Frankly’s frozen frolics

Twas a cold and rainy day, so run setting started late. It was sprinkling when I set out but that soon stopped, and the rain never came back – thank you rain god. So, the arrows strategically placed under bushes and in garage driveways were still around when the pack went through.

The “crowd” consisted of Afterbirth, Lady Di, Bristle, Curtseying, Bejesus, Laundromat, Pretzel, Cultured, Dances With Trees and Fetchit – a total of 9 ½. The half being awarded to Pretzel by Curtseying for not being a runner or a walker.  Not the best of turnouts but, considering the weather, not too bad.

Before heading off, I advised the pack that due to the impending rain (which didn’t eventuate):

• There were no on-backs – only a few loops instead – so stairs marked were part of the trail.
• There was only one check – apparently a dog was sitting on it, so no-one saw it.

Bejesus, Afterbirth and Fetchit headed west to do the first runners’ loop, while the rest, including Curtseying, opted for the walkers’ trail, and headed east up Hargrave Lane. I thought that at some point the runners and walkers would cross paths but that didn’t happen.

The start of the trail I tried to keep rather tight around Paddington and Edgecliff. Once they went through Edgecliff station, there was a runners/walkers split. With the lack of time, I opted not to mark the trail into Darling Point for the runners, having my darling Fetchit to do that when the runners got there.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Bristle, with map in hand, opted not to shortcut the walkers and followed the trail down New South Head Road and even did the trail behind Trumper oval. He and Lady Di did manage to come up the wrong stairs but nonetheless did pretty much the whole trail.

Curtseying was the first “walker” back having run some of the trail. Bejesus, looking quite weary, was the first runner back. Fetchit and Afterbirth were to arrive a fair bit later. Afterbirth had taken a tumble when crossing the road at Trumper, so Fetchit had short-cutted him home.

Afterbirth’s injuries were to be the entertainment at the bucket. He had hit his head giving him a nice lump on his forehead with quite a lot of blood, plus a horrible graze on his arm below the elbow, plus many other smaller cuts and abrasions. He made a mess of the Mongrel-washed T-shirt that he opted to wear rather than the shirt he arrived wearing. He thanked his luck stars that he had his knee guards on – there could have been a lot more blood if not. Fortunately, we had Dr Bejesus on hand to help clean him up and apply some antiseptic and Band-Aids – making sure we all knew it was only a flesh wound.

The circle

Said Afterbirth did the run report – can’t remember his exact words but it was a fairly glowing report considering his injuries and it seemed he had done the on-back loop at the pub three times. He awarded the run a decent 9.2 score.

Fetchit had a Hashy birthday down-down for having his birthday the Sunday prior.

The on in

At the Four In Hand pub around the corner, the eleven of us were able to fit at the one table. So, it was a cosy affair with many opting for the $20 hanger steak special that had been cooking for 6 hours. I opted for the mussels that were not good – I did give feedback to the chef who cheerfully took the feedback and said he would look after me next time. Have to say I probably won’t opt for the mussels next time, so he is off the hook on that one.

Conclusion

Small pack, not much short-cutting, no-one got lost, one injured, a convivial group. All in all, an enjoyable night!