Pub 'n' Chips run |
17th July 2013 |
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It was another lovely evening
as we gathered at KB for this year’s Pub ‘n’ Chips
run, fuelling ourselves with an assortment of
beverages ranging from beer to wine to hot chocolate
(and some cider). Suitably hydrated, 20
of us set off up Blackford Hill, whilst Saint
Nick and Jimbob Squarepants, Carnethy’s
own answers to Chris Froome and Ritchie Porte,
took the cycling option. Jimbob even offered
to take the kitty, before shamefully confessing
that he would have just “blown it all on
hokas” (at least, we think he said hokas...).
Reaching the top we disturbed the romantic evenings
of a handful of couples, and played Reach for
the Chips as numbers for a range of salt, sauce
and vinegar options were established. Mike
then diverted to the chippy to get them cooking,
whilst we met with President Gordon and the Legend
of Shane in the Merlin, for a Belhaven IPA (and
some cider).
A short sprint led us down to Bennet’s,
where we took over most of the outdoor section
to enjoy their own Bennet’s ale (and some
cider). It was sometime around here that
we realised we were in the presence of an internationally
acclaimed megastar, as Matt had brought along
his nephew, Daniel Radcliffe, to add a little
youthful vim and vigour to the proceedings – Harry
Potter and the Half-Cut Hill Runners set the
tone for the evening.
The chippy was busy and our grub had been a little
delayed, so we headed for the Morning Glory this
year instead of the Waiting Room and ate our
chips there, accompanied by our only Deuchars
of the evening (and some cider).
Now, confession time. I’ve always
been a tad disturbed by the intrusion of Pimms
into the Pub ‘n’ Chips run... The
ascetic purity of a simple celebration of barley
and potato, corrupted by this intruder, this
unwholesome, unhygienic beast, served in a jug
with garishly coloured fruit and veg bobbing
about! I don’t even know what Pimms
is made of (answers on a postcard to the usual
address please)? And yet, and yet...it
seems to have inveigled its way in and become
a core part of the evening... So there
I was on Monday night buying a bottle of the
blessed stuff, along with some limes, lemons,
apples and a cucumber too; the last of which
was particularly galling – what’s
the point of a foodstuff which costs more calories
to eat than you gain from it? And why did
I have to go through this whole torrid and tawdry
experience? Because the Buckstone Bar at
the Braids Hotel is closed for refurbishment
and re-opens...next week. So the only way
to get the Pimms in was going to be DIY style...
All of which digressive, waffling nonsense takes
us from the Morning Glory up to the summit of
Braids, where the lovely late evening sunshine
was accompanied by a bowl of handmade Pimms punch...or
alternatively a selection of beers for the more
heathen amongst us. No cider though.
We then split into several groups for the trot
to the Stables where we received our usual excellent
welcome and a range of damn fine Stewart’s
ales (and some cider). The evening was
still warm enough to sit outside and there were
no midges to drive us indoors. There was
a moment of confusion when one of our throng
went missing though, as Phil suffered from a
minor “overshoot”. Edinburgh
Gold turned out to be the appropriate remedy
for this condition though, purely for medicinal
purposes of course.
Still, all things must come to an end, and we
headed off down by the Cattery back to KB and
then most of us reconvened in the bar of Leslie’s
to admire Jimbob’s “little knees” (don’t
ask) and for one last cheeky snifter of their
own Leslie’s ale (and, er, maybe some cider??).
Thanks to the various people who helped through
the evening – Mike for being chips-man,
Jim and Phil with the Pimms gubbins and Willie
for being a guiding light at various points in
the run. And thanks to everyone who came
along – hope you all enjoyed it!
Oz |
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