You'd be surprised what one sees from the steps. The steps I refer to are the fold-up, pound-shop steps that I carry in my car-boot to help me get a decent vantage-point when photographing a road race. Some days are better than others, some more interesting but never boring. But last night in Craughwell has to be filed in the 'Classics' folder!

I had decided that this time I wouldn't photograph the start. I have a collection of start photographs and apart from the odd tree or speed-limit sign, they're all the same.

The same wide line, the same elite athletes taking up the same position every time. I think I have enough almost identical 'start and charge' photos by now. Heads flying by and before you know it, the road is empty and quiet again.

So last night, I decided to be 'inventive' and found what seemed an excellent vantage-point about 1 km. into the race on a narrow road with lush greenery in the background and not a pole in sight. Just at the beginning of a long sloping hill, the runners would be stretching out at this point. Parked my car in off the road, set up my folding steps, selected my lens and took a few test shots. Excellent.

7.55 p.m. and with the race due to start in five minutes, I sit down to wait for the lead car. Alot can happen in five minutes though. One minute to eight and the 'bothered father' arrives in an Avensis with two potential 'Joe Cannings', complete with hurleys and helmets, almost late for their crucial game in the G.A.A. field across the road. Guess where he decides to park? Right smack in front of me and my steps! He jumps out, urges the two young Setantas to hurry, locks his Avensis and runs across the road into the G.A.A. field.  Hmmm, a new vantage-point is called for and the lead runners were at this stage probably passing by Cheevers'.

Carefully leaving my camera on the ground (it can't fall off the ground), I hastily move my steps in front of the invisible Avensis and I'm ready just in time as the lead car approaches around the corner. Then, with almost perfect timing, the woman in the house beside me decides that she will go for a drive in her 04-G Audi. Of course it wouldn't do to wait inside her gate until the athletes had passed, not at all - that would be much too sensible! She edges out almost onto the road, puts on her hazard-lights and engages her handbrake. Of course she didn't see me but she had a damn good view of the race! Maybe she likes having photos of her Audi taken.

Right. Down to business. Here comes No. 299 in a yellow Loughrea singlet and the Canon starts clicking. But wait! What's this in my viewfinder? A woman pushing a bike! As cool as you like, laden with a bag of 'messages' she decides that she'll 'walk the hill'. Probably does it at the same time every evening. The fact that more than 500 runners are pounding past by her right ear doesn't bother her in the slightest! "Nice evening" she says up to me on the steps. "'Tis indeed" I reply. Shades of Fr. Cornelius Horan and Vanderlei De Lima - but no. This woman is polite.

Soon the road is quiet again. Avensis-Man is roaring at the top of his voice in the pitch across the road. I'd swear he didn't even know that 500+ runners passed by. Mrs. Audi finally switches off her hazard-lights and goes on her merry way completely unaware that the back of her '04 G' will play a major role in Photoshop later that evening.

Now, will I make it back to the finish before the leaders? It's a close call but I get there with less than a minute to spare. The two Mayo A.C. runners renew their rivalry of two weeks ago and engage in a great sprint to the line. It's good to see a close finish for a change. Well done lads! Thanks to the electronic-timing operator too who didn't have a fit when I crossed his mats just as the leaders appeared around the corner. And thanks to the water-table ladies for a few very welcome glasses of water!