TVH3 The Words for 12th September 2022

The Cridford Inn, Trusham

 

Run No. 1934 Forrest Stump's birthday hash

 

HARES: Forrest Stump, Wood-Lend & Mucking Fuddle

 

Who wuz there: Forrest Stump, Shitfaced, iPoo'd, Man-Pig, Archangel, Soapy, Georgy Porgy, Smellie, Slip-on-Me, Coldtits, Wetfart, Teapot, Beefy, Pisswell (did the run early), Big End, Well Hopped, Pork Torpedo, Horny, Swinger, Piddler, Fukarewe (returnee again), Poacher, Broadshit, Ernie, Mateus Rose, Rise 'n' Shine, Wood-Lend (pub only), Mucking Fuddle (pub only) & Sam (pub only).

 

The Circle

Well. What a difference a week makes? The Circle was, inevitably, overshadowed by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Shitfaced said a few words and suggested that we hold a minute's silence at next week's Hash on the occasion of Her Majesty's funeral. All agreed.

 

Smellie required hares for 3rd October and subsequent Mondays.

 

Over to the Hare. Forrest-Stump was the sole Hare on the day. Most of the trail had been laid the previous day with the assistance of Wood-Lend and Mucking Fuddle. I think I know who was responsible for the last Long!

 

Forrest explained that the marks were a little camouflaged as they were laid in sawdust. There were four or five Long/Short splits. Finally, a show of hands for chili con carne at a very reasonable £5 a head. Nine Hashers decided that they were a tad peckish. "Make that ten".

 

The Trail

The trail turned right out of the car park and we came to the first Long/Short split after only a 100 yards. Shorts and Walkers stayed on the main road whilst the Longs bore right.

 

At a check, Poacher headed along the cobbled alleyway in front of some very picturesque cottages and climbed up the footpath to the edge of the first field. Nothing. So he came running back downhill. He was right. Just as he passed me we could hear, "Long/Short split" being called. We were not on trail.

The Longs had done a short loop and rejoined the Shorts on the long downhill to the old Trusham railway station. This entailed passing a field of swans/emus/ostriches (see later). The Walkers, meanwhile, had embarked on what was to be the final Long/Short split.

 

Almost back at the old railway station, a Long/Short split had the Shorts going left and up Farley Hill whilst the Longs went over the railway bridge to a check.

 

The Long's trail took us along the banks of the River Teign before turning away from the river and into woodland. With the tree cover, it was decidedly dipsy and the marks were hard to see. It wasn't long before we were back on trail.

 

Over a steel gate and a white arrow, in flour, directed us up Farley Hill. A check had been put at the junction with the small lane that leads to the infamous 'ravine'. It had been kicked out. So the ravine it was then! 

 

About 200yards into the ravine, a Long/Short split offered the opportunity to follow the official public footpath that runs parallel with the ravine, but in a nice open field.

 

Piddler, sans walking poles, sensibly elected for the field option. Backmarkers Man-Pig, Pork Torpedo, Horny, Well Hopped, and Big End pushed on down the ravine. At least it was dry(ish) this time. The last time we were down here it was a torrent of raging water a foot deep.

 

The ravine is dodgy underfoot at the best of times, let alone when you can't see the unstable stream bed beneath the white water. Today, however, it was nearly dry....but just as unstable underfoot. At the 'leap of faith', Pork Torpedo launched himself manfully across the gaping chasm. All others wimped out and shuffled on their bottoms down one side and up the other.

 

Once out of the ravine, it was a long climb, along a lovely footpath shrouded in tree boughs, back to the top of the village. We were nearly home, or so we thought. One final Long/Short split past the church. This would be a short loop for the Longs.

 

Sure enough, a check at the top of the footpath that drops down just to the north of the Cridford Inn had been kicked out in the direction of the On-Down. Sixty seconds later, we were walking back up the same footpath after having encountered an X.

 

It eventually transpired that we were now on the Walkers' trail which took us along a field and a long run downhill through woodland. At the obvious point of return - another split. This time a Walkers/Long split. The Longs entered the meadow, usually partially flooded but dry today. Across a small wooden bridge and over a stile onto a lane. We have been here many times before and it is almost always left and uphill. And so it proved to be again. Up. Up. And up again. I knew where we were and this was going to be a long Long/Short split - over 2 miles.

 

Despite my best efforts to leave the pack in my wake, there was a constant torchlight behind me. Who on earth could it be? Beefy hadn't been seen all evening. He must have been at the front of the pack. There was no Bluebird, Polyfella, Wood-Lend, or Wet-Johnny to kick dirt in my face. Who was behind me? Time to cheat. I switched off my torch so that my stalker wouldn't know how far in front I was. The downside of this was that I couldn't see any marks. I persevered but I was still seeing the shadows of my pursuer's torchlight.

 

At the only road junction, I had to reveal my position and look for marks. Torch back on. The "OH" appeared to the left and downhill. He was almost upon me. Hammer down and hotfoot it to the pub. Hallelujah. I was back.....but with Big End only a few seconds behind. Good running Big End.

Others who had committed to the last Long included Ernie, Broadshit, Well Hopped, Swinger, Pork Torpedo and Horny. Well done. And well done to our Hare. Another successful outing into the valley and good to see Poacher and Fukarewe returning to the fold.

 

The Down-Downs

The first order of service was, quite rightly, a toast to the Queen. Next week's hash coincides with the funeral and I dare say that the Words will reflect more on the Queen and what she meant to all of us.

We thanked the pub for the beer. If it had been the winter timetable we would have had to thank the pub for opening for us as well.

 

The Down-Downs commenced with an impromptu auction for a bag of mushrooms; freshly picked by Forest Stump on trail. How fresh is that! The Landlord won the bidding war with the winning bid being donated to the SHOUT charity for whom Soapy is collecting. No Melonpicker present as he was recovering from a round of golf!

 

The first Down-Down was Big End looking to offload the baby bat hat. Big End recalled how we had got so close to the pub before arriving at an X. The previous check had been kicked out in the direction of a false trail. Who was the culprit? It was birthday boy Poacher.....a very youthful 50! The Songmeister dispensed with the usual birthday song and substituted "Old McDonald had Tourettes...."

 

Next up should have been Soapy with the Hashshit shirt. However, as Soapy hadn't done the trail, she had given it to Pork torpedo to award to some unsuspecting Hasher. Apparently the recipient was going to be someone who had an animal name in his Hash name. Despite being from the animal kingdom, this hasher thought that the 'emus' were large swans. Man-Pig, who really should be wearing glasses, got the Down-Down and the shirt.

 

They say that all good things come to those who wait. Well, Man-Pig had Polyfella's horned hat from the previous week to give away. He didn't have to wait very long to mete out his revenge. The 'emus' turned out to be ostriches. Horned hat to Pork Torpedo to a chorus of "Hold it you hand Mrs Murphy".

No more awards or stories were on offer but there was a 500 runs' badge to award. Piddler stepped forward to accept his award for interminable moaning across 500 Mondays - can't remember the Songmeister's ditty but it was short.

 

Finally a Down-Down to the Hare on the day after his birthday. The usual cacophony of all the right notes - not necessarily in the right order.

 

Next week

Rugglestone Inn, Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Hare Beefy as it's his birthday hash. On the occasion of Her Majesty's funeral you may wish to wear something to celebrate her life and huge contribution to society and, indeed, the world over for 70 years - something red, white and blue? Your choice. 

 

DEFINITELY BRING TORCHES!

 

ON-ON Man-Pig

TVH3 The Words for 5th September 2022

Station Car Park Bovey Tracy

Red Dress Run in Memory of Fallen Hashers

Run No. 1933

 

HARES: Soapy & Melonpicker

 

Who wuz there: Soapy, Melonpicker, Palmolive, Shitfaced, Forrest Stump, Bluebird/Bluebell, Cheerio Beerio, Man-Pig, Archangel, Hotlips, Zoot, Piltdown Man, Georgy Porgy, Smellie, Slip-on-Me, Ablesemen, Fallen Woman, Broken Man, Wetfart, Coldtits, Teapot, Beefy, Pisswell, Wash 'n' Go, Big End, Well Hopped, Pork Torpedo, Hornie, Strap-On, U-Bend, Just Cumming, Swinger & friend, Pollyfella, Warmfront, Piddler, Fukarwi(returnee), Bobbiball.

 

THE CIRCLE

Impromptu photo by a journalist from the Mid Devon advertiser - article to follow?

Melonpicker asked those present to remember a few of our departed hashers and I have added a few more, though the list is not complete.

 

RAMBO - the grief still fresh with us all.

NUMBER 2 - how bravely she fought and endured.

MIGMAN - another giant of the hash. I still have fond memories of him and the fun Wigwam, Bobby and I had when we played golf together.

WW - a tragic end of life for another great character of the hash.

BERK - a fellow multiple Pillock of the year and departed before his natural span.

ARBIE - shocking to having been taken from us so suddenly. So many trails laid by him and close friend Wetfart.

RJ (Rough Job) - few hashers will recall this great hasher, another larger than life character.

FUDGE (aka Demi-Coq) - lovely hasher, voted Best Dressed hasher a few times.

REG LANCASHIRE (unnamed) - Torbay AC runner and ex boxer who started hashing with us when he was well into his seventies.

GEORGE (cannot remember his hash handle - please add comment if you do) - lovely old boy and fondly dubbed a crackpot inventor with pebble glasses who would wear a different multi-coloured shirt every Thursday evening at the Devon Dumpling. He had over fifty which he had amassed on numerous cruises. Died in the line of duty, laying a TVH trail on the Sunday.

As I type their names, the memories come flooding back. We had such good times together.

 

THE TRAIL by Palmolive

This hash was extra special, being a memorial hash for those hashers who are no longer with us, and was chosen to be a red dress run with donations going to SHOUT charity.

 

The hashers congregated in their red dresses, a little tentative as they arrive one by one but once they realise we are all dressed up, its fine! It's great seeing what outfits people will wear, or not wear in Bluebird's case, the latex red number makes an appearance!

 

Funny that Manpig and Piltdown had the same dress on, although Piltdown had customised his.

 

A great turnout and even a newspaper reporter popped up to take a group photo as he'd heard we were doing a charity run.

 

Lovely that Melon picker said a few kind words at the start to remember some of our departed hashers.

 

We are told that there are lots of long short splits and a sweetie stop, then off we went. I did the short through town and past the bakery towards the fire station whilst the longs looped around the car park and back down into Bovey so we all went into Parke together. Well, almost all together, Arkangel was a little late running on his own when a lady pulled up to him in her car and asked 'Are you OK honey!' The red dress was clearly having an impact, not sure if it was concern or liked the look of what she saw!

 

Passing some ancient oak trees, a quick photo stop with Forrest capturing us by a tree straight out of Harry Potter the whomping willow.

 

Past some bemused cows who luckily didn't chase us all dressed in red, and on we went... Quick bag swap as Soapy continued on the longs and I went on the shorts up to the railway line where the bag was filled with oodles of sweets, and yes, I did share!

 

The dog walkers seemed just as confused by us all as the cows! Beefy ran round like the paparazzi snapping away. It's great to look back on photos of the night, also nice to see if you couldn't make it, it still feels like you went - but without the running!!

 

After scoffing lots of sweets (the sports mix was very popular, I said it made you run faster) off we went again. Teapot and Wetfart walked off together in red kimono and kilt, I imagine they got some funny looks.

 

Up through the woodlands, good we had our torches as getting a bit dimpsy and lots of tree roots. A few checks to keep us together which is a sign of a good trail, well done mother!

 

Forrest Stump got all shy and didn't want to run past normal people on his own in his red dress so hurried along me and Wash 'n go to catch up so we were then three weirdos running in the woods in red dresses! The best bit was as we were off checking and had to back check and then had to run past them again!!

 

Now out of Parke and across the main road continuing on a lane which went up and up, taking us to the top of Bovey by Hospital Hill. Lived in Bovey most of my life and no clue that came out there.

 

Passing along Mary Street and through the car park, think the longs had an extra loop by the church. All eventually making our way down town to see the OH by the bridge, and catching a glimpse of SMellie in her superb sparkling red dress looking like a glitter ball as the light caught it.

 

Made it to the car park, now onto the pub. A great trail and we were so lucky with the weather that it stopped raining for the run.

 

The Dophin had an area reserved for us.

 

Last time I was here was Burns night I think with the hash when the awards were given out...

Slip on me gave the bat hat to Big End for not wearing a red dress - or red anything baaaahumbug, to which the song master started up the 20 toes song.

 

Horny had the hashit shirt, when she disrobed revealing a very glamorous red dress underneath. Had a few options of who to award to, possibly for man love, between Piddler, Bluebird and Pork Torpedo talking about lovely legs. 

 

Could have gone to Well Hopped, who got confused and went round and round on trail. But it was given to Soapy as she was looking for her child and grandchild in the pub when they were right in front of her - should have gone to specsavers but also reiterated what some hashers said about Shitfaced being pregnant, you're supposed to say you look glowing! 

 

Hashit shirt awarded and the 'She's All Right' song was sung.

 

Hotlips awarded the viking hat to Pollyfella whose lovely Peter Pan style collar dress made him look like a quaker. My favourite hash song was sung... Whoops he's a fairy!

 

A badge was awarded.... 800 runs for Fallen Women, sporting her new hair cut. And the song 'Get a life' was sung.

 

Over £180 raised for SHOUT and Soapy will bring the collection pot along next week for anyone who missed contributing.

 

A great evening was had by all. OnOn to next week, Palmolive

 

Next week

Cridford Inn, Trusham with hares Forrest Stump and assistant. BRING TORCHES!

TVH3 The Words for 29th August 2022

Lord Nelson, Kingskerswell Run No. 1932

HARES: Shitfaced & Cheerio Beerio

 

Who wuz there: Shitfaced, Cheerio Beerio, Man-Pig, Arkangel, Bluebird, Hotlips, Zoot, Piltdown Man, Georgy Porgy, Smellie, Slip-on-Me, Wetfart, Coldtits, Teapot, Melon-Picker, Soapy, Beefy, Pisswell, Ernie, Pork Torpedo, Horny, Poacher, Mouldy Dick, Rent Boy, Just Cumming, Rise 'n' Shine, Teararse, Mateus Rose, Flying Pig (Stupedo Torpedo), Manhole (from Mexico), Pulp Fiction and U Bend.

 

The Circle

Bank holidays can be a bit hit and miss regarding turnout. About 20 years ago, McWot set a trail on the August bank holiday which attracted a single hasher. Such was not the case on this evening as the number eventually swelled to 32. This included returnees Rent Boy, Mouldy Dick, Poacher, Flying Pig, and Just Cumming plus a visitor, Manhole, all the way from Mexico.

 

Shitfaced fibbed and said that there were a Walkers', Shorts', and Longs' trails of 3.5, 4.5, and 6.5 miles respectively. There were three Long/Short splits. The Walkers would have to follow the Shorts' trail until they came to a "W" - self-explanatory. There were more porkies regarding what you should do if you pass a pub i.e. go in and T-Humper will give you a drink.......hmmmmmmmmm!

 

Smellie needed hares for early October and Man-Pig gave a positive update on how Doris was getting on at Croft Lodge care home in Teignmouth.

 

Finally, Soapy gave details of next week's hash in Bovey Tracey. It would be a red dress run in memory of departed hashers with all collection proceedings going to the mental health charity - SHOUT.

 

The Trail

Cheerio Beerio had been seen out and about, with the kids, on Sunday lunchtime. She was carrying a water bottle full of flour. She was dutifully laying the Shorts' trail with the assistance/hindrance of Darcy and Evie. The Longs would have to wait till Monday to get laid.

Bluebird, Flying Pig, and Poacher led the charge down the footpath next to the pub and onto Newton Road. After 100 yards, we came to the first Long/Short split at the bottom of Coffinswell Lane. The Longs looped up Coffinswell Lane, along Bushmead Avenue, and then down Priory Avenue to rejoin the Shorts and Walkers on Newton Road.

 

The second Long/Short split took the Walkers and the Shorts along Cole's Lane whilst the Longs carried onto the Barn Owl and returned to the village via Aller Road and the Old Newton Road.

 

At the narrows, the trail bore right and up onto Maddacombe Road and the final Long/Short split at the car park for Kerswell Downs. The Longs embarked on the third and last loop; along Maddacombe Road, under the railway bridge, left at Maddacombe Cross and onto Bickley Road where we caught up with Poacher. No marks at the entrance to Whilborough Down so it was carry on along to Bickley Mill Inn. Here an arrow took us left and up Mill Lane and into North Whilborough.

 

A left and a right had us join up with the Shorts' trail which followed Whilborough Road to our first check on Moles Lane. It had already been kicked out - straight across and down Gourders Lane and then left along Edginswell Lane and back onto Yon Street.

 

At this point, we caught up with Joystick's son, Flying Pig, who appears to have changed his hash name to Speedo Torpedo. But where was the Bird? Still not in sight....the cheating FRB - but later denied by the recovering athlete who purported to have been on trail the entire evening.

 

A simple run down Yon Street and right at the first bridge and the "On home" up Rose Hill and along Fore Street and back to the pub. 5.36 of your English country miles recommended to be washed down with several pints of Yellow Hammer.

 

The Down-Downs

Thank the pub for the beer.

What did we think of the trail? Too flat. Too hilly. Too short. Too long. The usual really.

 

Smellie had the Hashshit shirt and two stories. The first was about a senior hasher who lured a young harriet off trail and into the woods - Arkangel and Just Cumming.

 

There was a second story. This one concerned Horny giving Pork Torpedo directions as to where to park his van. Now, Pork Torpedo's works van is very big and bright. The village is very small. Nevertheless, on finishing the trail,Horny couldn't remember to whence she'd directed Pork Torpedo. Cue a love ditty from Pork Torpedo on marital bliss!

 

Arkangel had a virtual award to give away. A story from about 3 weeks ago about woodland chicken which turned out to be a colloquialism for magic mushrooms. A down-down for Slip-on-Me accompanied by a highly inappropriate, "She's a little flat chested but all right".

 

Hot Lips had an actual award (Viking horned hat) from a fortnight ago. There unfurled a story about how he's having difficulty running due to knee problems. His new acquaintance from Mexico, Manhole, piped up. I know all about that. I have a fat friend who suffers from the same!". So there we have it. How to win friends and influence people. A down-down for Manhole for being a tad insensitive to her host!

 

One last half to award. In the absence of a hat to give away Man-Pig awarded Soapy a down-down for the premature announcement of his death!

 

POSTSCRIPT by BB

It is horses for courses when it comes to trails and Cheerio Beerio's offering proved ideal for me. The marks were clear and intuitive and for the longs, all on beloved tarmac. Conversely, it was anathema for dear old Poacher but he never complained, bless him. 

 

The absence of checks - one on the long and three reportedly on the short - was also right up my street. When I came upon the solitary check, I was most relieved to find that the shorts had kindly kicked it out and I was able to continue unhindered. My comment to the hares: 'Lovely jubbly!'

 

An amusing theatre in the hash-friendly Nellie occurred. I had asked for a pint of Yellowhammer and having supped half of it, requested a top-up half. The landlord frowned and said: 'I can't do it, you're drinking Legend!' His lady wife realized her mistaka and I had to defuse a possible argument between them (the landlord had heard me ask for a Yellowhammer and was berating her indoors) by coming clean. 'I thought it tasted a bit rich for Yellowhammer and what a wally for not noticing the colour difference!' One Pillock point awarded. 

 

Thanks, hares, a great evening and the icing on the cake was that the injury might be healing at last.

 

Beefy and Pisswell missed the circle but made the trail and pub.

 

Man-Pig was right to query why he hadn't overtaken the Bird, but the absence of checks and trail configuration were against him this time. I did not short-cut - as is my wont - and made the full trail, much to my surprise.

 

Next week

Lower car park Bovey Tracy with Hare, Soapy. This is a red dress run in aid of SHOUT and a memorial run for hashers who are no longer with us. the on-down is The Dolphin.

 

Thank you all, and goodbye from Man-Pig and the Bird.

TVH3 The Words for Monday 22nd August 2022

Forest Inn, Hexworthy - Run No. 1931

 

by Man-Pig and Pisswell

 

HARE: Pisswell

 

Who wuz there: Pisswell, Shitfaced, Man-Pig, Arkangel, Forrest Stump, Cheerio Beerio, Piltdown Man, Georgy Porgy, Smellie, Slip-on-Me, Wetfart, Melon-Picker, Soapy, Aloe Vera, Wash 'n' Go, Soapy's son, Big End, Well Hopped, Ned, Simba, Howzat!, Roger the Dodger, Beefy, Ernie, Strap-On, Pork Torpedo, Horny, Threesum, Ollie (pub only).

 

The Circle

 

A minute's silence for Rambo.

 

The Trail by Pisswell

 

Music to Rod Stewart’s “ We are sailing”. Thank you, Rod.

 

We are swimming, we are swimming,

Swimming Stops from the Forrest Inn

We are swimming in our cossies

With inflatables, we’ll jump in!

====================

Last year Rambo got a croc bite

We’re so sad he has passed on

And we miss him, what a great man

But his spirit still lives on, on.

===================

So we’re going on a croc hunt

Some of them are hard to see

Tasty sweeties laid for bait now In the rivers for you and me

They are circling, they are circling,

Longs the steep way up the hill

Last laugh on me, as they don’t see

My ha ha there, ( I need to chill)

Did you hear me, did you hear me?

======================

Poor instructions so I took the van,

To guide you to the Swimming pools there

Catch the crocs there if you can

Choice of two paths, all go onwards

Past the bridge at Huccaby

Bit fat adult, we’ll save to last now

As we’ve plenty more to see

Some of Walkers down to Week ford

Crocodiles were hard to see

Hiding in the vegetation

Cut a path back to Huccaby.

===================

Shorts went onwards, to a fork now

Choice of two swims near Dartmeet

Over bridge now and onto Woodpool

Just below where the rivers meet

Wrestling croc now, stealing sweets now

Having fun on inflatables In the murky stormy waters

Penis Soapys? Or Archangel?

===================

I was chasing, couldn’t find them

Where’s the croc at the second Pool?

In the dark now, but someone beat me In mankini, Pork Torpedo

On the way back, there was Manpig.

Along with Beefy, they’d run the walk

They had got the missing croc now

That had hidden at Week ford.

====================

Lots of people in the river

Hash disaster, day from hell

But surprising all seemed happy

All got wet or did Pisswell.

=================

On to down down, on to down downs

Load of old crocs good to see

Happy faces, beers and chips now

Last of Pisswells trilogy

Last word to Rambo…..We got the crocs now!

=============================

 

I hope my crocodile trail would have been worthy of your approval. Thank you for your wonderful inspiration. My best-laid plans went astray but it’s all about the journey and the people. You were one of the best. On on Rambo xx

 

The Down-Downs

The first order of service was to raise a glass to Rambo's memory. Shitfaced had used the word "legend" to describe Rambo, his achievements and his commitment to the hash. Never has such a word seemed so appropriate.

 

Forrest Stump gave the Hash shit shirt to Smellie for "gate crashing".

 

No more physical awards present to dish out so Pork Torpedo came up with a story about inflatable buoyancy (sex) aid abuse. The perpetrator was Arkangel.

 

Another story. this time man-Pig was alleged to have forged his own trail having seen no marks. Pork Torpedo employed the gravity trick to elucidate if this was true. Inevitably, a down-down for Man-Pig.

 

The last half had to go to the Hare, Pisswell, for another lovely run and swim - plus the chance to bag your own croc!

 

Next week

The Lord Nelson, Kingskerswell hared by Shitfaced and Cheerio Beerio.

 

On-On to next week.

RAMBO - A TRIBUTE

by Bluebird and Wigwam

A tragic loss for not only Teign Valley, but also for the other hashes that Rambo supported and hashed with for so many years. It was a mark of the respect and love felt for this supreme hasher that Isca and Otter Hashes came for what was to be his last - and signature - Birthday Hash out at Ashcombe Cross on Run #1927 Monday 25th July.

 

His exploits, and indeed, extraordinary feats of endurance, are too numerous to list but we might like to recall a few, in tribute to a hasher who created such a lasting and positive impact on our Teign Valley Hash.

 

His participation in the Grizzly is known and recalled by all. Rambo delighted in his cherished Number 69 that he wore - sometimes emblazoned in paint upon his bare chest - when competing in the twenty-mile yearly epic.

 

For some, that achievement in itself would be the highlight of their running career, but not so for Rambo.

 

The Fellsman is a high-level traverse covering more than 60 miles over very hard rugged moorland. The event climbs over 11,000 feet in its path from Ingleton to Threshfield in the Yorkshire Dales.

 

Rambo email after completing the 2009 edition:

'I am thrilled to bits. Despite sleet hail & gales, I was 2hrs 23m quicker than last year 61 miles 12000' ascent. Slightly tired now no idea why. Crossed the high moor bogs in daylight when previously in dark which helped speed things along. Reduced to a stagger/jog after about 44 miles.
Feet swollen and a little tired. Hope to be back for hash'.

 

The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in 2008 proved to be the pinnacle of Rambo's long and distinguished career. It was a 105-mile journey from Chamonix in the French Alps, through Italy and Switzerland, and back to finish in Chamonix. Rambo completed the course to finish 36 minutes inside the cut-off time of 46 hours.

 

'During this whole journey of discovery, I became convinced that it was beyond me and that I had finally met my match. The prospect of coming back to do it again was too much to imagine. My legs would get no younger and I could not imagine doing more training'.

 

However, return he did for the 2010 edition in atrocious conditions to finish once more. A classic quote from Rambo when an official was trying to warn competitors of the danger up ahead:

 

'An official stopped me, but I couldn't understand him. He then spoke in stunted English explaining that it was very wet, windy, and cold over the Pass ahead. I pointed to my name printed on my vest "Rambo" and said that I normally do not wear a shirt. He laughed'.

 

Rambo hated any road - a legacy of knee injuries over the years - and his first question to the hares would be: 'How much road?'

 

Off-road, it was another matter. The more arduous the climb, the more rugged the terrain, the more extreme the weather, and Rambo lived up to his namesake in spades.

 

MEMORIES by Wigwam

 

Stuart ‘RAMBO’ Bondi 23/07/1953 – 19/08/2022

 

There passes a life well lived. He was there at my first hash with TVH3 in 1989 and was there for nearly all of my 1300+ runs. He reintroduced me after 30 years to my childhood friend and neighbour Hilary Harmer, his wife and partner for so many years AKA Doris.

 

You would never pinch a chip from Rambo’s plate or interrupt his post-hash meal. Accept those constraints and you would find that he was an all-welcoming hasher not only with TVH3 but with ASH, South Hams, and Otter.

 

His talent with the camera would be quickly transformed into a slide show after many hashes. That would have taken your average person hours to do, but Rambo was not average.

 

His weekends would be spent running or orienteering over mountain trails such as Three peaks challenges and ultimately the three-day Mont Blanc Ultra Trail. Many people would be able to tell more of those exploits. 

 

Climbing with Doris was another passion and he would help others to climb indoor and outdoor training walls.

 

It was as a hasher with Teign Valley that I knew of his commitment, determination, and generosity of time and spirit. 

 

Always in shorts and with his tee-shirt tucked in the waistband whatever the temperature or weather. 

 

His favourite number 69 which he would try to elicit for any running event if possible.

His recent birthday was his 69th. 

 

He remains the most hashed TVH3 hasher along with Doris, both partaking in 40-plus runs most years. 

 

If Rambo was absent, he would be on another adventure with Doris or his good friend and running partner Gromit.

 

Never one to be sitting in front of a TV, he was always organizing and coordinating charitable events such as The South West Coastal Marathon and The Grizzly. Always outside of my scope, but enjoyed by many fitter colleagues.

 

He had fought back from health problems in the last few years and everyone was pleased to see him active again and once again taking a leading role in hash affairs.

 

However, having been so active and involved in everything, ultimately the stark realization to discover for the second time that it was not possible to live his life in that style again, must have proved too hard to accept.

 

He will be fondly remembered for his contribution to the South Devon hashing community.

 

MEMORIES by Bluebird

 

On my first ever trail lay, from Maidencombe, it was pouring with rain throughout, the trail was deep mud and impassable in places. 

 

I recall Rambo, bare-chested and dripping wet, climbing up a near vertical bank and covered from head to toe in liquid mud. I feared for my life but Rambo was loving every moment of it.

In the pub, that great FRB, Heidi, uttered the damning verdict: 'Too hard and too far' as I got a DD. I was most upset until Rambo whispered in my ear: 'That's a great compliment.' My first inkling of how hashing worked.

 

Rambo was my hero. When I first embarked on reporting for TVH, Rambo - an IT expert - would patiently talk me through setting up the PC and solving glitches. 

 

To get acknowledgement from Rambo was the supreme accolade.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS 

 

Teign Valley has suffered a monumental loss. Our close-knit family mourns for him and he leaves a gaping hole in our ranks.

 

It is both sad and curious that we can only praise him when he has gone. Knowing what we do now, would it not have been marvellous to have been able to put a hand on his shoulder to congratulate him on his achievements and the help and inspiration he had given to so many - and simply to whisper:

 

'We love you, Rambo.'

 

Monday 22nd August map