Sydney Summer Series

HATS OFF TO 'THE DOUGHNUT' AS LARGE CROWD ENJOY CLASSIC CURRIE AT THE CREEK

A cool evening, a map extension and a quiet grassy assembly setting were welcome ingredients in another classic Sydney Summer Series dining experience last Wednesday - this time at leafy western Annandale and with a different take on the Glebe focus of previous seasons. The 'Doughnuts' (young Duncan and dad Colin) are fast getting a reputation for excellence in course setting with much to commend this superb example of 'connect the circles' - chief amongst them being the two top 600 bag men, in at one and a half down for 580's. Brilliant. There also seemed many ways to skin a cat, with several similar scores being pinged with very different routes - also a mark of good setting.

So, let's have a look at this little bottler in more detail

Arriving at this quiet and shady spot, old hands would have noted the 'yellow' once more sagging proudly on the fence. Back in business folks, back in business! Also, as noted last week, clubs are now equipped with a multitude of flags signaling Start, Finish and Which way to the Pub. Mini tent cities have sprung up as we grapple with the new Sportident era and its attendant finish chute requirements, sales desks and electronica (big thanks to Garingal's Ross 'The' Duker in cowboy chaps on this occasion). Quiet a change in 21 years, and change for the better. It looked excellent - and so it proved.

Upon plonking down the Banjo, we immediately see 'Larry Plus', but not to worry because we are in cahoots tonight with the EOLG (the Elderly Orienteering Lobby Group) and have been given a nice and clear 1:7,500 map. Whooohoo. As well as filling in the upper creek wetlands detail missing from my original map, Dunk & Dad added the western block up to Catherine Street especially so all old Sydney tram fans could combine the esoteric pleasure of bagging control # 25 while waiting for the outbound Lillyfield toastrack. Many, many thanks to the 'Powders'.

So, having paid up it was then time to work the string in devising a route. It sort of looked 600 at a pinch for the fancies, with a well covered map and no holes. Clean connectivity needed to factor the tempting inners (17,24,5,27,4) with the outer circle stuff, and the almost mandatory visit to the new western material. One or two pots looked easy drops - #8 probably being the main one. There was also a bit of a contour factor (6 up, 4 down), although nothing like last week - and also a classic double play (20/19) that looked an easy bag from below until you actually had to run the zig zag path and discovered they were more like 300 meters apart! The 'Baron of Beecroft' knew about this one and approached from above - the smartypants.

Many runners took off south and west (7,25,18,9,2 - the tram option) before being suprised by the whereabouts of #23 and more fun to the east. Others, remembering the first Beatles album, hummed 'She was just 17' as they worked the legs east and up to that very pot, in a cunning central route that then took them via 24 to more familiar territory on Rozelle Bay before slipping the indicator onto a left turn and home via 21, 30 and a bit of Tooheys new. Mal 'Gore' Gledhill must have been on broccoli load up in working this route for an excellent 400 in the Legends category. The Porkster also noted Deborah 'The Potatoe' Noble flying off on this middle beginning to #17 and peelings further east.

One runner was overheard discussing her planned 4-6 route before the two twenties already mentioned, only to realise the thick black line on the map near #4 hides a steep no-go cliff. At least she was able to pop into our 'thin blue line' friends for a cuppa and a bit of mid course medicine ball fun at the adjacent PCY. Cliffs, yep, there is just something about these critters to spoil a girls fun.

Other aspects to catch the eye were some of the nice controls on offer, including the never been used dunny lane to #28 (fab, and only one barking dog), the Rozelle Bay classics (29/14) and some excellent stink pipes. One route that has been out of bounds before (from #11 up beside the old tram shed - tram, Rosscoe, are you mentioning trams again!) apparently had had the gate prized open, with several runners going the tummy tuck at the other end in saving several seconds - something PP wishes he had done after clocking a bread and dripping (alright, an 8 second over) penalty. Probably should have been hatched off on the map given the new Mirvac ownership, but, hey, wont this be great in a couple of years when the old harness racing stuff is opened up for us - and a couple of small houses apparently. The mapping mafia will be in their like Warwick into a banana, just as soon as it's open.

Although Les Porks seems to be failing to record many nags so far this season (given the quick Si postings), I note that Andy 'The Pharmacist' Hill and Glenn 'The 35 Class' Horrocks were the two 580's that I saw. Of interest is The Glennsters route given he goes the lot no matter what the course - beginning to 8-21 and back to #30 (!!) before circling the west, running 21,5,27,4,15 and the double, the bay, and then home via 1,24,16 and 17. A real wiggle that would be interesting to compare with Andrew (route gadget maybe).

Looking for our elusive lonely control is a toughie. 14 was an outlier, and despite its sublime position, probably went home without too many touch ups. Number 12 might have missed its calling also. Maybe #5, maybe #8. Last weeks stats (thanks BNO) did ratify the Pork Chops guess of the low eastern one (was it #4? - can't remember) as the LP, will we be similarly indulged by GO this time? Watch this space.

So, all in all, a great event, excellent turn up (I gather well over the double ton - maybe 230 odd) with many new faces. President Paul was doing a roaring trade in E sticks and I gather club memberships are on the rise. Good stuff, and a great endorsement of the series. Great work Duncan (and dad Colin, and all the Garingal helpers). You are setting a high standard.

Moving along to next week, we see the crowd licking its collective lips to once again be exposed, yes, exposed, to the wily thinking of chief Uringa eagle - Dave 'The Indian Wedding' McKenna and a bit of fun with royalty at Concord. Dave knows how to fry up the SSS crowd, and what better way to celebrate the visit of HM, than to egg up the SSS burger with some newly mapped grassy stuff at QE Park. This runners paradise should see exhaustion and elation, often in beguiling combination. Make sure you don't miss event five in the series of a lifetime, as we dips our lid to maam, and conquer the McKenna Monster (unfortunately The Pie Face has been whisked off to Toowoomba on grand-daddy duty and will miss the event, but hope to post a 'sight unseen' report from his many spies).

One thing I have been meaning to mention - and now seems the perfect time - is the devotion department, and its recording of a new 'high'. Yes customers, I am honour bound to record prior addict guru Mel 'Ted Cheese' Cox (80 events up to December'07 without a break, and I know I've used the nick before), has gone into medical wonderland pushing the aging knees to 90 (!) events in the subsequent unbroken stream - up until his recent African mountain madness resets his counter to zero once again. All appears well with 'The Cheese', as he was back on the track Wednesday - this time in power walking mode. Well done oh great and faithful servant of the series.