Run 2289 Hares: Dave L. and Jackie 

What a great start to a Hashing day, I overslept and it was murky and damp outside!

The Pack was gathering on the car park of The Golden Ball Inn, Ironbridge when I arrived with team Davies.

Another great turn out today and it was nice to see that last week’s Virgins from Shawbury Joggers had returned and had brought along yet another victim who was introduced to the Pack.

We had just enough time to sign-up before Dave L. called The Pack together it was laid in flour and there was one back check, – simple you might say. It seems both our hares had picked up injuries and had drafted in Pete H. to volunteer as flour carrier for them. Then with a cry of OnOn the pack set off.

This week’s hash started out uphill, and then uphill some more, with the energetic ones crashing through the woods whilst the walker strolled up the road – arriving at the top at the same time. 

We carried on along the footpaths and through a housing estate till we arrived at the Abraham Darby Academy & beyond.  Pete was guiding us if we went astray and Jackie kept turning up like a mother hen clucking over her chicks with Dave L. supervising from the warmth of his car!

Continuing on we had boardwalks, exotic topiary and flights of stairs which finally took us up and through the wooded areas around Lincoln Hill, passing a former hash pub, the White Horse, now sadly closed. Then going down till we were over-looking the River Severn, meeting several dog walkers and a couple of vigilant locals on the way who had seen the trail marks and were trying to help the pack, this made a nice change.

Eventually the Pack got split up as some got ‘chalk blind’ taking to high ground and ending up back at the pub early, whilst the rest carried on down toward the river.   I was with Action Man when we seemed to find ourselves separated yet again but it did give me an opportunity to get a picture of the freshly painted Ironbridge. – Not sure rusty brown is a good look, but historians say it is the correct colour. A pretty murky morning though.

As I was trying to get my shot, Jackie was waving at me I think she thought I was running the wrong way when the rest of the pack appeared from the steps down from St Luke’s Church.  The final bit of trail took us back to the Golden Ball Inn – on more uphill stretches going on the footpath above and behind Bedlam Furnaces.

Back at the car park and after a quick towel down and change of t-shirt I was off to the bar.

The Golden Ball Inn had a very good selection of beers on draft, but I was immediately drawn to Weston’s Rosie Pig cider, that will do nicely. Notable beers on tap were Hobson’s Town Crier and Wadsworth 6X or SEX as drinkers of this fine ale like to call it well that was what Nigel J. told me, but we don’t believe him as he often gets things wrong!

The bar of The Golden Ball Inn got very busy and noisy and it was only now I spotted some other returning Hashers, It was good to see Ewa with Mike and Benson, also Ray and Mary with Ralph the Springer.

 The Circle & Down Down’s

Paula asked what the Pack thought of today’s trail, everyone was very happy, although someone felt there were not enough stiles and too much shiggy as his trousers got too muddy!

The Hares Dave L. and Jackie were handed their pints, and Jackie then showed some of us Hashers why she is still The Mistress when it comes to drinking a Down Down!

We had no infractions this week, what a boring Pack but Pete H. was happy to save Hash Kash and so we moved on. – I will add that I heard about Ray, Mary, Mary K and Ewa having a tea stop though and it had been Trevor’s birthday!

Now Paula, on behalf of DH3, welcomed our latest Virgin Sam to the worldwide family of Hashing, she then made a couple of announcements regarding The 2019 Ladies Evening in May and our Buxton Outstation Summer Bash in July.

On to the Raffle and today we said goodbye to the last of Mary’s Toblerone stash and today’s very lucky winner was Simon C. Another notable prize went to Rob the Buck who scored two classic Bicester Hash t-shirts. Lucky Him!
After the draw it was announced that JK and Mary have sourced plenty of Twin Peaks bars (does that sound vaguely rude?) so there will be still something to look forward to in the raffle next week, – great news.

Thanks to the Hares for a great trail and for lots of lovely Bread and chips.

Rob and Dasher were seen pouring over a map for their trail in a couple of weeks so we expect an interesting trail just hope Dasher remembers he is a Hare so we are short our usual FRB so keep the checks shorter pretty please! 

As the Pack began to thin it was soon time to make a move and The Tiddly called so On On to next week.

FINGERLESS

Next week Run 2290 meet at The Shakespeare Inn Coalport, The Hares are Pablo and Paula.

Run 2288 The Last Inn Wellington Road Newport, Hares:  Linda & Trevor

The pub has changed hands since we last Hashed from here on a snowy January in 2018, on another of Linda & Trevor’s trails, it was called The Aston then but has now reverted to being The Last Inn again.

The trip to Newport with JK & Mary took us by an old Hash pub The Red House Inn at Lilleshall, last ran from on a Monday in June 2016 but now sadly shuttered up.

A good sized Pack gathered on the car park, nice to see Ron C. had made it back from his trip to Hong Kong, I think he was feeling the chill of a Sunday Hash in January although he did say it hadn’t been that warm there.  John & Emma were with us again, no hound this time and so it would be a dog less Pack today. Gary was back with more Shawbury Joggers thanks for bringing DH3 three more Hash Virgins.

Dave L. made an announcement about next week’s trail and there was a show of hands, as usual I missed what it was for but I voted anyway.

Linda called the Pack to order and explained that the trail was laid in sawdust and flour, there would be no cattle, sheep or horses but there were two busy road crossings! 

The trail goes that way…..On On!

From the start the Hares took us on a quick loop, which fooled everyone as the front runners headed straight out on a false trail from the check – assuming it would go towards Lilleshall Hill! 

Instead it came back on a footpath through the woodland & brought the pack back to the car park, – well that was a quick run although I didn’t see anyone drop out!

Going across the road, we avoided the fields at the back of the pub, where trails often go, and went straight down the road heading for Newport,  picking up a couple of Joggers out on a Sunday morning run to come join our run, – well done that’s the spirit!  They didn’t make it in to the pub afterwards as one of the ladies was rushing off to work, but went away with all the details so we may see them again.

As we ran through Newport there was the occasional confusion as some false trails seem to have been kicked out but we eventually found our way, across the park, around several pools, along  footpaths, and finally across a few fields and heading in the direction of Lilleshall Hill again. 

One of the new Shawbury Hash virgins, Jane, was heard to say ‘I am having such fun!’ -So I hope we will see her on the hash again.

Along the way we met a few dog walkers with well-behaved dogs; maybe it was because we had no Hash Hounds on trail this week? 

Despite the number of hashers turning out the Hares were complimented on how they had managed to keep the pack together.  The run had a bit of everything today; footpaths, fields, stiles and kissing-gates & a nice touch by the Hares at the end they had managed to come back to the car park using the same stretch of footpath and stile we had used at the start – Déjà vu.

After a quick towel down to get out of my wet t-shirt I changed into a dry top and then walked over to join everyone in the pub.  The bar was quite busy, making a late appearance were Keith & Kate and Janice & David also dropped in.   Pete H. was busy collecting deposits for the Summer Outstation Hash.

Circle Time, Paula calls the Pack to order, it was Down Down time.

Could our Joint Master Paula get any more excited to be back in the bosom of her DH3 family certainly the pack were pleased to see her and so were those re-tread Joint Master’s Fingerless & Dasher. They were very happy just to chill and enjoy a drink and company and not worry about did you forget a Down Down or did you get too many!

• Starting with the Hares, – what did the Pack think of the trail? The Pack were very happy and so were the Hares, Here’s to them…..

• Up next Paula welcomed the three Virgins from Shawbury Joggers to the Hash family and we hope they enjoyed their first experience and look forward to seeing them again.

• Next we had a birthday girl, happy birthday Chris H.

Finally retirement did not last long for Fingerless as he stepped in to prevent any marital strife as Pablo dobbed in Paula in over her nice new blue shoes.

• Here’s to New Blue Shoes……

Mary the Raffle Mistress then took over, – Nigel J. was the winner of the prized Toblerone this week. There were many other good prizes from beer to a leaky bottle of exotic shampoo and guess who won that!

 Eventually the bar began to thin out as Hashers left to carry on with Sunday stuff, or just go to The Tiddly.

Next Week; Hares are Dave & Jackie – The Golden Ball, New Bridge Road, Ironbridge TF8 7BA

FINGERLESS

R*n 2287 from The Platform Ale House, Station Road Albrighton Hares: Andrew, Jane & David.

 Setting off a little earlier today with my co-hares, we were still beaten to Albrighton by JK and Mary as had several friends from Bull Moon Hash.

With a steady stream of vehicles arriving it was time to get some order into the proceedings so it was quickly decided to move cars to make more room. It was soon apparent that we would have a bumper pack for today’s trail.

 As the clock ticked down to 11 o’clock our last arrival Nose Job made a grand appearance and then practiced a high speed reverse obviously something you need to be able to do when you live in Birmingham.

 When the Hares planned to run from Albrighton we thought The Platform Ale House would be perfect but had not taken into account Sunday services so only a couple of Hashers arrived by train. Well done Actionman and Dipstick who had come quite distance to r*n with us.

 The Pack were called to order and Andrew got this large pack including many guests to introduce themselves although I did spy our website team lurking in the back ground.

With introductions made I announced that Pattaya H3 were also celebrating their founding 35 years ago with an event this weekend and to commemorate the fact Andi & I were sporting our PH3 H*A*S*H shirts for the trail, but not forgetting to add DH3 were now over 40 years old!

 Many of our friends from The Bull Moon Hash were here today, in fact most of our guests have r*n with The Peaky Blinders one of my favourite r*ns of the year.

 One more surprise for the Pack we were also joined by Craig for his first hash and who happened to own The Platform, good going as he had been out celebrating an 18th birthday the night before which put him in good company with the Hares, who had started to sample the beers at The Platform and then after laying the trail on Saturday afternoon had stayed to thoroughly check the quality of the rest of the beers on tap for this morning.

 The Final notes to the Pack from Andi were the trail was laid in flour and sawdust, with those words hanging in the air the FRB’s took off down the road.

A great start for the Hares a long false trail , as the Pack left the railway station the Hares had forgot to put a false down so it was a LONG false but it slowed the FRB’s down so no harm, no foul J and everyone had forgotten by the time they got back J.

 Rob the Buck found time on the trail to tell a guy who had been out walking his young son all about Hashing we may have found another Virgin to come join us in the future.

 As the trail came back into town a split had been put down for the walkers while the rest of the Pack carried on to the final loop running out back of Cosford camp.

On this part of the trail the pack were startled by a sound no one was expecting, the disturbing wail of an air raid siren even as we plodded on along muddy tracks there were a few glances around even glances to the skies it just brought back memories of Frankie Goes to Hollywood and the sample from Patrick Allen Protect & Survive public information film.

On the final leg of the r*n we were met by Andi who had chaperoned the walkers on trail all the way back to The Platform.
A great start for the Hares a long false trail , as the Pack left the railway station the Hares had forgot to put a false down so it was a LONG false but it slowed the FRB’s down so no harm, no foul J and everyone had forgotten by the time they got back J.

 With so many people here today there was no need to rush in doors, toweled down and changed into DH3 2000th R*n t-shirt I walked up to The Platform.

 Fortunately with so many walkers the bar wasn’t swamped and I don’t think there any complaints about getting served.

 With everyone enjoying a beer or coffee, Dasher was busy with JK getting the Down Downs and soon it was Circle time. Dasher called the Hares forward for their Down Down’s and asked what the Pack thought of today’s trail, I didn’t hear what was said as Rockin Robin was giving me grief about only having a half pint!

Anyway must have been a positive verdict as JK whipped the Pack to frenzy for the Down Down song. At this point Flying Widget went into melt down when he spotted the number of Down Downs sitting on the bar, you would think he was a Yorkshire man!

 The circle was shared with Dr Dolittle from Bull Moon Hash so we got to me a few of our guests. Next up were Dasher & Dogs Bollocks who had decided on doing a spot of yoga at the re-group, so with Down Downs in hand they showed us how to do it on one leg, drink it down down…..

Next Action man was caught out for wearing New Shoes a discussion was then had before a Down Down drunk, can’t beat the Hash.

Now I have to mention my friend from Peaky Blinders Xmas pub crawl just because I love her Hash Handle, Fill My Cavity now she got a Down Down I have seen the picture but I can’t remember why.

A Down Down next for a miscreant, a short cutter, a crop trasher Ringpull (I am open to being corrected if I spelt this wrong)

Final Down Down for our Hash Virgin Craig, a pint man happy now Robin. Hope to see you again Craig.

 The Circle was then handed over to Mary our Raffle Mistress, lots of good prizes again today but I’m afraid I missed the winners or who won the Toblerone.

With The Platform being so busy standing room only and the background hum rising we launched our secret weapon Jane/OMG/Decibel no one drowns out Jane, and I think dry January was having an effect as she seemed louder than usual.

 It was good to see when we got back from the r*n Pablo has made it back from South America, look forward to the return of our Joint Master Paula next week.

 People began to drift off to do other Sunday stuff and so eventually did the Hares, a quick stop at The Tiddly.

 Thanks to everyone who came today and made it so much fun.       

OnOn  FINGERLESS

Next week’s run Hares are Linda & Trevor from The Last Inn Newport

Hares: Pete & Chris – We met on the Ercall car park and returned to the Cock Hotel in Wellington for the après, this was the last trail for 2018.

 A good group of hashers gathered on the Ercall Lane Car Park, Wellington and on the stroke of 11 o’clock Pete called the Pack to order to explain the trail. – Laid in flour, with a couple of re-groups & it would also give us a chance to take in the views, – no sheep or mine shafts today and, with that, we set off hunting for the trail.

 Initially we went across the bridge over the M54 and back toward Wellington and, as can be expected, there was some pavement pounding but It was a great trail, plenty of ups and downs, over the M54 and then under it, to include an impromptu circle for a hug and a song.

We ran across fields, we ran around fields and circled fishing lakes all in the shadow of the Wrekin.

 At one check at the base of the Ercall, with knowledge of the area, some of the pack took a short cut along the road which took them straight back to the car park whilst the rest of the us took the climb up the top and enjoyed the view, – well done Hares. Eventually On-In was spotted and we came down on a track above and behind our parked cars, to find the short cutting runners had made it back with the walkers.

Thanks Hares for a great trail.

Then followed a hasty evacuation from The Ercall back to The Cock Hotel in Wellington for the après, – a quick towel down and change in to a dry top, then in to the pub to get a pint before the rush! The Cock Hotel always has a good choice of beers, taking no chances I chose a pint of Hobson’s Best Bitter; they also now have a selection of Joules Beers.

With Paula our Joint Master still away visiting family for Christmas, Dasher and I were back in charge for the day.

We welcomed Simon a Hash virgin into the family of the Hash as a member of DH3, – if it carries on like this Ellerdine could start their own Hash!

• Down Down’s for our Hares Pete & Chris, it was agreed everyone enjoyed the trail today. The Pack still on their best behaviour and being urged on by Fingerless belted out the Down Down song.
• A Down Down for John K who was a birthday boy this week.
• We also had a Hash Crash Down Down, – Andi had stopped to tie up his shoe laces but got his foot stuck in a traffic cone, lost his balance and ended up flat on his back. Thanks Hash Hound Millie for dobbing him in J, a very intelligent dog!

Pete & Chris had organized some exotic fare to warm the Pack on a chilly morning, hot and spicy Samosa’s very nice.

No Raffle today as it was a special day, the annual Unwanted Christmas Present Exchange! So while the Pack tucked into the Samosa’s our secret Santa changed into his festive superhero costume.

Fortunately Santa did not have to be vetted for this occasion as no children were present and possibly only Santa was scarred for life after the experience!

Ably assisted by Mary our Raffle Elf, Santa handed out the presents to all the well behaved Hashers and even handed presents to those on Santa’s naughty list, the whole scene reminiscent of a festive episode from Alo Alo!

Trevor obviously has some deep seated childhood trauma as he attacked Santa crying out ‘What about my PlayStation!’

Everyone seemed to enjoy this year’s Santa even that well known Humbug Fingerless was heard to say how much he had enjoyed it.

With Santa’s sack now empty Hashers started to drift off. Some continued their afternoon at The Tiddly, but this week several others decided to call it a day saving themselves for New Year’s Eve.

Next week Run 2287 is from The Platform Ale House, Station Road Albrighton WV7 3FD.  Hares: Andrew, Jane & David.

 OnOn  FINGERLESS

Today was Run 2285, Kate & Keith’s they regularly lay a trail over Christmas using The Stiperstones Inn at Snailbeach for the après and today they asked us to meet at Shelve to start the run.

This was the Hangover Run after the DH3 Christmas Pub Crawl through Wellington so it was a case of wait and see who would turn up!

This morning when I set off with John K & Mary it was quite misty, but as we reached Minsterley and began the climb toward Shelve this mist gradually thickened to a fog. All around the streams and brooks had become torrents as overnight rain ran off the hills about. Using Keith & Kate’s map and notes handed out at last week’s Hash we found our way to the fire road and car park where our Hares were already waiting.

Another feature of this annual run is the festive mulled wine supplied by the Hares. Even with a thick head from last night it was much appreciated on this cold morning. Nice to see so many of the Pack wearing Santa Hats, I had left my Humbug one at home 🙂

As more and more cars arrived some had had to park down the road as we were also sharing with a van load of mountain bikers, this area is very popular with many other outdoor people including dog walkers.

Eventually with a good turnout Keith called the Pack to order to hear details on today’s trail. There were two trails one for ruunners and another for walkers, Runners on flour and walkers on sawdust (we all know this can get confusing very quickly 🙂 ). Then Keith produced a cracker (a very festive prop Keith good-marks for that), finding a volunteer cracker snapper seemed a challenge, why are Hashers so suspicious? A volunteer was found the cracker was pulled and another surprise, Keith the movie buff pulled from the cracker a note fit for Jim Phelps in a Mission Impossible film. If we were prepared to accept the mission the trail started down the road, this message would then self-destruct!

With that the Pack took off down the road and into the mist. Reaching the turnoff to another fire trail the Pack went off in search of the trail. The conditions called for lots of calling as we also disappeared in thickening forestry where it was easy to lose sight of the Pack, except for those dressed in their hi-viz running clothes.

Keith had made good use of this area as we worked our way through it, encountering false trails and a slightly bemused couple walking their dog. There were plenty of stiles to get over, tricky in these slippery conditions. There was loads of shiggy around the gates to fields as it is an area with many sheep. Keith had, on his recce, found several viewpoints but we wouldn’t be seeing anything today (we may be revisiting this trail in the summer!)

Instead we learnt about The Roman’s and their lead mines, Keith then re-enforced his trail notes when he reminded everyone to only walk along the marked trail as there still many spots with un-mark shafts, good to know Keith!

At one point we came across the longest trail of checks I have seen, all of them wanting to send you up a hill. Eventually with a false trail found I back tracked to where the trail was found and the Pack began the slippery climb up hill. Keith found us a couple more interesting spots, one a very deep shaft where it was difficult to hear the bottom when Pete dropped a rock into it. He also found the entrance to mine shaft dug into the side of the hill.

With the pack back together we set off to the top of the hill and the trail home through another forestry plot heavily marked by the Hare due to the condition of the ground. Eventually On-In was spotted and we came in behind our parked cars.

A great trail with Runners and walkers making it back together, Thanks Hares.

It was a quick evacuation from here back to The Stiperstones In, a speedy towel down and a change in to a dry top, taking off the over-trousers – which had seemed a sensible choice before the Run.

Kate put out bowls of snack for everyone to nibble on and as Paula our Joint Master & Pablo were away visiting family for Christmas, I was back in charge for the day.

• Down Down’s for our Hares Keith & Kate, everyone enjoyed the trail today even though it was a bit damp and we learnt more about the Romans than an episode of Time Team. Taking on John K. admonishment from last week the Pack belted out the Down Down song.
• Next a Down Down for Pete H. who had tried to tackle Wendy at the Re-group by the Lead Mine –badman.
• Final Down Down’s for Mr Grumpy, but first we would get to the bottom of pudding-gate, – Just whose pudding did he snaffle at Ron’s birthday do?   Step forward Jean, yes it was her pannacotta, bad man! Passing him a half pint we got the usual gripe about DH3 do Pints!!! So next we move on to another charge, when we were on the Official DH3 Pub Crawl around Wellington, Robin was in Shrewsbury with a splinter group but he wouldn’t name names so now with a second half and a helpful Landlord, Robin got his pint! – A note for The Bad Man…..

Next – the announcement of The Shortbread Walk On 28th December Organised by Dave L. meeting promptly at 9.30 at The Forest Glen Car Park for a bracing walk after the excesses of Christmas.

The Circle was then handed over to Mary The Raffle Mistress this week a 50-50 chance of being a winner, a shock this week who said Bad men can’t win, Mr Grumpy took the Toblerone and not just an ordinary Toblerone but a mega Christmas one. Fume Fume Fume!

Keith & Kate had organised sausages, bread and chips great warming Hash food for a day like today.

Eventually the Pack began to thin as those last minute Christmas types made one last push and some of us made our way back for drinks at The Tiddly meeting Dangerless who was too poorly to Hash today.

So ended a great Hash weekend.

Next week Run 2286 Hares Pete & Chris for The Santa Exchange Run, bring your unwanted Christmas presents for Santa’s Sack.

 Meet on the Ercall Lane car park Wellington. The après is at The Cock Hotel Holyhead Road Wellington

OnOn FINGERLESS

PS The small village store next to The Stiperstones Inn also missed a regular Christmas shopper, Jane D, who couldn’t come to today’s trail.

Today was a special run as we were celebrating Ron C’s 77th birthday with a three course lunch put on by Ron and free beer to follow at the National Trust Tea Rooms.

I travelled down with John K. & Mary to help deliver and set up the beer – supplied by Rowton Brewery for the après. 

Poor Ron had struggled with the weather conditions to lay his trail, the high roads around the Long Mynd had been closed due to icy conditions. Oh yes it was going to be an interesting run!

A couple of the pack were with friends of the Full Moon Hash and had been celebrating Christmas in true Hash style with a pub crawl around Birmingham,

As we waited in the valley more and more cars and 4×4’s began to arrive and, as expected, it was a very good turnout, the clocked ticked around to 11 am and Ron C. called the pack to order to give us the word, we all heard how bad yesterday’s weather was and he had struggled to lay a trail, but we knew he was just teasing!

The trail was laid in sawdust; there were plenty of sheep, wild ponies, golf balls and train and with that a long arm stretched out and pointed back up the valley and the pack called out OnOn. We soon found the trail which took us up on to the hills, this was just a taster for a great trail laid by an experienced Hare.

We had plenty of checks, loads of flights of steps, some greasy treacherous sheep tracks and even some street pounding through Church Stretton.

We managed to cross and re-cross the train line to Ludlow then over two foot bridges less than 200 yards apart!

Eventually we sighted the ‘On In’ that took us back over the hills in to Carding Mill Valley and soon the cars came into view below, the vehicles had been attracting the local wild ponies who were enjoying a good salt lick   The ponies were not going to be moved on easily as a festively dressed ranger found in a Mexican stand-off with one of them!

On Returning to The National Trust tea room in Carding Mill Valley John K and I set up the beer barrel in the Tea Room only to discover we had a slight problem, expecting a barrel of Rowton Bitter we found it was Rowton Portly Stout, a stronger beverage for a Sunday session. We did have a small quantity of the excellent Rowton Bitter and that was consumed very quickly.

The Tea Room looked very cheerful with Christmas Crackers and lights and it filled up quickly as all who were eating found space around the tables. The food was good with festive favourites and plenty of vegetables.

After last week we welcomed back Paula to carry out her duties as Joint Master and proceed to give out Down Down’s for our Hare Ron and Jofrid, no complaints about today’s trail, except it was too short, there were not enough steps and the weather was too warm! Thanks for the trail Ron.

At some point John K. stepped in to encourage the Pack to speed up the Down Down song, ‘guys it is not a dirge!’ For breaking the Hashing cardinal sin, Hashing is NOT competitive!   Dasher got a Down Down for careering down a slope in sight of the car park to make it back to his motor first!

After the Down Down’s the Circle was handed over to Mary the Raffle Mistress, and, no complaints as Ron C won in the lottery of life, taking home this week’s Toblerone. He tried to convince me it wasn’t for him but for Jofrid.

Graham made an announcement about next Saturday’s Hash pub crawl around Wellington starting at The Cock Hotel at 7.30pm.

Ron thanked everyone for their birthday greetings and attending his Hash and Jackie presented him with a gift card on behalf of everyone, with the hash bursting into a chorus of Happy Birthday which then turned into Happy Birthday Mondial, as we had versions in Spanish (Paula), Italian (Pablo), Polish (Ewa). and Chinese (Wei Lee). Not to be left out Jude then belted out a Black Country version. What a very talented Hash we are!

With all the Rowton Bitter drunk, several bottles of wine and a dent made in the Portly Stout, the Pack began to thin. It was getting gloomy and homes were calling.  So ended a most excellent day, thanks to our generous Hare.

Happy Birthday Ron

Next Week Run 2285 Hares: Keith and Kate meet at Shelve, with the après at The Stiperstones Inn.

.

 On On FINGERLESS

Run 2283 Hares: JK & Mary from The Talbot Inn Ruyton XITowns.

Well, it was the morning after Adrian & Linsey’s DH3 Dickensian Christmas Extravaganza and. JK took no chances & gave me an alarm call after reading tales of my exploits on my recent Pattaya hash trip. A great turnout and everyone looked fighting fit.  John laid a great trail in an area new to me.There was plenty of shiggy in the low lying land around the river but much better running territory as we climbed on to the high ground. There were some great vantage points looking out in to Wales and some nice views of rainbows too.

The trail seemed to have it all woods, bridleways and plenty of stiles and was a nicely planned trail which meant both runners and walkers finished together.

A quick towel down and into the pub for a pint we retired to the annex provided so we wouldn’t disturb the Sunday Diners or the footballers!

As a Joules pub I was looking forward to a pint of Green Monkey, but unfortunately they had beer issues and all that was on was Slumbering Monk, – not to everyone’s taste.

With everyone back and with drinks in hand, or cups of tea or coffee, it as Circle Time.  Joint Master for the day Tiny Tina after her storming performance at the Christmas party called the pack to order.

Down Downs for the Hares JK & Mary, everyone enjoyed the trail today. Next Down Downs for a pair of Hash Crashers,  Jane & Andi who both fell on a tricky piece of ground covered in deep leaf litter which covered ankle breaking holes, very lucky pair though they didn’t think so after having another half of Slumbering Monk!

Before the raffle we had an announcement from Ron C. aboutnext week then over to Mary the Raffle Mistress.  Today’s big winners in the Toblerone raffle, Mark & Wendy.

John & Mary had provided some excellent sandwiches and a very warming vegetable soup which everyone enjoyed. Eventually the pack dispersed to carry on with Sunday stuff.

My day finished well though with a couple of pints of Old Rosie at The Tiddly with John & Mary.

Next week’s Hare is Ron C. meet at Carding Mill Valley Long Mynd.

OnOn FINGERLESS

The White Hart; Shifnal

A cool & gloomy grey morning saw a good turnout on the car park for Graham & Jude’s trail  in Shifnal with Adrian brightening up the morning in Luminous Pink apparel – bit too much when one has had a few the night before.

At the On the hares led us a merry dance around the back streets of Shifnal before heading out into the countryside, where we encountered the obligatory shiggy that Graham is famous at finding, – he really should migrate to East Grinstead as he would be at home there. 

Milly clearly doesn’t like mud as she squeezed along the fence line to avoid getting her paws muddy while the less delicate plodded through the middle of it.

A conversation about sheep followed when some were spotted in a field nearby, Nick wanted clarity on the type of sheep but unfortunately Andrew was not able to help, which left him feeling sheepish!   But Andrew did point out that the Ram was a Texel and it would be best not to turn his back on it! 

A bit of a slog ensued and then a regroup, which had the front runners moaning whilst the rest of us caught up, we had a photo call and then on to a pleasant little area through some woodland, down the steps and along by a stream.

The sound of running water obviously caught our Grand Master out as he was soon spotted going behind a bush to relieve himself – and not very discreetly I am led to believe!

Simple & Andrew were heard making strange comparisons about the Sewerage Treatment Plants that we had encountered recently and the consensus was that Shifnal’s was better than the one at Edgmond!

Back at the pub, it was rather rowdy with Paula winding up the hash and finding new words to describe Shiggy as she presented the hares with their just deserts. 

Ron had a down down for going for a pee on the trail – with an audience watching, and complained bitterly that he would now he’d had two pints he would have to stop for another pee on the way home!

Dasher tried on his recently acquired vintage hash T Shirt and made the landlady’s eyes pop out on stalks when she saw his piercings!

Thanks go to Graham & Jude for an enjoyable trail and the chip butties. 

The afternoon was rounded off nicely with a rendition of Happy Birthday to Jude who was presented a lemon curd & cream cake made by Jackie, – replete with a candle – and slices of cake all round.

OnOn Linda

Oh – I nearly forgot, Pete is on the warpath after finding old £1 coins in Hash Kash – again!

 

 

Run 2280 Hares: Simples & Skidmark.

On a blue crisp morning the pack met on the car park of The Lion in Edgmond.

 

 I have found it always pays to keep an eye out as you get closer to the rendezvous and today it paid dividends when I spotted a circle of flour on a junction. This morning I was amongst the first Hashers to arrive and no sign of the Hares – were they still laying the trail?

Nice to see Pete & Chris back from Spain but I think they were feeling the cold as they were all kitted out with winter gear.  Also good to see Mike who was dog sitting Hash Hound Benson this weekend and they were in good company as Andi & Jane had brought along Hash Hound Millie.

Time was ticking by when the Hares finally made an appearance together with some guests from Milton Keynes H3, Bellend, Goodhead and Princess Theakstone. Oh and not forgetting their Hash Hound Cracker.

Quickly the pack signed up and as the clock moved on to 11 am we gathered around Simples to hear the word on today’s trail. Well surprise surprise – if we hadn’t realised from the t-shirt he was sporting and the flour circle I had spotted earlier, today would be a Berkshire H3 special!

With many unusual hash marks for some of the DH3 pack to master, others were having flash backs to our Outstation in Spain. Luckily they don’t do mountains around Edgmond!

With that, the call was On On and out onto the byways around Edgmond. Simples and Skidmark wove an interesting trail in area we had hashed over at the beginning of August. The many lengthy checks kept the FRBs busy as we were a man down, more than once a cry went out, where is Dasher!  Simples even managed to find a tricky drainage ditch crossing over greasy logs, a great photo op for Hash Flash who could only be heard cussing his memory card was full as he deleted old pictures, silly Hash Flash!

Eventually the pack made it back a little weary and stiff legged, and after a quick change the pack drifted into the pub. The beers on tap were the popular Marstons Poppy and my favourite Hobsons Town Crier.  Joint Master Paula called Circle up, trying out several silly voices she asked:  what did everyone think of today’s trail? – Too Long, The sky was too blue, give the Hares a note ……. Then Paula welcomed our guests from Milton Keynes H3 with Down Downs ….. come back again.

 Finally JK caught up with Ron C. our new Grand Master and final member of the new 2018-2019 Hash Committee. Ron C. then took the opportunity to make an announcement about his birthday run in December, (see info on website)  I would expect a big turnout for that one. Time now to hand over to Mary the Raffle Mistress to spread joy to the winners and nice to see a guest went away a winner. Unfortunately I missed this week’s Toblerone.

Simples & Skidmark provided the pack with gourmet chips and bread –  excellent.  After enjoying a nice pint of Hobsons Town Crier and those most marvellous chips it was time to make a move.

A pint or two of Old Rosie was calling from The Tiddly. Next week’s run 2281 is from The White Hart in Shifnal and the Hares are Graham & Jude celebrating their joint birthdays and probably still on a high from attending their daughter’s wedding!

 On On FINGERLESS

Run 2278 Hare: Simon R.

A slightly reduced pack gathered at The Unicorn in Little Dawley in damp *dreich conditions.

 

It did not look good as we drove out toward Wellington, especially as the top of the Wrekin was blanketed in low cloud. The weather must have come as a slight shock to at least one Harriette returning from her holiday in Florida and, –  nice to see Sarah and Milo making a late appearance on trail,  the dog being our solitary canine Hash Hound today.

Hare notes today were brief, trail laid in flour OnOn – that way! The trail was well marked and lengthy, thanks Simon your trail laying is improving. Not many false trails but there was much use made of the fishing pools and dis-used railway lines which criss-crossed the area around Telford Town Park.

In places footing was tricky with greasy steps so care was needed when crossing stiles or going down into the railway paths. Paula’s day was made when we passed a field with several Shetland ponies. The FRB’s kept up a good pace on what was a runners trail.

Returning to The Unicorn Hashers dried off, changed into clean dry clothes and drifted into the warmth of the pub. My choice for beer of the day was Wye Valley HPA always enjoyable.

Mr & Mrs Pink aka Adrian and Linsey made an entrance after missing the run to collect more sign-ups for the Hash Dickensian Christmas Extravaganza.  Of course the most notable thing was they had both arrived in full Morris Men outfits and with blacked up faces!

With everyone back in the pub and with drinks in hand our Joint Master Paula called the Circle. First she wanted to know – what did the pack think of today’s trail, too long, too wet, too many steps and too many horses etc?

A deserved Down Down for the Hare Simon R and it seems that he has been practicing as he did a creditable Down Down. Next Paula tried to give Adrian his birthday Down Down on making it to the big 60 on Saturday. Having said he wasn’t drinking, the Joint Master gave him half a Coke, this did not appeal and he tried to swap it, not happening on Paula’s watch! – Drink your Coke birthday boy!

The final pint was for Jackie and the Evil number 666! Having purchased her raffle ticket she didn’t place it on her glass as usual and foolishly stuck it on her forehead! Too late it was spotted and photographed by the Joint Master.

Now unfortunately Jackie nominated Fingerless who is not a top of the class as a – Pint Downer so most of it went down the front of his nice clean Vienna Euro Hash t-shirt!

Next the Circle was hijacked to make several announcements. First Jean had news about next year’s Ladies Nite, then Graham announced the date for the Christmas Pub Crawl (all details can be found on the web site) and finally Nigel J. had a suggestion for anyone looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve and handed round a flyer.

With the last Down Down drunk or worn, the Circle was handed over to Mary The Raffle Mistress to spread more joy to the masses and that lucky winner of the Toblerone, this week it was Jude.

 Today it was the hare providing us with sausages, bread and chips – always appreciated on a damp morning like today.

Time was passing and Hashers began to drift off to do Sunday stuff, today it was a visit to The Tiddly and a pint or two of Old Rosie with friends of the Hash.

OnOn FINGERLESS

Next weeks Hares are Ian and Jean meeting at The Plough Pontesbury. Dont forget your Poppy it is Remembrance Sunday

*Dreich – Scottish slang for damp, gloomy & miserable.