On a beautiful summers evening approximately 20 Somer regulars turned up for
yet another cracking, "all be it short" Wobbler around Coleford. After the usual
meet and greet, it was time to study the map and details about the route, which
were very clear! thanks to Mike. However at this stage we didn't realize Mike was
leading us up the garden path in respect of the mileage we had to cover, "or not
in some cases!" Eventually we put down our times as you do according to the
distance and how long you think you will take, but as we discovered later, even
if most of us walked it! we wouldn't have got close to our predicted times, as we
think the route was short by about a mile!! I think Mike’s excuse was he planned
it in the dark.
So off we go to the start, a quick photo shoot after waiting for Ricky to have a
nervous pee, ("it's only a summer Wobbler for god sake Ricky") and away we go
tearing down the hill after Frank And son, who we thought new the way as they are
locals. But on turning right into the first field they were running straight ahead
when Deanne popped up and pointed them in the right direction. We carry on over a
few more fields spreading out as usual with Tracey powering away for the ladies,
then me Roy and Adrian struggling to keep up with her and not far behind was Tessa
running well again. After we all stopped to consult the map again, we were off!
thanks to Adrian's map reading, but as we crossed the next field we faced a
ferocious sheepdog, well I think he got a bit confused as to who were the sheep,
so he had a go at Tessa, but his bark was worse than his bite. Then it was a few
more stiles a bit of road and we were heading back into Coleford, by now Roy had
got ahead of me, no beating him tonight I thought and Adrian decided to stop and
kill some time, but like I said earlier no point.
I managed to finish and cool of in time to take a few more pickies, then it was
into the bar a nice cold lager ready for the presentation and it's true what
Andy always say's, never change your time as me and Elaine found she could have
been first and I may have been second.
So I had to settle for fourth spot Dave Wheeler took first prize although
he went wrong and come back in the way we went out, ("don't take up orienteering
Dave") Frank Gould Second and Elaine Paige third. Well done again to Mike and
Deanne a lovely course good venue nice beer and beautiful rolls. Thanks again to
Andy and Lin for putting up with us moaning and hesitating to predict our times,
sorting out our key's etc., bring on the next one!!
"Keep On Running"
Chris
