RUN NO. 2073

DATE: 13 MAY 2008
SITE: SPG 672 KOTA BATU
HARES: Madmarg/Norma/Dizzy/Nicole
HENS: 42 CHICKS:1
FRONT HORN: Lee
BACK HORN: Naj

Here we were again back to Kota Batu. As Sarah C said “Another bloody hill!” Indeed! Lee valiantly took the horn, and at 5.15 sharp she blew and off we went. Of course the only way was up! Carol and Pee Wee, impatient little blighters that they are, turned into SCBs from the word go, and took a slightly shorter way up to the ridge. Once up there, we ran along beautiful trails which I am told are usually accessed from 702.

We had a decent run before we got to first check. It took us a while to realise where the check was being called from, Lee was calling like a good’un, not so everyone else………apart from Boel! Here we have found ourselves a damn good hasher – good calling girl! Carol found the on-paper, and although we could hear her call it, could we work out where she was? NO! It took a good 5 minutes of calling, yelling, straining our ears, to work out that it was in fact on ahead, a sneaky ridge or two foxing us! Off we ran again through bracken - glad I wasn’t wearing shorts.

The whippet-like front runners found and called 2nd check through very quickly. The run took us down to the beautiful big trees and past a stone wall – could this be the origins of the name Kota Batu (Stone Fortress)? It was a lovely trail down, past a small waterfall and we started climbing up…….and up……and up……and……..I could go on and on, but the only word would be up! Ropes were there to guide us up one of the steepest trails we have done for a long time, stunningly picturesque, but damn hard work. This then led us across the ridge and back down (or shall I say slid down) to where we had come from; my kind of run – good length, and intense!

We had a lovely on-site here, a stunning view over the Brunei river and plenty of fruit bats flying above. Dizzy had very thoughtfully got us all a very fetching hat for her 123rd run! Well done and thank-you Dizzy! Well done also to Linda who celebrated 50 runs.

The JMs gave all those involved for the Nash Hash a pat on the back – well done ladies! Lovely makan was served – thank you again hares! From there we spent the evening, under darkening skies, gentle camaraderie and light banter to wile away the hours. Until the rain of course, which obviously delayed our departure…….. On on!

Maria (with kind help from Pee Wee)

NEXT RUN: Kapok Kana
HARES: Smurf/Madam Sin/Maria