Run 865 - Kingwood Common
Run: 865
Date: Sunday, 1 March 2009
Venue: The Unicorn, Kingwood Common
Hare(s): Mr Sloppy
Hounds: S/Shoveller, Penelope Pitstop, Gnome Alone, Lemony Snicket, Lonely, Big Stiffy, Pyro, Pony Express, Penis Puller, Nappy Rash, Twitcher, Golden Shower, CS Gas, Whinge, Tarmac Cuddler (TC), Gatecrasher. Bootsy – Wounded non-runner. K9s: Whisper, Barney
Scribe: S/Shoveller
The “Hare got Lost” Run
A bit of a slow start on this cold but sunny Sunday morning as the various elements of a hash pack drifted in one after the other. Once we had filled the car park of The Unicorn at Kingwood Common and once the Hare had confessed to getting lost whilst setting the trail we were given the On Out. With the Pub being located on a 5 way junction there were hashers running off in all directions but they were soon called back by the Mr Sloppy who obviously didn’t want us to find his On-Inn.
We went down the lane opposite the pub and turned left, soon after the first check, down, the field towards New Copse, Gallowstree Common. At the bottom of the hill another multi-way check was found and runners tore off in all directions again. The trail was to be to the right but the front runners looking there turned back towards the check before getting a signal to look again. Leaving behind TC & Gnome Alone who were fast disappearing in the opposite direction we all did a quick dash into the woods, down the slope, over the bridge, up and out into the field on the far side of the wood and found ourselves back on the lane we had left 10 minutes beforehand!
At a non-existent check near Wyfold Grange all three ways were searched and again the fellow on the correct trail decided it was not on that way so stalled the pack which gave the back markers time to catch up including hash lates, Lonely & Pony Express. We then had to give way to a long queue of walkers at the gate before descending down the narrow footpath leading on out into Kingwood Common
A check in the first wood saw CS Gas heading north west whilst the real trail was more or less straight on east across the Stoke Row road.
We eventually reached the lane between Witheridge Hill and Kingwood Common and the way forward seemed obviously to be across the lane and on into the wood on the other side – but this was not so! By the gate Lonely pulled out his i-phone to note a log merchant’s number for Shit Shoveller (a mega offense at any other hash than DH3). Whilst this went on the pack sneaked back the way they had come clearly alarming the small family of walkers who were on the same narrow path. They gave an almost audible sigh of relief after we had charged past them.
We then zigzagged up through the woodland before re-crossing the Lane near to the entrance to Burnt Platt. The trail headed east towards Satwell and down a muddy ankle breaking defile at the bottom of which an impromptu regroup occurred. On leaving the RG the obvious trail right was a falsie so then the runners (S/S, Nappy Rash and Lonely) headed straight up the slope on the far side of the valley only to find themselves off trail. The wise ones headed down the centre of the valley to a check. The trail then continued on down the valley through the tall beech trees before coming out onto the lane between The Unicorn somewhere to our right and The Red Lion somewhere to our left. Obviously time to go right, but No! it was on left and then a quick dive right into more common land.
We passed a family out walking their puppy who was up for rolling over and having his tummy tickled by all these muddy running folk. With many ‘Aahs’ all thoughts of hashing were temporarily abandoned.
Finally we were soon running across the playing field and out onto an On-Inn for a quick dash round the corner to the Pub.
Golden Shower dispensed Lemon Cakes (from Mincing Tart) to all and sundry (they were delicious and 2nds and 3rds were rapidly taken up when offered).
The Pub was very cosy but we all chose to sit outside in the sun until said sun decided, abruptly, to retire for the day and we all hopped it into the Pub.
Another excellent trail by Mr Sloppy who is shortly to leave us for a tour round Europe followed by a tour around the world. Don’t forget the Hash handbook Mr Sloppy and thank you for the chips. We’ll expect a chip report as you progress around the world!
S/Shoveller