Urgent Message - tonight's run!

The forecast is terrible but Just Bull, intrepid as ever is setting the hash anyway.   If the weather does get worse … the run might be called off but Just Bull has laid on mulled wine and mince pies etc at her house … so please come anyway!

See you later ….. ON ON

The Next few Hashes

Wednesday 18th December  :   Christmas Hash Just Bull ….. her house (see email or contact WAM!

Wednesday 25th December:   Father Christmas "a chimney near you"  (i.e. I think we might all be busy doing other stuff!

Wednesday 1st January:   New Year's Day Hash: Daylight & BBQ after  Bankok and Ferret's place  ….   (see email for times and address or contact WAM!  Please let B & F know if you are coming and how many hangers on you are bringing… Thank you

Run 767- Tom Tom Ash Common …. on down the Lethbridge Arms

Ash Common a rhyme by Gentleman Caller.

(he didn't say who was there!)

It was a cold dark night and the wind was still as we gathered in Ash Common looking up at the hills.

‘Up’ went the shout and into the night we did run, following the call of ‘on, on’ just for fun. 

We followed the leaders into the woods, then up a muddy track with calls of “oh crap”, 

On to a road with a check by a gate and into a field I followed my mates.

Across the fields we followed the path to a nice looking farm with a pond, we passed.

Down though more fields to a stile we go until after a while we came to a road.

Into a village called Halse we turned by a sign post with a check that had been put there by our host.

Through yet more fields we followed the flour around this small village until we passed the church tower.

Onto the regroup we all stopped with a whoop, to eat all the chocolates and sweets, oh what a treat.

The regroup did not last long before to calls of ‘on, on’ when we went over the bridge and up to the dark ridge, where the glow of the town could be seen in the night as we followed the flour with our touch lights.

Across the longest field I ever have been in, we all passed though a gate back towards the beginning.

Once on the road back to the common I heard the footsteps of Baby Spice coming, then just when she thought that she would pass me and Grasshopper had gone off in a flash, he didn’t want to be beaten by a woman you see, there was a noise of breaking glass, as my head torch came off, dispensing the batteries onto the grass.

Back at the cars we said our goodbyes, leaving the rest to their own demise.

Off they all went to the Lethbridge Arms; I hope that no one came to any harm.

What a great run we had that night, thank to the effort of Liz or should I say Tom Tom, “WELL DONE”.

Run 765: Brush Off The Harvest Moon, North Newton

Hare   Brush OffHounds: Phantom, Bigbird, WAM, TomTom, Pink2Lips, Why Bother, Martini 

A small select group of hashers met at the Harvest Moon... a strange place... but more of that later!
The hare told us to beware of the killer shetland ponies that nearly had his dog for dinner but other than that the usual two and on.
The first bit of excitement was when P2L spotted a distant christmas tree adorned with lights, but when we got closer it was an old high viz jacket hanging from a nail and reflecting our head torches....JB reminded us that it is nearly christmas after all.  Wam was excited about the prospect of snow but Why Bother put the dampeners on that in his usual cheery way!
On we went across wet and muddy fields and along some equally wet and muddy lanes eventually stopping at the first re group.  It was decided that we would wait for the next regroup for our sweeties as it was rather a cold drafty spot so we set off again across a particularly soggy field.   We arrived in lane opposite Maunsel house which reminded Wam! of the recent national newspaper story of the owner who had spotted a Big Black Cat prowling around his estate.  We were now on the lookout for dangerous cats and ponies.  Luckily the cat didn’t show up and the ponies ignored us.
We had a lovely regroup by  Maunsel Lock before trotting down the towpath (with several fishhooks that were ignored by  all except P2L and JB), over a few fields and back in the way we went out.
Into the pub which was filled with men.... not a woman in sight except the barmaid. It felt a bit like we’d been dropped into the Deep South and  I also think we may have alarmed them a bit by doing our usual strip and change in the car park, the smokers certainly got a eye full....that will teach them smoke.  

Run 764: WAM! The Anchor Inn Hillfarrance

Hares: WAM Hounds: Big Bird, Pink2lips, Why Bother, DitW, Phantom, TomTom and Martini. Down in the Woods arrived on time-just… shaken but not too stirred this week after puking little daughter delayed her planned pre run checks. It was a lovely rainy autumn evening for a hash in rural Somerset. An intrepid pack set off after 
WAM had given out dire warnings of rabbits on trail (should that read as rabbit holes on trail?), mud being a bit slippery (well isn’t it always?) and then added it was not too long and flour being maybe not too easy to see because of torrential downpour of rain during the afternoon (now….having done a few hashes … I know not too long can be a double bluff or open to interpretation), and (even in the dry and in daylight sometimes flour may not been seen very easily!). 
Right out the pub car park, took a sneaky path through the churchyard across a little paddock, past the piano tuners, around Court Farm, head towards the railway and then up left to road then not too sure where but ended up heading towards Pontispool and Harnham Farm where the pack did a quick footpath loop around this property before heading back along side elephant grass plantations.
There was a sheltered regroup under a tree for a sweety stop ( WAM had inside knowledge that the extreme sweet consumers of Bridgwater 3H were not attending this week so her supply of sweets was rather reduced this week- to two packets but we still had some left Ferret and JB !) 
It rained lots and lots, but we found the flour, no-one got lost, no-one slipped over in the mud or down a rabbit hole. To avoid the extremely muddy field the hare and the writer of this accurate account (local knowledge pays dividends here) took a little short cut at the end to arrive back for a well earned spell in the dry in the pub that has won the 2013 Somerset Best Pub Sunday Lunch Award (a trophy on the bar told us). At £9.95 I think but you need to book in advance as so busy now. Teenage off spring do the washing up/veg prep and ‘waiting’ here so they are in the know.  
Thanks WAM for your considerable efforts in extreme weather conditions to lay a hash for us all. 

Run 763: Baby Spice New Inn Halse Halloween Hash

Hare:  Baby Spice

Hounds: Bigbird, Tom Tom, Pink2Lips, Phantom, JB, Bat Eyes, Gent Caller, Brush Off, WAM!, Why Bother, Baby Spice’s friend JanetIn the Pub:  Dormouse and Mrs Dormouse
Unfortunately Wam! and JB were late again but at least suitable dressed in Halloween costume .... well enough to terrify a local coming out of her door (perhaps we always look that scary) but quickly caught up with the pack who were milling about looking for the trail just up the road.  Unfortunately the leaders shot off and ended up on the last part of the trail and had to be called back by Baby Spice and put on the right track again.
Off we set over wet fields and muddy roads.... over styles and streams and back to where we went wrong for a re group.   Baby spice at made a delicious orange halloween cake (Delia’s recipe ..... boiled oranges etc etc ask BS for the details) and some spooky chewy eyeballs courtesy of Ferret and Bankok.
Off we set again, spreading out over a large field looking for the trail which took us across to the corner, down onto the road and back to the pub.
Gent Caller first prize for best costume .... black marks for Bigbird, Tom Tom P2L, WB, B Off and Janet for NOT dressing up!

Run 762: Big Bird Thurlbear Church

Hare: Big BirdHounds: Grasshopper, WAM, Tom Tom, JB, Phantom, Martini, Roadkill, Brush Off, Ferret and Baby Spice.Walking: Bangkok, Dormouse and Floater



On pulling up outside a dark church I jumped out the car and was surprised to find everyone still sat in their cars but of cause I didn’t have gentlemen caller with me!  
The hash started slightly uphill and on tarmac, first check point was searched and we were still on road, the fit ones were soon racing away up the hill.  On to another check and we were now off road.  A great run if not a little long but a nice mix of on and off road with long patches of good running.  Nearly lost our way near some woods but we soon heard the cries of ‘on, on’.  A low flying bomber added to the evening, I wonder if somebody had reported strange lights running across the moors.  It was shortly after that encounter we stopped for well-earned treats.  Big bird directed us through a gate and I found myself at the back with Brush off but this paid off as the hounds had gone the wrong way down a stony path.  I thought at this point feeling a little tired that staying close to Big Bird was a good move but she did have me worried a little when she didn’t seem too sure of the way back!  As it was we were near home, on through a couple of fields into a muddy farm and out onto the road.  A tough finish uphill back to the cars.  
I gather the walkers got lost, well Dormouse did according to Bangkok!  I’m sure Floater with his GPS and crampons knew where they were all the time!  They also found lots of mud as Dormouse left his trainers outside the pub and as us Bishop Lydeard people like to stay together I left mine outside too. 
Well done hare on a great run which I understand you had to change last minute.
Baby Spice.

Run 758 Stogursey Tenzing

Run 758- 23^rd September2013

Venue: Stogursey

Hare: Tenzing 

Hounds: Big Bird, Grasshopper, WAM, DitW, Tom Tom, Bateyes, Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Brush Off, Ferret.

Walking: Bangkok

A small but select group of hashers collected outside the pub. It must be noted that the witches, well two of them, were first to arrive. Tenzing gave us instructions and pointed us back to the main street, where we crossed the road and headed off down a side road. After a short distance we went right and found ourselves following the moat beside Stogursey Castle.  

‘On on’ was called and we soon left the castle behind and set off across fields to the right. After a short way we were following a narrow track, no flour! We retraced our steps and soon found the trail back to the main street. Then on again this time over the local football field. Two fields later we are struggling again to find the trail until Bat eyes calls, I think he used local knowledge to find the way. Eventually we come out by the Pub in Shurton, no wonder Bat eyes seemed to know the way!

After a short stretch of road running we run along the edge of a wood to the regroup where we find Bangkok and Tenzing waiting for us with the sweeties. It’s now not far back across the fields, past the sewage works and into a small estate of new boxes, oops, sorry, houses. 

This was the first hash for months where we needed torches for most of the way, but we soon got used to it and the night vision returned.

Thanks for a good hash, at least it stayed dry.

Run 757- WAM! The Dolphin Wellington

  

                        Run 757  Hare WAM.  Welly Sports Centre On Inn The Dolphin 

 Hounds, JB, Compo, Big bird, Phantom, PL2, Baby Spice, Gentleman’s Caller, Withy, Hansom, Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Grasshopper, Brush off, DITW, And in the pub Why Bother. 

All gathered in the Welly car park and gave a warm welcome to Compo and myself (visiting from TH3 the Dolphin is our local so we thought it only polite to join you). Instructions were given by the hare, something about closed paths alternative routes ,” two and on” etc., then off for a prompt start past the football pitch through the park  a quick tour of town and on to the first illegal act of the night. An 8 foot high fence across the path with big signs on it saying

              “Danger, Construction Site, Keep Out, Path Closed For Safety” 

                                                                       This as we all know means

  “Please Come In, Feel Free To Wander Around, Just Don`t Nick The Batteries Off Our JCB”.    

Having read a few of BTPHHH`s newsletters I now realize that an archaeological dig is not something any of you could bypass, so on for our second illegal act of the night “Look” said WAM “ There`s a big hole full of old things that Baldric and his mates are trying to save for future generations of hashers, lets run round the site and see if we can`t get nicked by the local rozzers”.”Dam” said Compo “No JCB`s ,and my camper really NEEDS a new battery”. So after sneaking around for a bit and looking at “Some very interesting old walls” we legged it off for our third illegal act of the night. But this one was different, proper spikes, barbed wire and trains to play with. The hash was now split those that got across before the 8.15 Plymouth to Paddington and those that had to hide in the bushes and wait until it had passed. Reunited we came to a check at the top of the hill that sent us off left into the dark dark woods to more checks across the bridge (too dark for Pooh sticks) and up to Nynehead for a very well observed sneaky fishhook. On thru a few fields to a regroup. Here PL2 raised the ugly question of the newsletter ,suddenly for the first time that night there was complete silence, not a word was spoken ,You could hear the Moon, occasionally when I see a maiden in distress my gob works before my brain and so I volunteered .WAM`s email address was suggested as a point of contact for said scribbling’s ,I however suggested that her phone number would be ample reward, this left WAM giggling and PL2 confused (she finally caught on)The On Inn was less incident filled than the first half, along the path of brambles past the Malthouses,to more fishhooks(not quite so well observed) across the road to Runnington ,round into the back of Welly on more footpaths and river banks and back to the car park .Quick change(at home)then to the Dolphin to find Why Bother with a pint complaining of injuries received.

      A very nicely set run, with just enough help from the hare to keep it all flowing.

                                                            Thank you WAM 

                                

Run 756: Roadkill Holywell Lake

Hare: RoadkillHounds: WAM, JB, Phantom, Big bird, Soc App, Martini, Tom Tom, 

A very small, elite group gathered on a dismal wet evening at the Holywell Lake.... we’ve been so lucky over the summer with warm, sunny evenings; dry underfoot and now a double whammy of wet feet and dark enough for head torches.  

Roadkill sent us off right and very quickly we were heading off over a style and onto a track.   This was encouraging to be off road so quickly as we all remember how roadkill got his name.....!!  On on we went through long wet grass and mud (perhaps running on a road isn’t so bad after all).   Being such a select group we mostly stuck together except Soc App who went dashing ahead. 

Up some hills and over lots of fields with a tiny bit of road in between we finally arrived at the regroup under a tree near Langford Budville.  Roadkill assured us that the view was spectacular but by this time it was pitch black and nothing to be seen.

After some lovely sweeties we set off through the woods.  Soc App rushing ahead again but taking the wrong path.  He headed off deeper into the woods whilst the rest of us took the correct route through the field ..... the distant sound of galloping hoofs made some of us a little nervous.   Eventually Soc App realised he was alone and found his way back to the group. 

More fields, one of which had a rather surprised looking bull in it.... luckily we had our JB our bull expert with us who assured us that this one was fairly harmless!!

Thank you for a really great run, enjoyed by all in spite of the wet feet and dark evening!

Run 755 - Kilve Dormouse

Hare: Dormouse

Hounds: WAM, Just Bull, DITW, Phantom, Bigbird, Ferret, Liz, Tenzing, Floater, Gentleman Paul, Roadkill & Chris.

Biker: Bangkok.

Eleven southern shandy drinkers & one Northern trooper, good and true, assembled at Kilve Village Hall car park awaiting the off, given on the stroke by Liz in the absence of Dormouse.

The dirty dozen headed out of the car park and took a right onto Pardlestone Lane in the search of flour, but wait, what’s this? It appears we have been sabotaged as the markings have been rubbed out by some immature, small minded tosser with a tiny Willy. As Ferret was already with us, we were quickly able to rule him out as a suspect.

Luckily for us, the lazy culprit couldn’t be bothered to rub out the entire hash so we were quickly underway again after picking up the trail which took us off the lane and through a field at the side of Crooked Acre Copse. Ferret led the way, closely followed by Chris and the rest of us trailing closely behind.

Then we took a sharp right, across fields and over the other side of Pardlestone Lane. After traversing more fields and passing some dwellings, we reached a check and hit a brick wall as nobody could find the way. Ferret was climbing a hill to the left while Chris searched a field on the right. The rest of us scouring the field we were in.

Eventually, an extremely large R inside a circle was discovered which Chris had ran past about a hundred times which he took much deserved stick for and was proclaimed to have the eyes of a bat. By this time Ferret was half way to Exeter and much shouting by the ones with the loudest voices(WAM, Just Bull, Phantom, DITW, Liz), you get the picture, brought him to the regroup.

We then headed through many fields and an old farmhouse, before reaching the A39 and playing Frogger across to Frog Street. Another sharp right led us through fields and eventually back across the A39 & back to the car park.

On Down followed at the Hood Arms where we were joined by Bangkok. After a well-earned, not so reassuringly expensive pint, we had not 1 but 2 hounds to name. Liz was aptly crowned “TomTom” due to being a 1 woman GPS & Chris was christened the very apt “Bat eyes” for the regroup incident.

One final note (and this isn’t a joke), as we drove out of the car park, the newly named TomTom turned to me and said “Turn left at the end of the road”

Many thanks to Dormouse for another enjoyable run around Kilve.

Run 754 - Bankok and Floater

Hares: Bankok and FloaterHounds: WAM, Phantom, Bigbird, Ferret, Grasshopper, Soc App, Martini, Liz, Tenzing, Chris & Pink2Lips.Biker: Why Bother.

Twelve Hashers, good and true, assembled at the car park awaiting the off, given on the stroke by Ferret in the absence of our Hares still battling manfully (& womenfully?) in the woods laying our trail.

Eleven of us followed the trail on foot parallel to the road, crossing it a short while later, while Why Bother in his fetching Bone Dome , went off on his bike, crossing our path once before meeting us at the regroup to partake of his share of the sweeties.

Meanwhile we went merrily on our way along footpaths going down through the woods, then right, then left, then whatever, Ferret invariably out in front calling the On on, occasionally other hashers finding the trail as it wound right, left, straight on, back up the hill, crossing the road, back down the hill, etc etc through the maze of paths of the Quantocks.

At one point as we crossed back over the road, we came face to face with our hares, but then left them behind as we started a long, long descent, happy in the knowledge that we were going to have to climb all the way back up again in a short while!

Just when we felt we couldn’t go down any further we reached the regroup, where miraculously Why Bother appeared, followed shortly after by our hares to enjoy the sweets.  Grasshopper recognised our regroup stop as the same one on the Boxing Day hash, Did he remember what sweets we had that day as well!

Now came the long haul back up to the start, however at a check a couple of hundred yards up the trail, Ferret and the fit carried on up the path without flour (other hashers please note: No Flour) with the result that the pack divided into two, just six of us hardy souls finding and continuing on the marked trail and the other five short cutting.

By now it was getting quite dark under the trees, so on went the lights as we followed the trail ever upwards, sometimes left, sometimes right, but always up, at long last coming out at the car park.

A discussion of On Down venues was discussed with the Carew Arms being preferred by the majority, where we all went to get a well earned drink.

Many thanks to Bangkok and Floater for another enjoyable run around the Quantocks.

Run 751 - Nutcombe Bottom Brush Off

Run No 751  7^thAugust 2013        Nutcombe Bottom        Hare: Brush Off

Pack: Dormouse, Justin, Grasshopper, Dripped On, Liz, Roadkill, Big Bird, Tenzing, Just Bull, Gentleman Caller, WAM, Malcolm.   Walkies: Phantom and Floater.

I was not supposed to be doing these words as WAM was meant to swap but the message didn’t get through, so it’s me again, sorry.

It was a warm evening and we were joined by Malcolm, a good runner, who was with us to research the background to hashing.  He was intending to write an article for Exmoor magazine.

The hare pointed the way and we soon found a crossway in the wood.  JB was calling ahead which she did for the next two checks until she finally guessed wrong.  

I had no idea where we were but Tenzing reckoned we’d gone right, left, left, three times.  Each time, there was Malcolm already at the check taking numerous photos as we stumbled towards him, then he shot our backsides before running past us to the next check.  

The hare had us going dizzy and most of us guessed wrong most of the time but after about 4.25 miles, we were back at the cars.   Malcolm, having taken at least a hundred photos, quickly dashed off home to Shepton Mallet.

With our chairs set in a biggish circle, we were treated to barbecued sausage rolls and onions by the industrious mr and mrs hare.

A well laid trail and a pleasant Nom Nom gathering in the wood

Run 750 - Red Dress Run - WAM!

Wam! would just like to point out that in fact this run was Why Bother's but he didn't bother and luckily JB stepped in at the eleventh hour to help WAM!.   Any lack of flour on the run was Why Bother's!  

Hare: WAM & JB

Hounds:  P2L, Big Bird, Liz, Grasshopper,Brush Off, DitW. Soc App, Justin, Why Bother, Phantom, Gentleman Caller, Baby Spice, 

Walkers: Bangkok, Floater, Dormouse. 

Red Dress Run

   

Well the fun started as soon as I picked up John, he just seemed too comfortable in that dress for my liking and when I offered to go into the coop for some drink and he replied that he was happy to go in, this confirmed my suspicions.  As he walked across the car park heads turned and fingers pointed. I noticed a Dad with a young daughter call her over to keep her close to his side as John walked by. Apparently it did not get much better in the shop.

Met at WAMs house where lots of Men were acting very strangely. We were informed that there would be several stops to allow for some cunning marking of the route.

Off we went into the village, past the church where I was reminded by WAM that I ought to mention the 2 tubs of vibrant flowers by the church door, duly mentioned.  Out of the village across the fields to the railway line.  All very different to the quagmire we had to deal with the last time we ran this way.

On On called we ran down by the river expecting to see a check, no checks in sight, as we progressed we became more certain there must be a fishhook just around the next corner, I backed off to let Martini take the lead but no fishhooks either.  This was mentioned later and apparently JB and WAM were too engrossed in talking to think about complicated things like fishhooks, checks, blobs of floor etc.  We reached the bridge and had an impromptu for people to catch up, then on through the village to see more wide eyed people making various comments and smiles.  We then ran up a side ally into someone's back garden? They must have been expecting us as there was a table with glasses, jugs of water and a few bottles of cider.  I also noticed they didn't have just one but two conservatories.

After half a bottle of cider we set off across the field and back to the White Horse Pub.  Some searching later we picked up the trail back over the bridge and along to the railway line were there was a regroup. Then it was up the bank and into the fields full of heavily laden blackberry bushes.  On arriving at Nicky's we were directed to the side of the house where there was another table with glasses and drinks.  Here we sampled the product of those delicious looking blackberries.  After feeling suitably refreshed we were off down to the road.  As we watched Grasshopper disappearing in the distance I heard several other people commenting on how well John wore that dress, not just me then.

As we were making our way back to WAMs the footpath passed through a garden, we passed the door of the house just as a very surprised looking owner opened the door, was that a twinkle in his eye as Grasshopper passed by?

Back at WAM's Why Bother was voted the best dress and John the one who enjoyed wearing a dress the most.  WAM's hubby joined in the "madness" buy producing a luverly barbeque with strawberries and cream for afters, enjoyed by all of us

Run 749: Just Bull Catherine Wheel Hemyock

Run Number: 749: 24^th July 2013

Venue: Catherine Wheel, Hemyock

Hare: JB

Hounds:  P2L, Why Bother.  Liz, Bigbird, Phantom, Ferret, Tenzing. Dormouse. Martini, Sourcers Apprentice, Brusoff, Grasshopper. 

Walkers, Bangkok and Floater

   

Quick briefing from the resident hare, Wasn’t listening as usual, (something about horses and cattle I think) so off we trot left for the pub then sharp right and up thought a field and left (quick pee stop) road and left and down to a cross roads.

On on called up by an athletic Frt. Up we run (well some did) check and after some wondering left through a farm with some young lads asking if we were following the flour (bloody hope so!). Through the farm on to the top field, now this is where I have a problem, do I say that Phantom farted while running or not, humm, best not then. 

On left and check more fields, right and down to the re-group. Sweets and much talk about fish ponds, water levels and drainage! 

On called and up right and down only to find a check and booby trap (garroting wire well place for the taller amongst us) on right and down, up then bit of road. Check right down through cow field and On Inn and back for a well-earned pint.

Lovely run, many thanks

Now some local history……………..

Hemyock is the largest village on the Blackdown Hills, Devon, which is now designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The parish has an area of about 2350 hectares, and lies on the NW of the Blackdown Hills. The village has a very long history, some prehistoric remains may be found, from about 100 BC to well beyond. In the middle ages local iron ores were smelted in small  bloomeries (furnaces) to produce pure iron. In Saxon times a battle was fought at Simonsburrow between the native Britons and King Ime's Saxon army, which put an end (temporarily) to the Kings expansion to the west. 

The name Hemyock could have originated from the British stream name "Samiaco" (meaning summer), other authorities suggest a Saxon origin from a personal name "Hemman" coupled with a Saxon word for a bend or a hook (occi).

Hemyock gave its name to the Hemyock Hundred, a unit of 7 parishes, that was an administrative unit of local government during the Saxon period.

After the Norman conquest a castle was built adjacent to the Parish Church, the remains of some towers may still be seen.

Hemyock is a typical upland settlement consisting of a central "town" surrounded by a number of hamlets (Culmdavey, Millhayes, Simonsburrow, Ashculme, Tedburrow, Madford, Mountshayne etc). From the 1500's to the early 1800's much of the parishes wealth came from the production of wool. The population remained fairly constant throughout the 1800's, and until the end of the second word war. Since then a  number of housing estates have been built, and our population has increased to over 2000.

Hemyock remains a busy village, we have a primary school, excellent medical facilities, 2 garages, 2 hairdressers, a pub, a building society, 2 shops one with a Post Office, a playing field (soon to become 2), a Parish Hall (soon a 2nd will be provided) and 2 Churches. (Baptist Church and St Mary's)

The Cadbury family, of chocolate fame, originated here.

Hemyock was the terminus of the Culm Valley Railway that ran for about 100 years from our village to Tiverton Junction.

The first mechanically operated butter factory in the West of England was started at Mountshayne in 1886 by 4 local farmers, this was later transferred to Millhayes, and was only closed in the 1990's.

Run 748 - Liz Chargot Woods

Run 748    Chargot Woods        Hare: Liz        On Down: Ralegh’s Cross Inn                        Pack: Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Dormouse, Tenzing, Big Bird, Roadkill, Grasshopper, Phantom, Chris, Brush Off, Pink2Lips, Why Bother.  Martini 20 mins late.

We parked the cars at 347 metres and humidity was just as high after the hottest day of the year.   Instructions: some gates difficult to open.   Phantom found a descending grassy track.  Big Bird followed with the pack stretched out on the chase.  The trail widened and a check appeared at every bend of the downward zig-zags, enabling the pack to close up.    Espying white stuff on a rear entrance to a mine shaft, I ventured forth across a stream and ploughed bravely bare-legged into dense Urtica, searching like Harrison Ford, for the illusive second blob.  Histamine stabbed my veins as I called ON ON, though my gritted teeth, at the base of ascending wooden steps.  I listened to the screams below before checking, stupidly, a long way downhill.  The route was, of course, up to Kennisham Hill(382 m) and some had worked it out that we climbed a long way.  One of me made it 1000 feet but I was lucky not to have met the cruel fishhook near the summit. 

At one point, the ground was becoming very sodden, possibly water rushing from a pit-shaft, but a flight of well-built wooden steps took us up and over a bank and on to a dry track.

Bird Bird was running well and out in front a lot (must have been all that marshalling at the Wellington Ten) and we were led to a junction of ways where Brush Off and Soc App took the two right-hand (and uphill) paths, Big Bird to the left.   My only choice was downhill (again) and by the time I’d returned it had gone quiet.  Heading downwards to a dark valley that I now know to be Collyhill Wood, I came upon an attractive pheasant keeper, probably descended from the Doones, who had already gathered enough feathers to stuff a quilt.  I was about to ask if she could spare the time when I realised it was Pink2Lips.   “Could be useful”, she says.   Many a story will be told about the days of austerity!!

  

I could hear Phantom calling so I joined the group behind her.  She had an unconfirmed report of an animal, a deer she thought, but couldn’t specify the make.  Sorry, Phantom.  It doesn’t count if nobody else saw it!

. 

History Bit: This vast area is dotted with pits and is the reason for the Mineral Line that took the ore from these hills to Watchet harbour where it was shipped to Wales to make slag heaps.  

There were two fallers, Why Bother and Phantom, ‘though I didn’t see either event.           Back at the cars, the GPS clan compared recorded running distances but the greater interest was shown to the descent and ascent totals.  

Thank you, Liz.   A well thought-out hash on unusual terrain.

Run 746 Dripped on and Nick

Hares:   Dripped On and Nick (ultra man)

Hounds: Phantom, Tenzing, Bangkok, Ferret, Bigbird, WAM, Roadkill, Liz, Martini & Dormouse.

Well what a beautiful evening for a hash ..... warm and sunny at last!   We arrived at the Rifleman’s to find Dripped on looking rather to stylish for running ..... unfortunately she has injured her shoulder and the painkillers have made her ill so it was all down to Nick to keep us on course.

It was noted by Phantom that we were a perfectly balanced, harmonic pack this week:  five male and five female hashers!  

Of we set to the left and very quickly headed up hill ...... will be going to the top of the Tor this time? .... not yet it would seem.   We followed a lane and then a check with a footpath closed (did Dripped on mention this at the start?) for no apparent reason, fortunately as this was the route we took.  Tenzing surged on ahead shouting “on to a check” ..... or was it “on to a chick”?  As the rest of us arrive, we find Tenzing talking to an attractive young woman ..... come on Tenzing we are supposed to be finding our way not chatting up the locals!

On we went through quiet country lanes in dappled light, across wildflower meadows and dusty farm tracks..... and behold what a view.   Wam became slightly panicky after finding herself “off piste” in the long grass .... what might be lurking in there?..... lions, snakes any number of scary things.

Glastonbury wouldn’t be Glastonbury without the little messages on the styles “this way to weed and LOVE...”.   We also came across a little collection of Yurts and what would appear to be people living a life of simplicity and self sufficiency ..... idyllic!

The regroup was held under a knobbly old lightening tree ..... I can’t remember the local legend about this tree but suddenly as we were guzzling our malteesers, a musician, guitar in hand, emerged from the undergrowth around the tree and wandered off into the distance.  

Off we set towards the distant Tor ..... will we or won’t we be climbing its summit?   Up, up we go with Ferret in the lead when he suddenly finds his shoe lace needs attention .... how strange it looked alright to me, but I thought I had better stop to help!  My caring nature was rewarded as a few meters ahead ..... a fish hook for three ..... and thanks to the shoe lace we didn’t have far to run back to the back of the pack.

At last we reach the foot of the Tor and up we toiled to the top .... and wasn’t it worth it!  The views all around where magnificent and truly worth the climb.

The final leg home was down hill of course and on in to the Rifleman’s Arms.

Thank you for a fabulous run, a pity Dripped on wasn’t feeling so good.

  

Run 745 Smugglers Inn Baby Spice and Gentleman Caller

Run Number: 754: 26^th June 2013

Venue: Smugglers Inn

Hare: Baby Spice and Gentleman Paul

Hounds:  P2L, Why Bother.  Liz,  Chris, JB, WAM!, Bigbird, Phantom, Ferret, Bangkok. Tenzing. Dormouse.

New runners x 4

   

Quick briefing from the resident hares, Baby Spice and Gentleman Paul? Wasn’t listening (something about the tide being in and we couldn’t run the beach) so off we trot only to see Dormouse being ever watchful for cars on the highway and straight across the main road at Blue Anchor in front of the resident boy racer!!. Anyway off left then right with some random local throwing what looked like flour about, on on called and across a couple of fields with the normal confusion and hounds wondering about looking for flour. On on called and off up towards Old Cleeve church and on up on the road towards a small wooded area, bit of track more fields road and re group where Baby Spice had been cooking again and we were all treated to sticky flap jack and sweets.

On on called and through the last of the copse and into I think was Old Cleeve again with Ferret insisting he knew the lanes name, suddenly he remembered just as we passed the lanes sign post!?!. 

On Inn only to find Baby Spice short cutting down the road. Run in long the sea front on a lovely summers evening with some comments made to the local fisherman trying to catch their tea?

The pub, such friendly folk, serve you with local ales and fine wines then tell you to move because they are decorating that room, move to the bar and guess what not enough seats, just standing room only

Many thanks to the Hares for a lovely run…

Run 743: Washbattle Bridge Huish Champflower - Dormouse

Hare:       Dormouse

Hounds: - Liz, Chris, WAM, Phantom, Tenzing, Baby Spice, Big Bird, JB, Bangkok, Ferret and Paul

We all met by the river Tone at Wash Battle Bridge, Huish Champflower where Dormouse gave us our instruction together with a health and safety talk about dodgy bridges, lively horses and muddy tracks.

Off we went down the lane to our first check, where we found the dodgy bridge with bits missing and a lot of movement when crossing (see photo), on up a track and into the woods, with on on being called by the lead group, we ended up back on the road about a 100 metres from the start!  Dormouse ran with haste after Ferret when he didn’t reappear from a check that he had marked with an X but it had disappeared.  Dormouse was convinced that sabotage had taken place but I think we fear that the British seasonal weather was to blame.  Up the hill we climbed and then  down across some field which was a little tricky under foot, on through a farm and into a field, where the hare sent us up the middle and back down to a hidden gap in the bushes, where we again go on up to the regroup. The hare showed us the way out onto a road where they were giving away free tomato plants, never being able to go pass something that is free Paul picks one up and runs the rest of the way with it.  From this lane we go back across the fields were we find some very big horses that run towards us and are very inquisitive to find out what we are all up to which didn’t delight some of the females in the pack and the hare quickly ushered us in the right direction through a gate onto a track and down a field. It was across these fields that gossiping led us to being called back by Dormouse as we had stopped following chalk and had missed the gap in the hedge. On on through another field and back onto the road, a nice run back down the hill to the awaiting parked cars apart from me (Baby Spice) thinking it can’t be that straight forward so on finding a check I investigated uphill, will I ever learn!  

Nicky was waiting at the bottom with car to rescue WAM from yet another bike puncture!

On down to the Bear Inn, for a drink and a naming?  Yes it was the ritual naming this time for Paul.  Suggestions were ‘Little Weed’, ‘Pot Head’, ‘Round Up’ and ‘Gentleman’s Caller’.  The latter being the chosen one, all I can say is if only your teachers could see you now as I’m sure 30 years ago ‘Pot Head’ might have been more appropriate but how time and LOVE changes a man..

Thank you for a great run Dormouse  

Words by Gentleman Caller and Baby Spice.

                                 

Annual Hash results

Slap on the back and a kick on the shin.    June, 2013                

We have come to the end of our 14^th year of Bridgwater Towpath Hashes: runs 693-743.         

Having hashes cancelled was a novelty this year and for the first time ever, forced upon us by the awful weather of an 11½ month winter.  It is now time to hand out the plaudits and mutter insults based on the weekly scoring.  The lowest turnout of hounds was 7 and the highest was 25.  In the 12 months, only two scores were below 90 with the lowest being 85 so is it a mistake for the hare  to choose an area where it is raining on the same evening that the pub is full (or empty) and the beer tastes like vinegar?...it’s hard to say really…

A strong contender for hearty cuddles was Phantom despite us having to pound the Tauntontarmac under the streetlights but the Leslie Avenue food, for 15 hounds, was delicious.  She was edged out on the scoring by Grasshopper’s lay in the dark at Kingston St Mary, also with lashings of food for 15.  It would appear that food is the major influence but, no…  Sorceror’s Apprentice led the eleven-strong pack through horses, keeping everyone chirpy in a sweep around Ash Priors from Combe Florey and back. This brought high scores but was still edged out by Brush Off with his meandering trail from Fyne Court which was attended by 20 happy hounds in daylight, then on down to the Travellers Rest.  With the year nearly completed, Chris achieved the highest score with his run from the Babbling Brook atShurton.

So Chris is this year’s Jolly Good Chap.

Now for the deep end…  An early rush to the bottom was made by Down in the Woods with her downy-uppy wend that led the pack of 16  down from the Rising Sun to cloudy Terhillthen eventually regrouping near the summit of Bagborough Plantation in the gloomy drizzle; very high scores from some, very low from others.   She didn’t need to worry as Dormouselaid a trail from Lydeard St Lawrence in bad light on long, wet grassy hills with washed-out and non existent flour where the hare got lost in one very dark field, along with a 15 strong pack.   A definite loser, but…even Dormouse was saved from ignominy by the resourcefulMartini who chose a windy, Kingscliffe Woods on a starless night to create a trail of mayhem through mud, debris and fallen trees.  The mediocre scoring was a bit harsh as most of the trees probably fell after he’d laid the trail.  Down at the Globe, North Petherton, Martini might have saved the day with free crisps all-round whilst reciting a few lines from Macbeth or perhaps Kenneth Williams’s opening lines from Carry On Nurse, “Infamy! Infamy! …”

Run 742 The Babbling Brook, Shurton - Chris

Run 742.  Hare: Chris     Venue: The Babbling Brook, Shurton.    

Pack: Grasshopper, Phantom, Bigbird, Ferret, Liz, Just Bull, Tenzing, WAM, Bangkok, Dormouse.    Martini in pub.

It was warm and the sky was blue (see monochrome photo above).  Chris the hare and his assistant flour grader were nowhere to be seen but an arrow pointed the way.  10 metres from the arrow was a check.  Ferret and Dormouse challenged for the role of check- kicker-outer while the rest of the pack split two ways but, three checks later, Ferret was called into action and led the call through several checks.  At a multi-point check, all of the hounds were scattered so Dormouse relinquished the role of check-master and, whilst backing up Liz, spotted another option.  ‘On On’.   We’re told it’s not a race but hashers tore across the field from all directions and it was WAM and Just Bull first to find the gap in a hedge behind the long grass.  Chris and Co (Bangkok) had now joined us.  Grasshopper had been wrong several times but was now hitting his stride.  Our hash mistress asked if anyone had a dart gun so she could get him before he disappeared over the hill.  She wouldn’t have had time to load it.  He’d gone.   Ferret gave chase but ‘hopper was already sussing the next check.  Tenzing checked towards the sea but only found one flour blob.  Bigbird continued on his route and called On On, in chorus with the seagulls, to the Regroup on the low cliff edge.  Tut, tut, Tenzing!!  

Discussion raised the subject of skylarks and nightingales whilst Ferret pointed out places of interest across the water, the Brecon Beacons being so clearly visible that he added the direction of Merthyr Tydfil, just about in line above Barry Island.   A giant ON ON was marked in the sand defining our route so, along the beach and back to grassland.  

For our weekly history lesson, The hare showed us the archaeology site, pre-Hinkley C, the finds being a Roman knive, amphora sherd, jewellery, Bronze Age round house, pits full of pottery,  11 Romano-British burials, all with their hobnails boots on (needed for the marshy ground) and an Iron Age enclosure.  The site had been occupied for 10,000 years.   In 10,000 years time they’ll discover that back in the iAge we grew chocolate coated peanuts where we had the Regroup.

I think I was the only one studying ‘cause they were all trying to catch Grasshopper.  He went wrong at last when Just BulRuRl and Phantom checked a lovely flower meadow with mown paths and soon called On On.  Several choices at each check brought the pack closer and we all ran back to the Babbling Brook together.  We were all at one with nature this evening when even the stinging nettles held back their venom for 5.23 miles.  

You probably think that I’ve gone OTT with this rural idyll stuff but I’d forgotten to write about  the sheep flock that ran towards us instead of running away…you know…the sheep that ran towards us to see where we were going?  Never mind.  I won’t bother putting that bit in.

Thank you, Chris.  Good grassland run.  Good pub.