Date: Thursday, 25 October 2018

From: Bob

Simon Succumbs to the Delights of Smoko

The reason this postcard has been so long in coming is not because of the Swiss postal service because as we all know the Swiss are efficient in all things (some say they are Germans with obsessive, compulsive disorder), but because I have witnessed the upset that a sudden drop in a jogger's performance can have on his family. So after much consideration, and hence the delay, I believe it is in the best interests of furthering the Feral Jogging Movement that this story must be told.

Recently Jan and I were on a European River Cruise with a group from Griffith. Simon Fattore's parents, Sergio and Angelina, were in the group, so I thought they would enjoy hearing how Simon and Fiona were running on the hill. So every Sunday morning I would go to our website, download their performances and report to Serg' and Angelina. This was something of a mixed blessing for them.

While they were very pleased with Fiona's performance (she was consistently in the top 10, frequently in the first three placings), Simon's performance (usually languishing at the tail of the field, and being beaten by Fiona not only on handicap but also her net times) was a great disappointment to them both. While Angelina struggled to explain away Simon's sudden slump in performance, Serg' said he knew what was causing it and why it was happening now.

Apparently, Simon has a fondness for all things on offer on the Smoko Van, and with Sergio not at home to curtail him, he believed Simon was having extended Smokos and sampling everything the van had to offer.  Serg' believed there could be no other plausible explanation for such a sudden and dramatic slump in form!  Simply put, while Sergio was away Simon was immersing himself in a Smoko binge. He also recalled how overly enthusiastic Simon was to see them go on this trip!!

So while Jan and I continued our trip into Switzerland and northern Italy, Sergio and Angelina made a hasty return to Griffith to rescue Simon from the temptations of the dreaded Smoko van.

I'm glad to report that since Sergio and Angelina's return, Simon's performance on the hill (and I believe his efficiency in the workshop) have returned to something he, and his parents can be proud of.

FERAL RULE 106b: Good jogging requires self-discipline and good, sensible diet.  This is a rule I have endeavored to strictly adhere to over many years of slogging it out on the hill.

Regards Bob Barker.

PS. Have included 2 photos, the first is me with Simon's parents who put on a brave face for the photo, the second of me after a brisk run around the foreshore of Lake Como.