Twenty-six hashers appeared for todays hash. The Virgin hare was Slipshod, his first trail or was it a trial?
We were given the usual instructions and in the absence of the sheriff and the deputy sheriff, Twin Peaks was appointed as "double-d" sheriff (deputy-deputy sheriff!). Many had a comment to make about the double-d sheriff but said nothing for fear of being fined.
The hash were off down a very steep decline to a check which it was soon discovered would take us back uphill. Many struggled with the instant climb with no chance to get their breathing in tune (nothing to do with not being fine athletes of course!). It was like climbing Everest or better named Never Rest.
Still, being made of strong stuff the hash plodded on as only hashers can, finally reaching a long/short split which was greeted with joy by the back markers. The shorts struggled to find which dots were current as there seemed to be left-overs from the Thursday night Otter Valley hash. It must have called for desperate measures as even Chesty and Ashe were required for checking!
As the longs met the trail, Stat-Nav emerged with the front his T shirt covered in dampness informing Groucho that it was good honest sweat and not because he had faced a water hazard.
Once we reached the first sweetie (not sweaty) stop, the hare produced a little feast of goodies whilst Chesty, fond as she is of nuts, tucked in to her own supply whilst she was heard to proclaim "I like nuts".
Meanwhile, Ashe found that all the waiting around was not helping her boredom threshold and decided to seek out her own entertainment in climbing trees. More about that to follow later!
Upon leaving the sweet stop the hare informed of a golf hazard only to repeat this again later. One hasher asked if the first white golf ball to be seen was the on-on, the hare turned green and drove us on to the next check through woodland and down to a gravestone marked SP. (Chad noted that this could be lined up for SPocky?)
As we continued on our way we suddenly encountered a dreaded back check to which Tail Lamp asked how many to go back - for this fatal error and his repeated sin of not understanding back checks - he was of course fined. Despite this error, I am pleased to inform you, the reader that there was no camp calling from Tail Lamp today during the trail/trial which is very encouraging.
It was on on to a hash halt with a "tree challenge" for the youngsters. Adults were able to join in but Mr Hide observed that the tree may buckle under the weight. Who was he referring to! The challenge was to cross a fallen tree whilst escaping the clutches of its branches and without falling into the bog underneath. The challenge proved successful and Ashe was first in line for more tree activity.
The second long short split was an absolute killer hill but this didnt deter the fast running Otter Valley youngster (who's hash name escapes us!) who attacked the long with vigour and reached the hash halt well ahead of any other long runners.
The drizzle had set in by the second sweetie stop and had dampened the view of the Sidmouth coast. It was on-on across to Peak Hill Cliff to run through a field of lovely sheep and ponies and the final long/short split.
Back in the car park, Spocky abandoned the circle to go and support X-Bitz and Odd-Bitz in their Tactical Commando Challenge. However, he wasnt gone for long as he realised he had forgotten his list of email addresses and so he returned just in time for fines and a naming ceremony!
There were fines for Stat-Nav for chatting up the double-d sheriff in an attempt to avoid a fine, Tail-Lamp for not understanding a back check (for the second week running), and many more trivial atroscities that the ruthless Twin Peaks dished out with glee.
There was a down-down for Ashe for wearing new trainers and in true tradition the drink was downed from the aforementioned trainer! She also had an official naming ceremony to crown her "TREE CREEPER".
NEXT WEEKS HASH SUNDAY 3 MAY
Uphams Plantation Woodbury Common at 11.00 am (Between Four Firs and Yettington). Hare - Howling Wilf
Tuesday, April 28
Monday, April 27
THE LONDON MARATHON
Congratulations to Twice Daily who completed the London Marathon at the weekend in a very respectable 3hrs 36mins 7secs. Bit fast for a hasher I reckon!!! Well done Twice Daily.
Tuesday, April 21
19th April - Ashclyst Forest - Groucho
It was another sunny day that welcomed the hashers at Ashclyst Forest with Groucho as the hare. The words "forest" and "Groucho" in the same sentence should give you an indication of how the hash was going to fare!
A cosy turn out of 11 hashers but despite this there was an abundance of nonsense as usual. The pre-hash conversation was launched into confusion as Tail Lamp initiated a random conversation about it being the longest day of the year. Twin Peaks had to point out that this wasnt until June?!
Spocky Bitz mentioned he was planning a trip to Thorpe Park to which Tail Lamp again confused the group asking "oh - are you visiting Thorpe Park today?" Umm, no, it's in Surrey so that may be a tall order as Spocky was still in Devon at 11am? How long did Tail Lamp think the "longest day" is? It was certainly going to be a long day for Tail Lamp.
On this note, Groucho called the hashers to "circle up" despite the fact that the group were already in a circle? Twin Peaks was standing in as deputy sheriff and was having no trouble in keeping a mental note of all these misdemeanours to hand out some fines.
On On was called and it was off through the forest. Paperwork was off to "check it out" and returned announcing there was no flour to be found. This was the source of yet another fine as he was checking blind and had completely missed the large dots of white flour?!
This was all too much for Paperwork who decided he needed to take a break out of sight to..... "do some paperwork"!!!!!
In the absence of serious competition (Radiohead was in France although rumour has it he has abandoned the hash), Spocky and Stat-Nav were the FRB's and Stat-Nav soon encountered the first of several fish hooks.
The trail meandered through the woods and in places was notable for it's absence. A few encouraging "on called" hints from Groucho and the hashers reached the sweetie stop. Again Groucho had exceeded expectations with a selection of biscuits and jellies. This was to be our first encounter with "normal people" where a little girl took delight in telling us she was following a "pink" trail in the woods. All hashers agreed she was probably having more luck than we were with our trail.
On On in the sunshine and another spell through the woods. We met the main road where confusion reigned as Spocky and Stat-Nav missed a back check and led the hash astray. It's a good job Groucho was available to keep us on track.
At the long-short split, all hashers opted for the long which must surely make hash history. Unfortunately for the hare, this also meant he had to run it for the second time! Twin Peaks and Chesty were showing no signs of slacking despite partaking in a 12 mile night walk for charity the evening before.
Before we knew it we were "on home" where the hashers gathered in the sunshine for hash refreshments. An unusual selection of Beer and Bon Bons.
Twin Peaks handed out fines for Paperwork and Tail Lamp for reasons specified, Tampa for arriving early (he has now been nominated for a weekly standing order), Spocky and Bell-Toll for reasons unknown. Stat-Nav was fined for changing shoes in the circle which he protested on the basis he did not know this was a hash rule. For this abuse he was alloted a further fine for not keeping up with hash rules. Bag Lady disputed a fine for pre-hash peeing and only Sore-Point and Chesty escaped unfined!
Next weeks hash is at Peak Hill car park, Sidmouth hared by Slip Shod.
A cosy turn out of 11 hashers but despite this there was an abundance of nonsense as usual. The pre-hash conversation was launched into confusion as Tail Lamp initiated a random conversation about it being the longest day of the year. Twin Peaks had to point out that this wasnt until June?!
Spocky Bitz mentioned he was planning a trip to Thorpe Park to which Tail Lamp again confused the group asking "oh - are you visiting Thorpe Park today?" Umm, no, it's in Surrey so that may be a tall order as Spocky was still in Devon at 11am? How long did Tail Lamp think the "longest day" is? It was certainly going to be a long day for Tail Lamp.
On this note, Groucho called the hashers to "circle up" despite the fact that the group were already in a circle? Twin Peaks was standing in as deputy sheriff and was having no trouble in keeping a mental note of all these misdemeanours to hand out some fines.
On On was called and it was off through the forest. Paperwork was off to "check it out" and returned announcing there was no flour to be found. This was the source of yet another fine as he was checking blind and had completely missed the large dots of white flour?!
This was all too much for Paperwork who decided he needed to take a break out of sight to..... "do some paperwork"!!!!!
In the absence of serious competition (Radiohead was in France although rumour has it he has abandoned the hash), Spocky and Stat-Nav were the FRB's and Stat-Nav soon encountered the first of several fish hooks.
The trail meandered through the woods and in places was notable for it's absence. A few encouraging "on called" hints from Groucho and the hashers reached the sweetie stop. Again Groucho had exceeded expectations with a selection of biscuits and jellies. This was to be our first encounter with "normal people" where a little girl took delight in telling us she was following a "pink" trail in the woods. All hashers agreed she was probably having more luck than we were with our trail.
On On in the sunshine and another spell through the woods. We met the main road where confusion reigned as Spocky and Stat-Nav missed a back check and led the hash astray. It's a good job Groucho was available to keep us on track.
At the long-short split, all hashers opted for the long which must surely make hash history. Unfortunately for the hare, this also meant he had to run it for the second time! Twin Peaks and Chesty were showing no signs of slacking despite partaking in a 12 mile night walk for charity the evening before.
Before we knew it we were "on home" where the hashers gathered in the sunshine for hash refreshments. An unusual selection of Beer and Bon Bons.
Twin Peaks handed out fines for Paperwork and Tail Lamp for reasons specified, Tampa for arriving early (he has now been nominated for a weekly standing order), Spocky and Bell-Toll for reasons unknown. Stat-Nav was fined for changing shoes in the circle which he protested on the basis he did not know this was a hash rule. For this abuse he was alloted a further fine for not keeping up with hash rules. Bag Lady disputed a fine for pre-hash peeing and only Sore-Point and Chesty escaped unfined!
Next weeks hash is at Peak Hill car park, Sidmouth hared by Slip Shod.
Monday, April 13
12th April - Four Firs - Tampa
We were blessed with both sunshine and thirty plus hashers, the only thing missing at 11.00 (our deadline for starting) was the hare. Several views were expressed as to the whereabouts of the hare, when Tampa suddenly appeared from behind a gorse bush looking both hot and sweaty. At least he was there which was greeted by many sighs of relief.
Our hare informed us that there would be several Easter Egg checks, plus an "Egg Event" has halt involving games with real eggs. We set off and within 5 minutes reached the first egg check. Whoever the hasher was to find the egg kept it which caused the odd scramble. Off once more with one hasher heard to remark "its boiling today". What they were refering too heaven knows, egg on the brain perhaps?!
After several more checks we arrived at the Egg Event hash halt and our Egg-traordinary Challenge:- The Great Egg Throwing Contest. Working with a partner, the idea was that you throw the egg, (in this case real eggs not the chocolate variety), increasing the distance between you and your partner after each successful catch until such time that your egg was no more. The winners received chocolate eggs.
One hasher Oddbitz was not however paying attention to the hare,who was barking out instructions and managed to break his egg before the competition started - he was of course fined. Stat-Nav and Cousteau were the proud winners of a mini cream egg. This event could only be described by the hashers as a "smashing" time.
The hare then decided it was time to move on only to be rather cruel by placing a check-back on the trail once we were all well spread out, followed by a long/short split. The long was certainly a long and it took them forever to reach the next hash halt which happened to be the sweet/egg stop. The hashers were treated to a jar of bon-bons. Stat-Nav and Spocky just about had the sweetie stop in their sight as they spotted hashers at the top of the hill only to stumble across a fish-hook taking them to the back of the pack. They looked a little worse for wear when they finally made the sweetie stop.
At this point Isoleces was noted using technology on the hash (a Blackberry no less!), for which he was also fined.
Off once more to face a long water crossing at Peters Pool which it has to be said some hashers tried to avoid with varying degrees of success. Once soaked from head to toe we continued meandering around Woodbury Common one hasher stated they would fry if they didn't find shade soon!
At last the end of the hash to be greeted with a neatly laid out picnic rug. It was certainly a challenge destined for failure to try to seat 30+hashers on it in one go. Everyone had a drink and refreshment before the fines were collected by the Sherriff who was also presented with the pink handbag for his eggsubrent behaviour during the egg game.
Next weeks hash is Sunday 19 April at Forest Gate Ashclyst Forest at 11.00. To get there from Exeter take the B3181, passing the turning for Killerton take the next right marked Ashclyst Forest.
*** Please note all places are now full for the Autumn Gathering weekend (in the autumn!!) ***
Our hare informed us that there would be several Easter Egg checks, plus an "Egg Event" has halt involving games with real eggs. We set off and within 5 minutes reached the first egg check. Whoever the hasher was to find the egg kept it which caused the odd scramble. Off once more with one hasher heard to remark "its boiling today". What they were refering too heaven knows, egg on the brain perhaps?!
After several more checks we arrived at the Egg Event hash halt and our Egg-traordinary Challenge:- The Great Egg Throwing Contest. Working with a partner, the idea was that you throw the egg, (in this case real eggs not the chocolate variety), increasing the distance between you and your partner after each successful catch until such time that your egg was no more. The winners received chocolate eggs.
One hasher Oddbitz was not however paying attention to the hare,who was barking out instructions and managed to break his egg before the competition started - he was of course fined. Stat-Nav and Cousteau were the proud winners of a mini cream egg. This event could only be described by the hashers as a "smashing" time.
The hare then decided it was time to move on only to be rather cruel by placing a check-back on the trail once we were all well spread out, followed by a long/short split. The long was certainly a long and it took them forever to reach the next hash halt which happened to be the sweet/egg stop. The hashers were treated to a jar of bon-bons. Stat-Nav and Spocky just about had the sweetie stop in their sight as they spotted hashers at the top of the hill only to stumble across a fish-hook taking them to the back of the pack. They looked a little worse for wear when they finally made the sweetie stop.
At this point Isoleces was noted using technology on the hash (a Blackberry no less!), for which he was also fined.
Off once more to face a long water crossing at Peters Pool which it has to be said some hashers tried to avoid with varying degrees of success. Once soaked from head to toe we continued meandering around Woodbury Common one hasher stated they would fry if they didn't find shade soon!
At last the end of the hash to be greeted with a neatly laid out picnic rug. It was certainly a challenge destined for failure to try to seat 30+hashers on it in one go. Everyone had a drink and refreshment before the fines were collected by the Sherriff who was also presented with the pink handbag for his eggsubrent behaviour during the egg game.
Next weeks hash is Sunday 19 April at Forest Gate Ashclyst Forest at 11.00. To get there from Exeter take the B3181, passing the turning for Killerton take the next right marked Ashclyst Forest.
*** Please note all places are now full for the Autumn Gathering weekend (in the autumn!!) ***
Tuesday, April 7
5th April - Danes Wood, Killerton - Bag Lady + Twin Peaks
Summer has almost arrived we thought as we gathered in the car park in the sunshine. Over 20 again and a few new faces too. After a couple of late arrivals (Tampa) we received our instructions and set off. This first bit o the hash was to prove a little tricky as the dots were quite spread out. After calling on on the next dot took a while to be found as did the next and the next. Eventually we were onto check. New boy Stains was heard to say as he ran off at the front, 'what is it we're looking for?' Top marks for enthusiasm.
We ran through some fields before onto a hash halt before the field of cows. Here the hare asked us to walk and stick together through the next short stretch because of the livestock. I think this is the only time I have EVER seen Radiohead walk........and Tail Lamp keeping up with him!
On up the track where we crossed over the road into Killerton. We circumnavigated the lake, some cheats not quite all the way.....sheriff!!!!!! Then headed up the hill past Killerton where Blobhoblin was doing his best to recruit some extras along the way. They quite sensibly stayed sat on their bench. Whilst climbing the hill talk turned to cream teas and sausage sandwiches.....mmmmmm! Must've been the cafe being so close?
On up and up we went onto a long short split. There were comments from the hare about never laying a trail the day after the A2B again as almost everyone was walking. Eventually at almost midday we arrived at the sweetie stop where I must say, Bag Lady and Twin Peaks had laid on the most spectacular selection of sweets we have ever had on a hash! Rhubarb+custard, fruit jellies, boiled fruit sweets, jelly babies AND liquorice allsorts! After that sugar fix you'd have thought we'd have been able to buck our ideas up and actually run a bit of the hash.....no!
On and on we plodded, informed by Miss Peaks that this was half of the race for life course and very hilly it was too. After losing the trail a little at one point we had to wait for a bit of guidance from the hares who pointed us in the right direction.
Up and up we went......no more hills screamed our tired A2B legs! We came upon a lovely view point marked out by the hares where we had a photo stop and ate a few more sweets. Through some more livestock fields and finally up through the forest and on home.
Thanks for a great trail girls, it was good, sorry some of our legs weren't able to enjoy it to the max!
Fines were handed out in the car park, mostly it would seem to Mr Seaman, obviously named Stains....nice! For generally having lots of enthusiasm but not yet much understanding of all the hash symbols, calls etc.
There were naming down downs for Stains and also for Izaak who was named Dingbat due to his choice of Batman t-shirt for the occasion.
On On to Four Firs for Easter Sundays hash.
*****Only 14 places remaining for the Hash Weekend Extraordinare!!!****
We ran through some fields before onto a hash halt before the field of cows. Here the hare asked us to walk and stick together through the next short stretch because of the livestock. I think this is the only time I have EVER seen Radiohead walk........and Tail Lamp keeping up with him!
On up the track where we crossed over the road into Killerton. We circumnavigated the lake, some cheats not quite all the way.....sheriff!!!!!! Then headed up the hill past Killerton where Blobhoblin was doing his best to recruit some extras along the way. They quite sensibly stayed sat on their bench. Whilst climbing the hill talk turned to cream teas and sausage sandwiches.....mmmmmm! Must've been the cafe being so close?
On up and up we went onto a long short split. There were comments from the hare about never laying a trail the day after the A2B again as almost everyone was walking. Eventually at almost midday we arrived at the sweetie stop where I must say, Bag Lady and Twin Peaks had laid on the most spectacular selection of sweets we have ever had on a hash! Rhubarb+custard, fruit jellies, boiled fruit sweets, jelly babies AND liquorice allsorts! After that sugar fix you'd have thought we'd have been able to buck our ideas up and actually run a bit of the hash.....no!
On and on we plodded, informed by Miss Peaks that this was half of the race for life course and very hilly it was too. After losing the trail a little at one point we had to wait for a bit of guidance from the hares who pointed us in the right direction.
Up and up we went......no more hills screamed our tired A2B legs! We came upon a lovely view point marked out by the hares where we had a photo stop and ate a few more sweets. Through some more livestock fields and finally up through the forest and on home.
Thanks for a great trail girls, it was good, sorry some of our legs weren't able to enjoy it to the max!
Fines were handed out in the car park, mostly it would seem to Mr Seaman, obviously named Stains....nice! For generally having lots of enthusiasm but not yet much understanding of all the hash symbols, calls etc.
There were naming down downs for Stains and also for Izaak who was named Dingbat due to his choice of Batman t-shirt for the occasion.
On On to Four Firs for Easter Sundays hash.
*****Only 14 places remaining for the Hash Weekend Extraordinare!!!****
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