Run 726 - Hearts & Flowers Valentine Run

Venue: Hearts and Flowers Hash from The Greyhound Inn

Hares: DITW & JB

Hounds: Bangkok, Grasshopper, M’Bongo, Big Bird, Nick, Dripped On, Pink 2 Lips, Paul, Baby Spice, Ferret, Liz, Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Why Bother.

In the pub: The Greyhound Inn

On arriving in the pub car park thinking we were late again when we noticed other reluctant shadows sat in their cars.  The shadows finally stepped out and comparisons of what red and pink outfits had one attired themselves were discussed and flashed.  At one point somebody mentioned anybody wearing red pants; at this point two thoughts crossed my mind:

1. What colour pants did I have on?
2. Oh and more concerning was I about to see bare backsides with red leather thongs, thoughts of the ‘Full Monty’ sprung to mind.

Thankfully the audience fell silent and ‘Just Bull’ started with the run brief.  We were all delighted to hear that mud had been avoided as much as possible again quite impressive after all the earlier rain.  We were off left out of the car park and a fast start along the road to the first fancy ‘red chalk heart’ check.  Hounds were already checking on the road and field so I reluctantly ventured into a field running along parallel to the road and as underfoot was uneven I was actually hoping not to find any chalk when ‘on, on’ was called and we were back on the road - fantastic.  I think there were 3 or 4 fast male hounds up ahead and they had checked the next point which meant we were now off road and into a field which ended up as a very muddy field, to which groans were made to JB with regard to the mentioned not much mud run but we had all misunderstood the instructions in that this was good mud but there would be less of the smelly mud!  On paddling through water and over a stile we were off again and not long before we were back on the road. Next check was at a road junction and then shortly onto a second check which was the start of a very long hill, initially on road and after another check it went onto a very muddy path, more water and into the woods and up and up it went! 

We found out back at the pub that ‘Why Bother’ and ‘Pink Two Lips’ who had arrived late for the hash only managed to follow checks until the start of the hill, apparently it was unrecognizable due to car tyres but I guess we will never know whether they just decided to skip the hill and have a romantic run of their own!!

It was whilst running up the long hill in the woods that I thought this is quite scary and I wouldn’t do this in the day let alone at night!  I decided to ease up and wait for Paul just in case my torch light gave up the ghost completely.  On on up the hill and a small descent where we had an impromptu gathering and waited to see if the late arrivals would catch us up.  Some of us started to feel the cold and decided as they were together we would get on.  Another check and into the woods, thick muddy paths and up hill again, once again thoughts of barking mad and what am I doing here sprung to mind when a squeal from right behind and a quick grab of the arm as JB nearly fell in!  All that effort and then we were heading back down again, many hounds making mincemeat of the terrain whilst I seemed to be tip toeing down with the fear of falling flat in the mud.  Briefly back on the road and a romantic sweetie stop with love heart sweets and chocolates.  Well nearly romantic apart from stopping near a chapel and grave yard…

On, on again and through a farm, only a slight whiff of smelly mud as promised.  Over a stile and into a field half of us running to the right along the edge of the field when we realized the rest of the group were running right through the middle. Again underfoot was good for running but with a weak torch I was apprehensively looking for some trip wire to catch us out!  No wire to be found and we were all back on track.  Then we negotiated over many muddy stiles slipping and sliding, ducking and diving as we worked our way through an over grown patch.  Back onto a track and again half a dozen of us headed through a gate and down a field only to be called back which meant running back up the field!  Back onto a wider track we followed the rest of the group to the road and back to The Greyhound Inn.

Great run with not too much of the other sort of mud but still plenty of the more common variety. Thank you ‘Just Bull’ and ‘DITW’.

Run 723 - DitW words by Brush off

Run 723.

Date: 16^th January 2013.  

Location: Greedys Barn, Fitzhead. 

Hare: DiTW.

Pack: Lost the list so don't know who was there

OK, I will bend over now so you can slap my bottom with a wet fish.

I forgot to do the words and I have now forgotten almost everything about the run.

From what I remember we met in a blackcurrant field.  The run was very pleasant and it was a clear night.

Down Down was at the Fitzhead Pub which was also very pleasant 

1/10 -  Brush Off please put more effort into your work ! If you would like advice on how to write a descriptive report, please contact Doormouse!

Run 724 - Bankok & Sorcerer's Apprentice

Run Number: 724- 30^th Jan 2013

Venue: The Travellers Rest, on the Quantocks.

Hares:The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (assisted by Bangkok). 

Hounds: Big Bird, Withy, Pink2lips, Grasshopper, WAM, DitW, JB, Liz, Chris, Martini and Mark.

In the pub:

 (Why Bother- late back from work, Floater –injured skiing, and Ferret - looking after his injury too).

Rather alarming start to hash venue as road sign said ‘Road closed’. Intrepid WAM carried on up the hill past the sign and past lots of debris from fallen trees until we reached the top. YIPPEE.

Points of interest:

1. Martini on time at start!
2. DitW had some flashy jade green new shoes.

Bangkok and Sorcerer’s Apprentice ready and waiting. We all set off, two and on through bog, bog and more bog like mud. Saw lots of fallen trees and path hunting needed all the way.

Round and round in circles and suddenly two sets of beady eyes were spotted and mad horses came crashing through the undergrowth, wearing coats so they are not wild. They gave P2L and DitW a fright.

Sweetie regroup was interrupted by man asking if we had been trespassing on his land “NO , NO , NO  !!” we said and we hadn’t been.

Bangkok kept taking sneaky short cuts but Sorcerers Apprentice made sure we all knew where to go and rounded us all up to get to the end. 

Thanks for fun hash in muddy conditions.

Three wise M_ _ _ _ _  s waiting for us in the pub ( See list above !) Hearing, seeing and speaking no evil…….

Next hash: 727 on 13^th Feb -   The Greyhound at Staple Fitzpaine, 

728 20^th Feb ???? No idea where or which Hare 

Run 522 - Park Lane Nursery .... Grasshopper

Hounds: M’Bongo, Chris, Bangkok, The Sorcerer’s apprentice, Big Bird, Paul, Jackie, Liz , Phantom, Gym Slip, P2L, & a bit late Just Bull, DiTW, Wham

In The House: Martini

Everybody managed to get nearly all the way around the Monopoly board without going to jail and landed at Park Lane, one more square and it would have been Super Tax for all of us. The sorcerer’s apprentice jogged to the start from his house, and despite cars stopping to point out hashers don’t jog insisted on going all the way on his own. 

A very enjoyable run with a mixture of road ( above and below  water ), and Mud ( above and below water ). Part way around it was noticed that the pack was being followed by three mysterious lights. Instead of running faster ( my preferred choice whenever being chased ) the pack slowed down and allowed Just Bull, DiTW, and Wham catch us up.  

A rumour started to circulate that there was no sweetie stop, and not even a regroup. There was only one thing I could do. I pushed my aching little legs to get to the front of the pack and luckily Gym slip checked wrong. Finding a narrow track with a stile I dived into my bum bag and dug out an emergency supply of sweeties ( no they hadn’t been left in my bag for weeks to go stale ). Grasshopper soon moved us on as he knew what he had in store for us. Or rather in store for some of us, as Grasshopper very kindly directed some fortunate souls down a short cut. The rest were allowed to run on following the trail into a double hedged track that was being used for water storage. Well there was a lot of water in it anyway and no way around it. So only one thing to do and splash On In, On On, & On INN back to Park Lane where we found Martini, late again so he did his own little run around the lanes. 

A lovely spread of nosh was laid on back at Grasshopper’s house and I’m sure all would all like to say a big thanks to Jess. Sitting innocently in the corner Jacky was pulled up to stand in front of the amassed congregation where she was given the hash name of “Baby Spice” in recognition of her singing prowess that was demonstrated at the Christmas meal.                                                       M’Bongo

Run 521 - The Crown at Rumwell ... WAM!

Run Number: 721 2^nd January 2013

Venue: Rumwell Inn/ now called The Crown, Rumwell, Taunton

Hares: WAM (assistant JB)

Hounds: (So many daft names to type and have had weeks off due to injury so apologies if I’ve misnamed you or not named you at all if you were there!) Phantom, Tenzing, Brushoff, Ma Baker, Paperwork, M’Bongo, Big Bird, Withy, Pink2lips, Why Bother, DitW, Paul C, Liz, Dave and Mark. (Chunky and Gungadin in the pub).

What a popular hash start or Hare as so many old friends turned up tonight at the newly renamed pub. Good to see Ma Baker and Paperwork again. Pub car park was nearly full with hashers. WAM gave out the instructions, the main one to meet together at early regroup to go through horsey ladies fields en masse to prevent hassle from her or her horses. 

Off we set Why Bother helpfully calling “on,on” but not sure why he bothered, someone else crossed the road and found more flour. Off again up past the old Rumwell Manor Hotel weaving between the car parks and up through the fields to the regroup for group safety through ‘horseville’. Safely crossed and then down through an enormous muddy field to come out amazingly through a neat stile onto the road wearing muddy stilt-like trainers.

Long road section next great for actually running and not squelching for a change, lots of decoy flour until we meet the A38. Here a wild swede lies in the middle of the road, nearly tripping up several hashers trying to dodge the cars, and cross over to Bishops Hull and past lots of new houses being built but with amazing footpaths already made. 

Lovely night time views of Taunton lights, which distracted us all a while from the mud, mud, mud and smelly cow shed mud. A really fun hash, many thanks WAM.