Run 855 - Frilsham Common
Run: 855
Date: Sunday, 26 October 2008
Venue: Pot Kiln, Frilsham Common
Hare(s): Golden Shower
Hounds: Plod, Twitcher, Pressganger, S/Shoveller, Penelope Pitstop, Big Stiffy, Ringer, NLG 1, NLG 2, Dingaling, Doris, Rubber Sole, Preperation H, Lemony Snicket and Gnome Alone
Scribe: Plod
The weather was in complete contrast to two weeks ago. It wasn't cold, but boy was it damp. It was almost a challenge and a half just getting to the pub. I mean, the roads aren't the widest or in the best nick, but when you have standing water as well. . . But we had a decent turn-out.
The briefing was simple. Wet. Shiggy. 3 1/2 miles long. No hash views were promised, but there was a nettles warning. Oh and a pig warning.
When the off came, the trail took us through the field where Ringer had scattered Dingaling's ashes - which had some of us remeniscing for a brief while - my own recollection this morning was of John in his briefest of shorts putting his foot up onto the garden table before a hash, (at Appleton, I think it was) to retie his trainer and Bootsy and one or two other hashettes not knowing where to look because of a certain dangling part of his anatomy coming into view . . .
But then we were continuing to climb as we went up onto the wooded ridge. There was shiggy a plenty, and steep gradients, so progress wasn't too swift and the pack stayed pretty well together. And, Dingaling Junior and the two NLG's, Doris did run. Yes she walked but she did have a number of bursts of running - even overtaking others.
Eventually, we came out of the woodland and had to wend our way through a number of fields - slippery tufted grass, hidden ruts and holes, more shiggy . . . because boy do they like their pigs round here. Pig farms everywhere. We actually ran/walked along side a huge field full of them - most lining the footpath, grunting and probably taking the proverbial at this group of stupid humans . . .
And then we were back on the woodland trails - but not before we had to negotiate our way through an area of 4 foot high stingers. Doris was NOT amused but Ringer chose to ignore her shouts for help, Which of course made her angrier. Character building, Doris, that's what it was. Anyway, back to the trail, the shiggy was even worse on this last bit of it. And the gradients were there too.
But we all made it back. Ok, some had got dried off and changed before us tail-enders came in. At some stage while out on that ridge, the rain had stopped, and so we were able to stay outside because the pub was PACKED. No chips though.
Thanks for a cracking trail, Golden Shower.
Now for the next hash. It's in two weeks time, on November 9. Pressganger is the Hare and the venue is the Rising Sun at Highmoor Cross (Reading side of Nettlebed). Now, I know Golden Shower won't be able to make it, and, it being Rememberance Sunday, I shan't be able to make it either. So, a volunteer is needed to pen some words for the Trash.
Plod