Jock, Wombat, Ginsberg and Iceberg ensure the run, the pub and the beef are kosher…as Passover sweeps into Northbridge.
Google Earth : Run 2286
It was a Full Moon, a night traditionally associated with temporal insomnia, insanity (hence the terms lunacy and lunatic) and various “magical phenomena”, including running through the streets of Sydney, in particular Northbridge. Adding to the anticipation was the fact that the Committee, by way of Jock the Sock and Wombat, had been given a free hand to lead us on our merry way.
The gathering point, by the Northbridge pub at the corner of Baringa Road, was busy, an indication that there were many ready to take on the challenges, including a group of visiting Moochers, giving their regular perambulation a miss this Monday evening. No special warnings or guidance this week, just the inspirational sound of the bugle ( John Howard’s lookalike was on board tonight) stirring up the local neighbourhood, getting the pack started. The sound of “Boots and Saddles”, the most imperative of the tunes played on this venerable instrument, generally signalled men to equip themselves and their mounts immediately – but not tonight, unless they were going to be in luck later!!!
The run headed east and south at a gentle trot allowing the athletes to warm up before they bound forth. An early check back brought the pack together, with Yakkity delighted in his luck to have arrived just as the new trail was located. This could only mean the golf course and the Friday night run.
Yes, we did hit the greens and meandered down towards Tunks Park, but did not make it to the Friday summer circuit. Instead it was into the “Boosh” and along an established narrow track that eventually emerged at Upper Cliff Avenue. By now the pack was well spread out and the front runners were well on their way. The temporary scribe was in the group that always keeps close to the Trail Master( tonight this was Music standing in for Grape) concerned that they not get lost or meander far off track.
Being a member of the ”Trail Master Groupies” sometimes has its advantages and it wasn’t long before the arrows were located and it was off across Long Gully Bridge, not down to Tunks Park as we all expected. Little Sh*t, a member of this illustrious team, was not keen to traverse the bridge having been caught out on a long check back on a not so recent run over this monument.
No sign nor sound from the front runners as we cantered along an interesting side path, below and hidden from the The Boulevarde, which eventually brought us to decision time; to walk, at last down to Tunks Park, or to run south on what was likely to be a very long loop. Onward south to another interesting set of steps and another hill! There was a faint sound from the calling by the runners ahead and off we trotted, Music, Little Sh’t, Tic Toc, Spud, Felix and more, up another hidden lane. The arrows continued to lead us south, eventually through Cammeray Preschool and on down to Primrose Park. As luck had it we managed the descent to the park with the help of the light of the moon, but the path traversing the edge of Willoughby Bay, back toward Tunks Park at last, was shaded by trees and therefore dark and dangerous. Spud was extolling the virtues of his new phone with a laser like light providing a beam into the darkness, when it was not switching itself off( which it persisted in doing as he jogged along the path), at which time he would let fly with expletives as he fought to switch it on again.
There was no check as we emerged from the park, but nobody would follow the arrows up Cammeray Road, on trail and very visible, as they all wanted to shortcut to Tunks Park and hopefully home! Then from nowhere came Cinders and Quickie (a visiting hashman from Nowra) to join this mini but growing pack, claiming they had enjoyed each other’s company so much they had overshot the run and ended up on the out trail. Tic Toc and Saltpeter, took the lower and perhaps more direct route, whilst the stalwarts and Trail Master followed the arrows, eventually and with trepidation it would seem, joining the less athletic duo at Tunks Park!!!
It was going to be easy now, through the park, over the stream, up either one of the sides of the creek to Flat Rock Drive, around the Willoughby Leisure Centre and home. That is what Superglue and other front runners managed, In the ten minutes or so between Super and his crew crossing the stepping stones over the creek a Japanese like Tsunami struck, as half of Cammeray flushed their toilets and pulled the plugs on the kids baths, leading to a foot wetting increase in the water levels that got the better of many a true Hashman. The pack was now somewhat in disarray, with some opting to find the dry option home whilst others plodded on in very wet shoes, eventually arriving at the bucket after shortcutting the final loop.
In summary a well thought through outing, keeping the pack at bay as they desperately tried to join the summer circuit, well marked in the main, with an interesting mix of road, park and Boosh running/walking. Thankfully the moon was out and helpful, but nonetheless the average time to home was 90 minutes.
ON ON
Jock used all his negotiating skills to arrange a top deal with the Northbridge pub, providing an excellent steak (or fish and chips) with chips and salad and a beer (or $5 toward a bottle of wine) for only $15 total. A large crowd , including even Little Shit, filled the upstairs private room to take advantage of the meal deal.
Down Downs included the hares Jock and Wombat, Quickie, a guest Hashman from Nowra, and Simmo for his obscure occupation listing in the Year Book. Humour came from Tic Toc, Wombat, PeeDub, Jock and Major Disaster. All was done and dusted by 9.30pm.
Guest Scribe: Flying Scotsman