Sydney Summer Series

CLASSY CRUISING AT 'COMO' CREEK CLASSIC

A great evening for a run last night. Cool conditions, a balance of street and bushy stuff, and the promise of some intrigue and discombobulation in the track network, saw over 190 wine lovers (179 plus guests) adjust their tasting cups, tighten their belts - and then belt off as Len Evans raised the first toast.

It was an evening of high scoring. It was an evening of anti-clockwise intent. And, in a leap of faith, it appears to have been an evening on the tiles. Summer Series competitors have suddenly been transported to northern Italy and the vineyards of Piemonte and Verona - where Pork Pie has confused collecting tasty checkpoints with tasting collectable wines. PP, struck by Vineyard Creek's upright replica of Lake Como's inverse letter 'Y' shape, suddenly imagines a Soave Classico at every checkpoint, a pretty Valpolicella with every beep - and the Duke and Mrs Simpson surveying the scene from the Villa d'Este at Cernobbio (built incidentally by Pellegrino Tibaldi in 1570).

I fear it might be a long night!

Let's first survey the scene, a scene of Y shaped watercourses between towering mountains. Well, no, actually a scene of green and beige covered in red grapes. Almost a perfectly tight bunch of grapes at that (perhaps the dark and tannic Barbera) springing from the triangular point of attachment at Homelands Reserve - and just waiting to be nipped. As far as memory serves, this might be the most stand alone and separated start point in recent series. There was to be no going north or east here.

Graeme 'The Abacus' Hill was our course setter, one of WHO's original winemakers, and a SSS man from the beginning. Graeme is a fast SVM, but has been recaptured to the workforce recently (for his adding and subtracting skills) and has not made much of a showing this season - but, he still managed to engineer another goodie at this popular location. 'The Ink Bottle' helped put out controls in the vineyard, with the whole Event 20 shebang smoothly set up and managed by the well attired staff of WHO Wines Pty Ltd.

So, what did we encounter?

Another odd map scale, with the 1:8,000 adding more to the Vineyard Creek legend (who remembers the original at 1:10,000, the January 2000 SSS event at 1:7,500 or the February 2009 run back at 1:10,000?). No matter the scale, it looked particularly clear - possibly the cleanest of them all. Something that would prove of value as the light faded for tipplers trying to locate the Merlot at #12, or the tasty connection between 30 and nine. There was a good spread, but it looked like it would fall to the Flash Harry's with fast linkages and not too much reverse engines - or use of the spittoon.

Most seemed to begin anti-clockwise, collecting 20,27,11 before entering the bush and bagging another quick 100 litres. Then followed a swoop amongst the older bush vines that either meant a low return via 1 and 22 (the Bellagio control), or a climb back to the more open vineyards collecting 16,14,24,19 - or maybe going 24 down to 22/15 via a bush scramble. Homeward via 10,26,17 (possibly adding in-out 19) suited, with #5 also available for those still under 0.5. The southern loop was an easy circle if you had speed, with the return via 8,2,14,24 and then as above, being mentioned in several wine assessments. Control #4 (Grignolino - a light wine of no particular distinction) was the obvious lonely pot.

A few maddies went the other way, beginning 17,26,10 and then into options, and the nice western swing home (including a visit to the bell tower on Santa Maria Maddelena). The only problem here was the lack of add-on's on the way back, unlike the anti clockwise runners as noted above. A positive feature is seeing so many runners coming in and out of controls as you approach - no nav problems here.

All controls seemed well located, with #7 the absolute classic 'sucked-in' control. The tracks thereabouts are confusing enough, but one look across to the bank up to seven should have shouted 'not worth it'. Did they listen? Many did, but this was definitely a gain ten lose twenty moment, and a great little piece of the evenings pie. Heiko lost time here, in a gift to his IM competitors. There are several reports of track stumbles, with our OM star Andy Hill even running 30,9, and right past the small track to 22, and on to 12,7,16. By also missing #1, he had to  return in contorted fashion - running 24,1,22,15 etc on the way back. Still, at 42.09 minutes in the tasting room, he was sweet (enjoying a glass of Piccolit for his troubles). On a more serious 'stumble' nature, we had Ross Emslie 'lost' for some time after a fall into the creek where he also lost his map - and any idea where he was. Thankfully, 'The Slide Ruler' was recovered after the WHO rescue team went into action. Danny 'The Starter Button' Redfern also fell, and twisted one of his many limbs - quickly retreating to barracks for a cold pack (and a cold Vernaccia) and missing the interesting 'Reschs' red and roast beef offer at Cernobbio.

A few other points to note as our tour continues.

Well over three quarters of the field scored 300 or more (153 of the 179 entries) - an unusually high proportion. We only had two .01 finishers to commiserate with - Daniel 'The Spaniel' Smith (52.01 and getting a good look at the back block Freisa vines) and Dmitry Stukov ( a very short outing at 36.01 after too much Prosecco)). There were a few .02's however, none worse than Peter 'Ustinov' Annetts whose 45.02 narked an otherwise brilliant run by this star of stage and screen. 'The PA System's' 580 is an excellent drop that has taken the fancy of Jancis Robinson. Be on guard Peter, she is a nose without peer. In other prizes, the classiest red on the evening award goes to Andrew 'Of Martinborough' Lumsden with his 44.59 final beep in SVM (for 440pts). Phew! And finally, our man with the constitution of an ox, and longest on course award, VM's Tim 'I Do Like A' Perry, out in the tasting room for 61.11 minutes that saw his 530 claim reduced to a sobering 170 - and a promise never to mix Vallellina and Verdiso again.

Our biggest group tour saw 12 tourists stranded at Varenna on 350 points, and the next bus full (11 on 450 points) reading Manzoni's 'The Betrothed' as they sipped pale Bardolino's at Lecco. There were finishers on all points except 590 (aah, Peter, that cruel .02) all the way down to 200 or so, with, as I said, most runners enjoying many refills and taking home more than the usual six-pack. Good fun was the theme, with Grandad Stitt enjoying proceedings more than most - pushing his two grandchildren in the pram up the bush track from #25! Must have had a little Chiaretto on board methinks.

Despite the reasonably obvious looping at the top and foot of the course, some ducking and weaving was needed in the middle. Larry 'The Harmonica' Weiss must have enjoyed too many lazy afternoons at his Tremezzo villa (tickling a cheeky Nebbiolo no doubt), and in a moment of odd madness, went 30 uphill to the road and #10, then back down to 25,15,22,9 in-out (well, Lazzo is our original in-out man of course) and on to 12 etc. Mmmmm, not sure this was worth it when I see 'The Lithgow Flash' piling on 500 to Larry's 450. I think there were a number of 24-15's and 24-22's via the bush - and no doubt bought on as a result of Wayne's classic Penno Punisher last week, and his 22-20 leg. More bush is the cry!

So, how have the imbibers lasted? Has there been a mass break out of vineyard vanity? Have previous shy fillies taken a lead? Sadly, the answer is mostly no. Winners last night are much as expected, with perhaps the most interesting of them being June 'The Long Weekend' Stanley, winning IW with 340 points to Sue Thomson's 320 and Janet's 300. Not too sure, but this might be June's first win, so a toast is in order. Perhaps a nice Barollo on the terrace at Villa Carlotta.

We had no SJW's on the park last night, but a great SJM win to Aidan (550) over Dunk (an excellent 480). Juniors Matty (570) and Karla (360) pulled gold, Andy Hill and Lisa win Open, Glenn and Antoniya Masters, Mike and Paula the Vets - and Mel Cox (530 whoo hoo!) and Karin the Supers. Continuing, we find John 'Lunch Break' Anderson and Bryony holding forth in the Legends class about the construction of the Como Duomo (began in 1396), Ted Mulherrin's spectacular win in the Immortals (440, Timbo just back with 400) - and Jimmy/Michelle walking to victory while enjoying a Chianti Classico, and making plans to visit Monza. These of course, are our winners, but all of us know the real race is further back. Let's here it for Brian 'The Ham Sandwich' Tsang with dad for 100 points in SJM, Marion Gledhill enjoying fifty one minutes of immortality for 190 points, Maria & Boriana Stankova both carding 220's, and Jane 'Paul, Is That You?' Asher enjoying a Dolcetto with her 260 point punt.

Porkie is also taken by the 330 point group "Sophie, Henry, Mum & Grandpa"! Excellent stuff, and our third group tour home after 'The Bruins' (490) and Lou & Kate (400). The Groups got a run last week, so I thought I'd focus on one of the age groups (Masters Men) where twenty three fans of the vine were out on the sip last night. I've noted Glenn taking the champers, but let's not forget Neil 'I Need To Lie Down' Lefevre (580) in second spot, Sandy 'Shoe' Smith (3rd/560), Lee Coady (4th/540), Grant Billen (5th/530) and Matty 'I Can't' Hackett ten further back in 6th with 520. The MM's are mostly page one dudes, and all well into the top 100 (except Pierre's modest 250 and 167th place!), so let's check a few more. Charles 'The Blue Mountains' Blaxland swallowed 490, Stuart Deane's 'Siding' likes shale oil with his Freisa, but carded 480 after a 60 over outing, last weeks guru, Wayne Pepper 'oni' preferred the Schiava to the Barbera in working up 460, and David 'The Blues Is My Companion' McGhee worked a neat 440, but wondered what had happened to Sonny Terry. There were many more of course in this competitive and rusted on group. God, bless 'em!

There were three 'all stations' 600 runners last night, with Michael 'Galileo' Burton shading his younger students with 41.53 to Andrew's 42.09 and Glenn's 43 on the dot. Also noted was Steve Ryan returning to running form and putting up a 570 in just under 43 minutes. Great to see the Blue Shoe back amongst the grape juice. Also, we note Wazza Selby back to a full stretch, and running up 490 points in SVM - knees taped, tasting notes in hand, and quietly chuckling about Rosscoe's feet! Could this see a late dash for SVM gold - or is he just getting up for the Lake Como Tri?

So, let's wrap this - and move on! My Italian history finger is seizing up, and I think I might be due for a little Valpolicella myself. A fine night of Summer Series orienteering, indeed it was, and an excellent roll up so far west. Thanks to Graeme and all the WHO crew. And especial greetings to Chris Crane on the till. Great to see 'Saint' Christopher back with us after his serious illness.

Next week see us back up the north shore where the Feet and Greg 'You Need A' Barbour will work us over at Pymble. This one is up on Bannockburn Road, and should allow a more multi directional flog than was possible from last year's outing. I imagine parks and real estate, and green things called trees. Sounds yum indeed, so mark you old paper calendars with a tick. Also note, that the week following brings on Jim 'The Man Of The Cloth' Merchants "Clay Pan". Jimmy's map is complete and the course is set. All now awaits the treat or the terror of the season. Warm up at Pymble, and then bring your bible!

Also note the pre entry to the MiniGaine is open as noted last week. Finally, Ted Mulherrin has two items of lost property from last night (a black cap and a blue bag containing a drink bottle and some cash -$20). To recover, please call Ted on 0428 314 175.

That's all folks, and remember, enjoy wine in moderation. Just like Pork Pie.