Missing for a year, the Bluebird was believed to be extinct and his extravagant and eccentric hashes had all but faded from memory. However, Rambo had decided to resurrect the dodo with a cunning plan. Installing himself and Doris as hares for the May 2nd slot and selecting the Thatched Tavern at Maidencombe as OD, Rambo left the cage door ajar for the Bird to soar once more..
Hashers thought (and possibly hoped) that they had seen it all as far as Maidencombe was concerned, having taken in a dozen or so semi epics including seven Fire Hashes and several infamous roped ascents/descents of cliffs between the Ness and Watcombe.
With advancing age and casting caution to the winds, it was decided to
risk taking the hash through the Hidden Valley of Watcombe.
Having liaised closely with Bluebird, Rambo briefed the hashers in the car park below the pub. A last minute scare was the sabotaging of the long loop at halfway by the 'morons from outer space' but fortunately local man and hasher (Green Man) Ziggy knew the direction and armed with flour would reinstate where necessary.
Remarkably, the trail actually went according to the script and the trusting huddle of mediums and Ziggy's longs duly assembled at the mandatory (no marks from here on) RG by the none too salubrious toilet block above Watcombe cove.
The memorable (by U Bend later) quote by the Hidden Valley guide was 'It's so secret, I've forgotten where it is!' and hashers had to back up for the guide to find the entry point to the Hidden Valley.
Bravely did hashers battle to ascend the near vertical climb into the highly secretive valley. After a short tour (not wise to linger after dark here) the pièce de résistance of the hash was the climb to Watcombe Hole - a strange red sandstone breccia cave and exit point of the Hidden Valley.
Back at the Thatched Tavern and the usual welcome hospitality of thine hosts Mick & Fiona, hashers awaited the downdowns RA'd by Mouldy and overseen by Teapot.
Awards to Bluebird for the aforementioned 'It's s secret ...' and probably for his 81st Birthday ..
Slip On Me was given a dd by the RA for entering just as the DD's started (not on trail I think).
Able Semen for commenting that she didn't know we had weirdos down here as she espied he of the multi-coloured jacket from afar.
Nutcracker for finding a glass bottle by his rear end somewhere along the trail.
A most enjoyable evening seeing many old friends again, thank you.
Particular grateful thanks to Mick & Fiona and staff at the Thatched Tavern for the most tasty (and plentiful) roast taties, sandwiches and Yorkshire puddings.
Last but decidedly not least, my thanks to Rambo as without his help and support this hash could not have taken place.
ON ON to May 1st next year which falls on a Monday ...
Having liaised closely with Bluebird, Rambo briefed the hashers in the car park below the pub. A last minute scare was the sabotaging of the long loop at halfway by the 'morons from outer space' but fortunately local man and hasher (Green Man) Ziggy knew the direction and armed with flour would reinstate where necessary.
Remarkably, the trail actually went according to the script and the trusting huddle of mediums and Ziggy's longs duly assembled at the mandatory (no marks from here on) RG by the none too salubrious toilet block above Watcombe cove.
The memorable (by U Bend later) quote by the Hidden Valley guide was 'It's so secret, I've forgotten where it is!' and hashers had to back up for the guide to find the entry point to the Hidden Valley.
Bravely did hashers battle to ascend the near vertical climb into the highly secretive valley. After a short tour (not wise to linger after dark here) the pièce de résistance of the hash was the climb to Watcombe Hole - a strange red sandstone breccia cave and exit point of the Hidden Valley.
Back at the Thatched Tavern and the usual welcome hospitality of thine hosts Mick & Fiona, hashers awaited the downdowns RA'd by Mouldy and overseen by Teapot.
Awards to Bluebird for the aforementioned 'It's s secret ...' and probably for his 81st Birthday ..
Slip On Me was given a dd by the RA for entering just as the DD's started (not on trail I think).
Able Semen for commenting that she didn't know we had weirdos down here as she espied he of the multi-coloured jacket from afar.
Nutcracker for finding a glass bottle by his rear end somewhere along the trail.
A most enjoyable evening seeing many old friends again, thank you.
Particular grateful thanks to Mick & Fiona and staff at the Thatched Tavern for the most tasty (and plentiful) roast taties, sandwiches and Yorkshire puddings.
Last but decidedly not least, my thanks to Rambo as without his help and support this hash could not have taken place.
ON ON to May 1st next year which falls on a Monday ...