Run 720 - Dead Woman's Ditch Boxing Day Run

Hares: Bankok and Ferret

Hounds: Phantom, WAM, Tenzing, Brushoff, Justin, Floater and Grasshopper.

Only seven hardy souls braved the delights of Dead Womens Ditch on Boxing Day.  Maybe the majority was put off by all the rain that fell during the day but the sky had cleared so that our Hares in Wellies and wet weather gear were able to lay in the trail in the dry.

New to me was the “One and On” which sped up our navigation massively apart from the fact that the hounds kept falling over, more to do with the treacherous conditions underfoot rather than any excess of alcohol consumed over the previous days celebrations.  Floater is a bit of a misnomer as he obviously does not float on mud and Brushoff lived up to his name by having to brush off large quantities of mud after doing  a “Superman” dive full length into the mud.

Because of their attire, understandably, our Hares were not running but would appear mysteriously out of the gloom at various points of the course, at one point scaring the bejesus out of me when I overshot the regroup.  The sky had cleared completely by this time and we ate chocolate orange segments under a bright Moon.

A delay after the regroup as we searched for the correct route until someone noticed the gate, in full view, through the fence that we had missed.  Another delay as the hounds lost the scent near the road but casting round in larger circles picked it up gain.

A final dash over the top led us back to the start where 7 very satisfied hounds were glad that they had made the effort to come out.

Only 2 hounds joined the hares for refreshments, good conversations and tasteless jokes in the Rose and Crown in Nether Stowey.  

Note to Brushoff: Be sure to check for facial mud stains before entering public houses.

Run 719 - Brush Off North Petherton O/D the Globe

Hounds:- Bangkok, Ferret, Chris, Pink2Lips, Why Bother, Tenzing, Liz, Martini, Big Bird, Grasshopper, Dave, Gymslip, WAM, JB, DiTW’s, Justin, Marco.

On arrival, we found Why Bother and Pink2Lips wondering if they were in the right place, a very full car park but not a hasher in sight.

Two and on its wet and muddy!!! Well what did we expect?

After a few laps of North Petherton, Pink 2 Lips announced we had lost Why Bother, no one seemed bothered except her apparently he had the car keys.

We then got off road where we found the mud and some nicely chilled water, slipped and slid on the downhill bit with excited screeches (that was just the blokes) then merrily squelched around the fields, still slipping and sliding onto yet more very wet fields.

The regroup was after a check with an arrow to make the front runners go a bit further, but only Ferret tried to follow it with Why Bother remarking on how grumpy he was that night.

We had homemade minced pies at the regroup, Martini found someone to talk too over a Laurel hedge, before the pack charged off as the rain started to fall; well we wouldn’t want to get wet would we?

We set off along the road only to turn off onto a farm track where the choice was either to balance along the middle calf deep in mud or in the tyre tracks, knee deep in cold water, what a choice.

Bangkok remarked that this was the first time when running from North Petherton the run hadn’t gone into Kings Cliff woods, Brush Off not wanting to disappoint had actually gone in a little way, only to run out of flour and marking what he believed was a check back causing some of the pack to scuttle around trying to find an alternative route convinced it should go up and out onto the top road WRONG!!! It went back, then through more very wet fields and out opposite the car park.

Good hash Brush off. 

URGENT MESSAGE!

In an unprecedented move, tonight's run has been cancelled due to abnormal amounts of flood water everywhere! ....... has this ever happened before in the history of Bridgwater Towpath H3?

We may be tough but we prefer to run than swim ....... !!!

Run 713 - Bankok Halloween Run

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Hare Bangkok

Hounds Liz, Big Bird, Phantom

Grasshopper, Marco, Tenzing, David, Justin

At the start the pack was diminished in numbers, the Witches about to depart on their broomstick to the other side of the world, and Brush Off socializing. Grasshopper was dressed up menacingly with cape and wizardry.

Bangkok having just returned from laying the trail gave us our instructions. Two & on, alternative trails will be marked at some checks L ( long ) & S ( short ) , no sweeties since we were to be fed at Bangkok’s base.

Pack set off down Sea Lane, at a check some hares go straight on, David gets lost down track on right, but manages to hang on, Up front hounds were checking at Packhouse Farm. Picked up trail and over fields back to Sea Lane by ruined chantry, then on on through car park and check at Victorian retort. Pack set off to the beach, Marco not knowing about the sea wants to jump off the cliff, but is persuaded to continue with us.

Next check had the pack trying every possible route to no avail, then Tenzing and Grasshopper decide to head back on a nearby path to the car park. Grasshopper busy looking for flour so does not see the barrier across the route, crunch.

Pack presses on along a track up a ridge between fields, going very slippery. Marco and Grasshopper up front again. At Kilton Park Wood David checks one way but cannot find flour. On returning he passes Liz, Bird Bird and Grasshopper taking the short route which had just been marked, but David doubles back for the long route through the woods. Eventually he catches up with the pack, but realizes that his torch is low on power, and stumbles along. Meanwhile the three hounds on the short route have time to stare at some deer in the open, approaching close to them before the deer showed them how to run fast.

On the way back to the start now up Hilltop Lane, a long steady climb, then check right down a narrow footpath back to Kilve.  Path was like a stream with water flowing down the middle rocky rut, but great fun if you had light to see by.

On down to Bangkok’s base, where Ferret was on domestic duty. Big Bird put on her party gear going in. What a spread, and pack further reduced in numbers (did they get lost?) but very cozy by the wood burner in the conservatory.

Thanks to Bangkok & Ferret for the run and refreshments.

Next weeks run 14 Nov Hares: P2L & Why Bother

Run 712 - Chunky & Bigbird

Hairs:- Chunky and Bigbird.               

Howns:- Eighteen, of the best.

Trail:- Mud, mud, glorious mud.

On Down:- Winchester Arms.

A bold Hasher boy was standing one day
On the banks of the cool River Tone.
He gazed at the bottom as he peacefully lay
By the light of the evening moon.
Away on the hilltop sat combing her hair
His fair Hasher maid
The Hasher boy was no ignoramus
And sang her this sweet serenade

Mud, mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood
So follow me follow, down to the hollow
And there let me wallow in glorious mud

The fair Hasher maid he aimed to entice
from her seat on that hilltop above.
As she hadn't got a ma to give her advice
came tiptoeing down to her love
Like thunder the forest re-echoed the sound
of the song that they sang when they met
His inamorata adjusted her garter
and lifted her voice in duet

Mud, mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood
So follow me follow, down to the hollow
And there let me wallow in glorious mud.

Now more hashers began to convene
On the banks of that river so wide
I wonder now what I am to say of the scene
That ensued by the Tone River side
They dived all at once with an ear-splitting sposh
Then rose to the surface again
A regular army of Hashers
All singing this haunting refrain

Mud, mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood
So follow me follow, down to the hollow
And there let me wallow in glorious mud

The amorous Hasher whose love song we know
Is now married and father of ten,
He murmurs, "God rot 'em all!" as he watches them grow,
And he longs to be single again!
He'll gambol no more on the banks of the Nile,
Which Nasser is flooding next spring,
With Hashers in silken pyjamas
No more will he teach them to sing...

Mud, mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood
So follow me follow, down to the hollow
And there let me wallow in glorious mud

Thank You Bigbird and Chunky for a very SHIGGY hash.

Run 711 - Dormouse Lydeard st Lawrence

Hare:  Dormouse

Hounds: Why Bother, Chunky, Big

Bird, M’Bongo, Bangkok, Brush off, Liz, P2L, JB, WAM, Ferret, Floater, David, Gymslip,Tenzing and Withy.

The Hare told us that there had been some robberies in the area and land owners were likely to shoot first and ask questions later if anyone was seen on their land. Luckily Dormouse had let people know we were coming so there should be no problem. On On was called and we were directed to the back of car park

through a gate and along a path. The trail took us up long steep hills and through several gates and stiles. At one point we went up and up a field searching for flour but could not find any. The Hare, who was with us, decided we had gone too far to the right so we went down the hill again until we found the right way.

On we went through a gate and on left. More hills followed and at one point I was sure we were heading for Willets tower, but I was wrong. Apparently there was a faller, but I didn’t see it. Later I found out it was Floater. We had to get under several wire fences and Chunky resorted to crawl under on e of them. After some muddy slippery tracks we went through a Mango field and arrived at the regroup where we enjoyed a selection of sweets.

Then it was on on through some ones back garden, past a table and chairs and

up some steps. The only animals on the route were some dogs barking nearby. At one point we crossed the road and went up hill again, eventually coming into Lydeard ST Lawrence. After going the wrong way we turned around and found the way back to the car park.

Lovely run Dormouse.

Run 710 - WAM! Birthday Hash

Run Number: 710: 10^th Oct 2012

Venue:  Posh House, Watermans House.

Hare: WAM!

Hounds:  Phantom,  Floater, P2L, Why Bother. Big Bird,Tenzing, Grasshopper, Justin, Mark, JB, Brushoff, Liz, Gymslip, Sorepoint, 

There for food: Bangkok, Ferret

Arrive at birthday girl’s house on a “dry” crisp evening.

Quick briefing from our host about mud and the option to clean off your trainers during the hash, muddy and wet then!

Off right and away through the church toward Allerford crossing the main railway line (no trains ordered this week to wave at), on through the recently harvested potato field then the mud and more mud. Then the water. Arrive at the Allerford Inn.

Check and left on road back toward Hillfarrance to another check and right through Pontispool and then left along the old railway branch line towards Milverton. Check right past some barns and then left only to have done a large loop and back On Inn to Watermans House.

Lovely run thank you.

All changed and refreshed to sample the delights of Wams culinary exploits which were enjoyed by all followed by birthday cake and a rendition of Happy Birthday. The singing, hummm, I would suggest none of the hash give up their day jobs!

Now what don’t you do when it’s a ladies (loose term!) birthday………… ask here age! Do you Grasshopper!!  

Next weeks athletic outing…………………

712 24-Oct-12 Winchester Arms, Trull, Big Bird and Chunky