Run #1809 Monday 26th August from Staverton railway station with Beefy
Bank
holidays can throw the proverbial spanner in the works with attendance
(the record all-time low of three: One hasher and two hares!) but,
nevertheless, a solid number made the snug railway car park on Monday
for Beefy's eagerly anticipated trail and swim with supporting ales in
the station OD.
Good to see Ollie (senior hasher) and Paraprick at the circle with Triple
Jump, Holly and Dan introducing more newbies into the fold. Forrest had
discovered an early Dickhead Hat - now rather hash politically
incorrect - eliciting gasps of dismay (or envy?) from some harriets.
Apparently it had been found discarded and forgotten in Wood Lend's
room - missing for quite a few years!
No
Teapot (holiday) or Piltdown so the roll here becomes official: GM
Shitfaced, Beefy, Forrest, Fallen Woman, Runner Bean, Plonker, Flasher,
Manpig, Fukarwi, Prickly Bush, BroadS, Winfield, Rambo, Doris, Triple
Jump, Ga Ga 4It, SatNav, 3Sum,T Humper, I-Poo'd, Slip on Me, Getting
Wet, Never Wet, Just Cummin', Holly, Dan, the nam-ed Ollie of old, U
Bend, Wigwam, Paraprick, BB and three virgins: Samantha, little Ollie and Ellie. (34)
Runner
Bean knew the GM's railwayana question and Manpig elucidated an
upcoming 'running' event - the mud race across the Teign from Combe
Cellars (Sunday September 1st). If slow motion walking - you can't run
it - in knee deep Teign mud is your delight, don't miss it! I still
have vivid memories of doing it thirty or so years ago. Only 800 metres
but a great leveller - running ability goes out the window!
The
waterproof housing on my new cam was effective but I found out later
that holding it in your hand not only doesn't work but also nearly
caused my demise at the swim. More on that later...
Beefy
gave out the details of his trail which included no less than five L/S
splits, a walkers' route and what was to be an ill-fated SS. What we
didn't know at the time was that Beefy had encountered severe problems
laying the trail earlier in the day. Marks had been interfered with and
Beefy had covered a remarkable fifteen miles (over four hours) double
trail laying and trying to reinstate marks.
Oblivious
to the hare's travails, we legged it over the level crossing and up to
North Wood. The speed machines that are Flasher, Plonker and Runner
Bean were already merrily clear and with the red mist visors down would
have missed a road chalked fish hook but for Beefy calling them back,
HA! Unfortunately, my triumph was short-lived as the number 8 was
incorporated which included the other usual front running suspects and
back we trekked, heads held low like naughty children.
Released
once more, Flasher and Co. soon restored normal service and climbed
effortlessly up the first trail ascent. I was just making a note that U
Bend was going well up the gradient when he came to a juddering halt -
but never mind, God loves a trier. Around a bend and there were the
lads once more, looking somewhat bemused. The reason for the hiatus
became clear when I saw the latest creation of the hare - a HA HA and
arrow indicating that we return onto the short trail before finding the
long. Oh well, at least it's back downhill now..
Up
ahead we saw the back markers of the shorts and walkers as we veered
right and up another incline. The marks were still clear and being
diligently kicked out but I still managed to misinterpret the direction
and found myself alone with a series of crosses barring the way.
Eventually I was reunited with BroadS, Manpig and Fukarwi and our
combined field craft got us back on trail. We encountered Flasher ahead
but as we started to follow he shouted out that we had missed a loop of
the trail and had to complete. In the pre-Strava days, I might have
ignored the extra yardage but the all-seeing GPS now precluded such
cavalier (sneaky) actions.
The
old firm was finally together once more and most enjoyable the gentler pace was
as we coursed from check to check. Manpig caught on that I was on a
roll (everything I shouted was wrong) and ignored every call with loud
sniggers coming from the gallery (Fukarwi and BroadS). Some way ahead,
we caught glimpses of Senior Ollie and dogs which gave us some help
when marks went missing. Round and round, but ever closing with the
river, we went until cries of jollity could be heard nearby. Out of the
darkening woods we emerged to find the party dip in full swing [sic].
Wading
into the inky black pool, I had a yen for a swing and started across
only to find that it got very deep halfway across. I started to doggy
paddle (holding cam in one hand so couldn't swim) but unexpectedly an
adverse current halted my slow progress. Suddenly I got into
difficulties and for a brief moment thought I was going under but just
managed to get back into shallower water. Just as well, as if I had
disappeared, hashers might have thought I was fooling about (Shirley
not) and might not have come to the aid of my party [sic]. I must
sadly admit that, just as my namesake, water is a dangerous thing for
me...
A short run back home and the beer beckoned Beefy..
At
£3 a pint there were still a few beers to sample and the good 'ol'
boys plumped for the Deverill's Advocate 4.5 abv. A TVH grub table was
set up in the entrance outside, the offerings most generously provided
by most present. I hadn't brought anything and felt guilty taking a
plate of the GM's tasty pasta; huge thank you to everyone that did take
the trouble of bringing something along to share.
WINFIELD'S WISDOM & AWARDS
A
great trail laid through the woodlands and beside the very scenic river
Dart, although someone messed up the trail to the Sweet Stop! there
was still much to enjoy at the river crossing and later back at the
Station with plenty of beer to choose from and a wide excellent food
selection donated by the Pack
The Awards from Run 1809 were presented to the following offenders ....
Forrest to Just Coming for stealing? his phone!
Just Coming to Forrest Stump for losing! his phone.
Shit Faced for peeing up stream of us in the river!.
Forrest for (running in a football boot) was presented with a found shoe!
Our Virgin Hasher is named on her first run Footloose for wearing flip flops!
Beefy a free drink after the excellent evening well done!
After
the run, Beefy explained why we hadn't got to the SS. The marks
leading to it had been sabotaged (again), leaving Beefy waiting
forlornly for hashers to arrive. After all his considerable efforts, he
was understandingly upset but it hadn't spoiled the enjoyment of all
hashers on the evening. Our hares do sterling service for us every
week, but I think you will agree that Beefy's efforts were above and
well beyond the call of duty. Thank you, Beefy, good job.
On-On to next week at The Cridford Inn Trusham ( TQ13 0NR) Birthday Hash (Forrest & Poacher)