𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐀 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓-𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐓 & 𝐂𝐀𝐑 𝟓𝟒, 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔?

Run #1855 Monday 28th December from Steamer Quay car park, Totnes with Wet Johnny

Fearing not the inclement weather, hardy and foolhardy hashers alike, set sail for Steamer Quay out in the Totnes wilds.

 

Approaching from Newton side, one of the foolhardy charioteers was confronted by the dreaded 'No Right Turn' sign and had to make a complicated manoeuvre to overcome the obstacle. The Idiot doubled down on the mistaka by then taking the Wong Wei into the Bridgetown complex... shouldn't really be allowed out.

 

The tiny chariot cavalcade chugged into the Steamer tether and a lonely, nigh on deserted place it was. The Penners were out there to Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969) and come the circle up, there we were - the last hashers on a post-apocalyptic planet.

 

The roll call of surviving warriors:

GM Shitfaced, Piltdown, Georgie, Wet Johnny, Gianluca, Erection, Ben, Manopause, Beefy, Pisswell, Fallen Woman (yes, I did see you), Grinder, Deep Throat, ManPig, guest appearance of Zen, BB, Fukarwi and late arriving Wide Receiver.

 

The Grand Master rallied his mini-throng with stirring words before handing over to Wet Johnny. He recounted dreadful tales of suspicious locals who thought he was putting down poison and being hopeful that the marks would endure out there in possible hostile territory. There were two long short splits and a short section where the marks were both sides describing an out and backer. Quite a few of us (the Birdbrain included) usually don't pay attention to the hare's directives, but for once, I'm glad I did.

 

The chequered flag was lowered and the tiny huddle cautiously ventured out. The first L/S split materialized after a hundred yards and out of the corner of my good eye saw ManPig veer off sharply left - onto the short trail... sigh

 

A strangely configured zig-zag ascent of tarmac bends made the Bird Dizzy, his head was spinning, like a whirlpool it never ends.. No? Well please yourselves then.

 

A short urban Tour de Bridgetown ensued before we came upon Piltdown, Georgie and pooch pootling along the road, they were stardust, they were golden and they had to get themselves back to the car park..

 

Beefy overtook further along the bypass after some sightseeing diversion and we arrived on the Plains knowing our Final Destination (2000).

 

A sleepless entity, sister of Doom, Miss Fortune cast down her malevolent gaze upon Fukarwi and the hero of two hundred and more hashes hashed no more this chill evening. Abandoning all hope, grimly did Fukarwi salute before peeling off. Adios amigo.

 

Disconsolate was the Bird who had been Wishin' And Hopin' to singalong along the long [Shirley sic] with the Fam-ed One.

 

Now only the indomitable ManPig was there to play the game with as we hit the west bank climb above a silvery Dart.

 

It now becomes hazy, so in earnest hope that there is someone out there who is slightly interested, here are some observations of the trail:

 

Beefy storming up the hill (the all-seeing Strava reveals all) to catch Deep Throat and Grinder who were FRBeing - comme d'habitude.

 

Fallen Woman well to the fore on the short - a shame there were no other harriets to keep her company.

That champion Christmas pud eater Manopause, though carrying a few extra pounds, sighted so far along the trail that he should have been on the long.

 

A bit of a mystery seeing the lights of the trailblazers far below on their return journey, but nearly a mile ahead. ManPig and the Bird wondering how they had built up such a lead.

 

My heel going completely on the last loop ascent and relieved that ManPig was waiting for me by the red reflectors and that vertical drop stile.

 

Slowmo progress on the muddy trail back but ManPig patiently making sure the Bird didn't become a dead duck.

 

Thought Manopause had caught us up near the new housing estate but finding it was Wide Receiver who had set off late.

 

Pretty clever stuff by Wet Johnny as we finished the trail with Erection, Ben, Fallen Woman and Zen.

Hobbling to the chariot thinking it was the end of me.

 

𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗧

A strange evening, what with one thing and another and difficult to relate to those who were not there, so be so kind as to tolerate my ramblings - made worse by accidentally deleting the original words.

Wet Johnny, what can I say? The trail was a good 'un and the marks were clear and endured thankfully. All our regular hares acknowledge the effort and commitment needed to lay a trail, knowing too well that many will give it a miss at this time of year. 

 

Well done for all that came along and top marks to Pisswell for getting round the long (as she always does). I daresay she was a bit surprised when Wide Receiver joined her from apparently nowhere.

Let us hope that 2021 is better for us all as we have soldiered on so bravely the past few months and truly deserve a change of luck.

 

One last thing, are you okay Fukarwi, Car 54, Where Are You? Talk to me old buddy!

 

𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡 to next week and the Station CP at Bovey Tracey with hare Pisswell