RUN 2014

Run: 2014
Date: 27 March
Site: Diplo
Hares: Alison/Cheryl/Sue

It has been a long time since we were given the choice of a short or a long run, you could see the hens milling around at the start, thinking about which run to do – should they do the short run with only one hill (as many of us had missed last week because of the school holidays) or do the long run (because we felt guilty about missing last week but this was said to have many hills)…mmm…choice! Karen was front horn and led us forward and up the path with horn firmly secured between the straps of her back pack (can’t lose the blowy bit again – surely a hashitable offence if she does) and off we went along our favourite trails at Diplo. (Unfortunately back horn was lost by Trailblazer as she could not concentrate on what to take care of first, the horn or her first time guest—in any event it did not matter—Irene in her weekend jaunt at Diplo has reportedly recovered the lost horn! Many thanks- ed)

We soon came to a split in the trail – with short run to the left and long run up on the right, decisions were made and most of the hens followed the long one. Up up and along until we were taken down into a dip for first check by the stream. Readymix went ahead at the top of the ridge so I thought I had better go down to the check and look ahead. With Karen calling “checking from here” I was fighting with the cob webs (not a good sign) for a route over the river when we heard the faint call of “on paper” from Readymix at the top of the ridge. Picking up paper and ‘on back’ the paper was laid through and we were on our way again.

Up and down hills and over streams we trouped until 2nd check which was again in another dip. Could it be back check again? Better check ahead as we (Readymix, Elaine and I ) were the ones at the front and others further back could check there. Some good trails meandered along with signs of old paper, but nothing new. In the distance we could hear the sounds of “on paper..” by Ah Struth and back we went to the check with the cob point, picking up paper until we reached the trail.

Off again until third check, nearing the back this time (as we were so far off track at last check) – we reached the check and there was a back trail that no one had taken….off I wandered, which brought me round the dip that the check point was in, and along a nice trail which kept on going and going. Ah Struth was ahead of me and again I quote from the horses mouth - “because I was so far ahead I found the paper again”.

Third check and surely the last, we were off again taking us to the extreme edges of the Diplo site. As the traffic sounds got louder and louder, we seemed to be getting closer and closer to a main road – you could even see a large road sign ……could we be at the Sungai Akar dump roundabout? Had we gone that far?.....Yep A new part for most of us and quite nice to see the stream that runs along the edge of the highway in the dip and then up a ridge for an elevated view. Back into the jungle along good trails we walked, very happy to see signs for Way Out until we were back. A good long run taking the front runners at least until 6.35 to come in, not so good maybe for Trailblazer’s first time guest as it was rather a long run. A late but short shout up with more amber liquid consumed than usual and then some well earned ‘fill your own rolls’ to end the evening with. Many thanks—hares for a great run and food.—ed

Next week: Jln Subok - look out for signs