The first Sunday and we were off on time!!!  Thought that would get your attention.  Actually even the Hare was late to arrive at the pub.  There was a lot of chatter but we eventually gathered for the circle, just as Cabouse turned up at a trot from the station, newspaper in hand. Northern Sole couldn’t be with us as he was at a bike meeting.  Or that was his excuse but his Garmin had stopped working when laying the trail and there was no way of knowing how long the trail was so he was probably hiding.  However, as he and RSB had stood in as hares at the last moment we couldn’t complain too much.

We went right from the pub and along the road.  Weirdo checking the right way.  Just as he and Cabouse reached the next check some distance behind them Tinkerbell tripped over.  She was on the pavement and we couldn’t see what she had tripped on but she had grazed her elbow and knee so, after resting for a few minutes, she and Ringer headed back for the pub via the village store to purchase antiseptic wipes and plasters.

The rest of the pack, minus 2 runners, turned right and followed the road to the end.  Weirdo was front running again “I keep finding myself in the wrong place” he said.  But we needed him.  Down the footpath and into the woods.  Here we had our first confusion.  We checked right under the bridge and found a cross, so came back to the little bridge.  CS set off into the woods while Hotlips and Lemony checked straight along the path.  They found no flour and CS called On so they came back.  Meeting the hare they were told that they were going the right way so ran back.  At the edge of the field the hare decided that they were actually wrong.  Back along the path, past the woods where CS had gone, over the bridge and back under the other bridge before turning right and going along beside the railway. 

Ahead of us, as if in the middle of nowhere, loomed the church and churchyard.  There was a re-group just behind the wall but the front runners headed off into the churchyard.  The Hash police were out in force.  “There’s a re-group here!!!” but relaxed when we said we were off to find Agatha Christie’s grave.

Out at the other corner of the churchyard and a quick turn right to head across the field into the farmyard where we turned right and headed up a farm road.  As this turned to the right the front runners went straight on along the grass track.  The flour was somewhat minimal (well, the hares are northern) but it was the right way.  From here we went over the railway bridge and looked at the construction for the electrification of the line and discussed the new station to the north of Oxford before continuing across another long field.

At the far side everyone missed the check in the field and, finding the next blob, most continued on into the next field and were quite some way around the edge before the hare called us back again.  Round the field to the left and along the side of the stream until we got to the next railway bridge.  Here we turned back South East and across another rather large field or two before crossing Lollingdon Farm and coming to a T junction. No-one believed it could go right so Lemony jogged off gently.  On was called in the other direction before she got to the fish hook which Northern Sole had laid up on the ridge.  At the next junction Cabouse had gone straight on and missed the other fish hook up to the right.  Sorry Northern Sole.  Through Westfield Farm to the road. We turned right and the hare checked the time and decided we should cut off left again and not do the final loop.  This is where the runners and walkers parted company each finding their own way back to the pub.

What a great trail for runners.  A shame so few turned up.  But those that did had plenty of exercise.  It was lovely to be out in the countryside in the sunshine with no time constraints and good company.

The only award to be made was by Hotlips who had finally brought the paddle back.  She had considered giving it to “Fall Girl” but decided the only possible recipient was CS who had been to dinner with her and Big Stiffy recently.  He had managed three generous courses (2nds?), then worked his way through their rather large chocolate collection with his coffee before asking if there were any biscuits!  He did point out that the bourbons were pinched while Stiffy was in hospital but that hadn’t stopped them finding their way to his waistline.  Speaking of waistlines, when pressed Zorro reluctantly admitted that he has lost 22lbs since the longest day hash.  Well done.  The new Zorro not only looks good but is running really well with PB after PB at Park Run. 

On On

Hares:  Rubber Sole’s Buddy and Northern Sole

Hounds: Lemony Snicket, Zorro, Piscine Down, Ringer, Tinkerbell, Pressganger, Scrubber, Professional Peach, Cabouse, Weirdo, Eric, CS, Pyro and Whisper, Hotlips and Big Stiffy

Date: 11 October 2015

Distance:  6 Miles