BLUES BROTHERS BIRTHDAY BARBIE

Monday April 27th
 
For only the second time in TVH history, a beach barbie and it was quite an undertaking.  Bobby took on the responsibility of the BBQ and medium trail whilst Bluebird supplied the firewood and the advertised Ultra scenic 'Adventure' Long trail.
The run-up to the evening had been a bit of a 'cliffhanger' (sic) as the weather, after a prolonged spell of gorgeous sunny days, had turned changeable and very unpredictable.  The go-ahead was finally agreed late on Friday evening - the Blues Brothers would Shirley go out in a 'blaze' of glory, one way or another.

I had taken the precaution of advising that the Adventure Long would only be 'suitable' for some hashers,  but, with the passage of time, new hashers had joined TVH3, blissfully unaware of what a Bluebird trail (especially on his beloved Coves of Maidencombe) entailed.

Cometh the evening and a goodly assortment of hashers assembled to bravely face whatever the notorious Blues Brothers could throw at them.

Regulars Soapy, Melon Picker,  Rambo, Doris,Wigwam, Migman, Drag Act, Rent Boy, Winfield, Wide Receiver, Fukarwi, Piltown Man, Georgie P Orgy, Teapot, Zoot, Hotlips, Wetfart, Coldtits,  Mouldy Dick, #69, Ollie (flying visit), were joined by Wet Johnny, Shrivel Dick, Rise and Shine, Fish Bait, Oooh Ar and Mateus Rose from those faces I dimly recall at the circle.

At the circle, celebrated 1000 UP Teapot was awarded an engraved glass and a belated (I've been MIA some time) Pillock of the Year Award (2014) to my good self in the event I didn't survive my own trail.

The shorts proceeded directly to the barbie site, carrying the supplies, whilst the mediums set out to prescribe a partial loop around the pitch & putt then through Homeyards Botanical Gardens down into Shaldon Village, navigating unlikely alleyways before arriving onto Shaldon sands and back around the Ness headland.

I had been somewhat taken aback by the number of hashers volunteering for almost certain oblivion on the Adventure Long.  I thought that a few of the group would abandon the Long en route - how wrong I was proved.  Hashers are a breed apart: Stubborn and determined.
For the record, this is the scroll of honour:  Soapy, (Melon Picker injured shoulder non runner), Drag Act, Fukarwi, Mouldy Dick, Wet Johnny, Shrivel Dick, Piltown Man (who was well aware of what a Bluebird Trail was), Rambo, Doris, Rise and Shine, Zoot, Oooh Ar, Mateus Rose, Fish Bait  + little dog and Wide Receiver.

The bold assemblage stuck together until after Smugglers Cove when an advance party pressed on with a degree of urgency to get to Border Cove and cut steps in the lower slopes of the legendary Red Rob ascent.

Super fit Wet Johnny, Mouldy Dick and mucker Fukarwi (sole Gobra)  spearheaded the assault, closely followed by  GM Soapy and Drag Act.  Sound runner Shrivel Dick tried the wrong angle of ascent and had to gingerly tack over to make the first rope.

One by one, hashers cleared the steps and set off up the sometimes vertical path to the summit and exit onto the SWCP.  The last group, comprising Rambo & Doris, Zoot, Rise and Shine and Wide Receiver had a slightly more difficult ascent due to the rapidly fading light.

I have to state that the heroes of the evening were Rambo and Wide Receiver who had 'swept' the pack, ensuring their safety.  You couldn't have had more experienced hashers looking after you and I am greatly thankful for their expertise.

It was truly an Adventure Long and I was overawed by the achievement of all who took part.  The forecast 'hour and a bit' was a trifle optimistic, I believe the tailenders got back at about 9:50 pm!  My apologies.

I returned via the rocks and arrived only a couple of minutes before Soapy at 9:30.  Many had departed by then and in the ensuing two hours we had been away, had devoured much of the food but thankfully there was enough drink left for the 14 or so remaining hashers.

The fire was blazing, the atmosphere and company excellent. Captain Peacock had managed to find us and the beer.  Soapy's poem was most enjoyable and set up the downdowns perfectly.  The DD's went to Mouldy and Ollie (two former downdown champions), followed by a Birthday DD for Bluebird and another for Bobby.  

I had a memorable Birthday Hash and thank everyone who made it so.  ON ON Bluebird