RONLET’S BIRTHDAY HASH
Run Number: 354
Date: Mon 3 Apr 06
Time: 80 minutes
Distance: 7 km
Run Location: Donhead St Andrew
The Pub: The Forester Inn
Pub Details: Pub Report
Weather: Clear but very parky
HARE(S):- Bronwen (Ronlet) Jones
- Brian (BrEW) Errington-Weddle
HOUNDS:- Mark (Jibber) Humphries
- Terry (Walt) Disney
- Andy (Warthog) Goodman
- Bronwen (Ronlet) Jones
- Martin (Madness) Lawson
- Gabbi
- Duncan (Day Glo) Ray
- Ed (Birdseye) Sadd
- Steve
Not In Photograph:- Brian (BrEW) Errington-Weddle
Social Hounds/Hash Puppies:- Jim (Forget Me Not) Forest
Real Hounds:
THE WORDS
It would seem that it takes a good bash on the knee and the enticement of a birthday celebration to get me to the Hash on time for the start of a run. It was therefore with much surprise to Warthog and Jibber that they were the last to appear on the scene for this memorable birthday Hash.
It was noted that the Hares and gratifyingly large number of Hounds were keen to get on the scent and out of the Forester's car park, which, although it was a beautiful evening, was cold to say the least. So after a quick briefing and the obligatory photo (for which Birdseye put in an appearance having felt guilty at turning up and then whinging about a bruised knee and not being able to run) we were let off the leash.
Once released from the car park we were quickly onto the scent with the Hares keeping a careful tally to make sure those checking out the false trails all returned to the correct trail once the on-on was called. As always there were a few of us that consistently chose the wrong trail and disappeared down a falsie (very gratifying for the Hares who had gone to all the trouble to set them in the first place). At the first check Walt and Warthog were making the running, but it was Birdseye (sore knee and all) who picked up the correct trail and led us along some lovely woodland trails with the promise of wild garlic and bluebells to come when spring really arrives.
Walt at this stage had made a remarkable three consecutive correct guesses in a row to lead the pack out of the woods and into more open country. At the next check he opted for the more cautious option and let Day Glo and Warthog make take over the lead roles. This was a wise decision as the footpaths became more obscure and the grassy fields more favourable for cattle grazing than running through. As always on these occasions there were the muddy constricted gateways to negotiate. Those with either dry or clean shoes made all sorts of tortuous efforts to keep out of the dubious looking mire, much to the mirth of those who had already passed the point of no return (otherwise know as the muddy shoe brigade).
Crossing the Nadder river we were on-on up the hill to the next check where the view of Old Wardour was pointed out and images of Robin Hood's father swinging from the gallows, were conjured up by those in the know. (For those of you who did not know, Wardour was the location for part of the film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves”). At this point with a couple of strategically placed blobs we were misled into dashing up the road to one of the two promised smiley faces. Even Birdseye's crook knee was persuaded to canter past the not so obvious trail. Back to the last blob and there was a concealed footpath sign in the hedge. Here the trail led us across more grassy pastures and over another style to an inviting looking trail down the hill along the edge of the field. Warthog, Day Glo and Jibber did a stirling job of checking this one out whilst Birdseye took the opposite direction and after some time called the on-on. With ever increasing wariness he circumnavigated most of the field descending via an increasingly gooey section to the bottom of the same slope that Jibber had checked out. On looking around the hounds could be seen cutting the corner in ever increasing arcs as we finally exited this field just a short distance from where Jibber had found his chosen option to be incorrect.
Gabbi a young newcomer to our Hash was stoically keeping up with the pack and her father Steve and using the checks to best advantage, unlike Madness who was hell bent of taking as many false trails as possible under the illusion that eventually he would guess correctly and have the pleasure of the whole pack strung out behind him. A couple more checks and soggy ground found us panting up hill and onto a road where Madness at last got it right by turning left up the hill. There was some debate when we reached another check. Warthog was keen to point out, that with Ronlet and BrEW setting the trail the correct route must be up the very steep gradient and into the woods. Good guess, but misconceived as the trail continued up the hill to another view point and a whip in. With a bit of coercion from the hares and the ever more welcoming thought of refreshments in our minds we set off to find the trail again. This time it was Birdseye who was on, but only after thinking he had heard the shout for on-on from elsewhere and started to head back up the hill again (fool). Now on through farm buildings and out the other side across a open bit of parkland, over a style and another check. Birdseye disappeared off down the hill whilst some other canny hound picked up the trail. In a fit of enthusiasm thinking we were almost home we were led straight to the second smiley face! Back a little way and we picked up a good track heading towards Donhead St. Mary Church, looking a suitable part of a well establish country scene in amongst the trees way up a rather steep hill. Jibber who had been somewhat unsuccessful in leading the way was now seen at the forefront of the pack as we plunged downhill, back to the river, where we came on the final twist is this devious bit of trail laying, to find we were heading away from the pub and close by the (other) church, very picturesque too, before the on home was called and Warthog and Day Glo made the running for home!
Forget Me Not, with a self-satisfied smile hovering around his lips, was there in the car park to greet us. He had all sorts of excuses about not being able to get to the start in time and having to miss the run, but luckily able to be with us for the liquid sustenance.
A very satisfying run well set through some splendid countryside. Now into the pub as quick as possible as the temperature had dropped even further and the hands and knee caps were beginning to go blue and convulse unrestrainedly. However, there was one major surprise in store. Before we even had time to draw breath there was the popping of corks adn fizzy stuff being handed out in the best paper cups. Happy Birthday Bron and thanks for a great run. The food and beer were both of excellent quality and it was some time later that we made our weary way home.
MUG & T-SHIRT RATINGS
(??*) - Denotes attendance by those not Mug Rated (social hounds).
GOLD T-SHIRT AWARD (50 AND OVER)
Andy (Warthog) Goodman (163); Bronwen (Ronlet) Jones (117); Terry (Buggalugs) Canham (108); Brian (BrEW) Errington-Weddle (87); Ed (Birdseye) Sadd (80); Terry (Walt) Disney (69); Tim (Classic) King (69); Mark (Jibber) Humphries (57); Tim (Silent Running) Bryning (52)
MUG AWARD AND CAN WEAR BLUE T-SHIRT (25 - 49)
Duncan (Day Glo) Ray (49 + 1*); John (Semaphore) Carr (42); J-F (Entente) Lechanoine (42); Frances (Stop Watch) Canham (34*); Ruth (Typhoon) Canham (34*); Sylvie (Ça Va) Lechanoine (28); Helen (Elle) Goodman (26*)
NEED MORE HASHES OR POSTING ORDER (10 - 24)
Jim (Forget Me Not) Forrest (24 + 6*); Steve (Bob the Builder) Pritchard (20); Nick (Tri Harder) Bateson (20); Gordon (F Med) Rafferty (18); Martin (Madness) Lawson (17); John (Strider) Bryning (16); Tom (Two Shoes) Gillard (15); Ian (Abdul) Condie (11 + 1*); Lesley (Tinkerbell) Bryning (10*).
NEED MORE HASHES (5 - 9)
Rowland (Pet Rescue) Stibbards (9); Gail Sadd (8 + 3*); J-C (Moose Milk) Boisvert (7 + 1*); Sarah Bryning (1+6*); Ben Sadd (6); John Harry (Hot Dog) Ross (5); Emma Sadd (5); John (Nokia) Noraika (5); Nick (The Gnome) Laffan (5); Jayne (Blackberry) Boisvert (5*).
KEEP HASHING (1 - 4)
Clare Sadd (4); Heather Terrington (2 + 1*); Ombeline Lechanoine (3*); Rod (Dyno) Thomas (2); Martin Hughes (1); Colin (tbc) McGrory (1); Kate Forrest (1*); Julie Carr (1); James Carr (1); William Carr (1); Robert Carr (1*); Sandie Disney (1*); Steve & Gabbi
Price: Ronlet & BrEW # 354 |
