Run 897 - Hampstead Norreys
Run: 897
Date: Sunday, 18 October 2009
Venue: White Hart, Hampstead Norreys
Hare(s): Golden shower
Hounds: Twitcher, Plod, Eric, Pressganger, Lonely, Bootsy, CS Gas, Wee Joker, Hairy Biker, Big Stiffy, Pyro, S/Shoveler, Penelope Pitstop, J-Wax, Balderick, Hutch, Rubber Sole, B-Cider, Pure Fantasy, Lemony Snicket, Dipstick (Eric's son), Mincing Tart, Mary, Sue, Ned, Anne, Simon, Barbara, Margaret, Ian, K2 (or was it K3) and Spike (past Didcot hashers), Tigger (on his bike). K-9 Meg, K-9 Poppy, K-9 Co Co, K-9 Hattie
Scribe: Plod
Our first Sunday and what a turn-out! It probably helped that Eric had had her birthday knees-up the night before and so some of the non-hashers decided to join us and walk off the effects of too much wine. The only thing that bothers me is that I've obviously missed a couple out. A count in the pub came up with a fgure of 36, I can only provide 34 names. So my apologies to the missing couple, but I hope you enjoyed yourself. Of course, as well as the non-hashers, we did have a couple of ex-DH3 hashers K2 and Spike.
Back to the hash itself. I got to the pub on the hour and all I could see was Hutch driving out and a rather concerned looking Hare, Golden Shower peering into the car. All sorts of things went through my mind and i got ready to lambast him, knowing he had my mobile number and had let me travel all that way from Kidlington just for him to cancel the hash. But, no, it wasn't that. It was the failing eye-sight and the fact that he hadn't pre-warned the land-lord of our coming. Village Hall, he said. When I got ther there was this scruffy little thing on four legs running riot and insisting of placing itself in front of the car. So there was some frantic arm waving by B-Cider who must have thought I couldn't see the thing - girl, trust me, I wouldn't be driving if I was blind, honest. Who was it?. Poppy or something. Related to Pure Fantasy.
Anyway, the briefing was simple. 1 and ON, Oh,and yes, there's a cake for after (this latter to a big cheer).
Off we went. Wood-land, some ankle wrenching field bordering paths and scrub-land. All very pleasant. It was a fresh but dry morning and altogethr quite pleasant. No I can't give you a turn by turn account. it turned out to be a hash of two halves though. There were the runners, and then there were the walkers. For once I found myself with neither, but hey, it was nice out. And Three and a half miles forecast - just under four in reality.
Wee Joker came up with a joke (or dad did). Not sure it's worth repeating but then we had to listen to it, so here goes. What are the symptoms of Swine Flue? Fever was one response. There were others. This was a hash joke, you bunch of sillies - she wasn't really asking. Answer? Rashers under the arms!!! . . . well, I did warn you.
Cake. Where's the cake, the hare was getting asked. In the car, he said - and Mincing tart had the key. Where was Mincing Tart? Don't know, she's not back yet, was the reply. In the end off he went to find her - returning with her and the car keys some 15 minutes later. The wait was worth it - as usual. Some of us even managed seconds, despite the large numbers - well, missing were Buzz, Village Idiot and Hash Hoody, after all. Gorgeous it was. Our thanks to Mincing Tart. And then it was time to get back to the pub. No chips, but there were plenty of crisps.
All in all a very pleasant trail, nice weather, and plenty of great company. Is there a nicer way of spending a Sunday, morning? I'm not asking either, just stating a fact. Thanks, Golden Shower. In a fortnight we're at the Five Horseshoes at Russells Water and the Hare will be CS Gas. See you all there.
Plod