Newsletter March 2005
So what was your New Year's resolution? Run more miles?  Eat more healthily? Write an article for the newsletter? Oh whoops - looks like you've failed miserably there!  Apart from Trevor's contributions, intriguingly entitled "Doing it Down Under" and "End of Season Slap Up" plus Dave's advice for marathon runners and news about Autumn marathons, the rest of the newsletter has been written by me - now I don't mind finding the results and writing about the races I have run in but I'm sure you would like to read other peoples views on things.  So consider yourselves told off by teacher, and write out 100 times I will write an article for the June newsletter!

  	HAVE YOU PAID YOURS?

Membership fees were due on the 1st January for this year and there are quite a few who haven't paid up, including juniors. 
If you haven't already done so, please pay your subs to Grahame ASAP.  Seniors £10 juniors £5
As a bonus, when you have paid you will be able to pick up, from the club, a membership card, proving that you belong to an affiliated club ( well that is if Pete has sent the cheque off! ) This will prove useful for getting discount in runners shops, entering races abroad etc. 

ATHLETICS TRAINING- track training commences on Monday 4th April 2005 at Huish School.  The session will be from 6.30pm to 8.00pm and caters for all levels from beginners upwards.  So if you want some extra training, come along, take part and enjoy.
All juniors must be dropped off and collected by a responsible adult.

Langport Runners Exmoor Club Run 
Sunday 15th May
Following the successful run, organised by Gary, in the Brecons we are organising a club run on Exmoor on Sunday 15th May.
We will meet at Ridgeway Hall at 8.30am and take a mini-bus to Robbers Bridge (between Porlock and Lynmouth Grid ref 821463). 
The projected route has been selected by Jenny Byrom. It is 11.5 miles with 480 metres height gain. 
From Robbers Bridge we will proceed up the Stowey Ridge over South Common, climbing up to Larkbarrow. Proceeding along the ridge to Alderman's Barrow there will be a cut off for those wanting a shorter route to Lucott Cross. The longer route will go to Greenlands and Wilmersham Common before reaching Lucott Cross. We will then descend together via the Weir Water valley to Weirwood Common and return to Robbers Bridge.
The cost is likely to be £10.
If you are interested in joining this club run please let Dave Gosling or Jenny Byrom know as soon as possible. Providing we have enough to make the trip viable we will confirm any further details by the Wednesday May 4th. 


Langport Runners Autumn Trip to a European Marathon

The committee has considered the options for a club trip to an autumn marathon in Europe. We have narrowed the choice to three - Amsterdam, Venice and La Rochelle.
The plan is that we will travel together and stay in either the same or nearby hotels. This should be a good social trip as well as an opportunity to do a new marathon. We plan to leave on the Friday and return on Monday (at Venice, we might be able to get back on Sunday evening).

Before we decide which marathon Langport Runners will travel to, we would like you to let us know which one (or more) you would like to run in. 

Although we are not asking you to make a definite commitment at this stage, we would like you to indicate the marathon(s) you would be seriously interested in. Please complete one of the forms at the Club and hand-in to a committee member. If you are thinking of coming on this trip we need your preferences by April 30th.

Marathon
The course
date
comments
costs
Amsterdam
Large field, (16,000 last year) flat course. Through town centre, 
16th Oct
11.00am start (half at 2.00pm)
Clashes with Parrett Trail relay.
Return on Monday
EasyJet from Bristol about £35 return if booked well in advance. Option of half marathon and 10K
Venice
Starts on mainland - finishes in Venice nr St Mark's Square - flat course.
5,000 in 2004
Sunday 23rd Oct
9.20 start
Should be nice weather
(average max temp 65F)
Entry 70 euro
Easy Jet flights
Fri 21st13.40 £32.99
Sun 23rd 17.50 £20.49
B&B £70 per person for 2 nights (2 people sharing)
La Rochelle
See report in Runners World.
7,000 starters in 2004. Flat course round historic French port.
27thNovember 
Could be wet (it was last year)!
Free oysters at the finish.

Could drive mini-bus and use Weymouth ferry.  Flights from Southampton.


Web-sites
http://www.amsterdammarathon.nl/home/index.php

http://www.venicemarathon.it/

http://www.marathondelarochelle.com/english/index.php




Wellington Monument 6.27 miles Race December 19th 2004    

Pos
Time
No
Name
Club
Category
1
35.40
1
Rob Smyth
Unattached
S/Men
14
39.41
33
Matt Hill
Langport Runners
S/Men
76
46.18
32
Jim Hill
Langport Runners
MV50
114
49.55
313
Tony Rudge
Langport Runners
MV40
144
53.13
31
Paul Gold
Langport Runners
S/Men

There were 202 finishers

Stoke Stampede December 26th 2004 
There was a very good turn out from the club for this traditional post Christmas Day workout, around the slightly undulating lanes of Stoke St Gregory. There were 221 finishers in the race. John, Trevor and I were in the pub, after the race, drinking, wait for it, tea (!) when they started to do the draw. So we went outside, just in time for them to say "we've worked out who the lady vet is - Lizzie Martin from Langport Runners!!" I nearly dropped my tea in surprise, went and collected my medal and prize money, drew the next draw tickets out of the hat, discovered they were John's, who promptly chose a bottle of wine and gave it to me! Not a bad morning's work eh?!

Position
Number
Surname
First Name
Club
Time
Category
1
229
Smythe
Rob
Taunton A C
33.30
M
15
113
Hill
Matt
Langport Runners
37.46
M
16
157
Ellis
Robert
Langport Runners
38.04
M
20
43
Buckingham
Heather
Langport Runners
38.17
F
43
230
Brown
Steve
Langport Runners
42.25
M
45
411
Cox
John
Langport Runners
42.45
MV
49
114
Hill
Jim
Langport Runners
42.53
MV

Position
Number
Surname
First Name
Club
Time
Category
60
25
Farley
Bev
Langport Runners
43.31
F
65
126
Barnes
James
Langport Runners
43.57
M
80
185
Rudge
Tony
Langport Runners
45.25
M
81
195
Howells
Trevor
Langport Runners
45.27
M
87
65
Crowe
Emma
Langport Runners
45.38
F
102
67
Tibbatts
Joanne
Langport Runners
46.42
F
134
128
Gold
Paul
Langport Runners
50.14
M
143
10
Martin
Liz
Langport Runners
50.51
FV
?
?
Parr
Mike
Langport Runners
No results found
MV
 


  		New Year's Eve Club Run		  
17 of us turned up at 10.00 for a club run from the Ridgeway Hall.  We had a really good off road run along one side of the River Yeo to Long Load and then back the other side. At Long Load a couple of members realised that they had prior appointments and had to leg it back home! The rest of us plodded along, enjoying the mild weather, the sights and sounds of wildlife along the river and the sights and sounds of a group of "boys," led by John Cox, exploring the delights of Somerset ditch jumping! Arriving back at the hall we enjoyed mulled wine, the infamous ginger cordial and festive eats whilst Gary showed us his excellent Christmas present from Jill - a software program called tracklogs in which you can plot your route on an ordnance survey map and it will work out mileage, elevations, as well as give you a 3D view of where you have run.  Gary was able to confirm that we had indeed run 9 miles so we felt very virtuous and ready to face the rest of the day and night festivities! We would all like to thank Jill for the present - we think it will be very useful!!    More information on www.tracklogs.co.uk

Liz



Weston Athletic club Hangover 10K January 1st 2005 

Position
Number 
Time
Name
Club
Category
1
163
0:32:33
Philip Parry
Bristol AC
M40
40
115
0:42:10
Jim Hill
Langport runners
M55
55
168
0:45:25
Tony Rudge
Langport Runners
M45

There were 112 finishers. Full results on www.westonac.co.uk

              DOING IT DOWNUNDER   

After leaving freezing weather behind and spending over 24 hours on a plane the thought of getting out for a run to stretch the legs was very inviting.
Staying with a friend who has a sub 3 hour marathon time you would think that it would be the most natural thing in the world to get out and do it.
Maybe, but then maybe not!

Attempt number 1
"Hey Barry, do you fancy going out for a run?"
"Na. Too hot"
"Do you think so?"
"Yeah. Put the body board in the car, we'll pop down to the beach"
"Must admit it sounds like a better idea"
"Come on then"

Attempt number 2
"Hey Barry, do you fancy going out for a run?"
"Na. Too hot"
"Do you think so?"
"Yeah. We've got beer in the fridge"
"Must admit it sounds a better idea"
"Get me one then"

Attempt number 3
"Hey Barry, do you fancy going out for a run?"
"Na. Too hot"
"Do you think so?"
"Yeah. The cricket's on the telly"
"Must admit it sounds a better idea"
"Move over then. Carol, get us a couple of beers will ya?"

Now, I know that some people question my commitment and are far too hasty to advise me that I should be more enthusiastic so I made Barry promise that he would run with me at least once in the nearly three weeks that I was there so that I could  say that I'd done something while I was away.

Cue alarm clock being set for 6.30 to beat the heat.
After being out 'till gone one you may think that this was rather a rash thing to do.
Well you know what they say about hindsight!!!

"Hey Barry,we must be mad!"
"We? It was your idea"
"Seemed a good one at the time"
"Well do me a favour and don't have any more until you get back home.  Breakfast?"
"Must admit it sounds a better idea"
"After you!"

Trevor Howells

AVON & SOMERSET COUNTIESCROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
SUNDAY 16th JANUARY 2005 
CLIFTON COLLEGE SPORTS GROUND
Position    Name
Club
Time        County

Under 13 Girls - 2,500 M


001 Leighanna Chappel            
Wells City Harriers            
0:10:25     S    
029 Pippa Baker             
Langport Runners               
0:12:15     S 

Under 13 Boys - 2,500 M



001 Nathan Young             
Mendip AC                      
0:08:55     S    
028 Josh Astington           
Langport Runners               
0:11:44     S  

Under 15 Boys - 4,700 M



001 Richard Peters           
Westbury Harriers              
0:15:56     A  
024 Owen Astington           
Langport Runners               
0:20:22     S

Under 17 Girls - 4,700 M



001 Steph Barnes             
Clevedon AC                    
0:18:00     A    
008 Emma Crowe               
Langport Runners               
0:21:03     S  

Under 17 Boys - 6,000 M



001 Craige Peters           
Bristol & West AC              
0:20:15     A  
004 Charles Allbrowe         
Langport Runners               
0:21:00     S

Junior / Senior Ladies - 6,000 M



001 Ursula Counsell          
Bristol & West AC              
0:22:54     A
025 Jo Tibbatts              
Langport Runners               
0:26:58     S 
044 Alice Allen              
Langport Runners               
0:30:41     S
047 Liz Martin               
Langport Runners               
0:31:10     S  
051 Gina Masters             
Langport Runners               
0:32:45     S
052 Claire Brown             
Langport Runners               
0:33:10     S

Senior Men - 10,800 M



001 Martin Hula              
Bristol & West AC              
0:35:07     A
061 Steve Brown              
Langport Runners               
0:44:32     S  
085 John Cox                 
Langport Runners  V            
0:48:14     S
096 Pete Jones               
Langport Runners  V            
0:50:38     S    





Slaughterford 9   January 23rd 2005 

Position
Time
Name
Club
Category
Number
1
00:55:39
MURRIN, Paul
Chepstow
Senior Male
347
182
01:24:57
RUDGE, Tony
Langport Runners
Male Veteran 40
242

There were 323 finishers.
Bramley 20 Mile Results 20th February 2005

At 7.30 am on a bitterly cold but sunny Sunday morning, John, Kathy, Jo and myself made our way up the A303 to Bramley, near Basingstoke for this 20 mile race. Lis Foy had the advantage of a lie in as her son lives close by!  With plenty of time to spare we headed for the school hall for a welcome cup of tea before setting out on our 20 mile hike. With nearly 900 in the 20 mile event and 500 in the 10 mile event it was a fairly crowded start but once we were out on the country lanes the field soon spread out. The disadvantage of doing the 20 is that it's a 2 lap course and as you pass the school you see the 10 milers finishing!  However the support was excellent all the way around and you really did have to feel for the marshals on the day as it was so cold and some of them stayed out for nearly 4 hours.  Like the London Marathon, by the time I was on my second 10 I felt the need to start counting to keep my mind off the rapidly tiring legs.  I remembered Kathy saying one year that she had never seen so many worms on this road race and sure enough there were! Sadly most of them were dead but I counted them anyway - sad I know but it was a way of wiling away the time! We all finished successfully and Jo and I recuperated with leg massages courtesy of Reading college students - to be recommended if you do this race.
Liz

Position
Time
Name
Club
Category
Number
1
1:44:12
John McFarlane
Thames Hare and hounds
All Men
1943
330
2:41:11
John Brain
Langport runners
Male Super Veterans
1522
353
2:43:14
Joanne Tibbatts
Langport Runners
All Ladies
1477
554
3:03:38
Liz Martin
Langport Runners
Female Veterans
1476
614
3:15:18
Kathryn Rowswell
Langport Runners
Female Veterans
1576
681
3:48:03
Lis Foy
Langport Runners
Female Veterans
1133
In the team event Jo, Liz and Kathy were placed 18th out of 25 qualifying ladies teams.


Tough Ten February 20th 2005 

Place
Time
Name
Team
Race Age Category
No
1
0:58:16
JONES, Rodri

Senior Male
249
300
1:21:48
RUDGE, Tony
Langport Runners
Male Masters 45-49
245
432
1:26:06
GOLD, Paul
Langport Runners
Senior Male
543
2
1:50:42
MORRIS, Susan
Langport Runners
Senior Female
468
883
1:50:42
HALL, Susan
Langport Runners
Female Masters 
492
There were 906 finishers
Full results on www.runnerswebuk.com


Babcary 7.5mile 27th February 2005 

Seven club runners turned up for this, the first race in the Somerset Series. With an uphill to start you off, the course takes you on an undulating route along quiet country lanes, finishing with a welcome downhill. The results page is interesting because it gives age graded results as well as the usual format. Both are listed below:

Position
Competitor
Club
Category
Time
1
Gary Eagle
Bristol West
Male Vet (40+)      
0:41:55
37
Kevin Lewis
Langport Runners
Senior Male
0:52:08
60
Dave Gosling
Langport Runners
Male Vet (50+)
0:57:23
62
Trevor Howells
Langport Runners
Male Vet (40+)
0:57:39
75
Liz Martin
Langport Runners
Lady Vet (45+)
1:00:15
93
Michael Parr
Langport Runners
Male Vet (60+)
1:03:42
107
Deirdre Howells
Langport Runners
Lady Vet (45+)
1:08:17
109
Tracey Monaghan
Langport Runners
Lady Vet (35+)
1:09:09
There were 117 finishers. 

Babcary- Age graded results

Position
Competitor
Club
Age division
Finish Time
Age graded %
23
Michael Parr
Langport Runners
M73
1:03:42
71.9
40
Dave Gosling
Langport Runners
M59
0:57:23
68.5
48
Liz Martin
Langport Runners
F48
1:00:15
67.1
65
Kevin Lewis
Langport Runners
M39
0:52:08
64.3
70
Trevor Howells
Langport Runners
M49
0:57:39
62.6
80
Deirdre Howells
Langport Runners
M49
1:08:17
59.8
100
Tracey Monaghan
Langport Runners
W39
1:09:09
54.2
Full results, on www.runnerswebuk.com 


Terminator 10 February 27th 2005 

Position
Number
Name 
Club
Category
Time
1
709
Greg Deacon
Basildon A.C
Senior Male
01:12:24
307
674
Tony Rudge
Langport Runners
Male Vet 40
01:44:04

There were 712 finishers
Full results on http://www.pewseyvalerunningclub.co.uk

Gloucester 20 mile March 6th 2005 

Position 
Name 
Club 
Age Group 
Time 
1 
Mike Smith 
Bourton RR 
M 
01:53:24 
239 
Tony Rudge 
Langport Runners 
M45 
02:39:28 
416 
Jane Brookhouse 
Langport Runners 
L45 
03:13:55 
417 
Kathryn Rowswell 
Langport Runners 
L45 
03:13:55 
425 
Jenny Byrom 
Langport Runners 
L50 
03:16:00 




Butleigh 7 mile multi-terrain March 6th 2005 

Position
Name
Club
Category
Time
1
Peter Belcher
Royal Marines
Senior Male
42:33
4
Matt Hill
Langport Runners
Senior Male
43:50
33
John Cox
Langport Runners
Male Vet 50+
53:54
53
Dave Gosling
Langport Runners
Male Vet 50+
59:54
62
Trevor Howells
Langport Runners
Male Vet 40+
61:46
69
Liz Martin
Langport Runners
Female Vet 45+
63:23
80
Mike Parr
Langport Runners
Male Vet 60+
66:04

There were 101 finishers


Street 5K Winter Series Races 6 of 6 March 9th 2005
 
Position
Race No
Time
Name
Category
Club
Age graded %
1
115
0:15:32
DAN DUKE
MALE SENIOR
CHELTENHAM HARRIERS
83.80%
19
135
0:20:00
JASON CRABTREE
MALE SENIOR
LANGPORT RUNNERS
64.80%
44
36
0:25:50
DEIRDRE HOWELLS
FEMALE 45+ VET
LANGPORT RUNNERS
62.60%
48
134
0:31:29
EMMA FRAMPTON
FEMALE SENIOR
LANGPORT RUNNERS
45.70%

There were 48 finishers

Street 5K Series   Final Positions - After all 6 Races
Congratulation to Dee Howells who completed all 6 races and was 4th best lady overall.





The Grizzly March 13th 2005 

Position
Male/female position
Category position
Name
Club
Age category
Age graded %
Time
Number
1
1
1
Neil Holmes
Erme Valley Harriers
M40
80.8
2:12:08
1798
404
34
12
Beverley Farley
Langport Runners
FV40
63.8
3:09:52
1561
513
462
112
James Barnes
Langport Runners
MV40
55.1
3:17:49
1064
1075
178
31
Liz Martin
Langport Runners
FV45
52.2
4:01:58
957
1207
223
37
Jane Brookhouse
Langport Runners
FV45
49.7
4:14:16
1668
   
There were 1488 finishers



Running events Diary March to June

Date
Time
Event
Notes
28th March 
(Easter Monday)
11.00 am
Easter Bunny 10K
Yeovilton Air Station Sports Centre. Fast flat course. Somerset Race Series (3 of 14)
www.yeoviltownrrc.com



3rd April ( Sun )
11.00 am



10.30 am


10.00 am 
Barton St. David Multi terrain 10K. Also 5K and junior races.
Taunton  Marathon  and Half Marathon 

Exe to Axe 20.3mile
Undulating, multi terrain. www.wellscityharriers.org.uk


Undulating, town and rural


Exmouth to Seaton along coast path. Individuals and relay team up to 4. 
www.sidmouthrunningclub.org.uk

13th April ( Wed)
7.15 pm
Yeovilton 5K Yeovilton Air Station 
Fast flat course. Yeovilton Summer Series No 1
www.yeoviltownrrc.com

17th April (Sun)

London Marathon

1st May ( Sun )
10.30 am


10.30 am
Great West Run
 ( Half Marathon)  Exeter Arena
Neolithic Marathon and Half Marathon
Town, rural, undulating, 2 laps
www.thegreatwestrun.co.uk

Multi terrain undulating course from Avebury to Stonehenge
www.wiltshirewildlife.org

8th May ( Sun )
11.00 am
GR8 Wood Run, Ramscombe, Quantocks
7-8 mile multi terrain, undulating
www.tauntonhash.co.uk

22nd May ( Sun )
7.30 am
Wessex Ridgeway Relay Race 100K
12 stage multi terrain relay.
Gillingham Trotters Running club
29th May ( Sun )
10.00 am
Plymouth Half Marathon
FULL
6th June ( Sun)
10.00 am
Crewkerne 9 miles Crewkerne Town Centre Also Junior race 
( 11-16 ) and fun run
Somerset Series Race 5. Country lanes and hills!
www.crewkernerc.org.uk

8th June ( Wed )
7.15 pm
Yeovilton 5K
Yeovilton Air Station Sports Centre
Yeovilton Summer Series No 3

www.yeoviltownrrc.com

11th June  ( Sat )
11.00am
Man V Horse Llanwrtyd Wells Powys, Wales  
22 mile off road race, including relay
http://llanwrtyd-wells.powys.org.uk/

26th June ( Sun )
10.00 am
Torbay Half Marathon
2 laps traffic free 
www.torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk





Some very personal advice! 

As several Langport Runners prepare for their first marathon of the year, here are my hot tips for last-minute marathon preparation - things that the running magazines are too embarrassed to tell you.
1. Buy a tub of Vaseline. This is great to rub around moving parts that can rub sore - groin and armpits especially - and its also good to smear some on your eye-brows to keep the sweat out of your eyes. It's true that it makes you look as if you've got eyebrows like Patrick Moore or Dennis Healey, but it's better than wearing a bandage and looking like a wannabe Red Indian.
2. Do a great big poo in the comfort of your home or hotel toilet before you venture out to the race. There's nothing worse than getting freezing cold while having to queue for ages with your legs crossed for grotty loos at the race or even worse getting caught short during the race. 
3. Put elastoplasts over your nipples (this is for the men - I can't speak for what women need to do on this one. Maybe the ed. can help!*). This is to stop your nipples getting rubbed raw as your sweaty vest rubs backwards and forwards literally thousands of times in a race. Its painful pulling them off afterwards (especially if you have a hairy chest) but not nearly as painful as bleeding nipples.
4. Cut your toe nails several days before the race (not on the race day!!). You don't want to have protruding nails cutting into your feet and nor do you want them cut too short when you are just about to race. About five days before is just right - this gives them time to settle-in before you pound out 26 miles.
5. Buy some new socks. It's worth treating your feet to a brand new pair of socks! The twin skin, slightly padded socks are a good investment, but use them and wash them a couple of times before the race. Make sure they don't wrinkle-up when you run and your feet get sweaty.
6. Wear a bin-liner! Bizarre though this may seem, black bin-liners can stop that cold wind whipping round your genitals while you wait for the start. Especially at London when you will have a long wait for the start, they are the must-be-seen-in fashion gear. Don't forget to take it off when you start - you won't look good on the telly wearing South Somerset's best-dressed dust-bin cover!
7. Work out what is your realistic target time, and then calculate the mile times you will need to aim for.  Although you hope to run an even paced race, you can reckon on slowing down over the last six miles. You should be able to run comfortably within yourself for at least eighteen of the 26 miles. This will feel slow to start with, but just enjoy the comfortable pace for as long as possible - you are going to get tired eventually! Don't be tempted to run faster at the beginning because you feel good. The chances are, you'll pay the price later.
8. Familiarise yourself with the route so that there are no nasty surprises. Get a map and check it carefully to see where there are any inclines - up or down. It helps you run with confidence if you know what is up ahead.
9. If possible have someone there to meet you at the finish. It's easy to get cold when you finish - so you want something warm to put on and someone to hold onto! You can easily get disorientated, and your legs can feel very stiff, so its good to have someone to hold you-up and help you find the car and drive you home (or in the case of London, find the nearest tube). You need some sustenance as soon as possible, but something you can easily digest (not something that will make you throw-up). 
10. Finally wear your Langport Runners vest with pride!
PS. This is all advice learned from bitter experience. I ran my first marathon in 1974 and ran 13 road marathons (all but two under 3 hours, best time was 2.46 in 1983), 12 Karrimor Mountain Marathons, as well as assorted ultras over hills and long fell-races like the Borrowdale, the Three Peaks and Welsh 1,000 metres race. My ambition is to run a marathon after I am sixty in August this year.
Dave Gosling
* we women don't appear to get this problem - maybe men should start wearing sports bras! - mind you we have our own problems with them too! ( sports bras chafing, not men! )  Ed.




                             



End of Season Slap Up

Now that I've got your attention it's only fair that I tell you that it's not some sort of masochistic ritual that I'm referring to but the meal that we were treated to at the end of the last cross country race in the series which was held at Ferndown.
 Owing to other commitments, injury, other races etc; etc; there was a distinct lack of purple vests at the event but things started well with Joe Smith coming first in the short run (the same position as he achieved last year) and younger brother Sam coming a creditable seventh in the same race.

It was left to Owen to fly the flag in the older age group as the race distances got longer with extra laps of various lengths being added.

Sadly no ladies team was available so they started without any purple to be seen, for probably the first time for many a race.

The men's race came next with the usual old un's (sorry Matt) taking up space at the back and having a good chat about tactics (start slow and finish slower) warm up routines (two sugars in mine) motor bikes and things of great importance when before you know it we're away and looking forward to getting to the finish line in 9k's time.

Not much later and it's all over with "Mohican" Cox leading the team home as a fine captain should do followed by Tony, myself and Matt all doing our best but not expecting too much. 
It's all about taking part they used to tell me when I started running and I've grown to respect that especially when you're being lapped by lads who are younger than my own children.

But little did we know that the best was yet to come. In a fit of madness that fine upstanding captain of ours decided that he was going treat us to a quote " Slap up meal" unquote.
As breakfast seemed a long time ago this suggestion was met with whoops of appreciation and much rubbing of empty stomachs in anticipation of what was to follow.
"Lets go" was the cry echoed by the younger element  (well me, Joe and Sam anyway.)
Imagine our surprise when we turned left with all the others in tow to be shepherded into the Sports Centre "caff"

"Five portions of chips please!".

Trevor