| Date | Hare | Scribe |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Jan 2023 | Keith & Dannie | John |
On a very cold crisp sunny morning we all assembled in the carpark of The White Horse for the obligatory group photograph and the briefing from Kevin.
Keith and Dannie were our hares for the day, and this occasion was Dannie’s virgin hash as hare. Apparently Keith laid the runners’ trail and Dannie set the walkers’ route. This was a joint introduction with Keith and Dannie describing the route as around 4½ miles and hilly for the runners, and 3 miles flat terrain for the walkers. There were no hazards apart from a few free-range chickens, sheep and a couple of horses.
Annie and Mike were delayed and only arrived after the walkers had left, but nevertheless devised their own route and joined us in the pub’s garden for the après.
Three runners set off, immediately tackling the rising ground up White Horse hill. It was a real treat for us to get out running on such a beautiful day with such glorious weather and fantastic scenery. The route took us alongside the road, through the car park and then up to the Ridgeway. We were diverted to make a complete circle of the fort, with splendid 360ᵒ views of the surrounding landscape. We continued on the Ridgeway for another mile and then turned left down the hillside through the lower fields and woods, back to Woolstone.
While Julie and Kevin were at Uffington Castle, two cyclists were operating a drone which was overflying the White Horse, so they had an excellent view of the chalk motif, which is not visible from the Castle.
Arriving back at the pub we were looking forward to a warm and comfortable fireside, but unfortunately, as the pub was busy, we were relegated to a chilly garden to enjoy a pint of beer and some of David’s chips. However, the atmosphere was warmed by the hashers’ usual banter and chatter as we all enjoyed each other’s company.
On a sad note, we were informed that Kevin and Julie’s dog Lily had to be put to sleep due to a sudden short illness. On a brighter note Kevin thanked Dannie and Keith for a super Hash in stunning countryside.
Pam awarded the pink horn to David because she thought he was too pedantic regarding the shape of the flour circles, which in his mind should not be square to fit the shape of a drain cover! Discussion took place as to whether Dannie had lost his virginity as a hare, but the general consensus was that a fundamental error at the end of the trail (‘On Home’ instead of ‘On Inn’) meant that he still needed more practice before becoming a true hare.
No shorts were awarded as the last recipient is on his travels in New Zealand.
Thank you, Keith and Dannie for an excellent Hash.