The rain fell and the black clouds were gathered overhead as we drove out to Warborough.  But it was dry when we arrived.  There was lots of discussion over whether waterproofs should be worn, carried or left in the boot. We had overheard the hare saying that the trail was planned at 7 miles and included Wittenham Clumps so we were not surprised when she started the briefing at 6.50pm.  By 6.55pm we were told to check it out.  Is this really Didcot Hash? Or have we moved into another dimension?

We went up to the main road and crossed over before doing a quick Right, Left and attacking the first long stretch.  We then ran parallel with the main Henley road before crossing and finding ourselves on the edge of Dorchester-on-Thames. We headed south, through Overy, to the river.  On was called to the right so off we set.  It was not until we reached the next field that the fish hook was found!  This had been the original trail but Mismatch had taken pity on us and cut it down to 4 miles after all.  Back along the riverbank we went.  Lemony twisted her ankle on nothing at all but ran it off - or so she thought until she was organising chips at the pub and limping!  We crossed the Henley road again and ran east.  At the next check Mismatch ran out of flour and Northern Soul kindly offered to help her replenish her supply from the rucksack on her back.  (I think that was how Ringer explained it later, anyway!)  Then we headed north back towards the pub, creeping up on it from the side.

Back at the pub Gatecrasher was shining fluorescently, the orange light in the pub garden reflecting off the stripes on his jacket.

Namings:
Well, Ember the flatulent dog was up first.  She is black and Mismatch is good at maths - which led to Blackadder – which led to Darling

Then came Karen.  Karen had found our group on her own so no-one knew very much about her.  So she became Scooby-Doo (give us a clue, Scooby-Doo).

Two clean names.  Is the RA slipping?

There were lots of contenders for the Yellow Down Down Shirt but it had to go to Epic Fail for calling the RA Cookie at the start of the hash – even though Epic had no recollection of doing this.

Dingaling stood up to award the paddle – he was advised to use it wisely!  He said there had been a disturbance of the force during the evening when Mismatch compared the paddle to a lollipop!  Very disrespectful.  Mismatch refused to tuck it in her shorts (the official way to carry the paddle) until it had been sterilised.

A very enjoyable run and back in the daylight.  In fact we all left the pub by 9pm!

On On

Hare:  Mismatch (and Ember)

Hounds:  Epic Fail, Dingaling, Ringer, Big Stiffy, Hotlips, Zorro, Piscine Down, Professional Peach, Wimpey, Lemony Snicket, B’Cider, Rubber Sole’s Buddy, Northern Soul, CS, Gatecrasher, Hutch, Rubber Sole, A Cruel Joke, Henry V, Gnome Alone, Dobby, Dancing Queen, Bootsie and Inca, Nicky and Karen

Date: 19 August 2014

Distance: 4 miles