Even prior to the run there was potential Down Down Vest activity with the hares spotting canoodling going on at the footbridge!  La Crease and FBJ thought their activities were unobserved!  Even Wimpey and Lemony saw as they were visiting Stiffy’s pad at the time.

It was great to see Epic Fail again after his long absence on the other side of the pond.  Mind you, the discussion with FBJ over the merits of the Los Angeles Marathon was a bit upsetting for the rest of us! CS had sent his apologies – man flu again – and Gnome Alone had cried off the planned run TO the pub.  Where are the real men when you need them?  Oh yes, at the Kassam Stadium playing for London Welsh.  Snoop doggy Dog was looking rather plump.  We think she had missed the hashes more then Epic who had managed some running while away – and a major injury.

The hares promised us virgin territory and the sun shone as we set off over the lock and left.  Under the bridge and immediately left up to the embankment.  On we went, round a field as the rain started to fall.  Ronnie had decided to leave her fleece off for the first time since September and was regretting it.  Gatecrasher found a large sheet of plastic and hid under that.  On through the trees to some shelter under a big conifer.  It was just after this that Henry V and A Cruel Joke turned for home.  The rest of us carried on past the Radley College hockey pitches and up to the main entrance where we hid while the hail passed over.   

Along the frontage and off towards the golf course where Lemony was ‘reminded’ by a golfer to stay behind the hedge, not venture near the course.  I’m sure he was only thinking of her safety.  The weather had improved and we continued on round another field, down to a stream and across a bridge where Zorro and Piscine Down caught up with us.  Out through the trees to the road, past a side road and then back into the trees – “Just a pointless loop” said Big Stiffy.  Much the same as every hash really, you could say!!!  Then along the road to the bridge back over the river and the lock.  We were warmer and drier by now but still glad to be back.

In the pub a very cosy Henry V and A Cruel Joke were waiting to meet us.  We had a drink and discussed who was staying for the meal and who was going to the rugby to support Tinkerbell.  It was now that Pressganger discovered she was going to a proper rugby match and that Tinkerbell was only the half time entertainment!  A look of shocked realization came across her face.

Lemony took on the role of RA – thank goodness Ringer didn’t come into the pub until later.  There was only one Down Down shirt to award so FBJ and La Crease were spared.  Epic had posted on Facebook that he was sure to get a shirt but as Lemony didn’t know the reason she passed him by – nearly coming back to him when he took out a mobile and started texting during Hash Words!  How RUDE! The shirt finally rested with Gatecrasher for sheltering under a plastic sheet – and for not joining us for lunch because he had a banana in the car. But just as it arrived on his lap Ben pulled on his extendable lead.  The rather large hand grip escaped from Pressganger’s grasp narrowly missing Bootsie as it flew past at eye level.  Ben had to be returned from the restaurant by a rather bemused waiter.  The shirt just had to be re-homed. 

Nine of us stayed for the meal.  Then five set off for the rugby.  It was very cold and I am not sure the two rugby match virgins will renew their acquaintance with 30 big, burly chaps in the near future – oh, what am I saying, there’s always next week’s hash?  (I wish!)

On On

Hare:  Rocket Ronnie and Big Stiffy
 
Hounds: Henry V, A Cruel Joke, Pressganger and Ben, Eric, Bootsie and Babs, FBJ and La Crease, Wimpey, Lemony Snicket, Soup Dragon, Zorro, Piscine Down, Gatecrasher, Professional Peach, Epic Fail with  Snoop Doggy Dog and Charlie

Date: 23 March 2014

Distance: 4 Miles