darkness without a torch.
Changi caught up with Kitty Litter who was heard chanting through the bush…..”Down-Down -Down- Down ” ….with obvious expectations that he would enjoy a cold beer at the bottom. Instead we entered gully forest which was as dark as dingly-dell, infested with spooks and ghoulies who hide there during the day.
The trail then ran alongside the creek bed, later turning left into some marshes, which we have encountered in previous years. The tide was out, the weather was dry and so our shoes and socks remained free of silt and mush. And all the while toilet tissue was draped like Christmas decorations at 5 to 10 metre intervals – Moishe’s marking skill evident to accompany chalk and flour. The hares must have shares and Goodman Fielder to use that much organically draped bog paper. But it was perfect. The way marking was exemplary and future summer hares should take note.
But then THAT HILL up and out of the valley. It started out innocently enough, but as one puffed and panted hoping for a break, it just got steeper and longer……..and loooonger
Beautiful country mind, and with the setting sun over the ridge lines and hill tops, we were reminded of the glory of summer running. Or in this case, walking and struggling towards the top, which never actually came. Instead it slowly levelled off and the fire trail just continued. Eventually as dusk fell, we picked up the outbound fire trail back onto Borralie Road. Whew! The Bucket couldn’t come fast enough. And in good horsemanship the canapés comprised pre-sliced carrots and celery. A nice touch for the end of a hard, well set run in terrific country.
As always when you have the horesman’s stables at hand the tables were set in the arena, and the 30ish souls who stayed for dinner were looked after. There was Ham and mixed salad (too rabbity for some) with potatoes, cheese and soft white pain. The throng supped bottles of wine and some grape flavoured toe leaving courtesy of Boxkite (I jest – Plunger was heard to remark “and excellent drop”).
Once more YC had spent the day preparing a magnificent fruit salad which accompanied by ice cream rounded off the meal and set us up for a drink or two and some humour. No surprise as Mr FOES was called up for the smartass award – and then proceeded to pour beer over the Prez (this being a buzz word in line with Yank Farce Tuesday). The hares Lightning and Moishe were called and given praise for an excellent run, Goonshow and Krudd the returning prodigal sons and something about the Gladesville gang.
Wee Willy having started with gusto was keen to round it off with humour, followed by PeeDub and Slick’s mate B777. That reminded Scud of a story and so with news that we are back at Macquarie Uni next week it was pack up and off home.
On On till next week
Next Weeks Run – 14th November at 6-30PM
Run Number: 2577
Hares: Plunger and Prince
Start: Macquarie Uni Sports Fields
Culloden Rd (enter from Roundabout intersection at Talavera Rd)
Macquarie Park (Nth Ryde)
On On: The Ranch Hotel (formerly El Rancho)
Cnr Epping Rd and Herring Rd, Marsfield
Special Instructions: Park near Tennis Centre to right immediately inside entry gates. PARKING PERMITS REQUIRED ELSEWHERE.
Humour
When U Black, U Black
This was written by a black gentleman in Texas.
When U Black, U Black!
When I was born, I was BLACK
When I grew up, I was BLACK
When I went in the sun, I stayed BLACK
When I got cold, I was BLACK
When I was scared, I was BLACK
When I was sick, I was BLACK
And when I die, I’ll still be BLACK
NOW, you ‘white’ folks.. .. .
When you¹re born, you’re PINK
When you grow up, you¹re WHITE
When you go in the sun, you get RED
When you¹re cold, you turn BLUE
When you¹re scared, you’re YELLOW
When you get sick, you¹re GREEN
When you bruise, you turn PURPLE
And when you die, you look GREY
So why y’all be callin’ us COLORED folk?