Venue : Ukay Perdana
Hare : Charlotte 'plastered' Parks
Co-Hare : Soon Hui & a couple of guys to help out
Scribe : Gary Waring
Arrived early, as run was close to town and found plenty of good parking. A little confusion finding the start of the trail, almost like a check, but we were good to go at 4.30pm.
The start took us through a building site and into some bamboo territory. The trail went downhill (which is always a good moral booster) and onto the first check. This did its job and the pack continued downhill. We came out to the second check and into a construction clearing, until ‘on-on’ was called out, down towards the road and the construction site entrance. It was here that Dave Parks cracked his head on the construction billboard, but amazingly, was still very complimentary about the run. Checks were arriving thick and fast by this time, as just over the road and up a bit of a short steep hill, was check number 3 (or was that 2 and a half ?) Believe this check may have been broken on two fronts, as I heard calls of ‘on-on’ from 2 directions. Hot on the trail again and we were soon into the fourth check. They were certainly keeping the pack together, as a ‘mid pack walker’ like me, arrived to see Alistair picking up the false trail and filling in the check. I remember going down hill and arriving at the fifth check, just as it was broken. Then had the privilege of filling in the trail myself, although felt a bit awkward, dropping paper through this sort of resort kampong area, with a little bridge and local kids playing in the pond. It was still only around 5.20pm and appeared as though all the checks had been completed. Happy images of the beer wagon started to appear in my head, but alas, it wasn’t to be and indeed, most of the checks had been condensed into the first half of the run.
Second half was a lot more picturesque; with the run going through a river valley with lots of locals enjoying the afternoon, lounging in the river. At the bottom of the valley, we crossed the river, at which point I found myself looking for the remnants of a waterwheel. (It was in someway very English looking.) On this side of the hill, there was an abandoned house with a very frayed Jalur Gemilang, flying proudly from the flag pole. A poignant reminder of the Malaysian’s right to build anything, anywhere, without the need for planning permission; even if it will eventually end up in the river below. Last part of the run was a climb back up, to the car park area. Although steep, it wasn’t muddy, so was easily executed. In before 6.10pm for me and the distance recorded was around 6.4km (A tad short, you may say?)
Circle was washed out, due to rain, so everyone was slightly early at the restaurant ‘May May Seafood’. Very good feed, at RM16 a head, which I believe was well worth that little extra. In town as well; so amazing value. Circle highlights were;
The girls were fined, for wearing lingerie. Bit confused by this one, as surely this should be encouraged.
Alistair, front runner no more. So that’s why I saw him at the fourth check and I thought I was doing so well.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly, a rendition of some Scottish ditty, with a full accompaniment of bag pipers. (First time in Malaysia apparently.) Lead by Brian Atwood, who is apparently leaving these shores; so was given the sentimental, heart felt, leaving down-down. (Brings tears to your eyes.)
The run was awarded a T shirt and the evening continued with an invitation to the hare’s house, for drinks. Great way to chill out, at the end of the day, rather than a noisy bar. Will go to more triple on’s, if they are like this. (Or maybe I’m getting old.)
Venue: Ulu Yam
Hare: Mike Moore
Co-Hare: Gary Waring
Scribe: Chu Chu
For the sheer fun of it, the scribe decided to do the write up in phonetic Cantonese. For those clueless, please see Ah Wan, my official interpreter. Here goes:- to be read with a Cantonese accent:
Yee kor pai loke – ching hai tai yeok look sap kor yun lei ‘hash’ – yan wei yau sarn kor lei yau:Dave kor wong low ng foong kong par-ti hai Phuket; Ben kai par-ti hai Sierra Mas;chung yau Torn yun huey han Ching.
Dei fong ngor dei wooi hup – jow hai chow si huey Ulu Yam. Sor yee ngor dei, ng kok tak king kay kor wan king. Yat hay sau – ngor dei seong yup low gau shi – kay chung yau yun kew sun fu, sut tow toong. Ngor dei king kor – sarn; ping dei; low gau shi; tung yau shi; chook shi; sai hor; kampong; sarn pa. Ngor kok tak, kor wan king, kay ho – teen yau yum – yau tor shi mook –
ho kor jow hai keen sun sut.
’Checks’ – charm ng tor fai gau deem – putt kor yau, yat po fun – ng gau chi – yau fu kun yun, jiap hay kor chi, kun chee lok diau lok sarn – tung si wark, lam yun kor ku-ku, tung mai lui yun kor har sun hai seong chi. Ho choi Charles Lee pong sau diau toh tee chi.
Charm ng tor jau farn toe – ngor dei king kor sai kua jarm – ma lai por-por tung kung-kung, tai tong hau. Ho toh chei Ah Mike.
Dui ng chee, ngor mo hai “circle” tung mai “on-on” - ngor tai gun hai ho kek : ho fui hai, ho pun yao, ho yit lao, ho tor bei chao tung mai tor tor ho sik. Zhang hai mo tak deng – goom kor sun woot, ng toe wun!
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Ok ! Ok! I relent – here’s the boring english equivalent.
It was a smallish turnout this Saturday around 60. Three events have understandably depleted the pack - Dave’s stag party in Phuket; Ben’s hen affair in Sierra Mas; and the Chinese annual pilgrimage to the grave sites of their deceased folks.
All time favourite run site was in Ulu Yam. So no surprise as to the type of terrain, flora and fauna. A hilly start up old rubber accompanied by some groans and aching knees. The trail went through more old rubber – secondary jungle – bamboo groves – terraces – small rivers and some views with a kampong to boot. Certainly beat running in a gym. The trail was pleasant with no harsh sun beating on us amid the abundant greenery.
The checks were broken fairly quickly - at some sections, there was a dearth of papers and even missing altogether due to vandalism by the locals, I suspect. Some of the missing papers were thrown down steep ravines which misled a few runners - a couple of the papers even had some vulgar ‘art work’ on it. Of course reliable Charles Lee was seen diligently filling up those stretches.
Towards the end of the run, the hare had the initiative to make use of the local Mak and Pak Chik to man the melon stop – thank you hare for the juicy fruits.
Sorry yours truly didn’t stay for the circle and on-on, thus am clueless as to the going ons. Of course I imagine the usual ingredients are often present viz: abundant laughter, fun, camaraderie, friendly humiliation and jesting of one another, good company, good food and copious beer. Ah! What a life! Yet another good day out.