Stornoway Running and Athletics Club
Flett Trek 2003
A Four Act Festive Drama
by Stornoway Running and Athletics Club
ACT 1…Glen Laxadale
As a crimson sun rose behind Caiteshal on Hogmanay morning, 17 nnners and walkers headed to Harris for their ritual Flett Trek plus trimmings.
With a storm brewing ,extremely keen runners, Malcolm, Ross, Coinneach, Gavin, Murdo Alex, Rory and Johnny disembarked at Maaruig to run the 5 miles through an icy cold Glen Laxadale. The rest of the party travelled on to meet up at Urgha for the next stage.
ACT 2….Flett Trek
After a small tot to ignite some old runners,the party headed up a very slippery and snow covered track towards Rheinigidale. Deep snow and a beautiful view across to the Shiants was the reward at the top of the climb above Urgha for the runners prior to their zig zag descent to Loch Trollamarig.
ACT 3…Intermission and Dips
One Siareach, a Hearach and two Sassenachs in the form of Domhnall, Coinneach, Seonaidh and Tony then entertained the party with the ritual Minch dip. So entertaining was the performance that three encores were called for (and responded to) … followed by medicinal drams.
The group, reinvigorated and refreshed, continued their wintry trek (though this year with no Flett) to Rheinigidale Hostel.
ACT 4…Finale
‘Tony and Rossio’s kitchen services’, experts in extreme cuisine, then provided everyone with a well deserved feast in the cosy hostel cottage…….
Boeuf Saute a la Rheinigidale with chargrilled parsnips and potatoes, washed down with copious quantities of mulled wine…..
Chargrilled mince pies to finish…
The storm whose presence was signalled earlier by the crimson sky was now in full spate.