#1155 Haldon Belvedere - Sorepoint and Paperwork - 12 May 2024

After last week's wet trail, and feeling cold and sodden, after the forecast suggested it was going to be bright and dry, today was the opposite. We were threatened with thunder, but it sunny and the hottest trail of the year so far. A good size pack too with Nosejob and others joining us from the IoW hash. Plus Speedy was back for a visit, and the Ds came back too!  Plus it was nice to see Woodpecker at the opening circle after his very sad news. The hash will be making a donation to one of the charities that have been chosen by the family, more news to follow about how you can contribute to this as well.

Once our visitors were welcomed, and Tampa had arrived (!), we set off for an immediate long-short. Tampa wasn't last to arrive though, with the Ds arriving just after the hash started. After looping round the woods, beginning to feel the sun's heat and the steep climb, we ended up back at the start, with the IoW contingent thanking the hares for his efforts! Then following and overtaking the shorts, we didn't really see them again until the regroup. Another 2 or 3 long loops before the sweetie stop, and a section of hashing along the old 'magic walk'. Some other beautiful parts alongside bubbling streams and moss laden paths. 

But the hare managed to loose himself, despite Speedy and Spocky finding what we later learnt was the proper trail. Paperwork confused himself, by taking us the wrong way, then declaring "I thought we'd have seen a mark by now"; surely the hare should never be heard saying this!? We think Spocky managed to follow the actual trail, whereas Paperwork sent us a different way, then back again, then forward again, then the other way... Eventually back on trail! 

Then the sweetie stop, with the shorts waiting for us for quite a while! Not quite sure what was going on with Paperwork in the photo.

From then on, I think we were all tiring and hot, and we started to follow the main Haldon tracks popular with walkers. Across the road, and, with the on home feeling close, we headed the other way towards the main visitor centre. Amazing views, but with some disappointment that we were going the wrong way. A few minutes wasted trying to find the trail, and then back parallel to the way we'd just come, but further down the valley. 

Then we really thought we were home, but not without a last long loop around the castle. At least our visitors got to see it!

Down downs went to Wide for nipple-twisting Speedy (who felt violated), One of our visitors for not packing a hash t-shirt (despite two suitcases for a weekend away) and Paperwork for not knowing his own trail. I nearly got one too because the beer ran out!

Next week it's Tampa's birthday trail at Uphams plantation, Woodbury Common, although if it is still closed, an announcement will be made on WhatsApp and Facebook and a note left at the gate.