There was only ever going to be one way to start this trail – heading up!  But which of the many footpaths would it be?  The first hurdle, however, was nearly an actual hurdle as Epic Fail had great trouble opening the gate to Wittenham Clumps and we thought we’d have to jump over it.  The number of waterproof jackets leaving the car park did not bode well. The forecast said that the rain had passed over but the black clouds told another story.  A few hardy (is that the word I’m searching for) stuck with the T shirt look – or maybe the wet T shirt look.  But more of that later.

We set off to the right, skirted Castle Hill and off towards the woods.  At the net junction Northern Soul checked right with Lemony as a back up.  They were, of course, wrong but the wind was so strong that Lemony couldn’t make Northern Soul here her lady-like (!) cries.  So she had to run along the trail to find him.  Luckily there were no short cuts and he had started back anyway.  They were, by now, someway behind the pack.  Rear Admiral played a vital role in waiting by the next check to point them left as they would automatically have seen his group ahead and taken the short cut.  Down the slope and no sign of any one or any markings.  No-one ever really knows where they are in these trees but it doesn’t matter.  We just followed the sawdust that hadn’t been eaten by slugs  - not much to guide us then.  Luckily Zorro was at the back of the main pack and his individual running style caught the eye.  They turned right and, at the next check, saw the group disappearing again.  Finally catching the hare they were told that Zorro had been definite that he was at the back otherwise they would have waited.  Likely story. 

We had met the walkers again by now so it was time for another loop while they short cuted, then we entered Church Meadow and ran to the corner by the gate and looked up at Round Hill.  Dingaling and Epic Fail were at the front and jogged up the whole way, a few others were walking and some who had done the Earth Trust 10K were dermined to make it to the top without stopping this time.  Then Billy Whizz noticed his mother was not moving from the bottom of the hill. “I’m waiting for Big Stiffy to make sure he takes the short cut” she said.  Just at this moment “On On was called from the footpath to Earth Trust and Dingaling and Epic Fail found the fish hook at the top of the hill.  Perfect timing.  Masterly work, hares, those youngsters need some extra training.

The trial led round the bottom of Round Hill, right on the road and left onto the footpath that runs across a field to the Earth Trust allotments.  It was here that the heavens opened for the first time and some beautiful views of rainbows were seen and photographed.  We tried to line up using waterproofs or T shirts to form our own Hash Rainbow with some degree of success.  We then tracked round the allotments, turned left on to smaller trials and got rather lost – luckily Rose and Cathy were locals so helped us out.  We found sawdust again and followed the trial left around the edg of the trees.  At the next corner Epic Fail and Lemony checked the wrong way.  On their return they spotted a coat hanging on a fence post and started calling out to see if anyone had left it behind.  Finally RSB’s voice was heard from the other side of the hedge explaining that it was hers.  How proper to hang up her coat first.  We continued on along the edge of the trees, across the field and through the Aboretum before skirting the boundary and cutting through the car park and back over the road at the other side of Round Hill.  Two teams scouted the footpaths either side of the hedge back to the car park.  Dingaling started looking up the hill, then Epic Fail joined the group and declared that, if he were the hare, there would only be one place to go – up the hill!  And he was right.  By this time the group was rather diminished and the rain was starting.  So Gnome allowed the merry band to track straight down the hill to the car park.  Just as well as the heavens opened again.

Everyone got dry clothes on and took umbrellas (particular mention for Epic as the pink example he carried with panache was rather fetching) to gather round Gnome Alone’s car boot to enjoy the fruit cake and chocolate brownie on offer (thanks Hares) before adjourning to The Plough at Long Wittenham for post run celebrations.

A great run in a wonderful setting.

Back at the pub Zorro, who seemed to have forgotten his cape this week, sat inside the fireplace to get as close to the wood burner as he could.  Looking round we realised that CS had left early.  Some excuse about Wee Joker being back from uni but we think it was tummy trouble judging by the state of his shorts – and that was on the outside!  What’s that I hear him reply – that was the lack of a mudguard on his bike earlier in the day ….

The Yellow Shirt was awarded to Pressganger for being the rudest member of the hash.

The Supergirl Pants went to Epic Fail to match his pink umbrella. 

Rubber Soul’s Buddy couldn’t believe her luck in escaping any forfeit.

On On

Hares: Pressganger and Gnome Alone

Hounds: Lemony Snicket, Wimpey, Big Stiffy, Jethro, Ringer, Dingaling, Zorro,  Eric, Gatecrasher, Rear Admiral, Buzz, epic Fail, Northern Soul, Rubber Sole’s Buddy,  Noddy, CS, Qualcast, Rose and Cath

Distance: c5 miles

Date: 19 May 2015