Sydney Summer Series

WAKEY WAKEY SYDNEY, THE 'MADNESS' IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

IS IT A BIRD? IS IT A PLANE?

IS IT 'THE LAMP POST' IN A PINK TOP? 'THE WATERING CAN' OUTPACING DAD, WAZZA NURSING A KNEE - OR 'PLATFORM ONE' TAKING POINTS FROM BOB 'BRITISH RACING GREEN' MORGAN (AGAIN)? IS IT THE SIGHT OF PORK PIE ADJUSTING THE MICROPHONE AND LICKING THE PENCIL?

ALL OF THESE OF COURSE - AS WE SAY WELCOME TO ANOTHER CLASSY, CLASSIC, CLIMACTIC AND CLINQUANT "SYDNEY SUMMER SERIES". SERIES 23 NO LESS, AND ANOTHER FANTASTIC PROGRAMME OF NAVIGATION ON THE RUN.

Settle in with a bowl of kettle chips and a Reschs as 'The Pieface' runs the finger over yet another great season "on the cusp" (but not yet the 'cuspidor').

We have another 26 event programme on offer, running from our pre daylight saving opener at Blackman Park (note early starts) in the capable hands of Carolyn Haupt; to our traditional closer at Macquarie on March 26 with 'The Stationmaster' in charge. In between you will find toys for the whole family, including a completely NEW map!! Even though almost every square metre of Sydney has by now been mapped, Dave 'The Silver Fox' Lotty has produced yet another mapping surprise - a new area at Bellevue Hill. Look for this new addition to our repertoire later in the season (event 22 on 26 February) where we will get the chance to rub shoulders with the eastern suburbs 'joggers with jewellery'. Should be a classic.

Also in the newish stakes, we feature young Dunk pushing west of Whites Creek with additional material in Leichhardt (and a nice Flat White and spag at Bar Italia post race); some yummy new fieldwork at Forestville (race 2); and some new mapping at West Penno courtesy of Janet and Bazza in early March. We are also bringing back a couple of long overdue Opera's - 'The Sauce Bottle's' summer classic 'Turimetta' on 22 January (not seen on stage for 10 years) and 'The Paint Tube's' return as lead tenor in 'Charity Point' on 11 December. Both wellcome additions and sure to excite those new to the art.

We are also returning The Kokoda Track, the M2 Tunnel, Loyal Henry and Fiddens Wharf to the programme; and who can forget 'The Clay Pan' and 'The Plunge' - both back for more action in this sensational new season of running and thinking at the same time! We have timetabled the usual
pre Christmas loosener at Georges Heights (this time with Rachael 'Lightening Bolt' Povah at the helm) on 18 December, and while not quite putting up Wednesday 25 December for consideration, have popped in a nice little nibble at Woolwich Dock on Monday 23rd ('The Pantaloon' in charge) to keep up momentum. After the usual seasonal festivities, and the Christmas 5 Days, we blast off into the new year on January 1 at Lindfield - where Mark 'Come Unto Me My Son' Savery will no doubt help save us from our glutinous indulgences with a long overdue tickle along the Lane Cove River. Bush Tracks, sandstone, gum trees. All here in large dollops, and the perfect way to step into the second half.

Many more great venues of course, and a wide spread of new and old hands at the till. The programme should be up almost as you see this, but hopefully this weekend - courtesy of chief SSS web site maestro David 'The Royal Purple' Noble. We should also have a printable one available to download shortly - and will post this to the site in the usual manner. The clock is reset, punters are dusting off their running singlets, fancies who have changed age brackets are quietly placing bets - and publicans across Sydney are stocking for the upswing. Only four weeks to go!!!