On paper this r*n looked like a real treat. Some fine weather, the potential to r*n through the historic City of Lancaster (in particular Williamson Park), and the chance to get a well-earned pint of beer at the Lancaster Brewery at the end of the run.

The r*n was good, the weather was fine, but we were denied the pint of victory ale at the end of the r*n as the brewery was closed. They must have heard we were coming!

The route headed through Standen Park, before bearing back on itself down Newlands Rd towards the Fox & Goose, heading up to Bowerham, through St Martins College (STT – can you see what I did here just for you?), through the lower echelons of Primrose, briefly along the canal before the Beer stop at The Gregson. The Beer stop was prolonged to await the return of LP who was missing in action. Once he reappeared, we set off up, up and up Quernmore Rd without troubling the speed camera and into Williamson Park. After enjoying a fleeting glimpse of John Belcher’s Grade I Listed Masterpiece, it was a short burst downhill back to the brewery where the doors were still closed.

A slightly melancholy circle was had due to the fact that most there were looking forward to a pint of Blonde and some Pizza, which was not to be. In an attempt to cheer up and rehydrate the thirsty r*nners; as if by magic, Baldbrick produced the Beer Buckets, and then explained in great detail his bucket management strategy when WN accidently flicked a rogue bottle top into the wrong bucket. She won’t do that again!

The run was memorable for the hot weather, Baldrick’s buckets, the latec*mers (WN and OHT being very late) and PD having a hash-crash on a very level stretch of benign road (how did that happen?).

A good route, and good fun was had by all. Thank you to the hare, and thank you for bringing your buckets. We’d be lost without them!