Runs from Scud’s always attract a good number particularly on a fine dry night and last Monday was no different and even with a number of regulars away 44 stalwarts turned up to tackle the well worn tracks in the Lane Cove National Park.
The usual runners/long walkers/short walkers trails were provided by the hares who noted that it was a longish run and a long walk. Usually this information is ignored by the pack however with Cinderella as hare there was probably some truth in it so with jaws set, leg muscles stretched and the water bottle filled the mob set off towards the Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens. An apt venue for Halloween however this turned out to be a false trail so the ghosts and ghouls were left in peace.
The out trail was eventually found on the Great North Walk track and it took the pack under Dehli Road and into the Lane Cove National Park. The runners now free to stretch out left the old farts and fat bastards to their own devices and were not seen again until the bucket.
The walkers of the posh now into their easy stride (dawdle?) pressed on to the Boat Shed and followed the track along the Lane Cove River. Without pesky checks and check backs to worry about there was a short regroup as the trail crossed Riverside Drive before Mr FOES, Maximus Minimus, Khyber Pass led the perambulators up the track to the Lane Cove Tourist Park. The trail through the park gave the campers something to silently gawk at as they drank their sundowners and prepared their evening meals as the walkers exited left on to Plassey Road and made their way back to Delhi Road.
Stopping briefly at the lights to assist some visitors to find somewhere for dinner, they politely declined the chance to dine with the posh when Grape Ape burst on to the scene regaling all and sundry with his usual cheery comments, they will never know what they missed.
Nicely regrouped the walkers pressed on into the business park with Wee Willy leading the charge. Following a rough track south alongside Epping Road the home trail was found in the failing light on the Lane Cove Valley Walk through the long forgotten Fairylands before exiting out on to Quebec Road and home for a well earned bucket.
It was a well set and marked run In familiar country and the hares advice regarding the length of the walk and run was correct with the runners getting in around the hour and the long walkers some fifteen minutes later.
A splendid meal of salmon, salad and vegetables was provided by the committee/hares assisted and supervised by Robyn (Mrs Scud), topped off with a wonderful surfeit of Pavlova enough to give everybody two or three helpings (Pee Dub eat your heart out).
Down downs were given for the hares and S Bends son Long Curve.
It was good to see Tooth Fairy and Jungle Jim at the run and all wished them well in their current endeavours to deal with their ailments.
As the cold night air started to get into the bones Jock the Sock, Wombat and Tic Toc provided the humour to finish off another enjoyable hash night before the drive home.
Your Guest Scribe