THE “ON A ROLL” HASH
Run Number: 431
Date: Monday 12 May 08
Time: 80 minutes
Distance: 5.5 miles ish
Run Location: Child Okeford
The Pub: The Saxon Inn
Pub Links: To follow
Weather: Warm and sunny
Hares, Hounds and Hash Stats
THE WORDS
Unlike last year, May hasn’t mimicked April. Instead we’ve had some gloriously warm and sunny weather – just the ticket for a run around Child Okeford with Hambledon looming. But we hashers put all thoughts of that to the back of our minds, as we gathered out on the road in front of the Saxon Inn. What a pleasant, balmy evening and a good turn out for Orson’s first solo lay. Before the Off we scuttled into the bar to place our orders for food and then reassembled for the briefing – normal markings, a couple of smiley faces and a whip-in or two, plus apologies in case grass mowing activities had obliterated any of the dabs. Excuses, excuses!
Just before the photo call, Crazy Fool and Mike Lock arrived, but despite our encouragement for them to hurry, Mike seemed to be taking an inordinately long time to make himself presentable. Eventually he appeared; the delay attributable to the harnessing on of his CamelBak. The rest of us were relying on the Saxon to sort out any of our hydration requirements.
Hash Flash duties had been handed to Ronlet as BrEW was apparently enjoying some flying down in Kent. No need to bend the knees, only to watch out for speeding police cars – obviously late home for his evening ‘snap’.
The Trail headed north initially but switched direction along a footpath behind the houses, Walt confidently called the On over a couple of stiles and into a field. A second field tempted, Crazy Fool, but Ronlet, familiar with the territory from a previous lay, bore left over another stile, and after a hundred yards came to the first check. A few choices here but again Ronlet’s experience stood her in good stead as she selected the correct route along a permissive path leading through a field over a brook and On to the second check. There was no stopping her now as she went right and On again towards Hayward Lane. At this check, a lady runner inspired Ronlet to bear right along the old Greenway Lane and at the risk of repeating herself it was On once more. As we sped after her, Warthog found a whip-in by a gate, which clearly Ronlet had not seen (well it was off to one side). She seemed a little puzzled when we didn’t all go haring after her, but she was not for rejoining the pack – she had found 3 dabs from the gate so it would have been foolish really.
Eventually after a breather we set off in pursuit and at the next pathway junction, her luck ran out. The trail led south to a bridge over the Stour and another check. Quelque Chose found the trail and together with Ronlet set off confidently towards the next bend in the river – they were foiled, however, by an absent smiley (may be the ducks had had it) and were called back by the Hare to a bridge over a tributary where they followed the pack to the old railway line. Here Crazy Fool and Walt explored up the old embankment, whilst Warthog opted for the road back into Okeford. It took him a while but he eventually called the On and the pack followed cautiously, wary of the traffic.
A likely junction stopped our progress and Warthog couldn’t refuse the muddy track option. We all suspected that this would be the likely route and soon found ourselves teetering along the rutted track trying to avoid the particularly muddy bits. A cry of joy from Warthog confirmed our worst fears as we rounded a corner to see him t’other side of a huge puddle, grinning sadistically. Ronlet was not convinced that ploughing through it was the only choice and Silent Running agreed, leading the way, precariously along the left bank – stinging nettles being preferably to a mud bath. Strangely the rest of the pack thought it wouldn’t be so bad to wade straight in, not realising how deep the puddle was. Two Shoes was certainly surprised and Walt was very nearly a goner – it’s obviously habit forming. Mike seemed to enjoy converting his white attire into a muddy grey and Madness pointed out that some people pay good money for such treatment.
By the time we’d stopped exclaiming about our muddy state, Warthog had come to the next check and had turned left into a field. He was sticking to the edge but encouraged Ronlet to check the short cut across the loop – she hadn’t found 3 dabs before she’d come to a check by a gate. Here the trail bore left with Ronlet again in the lead, all set up for her second ‘roll’ of the evening which continued on through fields to Duck Street and a whip-in. The Hare advised there were no dabs along the road but pointed us left towards a right turn which would take us up towards a criss- cross of paths near the Manor House. Crazy Fool checked right and found the trail but for some reason took a turn left, leaving Ronlet to lead the way along the path to another stile and whip-in.
Here the Hare kindly furnished us with some liquid refreshment of the H2O variety. Whilst Warthog bemoaned the lack of ale, at least we could throw the water over our heads to cool down. We all knew what was coming now – I don’t think anyone bothered checking out on the road – we all headed up hill, bearing right past a gate, with Quelque Chose in front, to find the next smiley. Back to the gate and into a field where on a previous hash, cattle and the steep incline had slowed our progress. Not this time and with relief we realised we were not going straight up but were bearing left along a track which contoured round the bowl. Whilst not steep it was still tricky going and a bit of a roller coaster. Only the more surefooted amongst us could race ahead. Jibber, Kinky Bugger, Silent Running et al soon lengthened the gap between the front runners and the more cautious. Ronlet saw Drama Queen disappear into a copse but soon lost sight of the pack after this. A swift ‘Are You?’ told her the only way was up but fortunately only for a short while. Hidden Depths was just about in touch but the lie of the land was making it difficult for the other tail-enders to see which way the pack was heading. Fortunately Orson returned to the rescue, but the front runners had found a down hill path and surged ahead, in spite of tricky underfoot conditions and evening dog walkers.
In hot pursuit with instructions to call an impromptu whip-in, Ronlet came across Crazy Fool converting 3 dabs into an arrow. The rest had continued on to the next check by a track leading to the Manor House and had there found an official whip-in. After a short wait and welcome respite, the pack regrouped and were directed by the Hare along a footpath northwards which we knew was generally in the right direction for the beer. The real trail was ignored by certain hashers as we found our way through field and copse, but we were all together when Jibber called the On over a stile and through a paddock and out into Ridgeway Lane where we turned left towards Gold Hill. We couldn’t miss the On In, upon which Orson had expended vast amounts of sawdust, and after an excellent 80 minute run all felt we had earned the beers and refreshments which awaited us.
HARES, HOUNDS AND HASH STATS
Hare(s): Orson
Hounds: Crazy Fool, Drama Queen, Hidden Depths, Jibber, Kinky Bugger, Madness, Quelque Chose, Ronlet, Silent Running, Two Shoes, Walt, Warthog, Mike Lock
Social Hounds/Puppy Hashers: Not this time
Real Hounds: Not this time
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MUG & T-SHIRT RATINGS
(??*) - Denotes attendance by those not Mug Rated (social hounds).
RED T-SHIRT AWARD (100 AND OVER) ….And we’ve got them – for £10!
Andy (Warthog) Goodman (221); Bronwen (Ronlet) Jones (192); Brian (BrEW) Errington-Weddle (152 + 4*); Ed (Birdseye) Sadd (138); Terry (Walt) Disney (133); Tim (Silent Running) Bryning (129 + 1*); Mark (Jibber) Humphries (128); Jason (Kinky Bugger) Wareham (101)
GOLD T-SHIRT AWARD (50 AND OVER)
Martin (Madness) Lawson (90 + 6*); Duncan (Day Glo) Ray (70+ 2*); Tim (Classic) King (69)
MUG AWARD AND CAN WEAR BLUE T-SHIRT (25 - 49)
John (Strider) Bryning (33); Helen (Elle) Goodman (30*); Gail (Tour Guide) Sadd (8 + 20*); Tom (Two Shoes) Gillard (28); Mark (Shady) Vincent (27); Rowland (Pet Rescue) Stibbards (26)
NEED MORE HASHES OR POSTING ORDER (10 - 24)
Graham (Hidden Depths) Plaice (20); Peter (Emptier) Fuller (17); Lesley (Tinkerbell) Bryning (15*); Pierre (Quelque Chose) Leroy (17); Ben (The Slobby Uno ♂) Sadd (13); Edward (The Wanderer) Vincent (12); Patrick (Sloe) Ginn (11); Sarah (..) Bryning (1 + 9*); Emma (…) Sadd (8 + 2*)
NEED MORE HASHES (5 - 9)
Paul (Crazy Fool) Kadoch (8); Alan (Orson) Kerridge (8); Wendy (…) Stibbards (8*); Jenny (…)Fuller (3 + 4*); James (i-Plod) Vincent (7); Clare (The Slobby Uno ♀) Sadd (4 + 2*); Manuela (…)Leroy (5*)
KEEP HASHING (1 - 4)
Nikki (Xtra Miles) Brooks (4); Andy (Muddy) Cheney (4); Steve Thornton (4); Pierre Leroy Jnr (3); Rebecca Leroy (3*); Fiona (…) Ray (1+2*); Paul Allen (2); Mike (…) Lock (2); David Orriss (2); Elsie May Ray (2*); Alf Sadd (2*); Janice Vincent (2*); Chantelle Wareham (2); Craig (Drama Queen)White (4); Jane Allen (1); Sandie Disney (1*); Renee Ginn (1*); Ben King (1+1*); Alice King (1*); George King (1*); Sarah King (1); Colin McGrory (1); Hilary Naylor (1); Emma Rae (1); Ian (..) Seraph (1); Jon (Circus Boy) Smallwood (1); Fiona Vincent (1*)
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Price: Orson # 431 |
