Category: Run

 RUN REPORT, BAYVIEW DOG PARK, BAYVIEW, SUNDAY APRIL 7th

Hare: Mongrel                Caterers: Starboard and Mongrel

The first run on the day that daylight saving ended and there appeared to be no people who got the time wrong other than WHITE RABBIT who is late each week anyway, so doesn’t count.  A good turn out for the AGPU had STARBOARD, who didn’t realise it was the AGPU, wonder whether she’d made enough food.  She was happy to leave soup warming duties to sous chef NEXT WEEK who claimed an Achilles injury and said leave the nibbles to him.   At the time she didn’t realise this meant he’d eat them all.  The run was announced by Hare and outgoing GM Mongrel with mystery extra instructions emanating from his phone.  Turns out these were dogs barking (there were a lot in the park strangely enough) but no one does dogspeak so the pack set off still little the wiser for what to expect other than 8km for the runners and 5km for the walkers.

After quickly losing trail in the dog park, On was found by PHANTOM and LAST CARD LOUIS going through to the next park before a long uphill and an on back.  This was cunningly missed by STARBOARD and new temporary Pommie resident LYNDA LOOSE ARSE HULL (from Hull, UK) and was called by HIMALOAFER and DONGA who accused the ladies of trying to entice people to run further than they should.  And your problem is????  A bit of road running with no on backs and few checks quickly saw the pack well spread out but as the run led us to stunning views of the northern beaches well spread out there was little complaint.  Returning via the northern fringes of Mona Vale HE’LL DO commented we would soon be in Mona Vale.  When told he was already there, he was mightily relieved as he thought he was in Dee Why.  Fortunately for him we already have a GEOGRAPHICALLY NAÏVE so he didn’t get renamed on the spot.

The fast runners overtook the walkers not far from home and made it back to the bucket in 55 mins to welcome drinks to combat the almost 30 deg C day.  Nibbles left by NEXT WEEK were tucked into and MONGREL called the circle.

NEXT WEEK was asked to deliver the run report so he described what he’d done while minding the soup which included stirring it, walking to the bucket and getting a beer and then repeat.  He rewarded it a 9/10.

MONGREL was keen to be an ex GM so hurried things along and announced Visitors Elizabeth (GEO’s sister), AYATOLLAH from the Posh and LYNDA LOOSE ARSE HULL.  They were serenaded by a song from DONGA.

Next up was the competition for the name of the beach on the new NBH3 website, judged by ALL FOURS who with NEXT WEEK (website designer) were excluded from competing.  There was still an argument going on when it was announced it was Jervis Bay, claimed by SHORTSHEETER, BREN GUN and KITTY LITTER.  The Hash were then challenged to take pictures of any northern beach, the winner having their photo as the banner for the new website replacing the one chosen at random by NEXT WEEK who really didn’t have a clue where it was!

MONGREL then introduced one half of the new GM – SADDLESORE.  Judging it time for a generational change he had chosen SADDLESORE and BONDI.  Unfortunately, the latter was acting like an old man at home after blowing his knee doing sprints and could only limp around the house.  Whatever, MONGREL announced the new GMs and then promptly blew it by saying they were the new face of the Larrikin Hash.  Oops!  For her part, SADDLESORE when asked for advice said to never go for a walk with GEO.  I’m sure there’s more to this story.

Next up Beer Meister and Hash Haberdash, HIMALOAFER and HILL OF GRACE were called up and acting like Trump, MONGREL informed them they were fired.  He thanked HILL OF GRACE for doing a great job of selling off all the accumulated old Hash gear and said a new Haberdash would be announced soon after ALL FOURS had done the new design.  HIMALOAFER was similarly thanked and it was announced PHANTOM would carry on joint bucket duties for May after which a new person would be chosen (warning: picked at random) as he was off for 4 months after.

GEO was given a down down for snaring the new GM and the next run was announced as being set by TRIPOD presumably from Longueville.

And obviously keen to do no more GM duties, no charges were called for and food was announced.  Which luckily saw everyone fed with only enough left for STARBOARD and PHANTOM the next night, for which PHANTOM truly thanks everyone.

On On STARBOARD

Hare: Shin Splints

Weekend Away at Hawks Nest

Hare: Bren Gun              
Caterers: Taken Orally and Cynthia

Not only was it still cold, it was pissing with rain and very windy.  Not surprisingly a small turn out though just beat last year’s October run which coincided with the long weekend and the Manly Jazz Festival thereby giving NEXT WEEK an excuse not to run.  Not so this year when this week NEXT WEEK showed up!  Hare Bren Gun mentioned his well set run was washed out but he had several maps in plastic covers. Of more concern to him was what to do with the 6 chooks that had been cooked that morning as he’d been told to cater for 20!!  Also where to eat them as the only shelter in the gas works car park was under a noticeboard showing what native flora and fauna could be encountered – and that barely covered people standing up squeezed together let alone trying to eat and enough elbow room for a few drinks.  Little Manly Kiosk came to the rescue as it was noted it closed at 3pm and chairs, tables and cover could be used.  With the essentials decided we were off with TM ALL FOURS choosing to walk with a brolly and GEO just walking. 

Given it was really shit weather there were a lot of arrows and flour still visible but all checks and on backs were basically ignored – easy with a map in hand.  CINDERS and STARBOARD did the whole run, meeting up with WHITE POINTER outside Manly Hospital claiming he’d lost the trail.  Personally I just don’t think he could keep up!  No one knows where PHANTOM and PEE DUB disappeared to but they did get back wet.  What would have been a beautiful summer run up in the bush round North Head was just a good solid run, but welcome nonetheless as it got us outside being healthy!

Little Manly Kiosk proved a godsend though the wind still whistled past us and with no ceremony whatsoever the chooks, green salad and potato salad were hoovered up even before the liquids flowed and the circle was called.  Proving how cold it was no champagne or white wine was opened, little beer required so a huge run on the red wine, needing 2 replacement trips to the Hash Bucket car.  Partly because one bottle was diabolical, but mostly because the wind kept blowing cups over!!

Stomachs filled and red wine still flowing (all over the place) the circle was called by stand in GM/RA NEXT WEEK.

The run report was given by ALL FOURS who was allowed to do so as she walked the whole run.  Got a pretty good report. She and the hare BREN GUN were down downed. Next came the charges.

ALL FOURS charged by GEO for marking off the trail so well she found it dead easy to follow, and as a reward presented ALL FOURS with a present – her brolly cover she’d dropped.

XXXX was down downed for getting to the run so quickly after a hip replacement.  He said he’d had to come to do Hash Cash as he didn’t trust STARBOARD!!

Visitors Cynthia (one of Bren Gun’s cooks) and Paul were suitably welcomed and forced to drink.

STARBOARD charged PHANTOM with overdoing the cheapness of the wine with the undrinkable bottle of red being discovered only costing him $2.85 from Aldi.  We should have given him a down down with it but we weren’t quick enough!

 On On STARBOARD

GOVERNOR PHILLIP LOOKOUT
Hare: Kitty Litter
Caterer: Three Swigs

GM MONGREL arrived early to find the warmest place at the start as the second day of spring was still decidedly wintry even though the sun had replaced the morning rain. Warmest spot was declared right by the first Hash arrow pointing vertically up a cliff face! Hare KITTY LITTER gave a few words of run explanation and demonstrated the easiest way to do the ‘only tricky bit’ of the vertical start – and almost came a cropper himself. PHANTOM climbed up to demonstrate it more agilely but suspect he just wanted a head start as the straight up start produced a huge tail back with the pack well strung out puffing and panting.

At the stupendous views from the Lookout the runners and walkers parted even further as the walkers dutifully stopped to admire the view and even take some photos. Your Scribe being a non-runner due to a slight accident getting into a boat (actually not getting into it, which was the problem), set off as quickly as she could which meant she was almost as fast as the runners and certainly faster than the walkers, so after 30 mins solitary marching she was bemused to find the runners and the walkers ahead of her. Only on the Hash. I suspect it happened at a very cunning loop where the run actually came back on itself and only careful marking by TM ALL FOURS after a 30 minute briefing from the Hare just before the run ensured scribe STARBOARD did the whole loop. Not so the rest of the walkers. Considering we were never very far from the start the run made excellent use of stairs and bush between roads. On a small piece of bushland a non-Hashing pair were learning the rudiments of golf strokes and after being disturbed by the 4th lot of people going through them looked as if they may use their clubs for something else. A long run round a soccer pitch was shortcutted by everyone except the Scribe then most people short cut the final loop round the park at the start to come back down the original up. That’s what happens when they can see the bucket one way and the home trail stretching the other way!!

Drinks were brought out and KITTY LITTER feverishly cut up the last tomatoes as the sun had left the park and it was even colder, so the circle and food were needed promptly. Undeterred by the cold HIMALOAFER stripped off his sweaty shirt supposedly discreetly – right in front of everyone. But luckily he covered up quickly and the GM having returned we could hurry up proceedings.

As it was Father’s Day the GM called for all fathers and grandfathers to come up, then had to add great grandfathers after discovering HIMALOAFER was one. Of course he was also a grandfather and father but difficult to be in 3 places at once though he did try to have a down down with each group. Not so silly.

Not counting MONGREL as he was in charge of proceedings we appeared to have 1 great grandfather, 8 grandfathers and 3 fathers of which one was reluctant and BONDI asked if it included those fighting paternity suits. PHANTOM said he was trying to become a father as he and SIBERIA got quite close trying to keep warm. KITTY LITTER thought he’d won the ultimate down down for having the most grandchildren – 3 – till he was soundly trumped (get it) by LAST CARD LOUIS who had 10!! Several hours later after all those down downs we got to the run report.

SADDLE SORE started the report but as she admitted to arriving late and missing the worse loop she was booed off. As was HIMALOAFER who said the run went up, went round, then went down giving it a 6.

At 3.00pm approximately 46 Hashers set off from Clontarf.  The runners were sent off towards the sands of Middle Harbour, along the coast walk towards Manly,  up and down endless hills and steps and twenty minutes later landed back at the reserve!   The walkers went off along the beautifully scenic Clontart to the Spit Track with the small pack of runners trying in vain to catch up.   Of course the amazingly agile  FRB’s, Cinders, Starboard caught them up and passed them.

The majority, after dicing with death crossing Spit Rd,  enjoyed a G & T. overlooking Middle Harbour before heading back along the out trail.      There were a few exceptions,  Breathless was found ‘sitting in state’ overlooking Spit Bridge declaring that was as far West as he would go, and that was that!  Donga decided the bridge would go up, separating him from the mainland as did Centrepoint and Pee Dub so didn’t join the cocktail hour preferring to get on with the trail blazing.       Mongrel, Old Hand, Quiet Achiever, NSOM and Mother followed on like a bunch of kiwi sheep and were taken (on trail) under and up and back over The Bridge and up the hideous 200 stairs to Seaforth.  Last Card Louis came racing up behind overtaking the pack, raced through the village before disappearing along the Ethel St overpass.      The rest straggled along behind eventually arriving at the reserve to find Cinders and Starboard changed and calmly finishing their first drink – it was mentioned they short cutted but when it comes to the FRB’s whose to know!

Robin Hood and Inky arrived in together at the back of the pack – Robin now moving more freely than most on the trail.

Just Johnny and Loco went straight to the car to dry down, giving Quiet Achiever apoplexy thinking J.J. was lost on trail.   Horny Hasher didn’t seem perturbed that his other half hadn’t arrived back!!!  Was that wonderful beanie he was wearing one of the famous knitter’s creations?

Darwin Don was back from Ethiopia , fitter than ever, def. fitter than when he left our shores with the dreaded lurgy.  The amazing man is off again shortly for more adventure.

How many men does it take to open a bottle of beer?    Yakkity to give advice,  Jungle Jim to twist without result and Centrepoint to open with a bottle opener on the second attempt!!!!

and the CIRCLE………….

1. Geo called up the Hares and for comments on the trail – a joint whine  from the circle complained there were not enough hills, steps, boats or parks – Crum shouting them down,  called them a belligerent lot!

We discovered it was Next Weeks birthday and All Fours had generously allowed him to set the trail all on his own, for his birthday!

 Donga organised a wonderful ‘rounder’ for the singing of Happy Birthday – and brilliantly sung it was too.

With all the excitement and enthusiasm,  the trail didn’t get a score – being his birthday run it was definitely a 9.9.

2. Crumpet was fined for not washing her hand for a month.    After demanding George Gregan shake her hand,  her hand has not seen a shower or basin since.
3. Two became four when Centrepoint and Breathless admitted they hadn’t done the whole trail, and then Pee Dub  and Siberia came clean as well.   Siberia declined the charge as she was ‘a working woman at the hash and didn’t have time   ’ and so promptly received another down-down.
4. Jungle Jim and Darwin Don had both returned from their travels in time for a down-down.
5. Geo then called Inky for the Hash Prayer – Crum asked for an earlier rendition in the future so everyone could drink without feeling guilty?   As if!
6. Hanoi Bill was charged for being very, very, very late.
7. 50 run horns were presented to Siberia and Seaman.      Seaman enjoyed massaging the rubber bit while he drank his down-down, Siberia complained she’s run 100 trails,  not 50!
8. Visitors

                  Horny Hsher and Loco (celebrity knitter)

                  Leslie – friend of Hand Job

                  Mile High – Harriette

                  Parking Pussy – Harriette

                  Isabelle – daughter of Inky

                  Luke – boyfriend of Isabelle

                  Fiona – friend of Stormy

And FROM THE CIRCLE:

1. Parking Pussy from the Harriettes announced her State of Origin trail on Wednesday next, starting from the Mosman Hotel.
2. Kaffir2 wanted to know why Starboard had not told anyone about the manufactured marihuana or brought any along for her running mates.
3. Even though Penile Dementia was in fine voice as usual, Darwin Don insisted on singing a song about boxes of cherries to Starboard.

Geo called social drinking and the troops demolished the pasta and sauces and then the birthday candles were lit on the cake and Happy Birthday sung (properly) again.

NEXT AUGUST RUN:

Kaffir2 – at a place to be announced when he’s analysed the long range weather forecast.

SEPTEMBER RUN:

Anyone  wanting to set the run for September,   please let her know.

The day dawned sunny and mild and the Hashers met on the road outside Breathless abode – not being sure of the address they assembled on two driveways, covering two bases to be sure.

Breathless emerged, pointed down the hill and yelled on-on.    Off we went, down towards Burnt Bridge Creek deviation, most chatting flat out as usual.   Old Hand, getting ready for her Coast to Coast walk decided she needed to join the athletes,  Penile Dementia wound up his brace and took off at a trot,  you’d never guess Mongrel was a knee replacement survivor.    Venerable disappeared over the hill into the wild blue yonder.    Crumpet was lost without Darwin to look after (still in the Middle East-what a man).    There was plenty of parkland and lots of hilly bitumen with enough checks to keep us together most of the way.   A good scenic trail, Breathless’ favourite walk we were told.     It was a perfect distance as the sun was pretty low as we made our way back to the bucket and the warmth of Breathless new Bunnings Burner.

Stormwater, Crumpet and NSOM got busy in the kitchen heating the grub prepared by Breathless – delicious pumpkin soup and chilli con carne –  whilst the bucket was hammered outside in the cold.         When the on-after was called the food disappeared like I’ve never seen before.   Everyone came back for seconds and very last scrap was eaten –  well done chief,  you and Robin Hood could hire yourselves out!

Circle Charges;

.                The hare – no song,  the songmeister had forgotten his words (P.Dementia)

.                Yakkity, Calici, Cinders for taking part in the Nash Hash instead of running with the Hash.

.                Centrepoint for attempting to look like an athlete by driving around with a kayak on the car roof .

.                Old Hand for telling the talkers she couldn’t stay with them, she needed to look good running with the althletes.

.                Penile Dementia for letting (and remembering) students play with his knee

.                Visitors:  chimney, Loco, Peru & Horny Hasher.

.                Loco for imitating the knitters at the French Revolution.

.                Donga for boasting about his big one

.                Kaffir2 for turning up!

Presentation of the Mile Marker Trophies:

Stiff One was given (her second) down-down for forgetting to take them to the Anniversary Run.

50 RUN HORNS:

Yakkity,  Crumpet, All Fours, Stiff One, Stormy.

100 RUN DRINKING MUG:

Crumpet.

Raffle Winners:

Ring Master, Chimney, Donga, Ashmore, Mother, Calcici, Stiff One x 2, Geo Niave.

NEXT RUN – ALL FOURS. & NEXT WEEK – Clontarf Reserve Car Park – 3pm

NEXT, NEXT RUN – maybe KAFFIRX2.

Section 3 – Shelter 33 Manly Dam – lovely spot,  fire place,  lots of firewood, shelter, table, water views, plenty of parking, Loo close at hand.   Everything the Hashers could ask for.

A good turn out took off clockwise around the dam after a comprehensive pre-hash address i.e. half way bucket,  long trail etc etc.   There was no mention of most of the trail being under water.

The trail more or less followed the track around the dam, a few devastating check backs, wonderful waterfalls,  the halfway bucket about two thirds of the way around on a rock ledge with wonderful vista of the area and then home along the bridge, passed the playground, ducks, swans, water hens to the camp site.

Small groups dribbled in just before sun set (yes it was a lovely day),  and suprisingly everyone finished the trail,  not too many made the half way stop (some talk of the Hare perving at the runners along the way and turned up late for his own bucket) and there very few grumbles about the wet feet – geez mate,  we’re Hashers!      No-body whinged about the length of the trail.

Donga supervised the Anniversary Jackets.

Lots of chatta with the beer and champagne in hand as the sun went down,  an hilarious circle with Calici taking the helm,

Down Downs for:

Hare:   setting the trail and only using 2/3rds cup of flour.

Visitors:  Doc. Sex on Legs

Repeated down downs:   Klangers,  Sex on Legs and Robyn Hood for talking in the circle

Thanks:   Ashmore, Mother, Calici and Hanoi Bill for the gas bottles and burners

Thanks:  (should have been but I forgot) Robyn Hood for the use of her huge saucepan.

Next Run:  Breathless –

It really was a good trail!   Very long,  lots of fun,  treacherous and designed for mountain goats.   We should have been aware when one of the hares  arrived back just as the troop’s gathered, covered in bloody scrapes.

Visitors aplenty,  dogs a plenty and Northern Beaches regulars set out from the eastern side of St. Ives at 4.00pm for the last time this season – a little reminder to all that daylight saving finishes the first Saturday of April.

Across Acron oval into the bush,  along fire trails, through creeks,  down  uncharted territory – read steep declines much suited to bottom sliding through the shiggy.  The pack stayed together for the first 30 minutes and then the inhospitable terrain spread the pack. The cliff climb at the very end where broken finger nails, knee skin and even tufts of hair, were left behind,  believe it or not gave us the energy to run for the bucket back over the hill on the far side of the oval to grab the thirst quenching Beveridge.

Unbelievably, dear Darwin Don finished the trail in good time though there was concern at one stage he would be upended by an excitable canine. Crumpet you really are a very thoughtful guide.

And how can you tell it’s a really good trail?  The pack arrives back bloody, sweaty, exhausted but happy and gay.

Circle:

Inky recited the prayer

The Barmaids were chastised for not having the down downs prepared – what barmaid?

Seaman was called on to describe the run:  the similarity with the Himalayas brought back wonderful memories – he marvelled at the rainbow colours, merry hashmen and then rambled on about the gay mardi gras – and gave it 9.5.    He as obviously a very satisfied man!!!!!

Hares Yakity and Calici joined Seaman for a down down

Phantom was charged for having 2 behind the bushes (?)

Visitors:  Have You from Ottowa, Log Jam, Piece Perfect from Hong Kong, Dip Sticks Mother Martina a No-Name Gail

Rancid was charged for early stages of dementia,  she couldn’t remember hash names.

Blood on Trail – Darwin, Crumb and Yakkity.

From the Floor:

All Day Succour and Frostie – cruelty to animals

Cinderella and Donga – new shoes (tea bagged)

Cinderella – disrespect for the Posh Trail Markers

Starboard and Cinders – letting the pack go the wrong way and taking advice from Kiwis.

All the Kiwis – for being a Kiwi

Lovely tucker organised by Calici and I think Robin Hood had a hand in it somehow, enjoyed by the huge group who stayed for the on-after.

Next Run:    Anniversary Run – 3pm

Hare:  Crumb

Start: Queenscliff Surf Club

Special 10^th Anniversary apparel included in the run cost.

  Following Run:  Penile Dementia supported by N.S.O.M.

Run Report February 4^th

It was thirty minutes before Siberia’s run when the storm hit – it rained, it blew and it was bloody uncomfortable.  But, they still ran………and walked………..but the arrows were gone and red and white plastic (?) tape was blown away.    Siberia willed them on from and so they came back, joyfully to Robin Hood’s smelly cheese and the ice-cold watermelon.

Well done Siberia, organising the restaurant courtyard for the bucket and on-after was really fortuitous – there was not another covered spot in whole of Headland Park.

The Grand Mattress decided to reverse the proceedings and the circle would come after the on-after – a decision made after adventuring to the bbq in a  squall to heat the left over hamburger meat from the Rydal weekend (no Siberia,  they were not sitting in Geo’s boot for the last two weeks).

At the Circle:

Inky gave the Hash Prayer

The GM gave the following down-downs

• Hare,  washed out but fun trail
• Calici for getting lost before the trail was called on.    He was commanded to look for the website next time and not to let it happen again
• Next Week was introduced to Calici to confirm there really is a website
• Hill of Grace for the unspeakable things which went on with a tennis ball and a hammer and frightening Pee Dub into going home before the on-after
• Siberia and Penile Dementia for disappearing into the bush in the little red car and wanting Starboard to make up a threesome

From the Floor

• Phantom for sneakily staying behind and devouring food during preparation and then joining the front runners at the end of the trail – no wonders he’s always one of the first home
• Crum for leading the lost souls in the wilderness – blind leading the blind in fact.
• Crum again for screaming No Shit On Me across Collaroy Beach during the ‘old peoples’ surf carnival

All down-downs ably accompanied by renditions from Penile Dementia and his song book.

New Tradition

Penile Dementia led ‘Sweet Chariot’ with singing and actions, humming and actions and silence and actions.

To be sung in future after the circle though hand, mouth, brain co-ordination  issues were very much in evidence and it could be a while before we are any competition to the Sweet Adeline’s .

Next Run

Yakkity Yak, St. Ives (Garigal National Park)

April Run

AGM Trail – 10^th anniversary.

You can rely on the Posh members to come up with brilliant, difficult, exhausting, s..t scaring runs!  And Last Card Louis proved again he was a great Hare.

General comment – always wondered what ran along side Wakehurst Parkway – now we know.   The cliffs were steep and very slippery after all the rain,  lots of evidence of the Parks and Wildlife work being carried out on the western side of the Parkway making it slow going stomping through the kindling.

Only a few runners (Bondi,  Saddle Sore-who was the only Hasher wearing protective clothing, Phantom, Starboard) took the challenge, everyone else on the walkers trail which was the runners trail without the check backs (and a bit more) J  very clever.        It was too energy sucking for most to get up any speed as the energy was needed for bashing our way through the bush, climbing down the cliffs and then of course, back up again.   Lots of blood, scratches and bruises but not one complaint – either Last Card had bribed them or they really did enjoy it.

Nightwalker, Geo and All Fours grabbed everyone’s share of leaches – thank goodness there are still foolish smokers with matches still wheezing their way round the trails.

Penile Dementia managed the trail with brace in good time (where are those infamous faded shorts??) and Brengun came in at the back of the pack.     Darwin Don was so far back it was decided he was on next months run.

Yes, Darwin Don took everyone’s breath away and kept the admiration society going by completing the trail though I am sure if it hadn’t been for Crummy and Rancid and Geo he would still be out there keeping the leaches engorged.      Incidentally, Rancid had not a scratch on her???  (even Sadle Sore’s protective clothing didn’t prevent a gash on the shin).

After following a well laid pack of many cards, the two legged pack drifted back in dribs and drabs an hour and a half to two hours later to be met with cheese and bikies  and a full bucket of everything.

And then the on-on after the circle was an appreciagted pre-run to Christmas with Queen of Hearts providing roast lamb, ham and all the trimmings.   Amazing stuff in the middle of the bush.      The on-on grub standard is just amazing, week after week.    .

CIRCLE:

Geo had Last Card and Queen of Hearts up for a brilliant run and brilliant tucker

Inky said the hash prayer.

CHARGES:

Rancid was heard to tell Darwin Don as she pushed him from the rear up one of the cliffs ‘no bunnies please!’

Darwin for head butting sacred rocks.

Brengun for being lazy and phoning for raging river instructions instead of reading the website.

Bondi accused the Trailmaster of short cutting the trail – who would have noticed or cared!

Cinders for having very precise creases in his running shorts – at the end of the trail.

Geo for getting one up on us all by going for a long cycle before the trail – how does she do it?

JANUARY WEEKEND AWAY:

Geo announced the January weekend away would be at a Blue Mountains retreat on January 14^th and 15^th.  A place all to ourselves on a 3 acre property.    More information later but as there will be limited accommodation, best to get in early.

Briefly – Arrive Friday night – self fed.   Saturday – B/fast, run a.m. , p.m. afternoon to yourself to enjoy the environment, BBQ dinner.  Sunday – B/fast, Springwood walk with packed lunch provided.

$25.00/night/person accommodation and food.

RAFFLE:

The regular (becoming so) raffle tickets were sold and the large collection of ‘good stuff’ included two bottles of Cab. Sav.       Thanks to Quiet Achiever for the ‘stuff’ and Stormy for the Cab Sav.

NEXT MONTHS RUN:

Christmas Run 5^th December.   Porter Reserve, Newport.     A re-run of the wonderful run set by Himaloafer and Night Walker in July which was missed by most as it was Interhash time.

A brilliant run on a brilliantly hideous day.

PDub managed to bring the rain with him, once again, to the top of Red Hill. Great spot after all the rain with lots of tangled wildflowers and wet grass to slip on. He and XXXX marked out a challenging but really nice trail.

There was a total mix up with the start time – previous run and website showed post-daylight saving, the run reminder showed pre-daylight saving. NSOM had arrived early expecting to play Frisbee with Geo and the early arrivers to discover the pack was taking off right on 3.00pm. P.Dementia back from northern NSW and Rancid arrived late and ran their own race.

Bang on 3.00pm the heavens opened up – but of course we are Hashers and the slippery sodden water logged track didn’t deter a single sole.

The adage, ‘everyone for themselves in the hash’ was very true on the slopes of Red Hill. Yakkity set off wearing his very spiffy Posh rain jacket, but blow me, would he give it up to a drenched damsel – no way. And his running made, Calici made the very diplomatic comment ‘ we’ve seen you looking worse’!

Everyone followed the biodegradable loo paper (except the late starters, the very high quality of biodegradable loo paper draped around the bushes had all but biodegraded by the time they set off) and in rain which didn’t give up until we’d almost finished the fact that everyone ran the complete trail was a fantastic achievement.

Cinders totally lost himself in the field of wildflowers and had to be reminded he was a F.R.B., not a plant sniffer.

Yakkity, Quiet Achiever, Calici arrived at the Moonscope and spent a good ten minutes looking aimlessly for the trail markers until Hand Job put them out of their misery by pointing out the very obvious ‘on back’ marking laid out in twigs!

Almost back at the start, Geo, Hand Job and NSOM came across the braced up P.Dementia courageously struggling along the water covered track (he started at 4.00pm). The rain stopped at this point so when Rancid arrived (also at 4.00pm) she took off like a rocket and managed to do most of the lower part of the trail even though there was no loo paper trail for her to use.

Geo called a very quick circle, the hares were acknowledge the run report included “too many flowers, not enough puddles, not enough rain, too many rocks but wonderful views at the top of the ridge” But of course, you wouldn’t want to know it, while we stood in a cirlcle and as Starboard did her thing preparing the repast the rain bucketed again. Mention was made of Hand Job’s impending trip to Cambodia and the return of Spurt and Penile Dementia and then Geo decided it was too wet to go through charges so she called an end to the first of the daylight saving runs, which started at 3.00pm.

Thanks heaps Starboard for valiantly slogging over the camp stove and providing us with a very welcome, extremely hot and delicious soup, thick enough to be a hot pot with lots of squishy rolls to dunk. It was good enough for most of us to go back for thirds! Robin Hood, who is hoping her waiting period is nearly over, braved the odds and brought another appreciated cheese platter.

ON-On

P.S. Hand Job has established ‘Barbara’s Library’ in a small village and every year provides more library books and many bags of clothing for the young children. She has made arrangements with the airlines to give her additional baggage allowance to take as much as she can on the plane on her annual trip and has also made contact with a shipping group who will give her some space in their shipments for anything else she collects. If you have good quality books, toys and children’s clothing you no longer need, please contact Hand Job at the North Shore Wanders Hash or Northern Beaches Hash on the first Sunday of the month.