6th March - Tipton St John - Dr Jekyll

Lovely sunny morning greeted the pack today at Tipton St John where our hare was eagerly awaiting. Today the pack was nearly 30 strong which was a good turn out, One hasher from Totnes, Squashed Balls, appeared for the second week on the trot. Also there was no Slipshod, is he still in Ashclyst Forest, and no Stat-Nav and as sheriff he was failing in his duties or absent without leave. It was mentioned that his hands are slowly slipping off the Woodpecker Trophy, for record number of appearances. Odd-bitz stepped in and did the honours with his usual splash of humour.

Cousteau set off at his usual pace, fast, only to be seen some time much later, even the greyhound in the pack could not match the boy for speed and as a result elected to stay with his master, the one and only Dr Jekyll. We encountered a certain amount of road at the beginning with uphill bits thrown in for good measure, which soon had the pack well and truly spread out like a thin layer of marmalade on toast. As luck would have it there were of course several fish hooks which came as a great relief to some of us back-markers, but we did notice the same familiar faces returning to see us over and over again, they reminded me of border collies, where does their energy come from! Our hare also put in several long/shorts which gave some of the rear gunners some hope being able to catch up.
The sweet stop was, as always, that chance for the pack to natter to which they are of course all professionals. Once off again the landscape turned to the hashers advantage, it was downhill and in the distance on occasions that Narnia of places could be seen namely Tipton St John. However we took the scenic route travelling in a meandering type motion before finding our way back to the village later that same year. In fact the shorts arrived back before the longs which is encouraging, the longs returning with tales of wading in the river whilst us shorts had the good fortune of crossing the river via a bridge.
Well done Dr Jekyll for a great trail and so its on-on to next weeks trail at Joney's Cross with that hare that you all asked for, Tampa. For those who don't know Joney's Cross is just off the A3052 Exeter-Sidmouth Road between the Halfway House Pub and Newton Poppleford.

27th February - Silverton Village Hall CP - Groucho + Tail Lamp

Well having appeared here for last weeks hash Slipshod did not repeat for this, todays hash, perhaps he went to Ashclyst Forest instead. Anyway some hashers did make it one hasher in the shape of Squashed Balls even coming from near Totnes to be with us. Groucho set the trail/trial assisted by a local villager in the personage of Tail-Lamp who informed Groucho on several occasions that he did know this area of the trail ! Due to a local shortage of flour the trail was one and on, what can I say ! We set off meandering around the village streets to the amusement of some of the locals who asked what we were doing and why were we doing it ! A full 15 minutes passed by before we left the tarmac surfaces and headed on to mud glorious muddy terraine but it only lasted for 5 minutes then it was back to country lanes. Several hashers seemed to enjoy viewing the village building, perhaps they might move to the village. We all stopped at one house in particular, Tail-Lamp's residence where upon he produced packets of sweets from behind some flower-pots which were soon polished off. Then it was on-on for a short distance before leaving the road surface behind us only to be greeted by the sight of a rather steep hill. During the ascent of this un-forgiving hill several hashers encounted fish hooks/back arrows much tto the delight of the slower members of the pack. One such member was Horny Woman who required the assistance of Groucho, as no doctor was available, to administer some medical treatment in the form of his inhaler. Horny showed her gratitude in her normal way ! Tail-Lamp however stayed by her side giving her some words of encouragement as he pushed her from behind up to the summit.We all glanced at the view although some were noted to be studying the ground rather than the distant landscape far below. Off once more down hill for a change with the Twin Peaks of this world zooming off likethings possessed, this didn't last long as the returned to greet, sorry meet the back markers having stumbled upon yet another back arrow, its so sad, they reminded me of border collies checking that we were all ok. Once back at the car park,our starting point we all tucked into crisps etc washed down with beer etc did the usual fines before splitting and going home to reflect on our morning in Silverton

20th February - Ashclyst Forest - Sorepoint + Paperwork ***Joint hash with Taunton***