| Date | Hare | Scribe |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Jul 2022 | Brian | John |
The last time we were at The Seven Springs was May 2019, well before Covid hit us in the December, when we had no inkling of the momentous changes that were about to affect us all.
Brian defied all expectations today by actually turning up to lay the hash trail, because no one had seen or heard from him for several months. In fact due to the very hot weather, some of us would have been quite relieved if he hadn’t turned up, because the Seven Springs pub was already open and serving a very tempting looking breakfast.
As we gathered in the carpark we were surprised how few hashers had made it up to Leckhampton – a shame because Brian had woken at 6.30 that morning to lay the trail in good time for everyone’s arrival!
And what a spectacular trail it was! Stunning views, bright sunshine and enough gentle cool breeze to take off the worst of the heat. The route was incredibly scenic, and with such clear skies, everything looked stunning. We weren’t the only ones out in the mid-day sun, because we met plenty of other walkers along the way.
I thought it was interesting how Brian’s flour dots are so saucer shaped and round, which must be due to the applicator he uses. I’ve often been criticised for my dots as they’re apparently more like dashes, which must be due to the 4 pint plastic milk container I use. Every hare seems to have their own ‘signature’ style which many of us could easily recognised and attribute to the particular individual. This leads to a potential opportunity for greater research into application and philosophy of trail laying, the decision process and the various styles the hares adopt. I’m sure a thesis is just waiting to be undertaken to study trail laying.
For those of you interested in a bit of geographical and historical background, Seven Springs is in Gloucestershire just south of Cheltenham. Seven Springs features in the long-running argument over the true source of the River Thames. In 2012 Coberley Parish Council posted a notice on site stating that “Seven Springs is certainly one of the sources of the River Thames and is held by many to be the ultimate source.” The notice adds that the site is the source of the River Churn, which flows into the Thames at Cricklade and, as its location is furthest from the mouth of the Thames, it adds some 14 miles to the length of the river flow. Furthermore, the springs at the site flow throughout the year, whereas those at the official source of Thames Head are only seasonal. The Churn/Thames may therefore be regarded as the longest natural river flow in the United Kingdom, beating its nearest rival, the River Severn by 9 miles (14.5 km), if stretches with a high degree of saltwater are taken as part of the river. If this is seen as correct, the Thames may be longer than the River Shannon (224 miles/360.5 km), making it the longest river in the British Isles
Back at the pub we all enjoyed the convivial chat in the shady garden. I’m not sure what the collective noun for retired GOMs is (Pride / Flock / Rabble/ Overindulgence / or perhaps a Gommeration) but we certainly had a surfeit of them at the Leckhampton hash. We non-GOMs were outnumbered by them 4:5. Still it was good to see that so many of the old GOMs are still going strong despite their previous stressful time in office.
Margaret awarded the bags to Julie in recognition of her recent fine embroidery of the list of GOMs on this much treasured hash item. The horns were not available today, but will hopefully make a reappearance at the next hash.
Well done Brian for such a well laid trail, much enjoyed.
And Bon Voyage on your next sojourn in Germany.