| Date | Hare | Scribe |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Oct 2022 | Colin | Soma |
This trail was certainly an exception to the rule ‘it never rains on a hash!’
We had a nice turnout for the hash on the Silks and the weather was mostly bright. Colin, our hare for the day, gave us a quick summary of the flour signs and their meanings before we started. I had decided to set off with the runners, for a change, as I had previously always tagged on with the walkers, and mostly the chatterboxes, in the group. As usual, the runners always started ahead of the walkers, and I ran along with the runner-crowd. However, after a few hundred meters in, I started feeling out of breath. It does illustrate how unfit I must be, and soon I was trailing the runners. I ran behind Julie, who suggested a mix of walking and jogging, and indeed, the runners did stop intermittently, to make sure most folk caught up.
The cool breeze was very welcome as we peeled off some outer layers of cardigans and hoodies. The mud underfoot was not so pleasant, and some complained of soggy trainers and having mud-coated legs. I was in two minds about whether to wait for the walkers to catch up, or whether to soldier on, and by the time we reached the long/short divide, I had made up my mind to take the much less punishing short route while all the runners chose the long one.
So, I started my solo part of the trail and was relieved to slow the pace right down to a leisurely stroll across the path with fields on either side with the sunshine and a cool breeze. Colin had laid a good trail and there were signs at appropriate points. There was a lovely walk through a wooded area with all the leaves piling underfoot and a very long and steep descending section. It was at the last bit of the trail, just on the homeward stretch, that the rain came. Of course, the walkers, who took a while longer, must have endured a longer spell in the rain. In any case, everyone got a good soaking before reaching the Silk pub at the end.
The runners encountered a fishhook, which is a particularly confusing sign- something which we had not been briefed on at the start. Fortunately, however, this only caught out the two lead runners. This sign may have different meanings and the time spent flapping about to figure it out only served to get people more soaking wet- leading to jibes of ‘Colin Cruella…’
I remember reaching the pub and waiting for ages before the last of the walkers returned. Keith was interim GOM, as Kevin didn’t make it for the hash, and only just managed to get a speech in just before our hare, Colin was about to leave, and the walkers who followed, had some more groans of how soggy and muddy it had been.
Interestingly, in the carpark, we had parked very close to Mike, who had just started his homeward journey before us- so we watched him do the hundred-point turn to extricate himself from the awkward space. I didn’t mention to him which learner driver had necessitated that!