NOTES ON DH3 RUN 359 ON WEDNESDAY 18th JANUARY 2012
FROM YATELEY COMMON CAR PARK (GR 838594)
Hare: Colin Crofts (French Leave)
Hounds:
Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Les
Salmon (Ever Ready),
Derek Gray (Prime8), Libby Ralph (Old Thumper), Sarah Nagle (Petal), John Elder
(Seis Matters) and Anne Holland (Cloggs).
Well, we were warned. But there was one bleeder who ‘hates running in trousers’ so he ended up all bloody again – didn’t you Ever Ready? Yes, there was the gorse and the brambles about which we had been warned and then holly in abundance of which there had been no such declaration. And there was Prime8 who had lost his satnav and was so busy watching his watch which has added navigational bits in that he found himself floundering on his back in a patch of dense brambles and gorse. He claims it took him ten minutes to be able to find a space suitably free of prickly bits before he could lever himself up off the deck and then complained about thorns still stuck in his hands. From the car park we headed off in a northerly direction and soon came to a pause while Easy Rider and Old Thumper checked left and right with Seis on trail well to the front straight on. Off to the right into the trees we went with Cloggs now showing the way to go. The gorse became thicker as we ran through dense heather and branched off to the left along a well defined narrow track with Easy Rider now to the fore. The area was relatively open and well covered by fairly low undergrowth. We approached a main track that split the pack until Ever Ready picked up the trail through the trees. And so we proceeded with the lead changing between most of the pack including Prime8 who led us for a long time (there wasn’t room to overtake). And, believe it or not, we began to overheat. Now we entered an area of rhododendrons for a change, before plunging back into holly. There were wide open spaces beginning to appear as we passed through farmland and some splendid old stables – the number of wheelbarrows outside indicated that there were many, very many, horses inside. Evidence of horses was readily apparent amongst the general shig in the area. Wet and slippery it was with the wooden edged pathways collecting available rainwater and holding it well. It was drier running off the formal paths at this stage. Soon, the pack was fairly well spread out when the Hare tipped a wink to Petal who veered off into some trees and she was immediately leading us on. Overall it was a good and enjoyable trail despite a certain discomfort from various thorns and prickly bits and soon we were ‘in’. Even Prime8 managed to get back before dark. Mr Bumble gave us customary hospitality as we agreed that our two choristers would lay the next trail (three weeks on) from Norris Bridge.
On On,
Next Run: Another three week gap to bring us back to the original set of Wednesdays
8th February 2012 – Derrick Gray (Prime8) and Les Salmon (Ever Ready) – Norris Bridge (GR 833536)
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 358 ON WEDNESDAY 4th
JANUARY 2012
FROM KINGS RIDE (GR 840579)
Hare: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut)
Hounds:
Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Les
Salmon (Ever Ready),
Derek Gray (Prime8), Libby Ralph (Old Thumper), Ian Angell (Hippo), Sarah Nagle
(Petal) and Steve Nagle (Silvier Fox).
There was a chilly wind blowing as the mob abandoned the Hare’s briefing and jogged off through the adjacent entrance to the training area Silvier was off into the woods on the left and Old Thumper up the rise to the front. Others lurked at the track junction, while Hippo took off half right only to be proved completely right. And Hippo stayed at the front for quite some time and on more than one occasion!! It was now Easy Rider who got to the front and eventually found the trail leading up the hill to our right where there was an early and unexpected regroup on the windy hill top. Silvier thought better of going down the steep slope and left it to Ever Ready to call us on down. Petal and MR shared their dislike of steep descents over loose stones as they carefully descended. An uncharacteristically adventuresome MR now led a gullible Prime8 off in totally the wrong direction, only to hear Silver’s call from the directly opposite direction. The sympathetic Hare now gave sage advice to Prime8 on the way ahead while the rest of the pack continued in ignorance. Hippo left the main pack and veered off left and vaguely uphill. He was nearly right but before he could go too wrong, Silvier called the on once more but lost the trail that was now picked up by MR who suddenly found himself way out in front and still going up. Easy Rider branched off lower down and soon found the trail, leaving MR at the top from which the only way now was down again. Up the other side to the second regroup we went. Now MR had actually observed the Hare’s brief to Prime8 so he was able to guess which way to go and he soon found himself unhappily at the front again. The next junction soon changed the positioning with most of the pack keeping straight on while OT and MR took a shorter route and OT soon found herself at the front, well at the front, where she stayed until returned by a back check. Just before the end, there was another regroup where the hare tried to get the pack interested in having a swing in the trees – no takers as it interfered with the discussion about whether or not we were standing at the fourth of the forewarned three regroups. A couple of hundred yards on we came across a strange sign written in flour – NNI NO it read, and that was when we became fearful that the Hare was dyslexic. A drive down the A30 took us to Mr Bumble where the hospitality and ale was enjoyed…
On On,
Next Run: 18th January 2012 – Colin Crofts (French Leave) - Yateley Common (GR 838594 check GR on line)
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 357 ON WEDNESDAY 14th
DECEMBER 2011
FROM HAWLEY LAKE (GR
875623)
Hare: Alan Jewell (Easy Rider),
Hounds: Richard
McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), John Elder (Seis
Matters),
Les Salmon (Ever Ready), Derek Gray (Prime8), Brian Langford (Cyclone), Tony
Soane (Sony Tone), Anne Holland (Cloggs), Colin Crofts (French Leave), Libby
Ralph (Old Thumper) and Phil Sharpe (Anorak).
The day had been sunny and relatively warm until the Hashers arrived and shivered in the cold wind beside Hawley Lake. The group made a decision to leave on time but F&N started his normal lengthy preamble only to be shouted down so that the Hare could give his brief – and brief it was “Over there” was enough to get the pack on the move, this time with Cyclone who turned up at the right place at the right time, with all the information they required. There was not even time to welcome Anorak to his first run with DH3. It was Old Thumper and Cloggs who set the pace and the former who turned right, leaving Seis to take the road to the front and Cloggs the one to the left. Thumper connected and soon we were wading through unavoidable shig. Our discomfort was now compounded by the onset of rain. We wended our way through the thickish rhododendrons for a while and soon found ourselves following the edge of the lake with F&N somehow in the lead at the first regroup. Sadly your scribe’s dictathingy ran out of battery power at this stage so from here on this report is more than usually questionable. Having followed the lake edge for a while we veered off into the woods behind the military housing turning away from the lake and moving steadily upwards. This upward trend seemed to go on for an age with very little downhill to compensate. The lead was now shared by Ever Ready and Seis with Anorak up there somewhere. Then we came to a major crossroads that was familiar to many. More familiar to F&N perhaps as it was he who now took the lead (a short-lived event). Another regroup and we were off on the ascent once more. This time it became more serious as we progressed; the slight slope became more accented, and the uphill became steeper and as we went round the bend we were confronted by a near vertical rise to fore. There was just enough time to recover one’s breath when we were off again with confirmation from the Hare that yes, this was the highest point, and yes it is a promise that it is downhill from hereon. Liar! For soon we were going up yet again with Anorak muttering about the reliability of a Hare’s word. This time we turned off the main track just before reaching the top and started our descent. All this undulating seemed to make no difference to Sony and Cyclone who spent the whole time just keeping up with the pack and chatting nineteen to the dozen. It was quite dark by now but as we trotted gently down through some really rather pleasant woods, the scene was hugely enhanced by the hues of the setting sun. Suddenly, the Hare was forgiven for his lie. It was not too long before we found ourselves at the bottom of the slopes and set in the direction of home. It was a long drag along hard topping until we reached the near end. Sadly, half the pack had to disappear promptly for various reasons but the hospitality of The Crown and Cushion was appreciated by those who made it there.
On On,
Next Run: This will be delayed by one week so:
4th January 2012: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut) – Old Dean Common (Barossa) (GR: 875623).
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 356 ON WEDNESDAY 30th
NOVEMBER 2011
FROM OUTRIDDEN COPSE (GR
832510)
Hare: Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue) and Zoe McAllister (Kanchi)
Hounds: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), John Elder (Seis Matters), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Les Salmon (Ever Ready), Sue Figgis (Centre of Attraction), Derek Gray (Prime8), Brian Langford (Cyclone), Tony Soane (Sony Tone), Ann Holland (Cloggs), Lewis Soane (Even Number) and Russ Steel (Trailfinder)
It wasn’t supposed to rain and for the main pack it didn’t but the Hares got damp. Petal and Cloggs arrived just in time and Cyclone’s telephone message arrived just before we started but we couldn’t wait. He was at the car park but nobody else was so he became suspicious. Anyway, he was at Tunnel Hill and the rest of us weren’t so we started off uphill towards Aldershot with Seis Matters leading. Half way up there were comments about feeling tired but at the first check it was Easy Rider who found the first false trail and F&N the second. Seis was not fooled for a second and soon the rest were off following his distant cries. He was not put off by the second false trail that he totally ignored as he swung back towards the Bourley Road and then dashed once more into the woods, still uphill. It was here that Centre of Attraction, late as usual, caught up with the pack muttering about ‘nearly made it’. We swung round to our left, still going upwards, on to a main track and still making back towards Aldershot. There was short-lived confusion as the trail split and soon we were at the first regroup. Now Seis got his come-uppance as he went for the wrong way off, with Easy Rider checking out an empty track. Sony and Even Number decided they would go down the rather steep and stony path to the right, while Petal took a hint and made for the safer, correct trail but still going steeply down the hill. We all met at the bottom. Now it was Sony who thought he was on but was mistaken as the Hare knew better and we decided it was another Hash’s old trail that misled him. Trailfinder was off in the wrong direction, too and it was Petal who now took the lead again and tried to lead the pack into considerable shig. Kanchi let the cat out of the bag by telling those close by that there was as better and drier path in the right direction and Cloggs was not one to ignore such advice. Easy Rider had been advised not to follow blindly; advice he followed, nearly, but was further advised to look more closely. That brought him back on to the trail and soon the rest of the wayward pack was returning to join him, still making towards Aldershot. But not for much longer as the trail swung north and we followed Sony’s calls. He then went off in the wrong direction but some kindly front runner got the pack back on the right track (but only for a short time as the front runners now lost the way). Kanchi saved the day and Ever Ready called back the errant runners onto the increasingly indistinct trail and once more we plunged into close country and then crossed several wide, well watered tracks. Trailfinder was doing his thing and soon had us going in the right direction but it was not long before we started to have problems; the light was fading and now some of the flour was doing likewise. The trail started to get very indistinct and in places had totally disappeared. Squirrels got the blame but the Hares saved the pack too much inconvenience and they led the way through the trees to the open Long Valley. By now F&N was encouraging the lead with his tin whistle and he took us up the rise but then went astray. The trail turned left along the ridge, then fell away down some impressive earthworks created to test mountain bikers. We regrouped at a well known junction before splitting; Seis and Trailfinder both in the wrong direction, with the short cutters making straight for home. Meanwhile, the more adventurous continued on the trail that now led into some very close country, over a couple of deep ditches and back out again on to the main path. Such was the camaraderie of this group that they shepherded F&N in the fast fading light and all returned safely to the car park. Then it was on to the traditional hospitality of The Tweseldown where…
On On,
Next Run: 7th December: Hawley Lake (GR 840579) – Alan Jewell
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 355 ON
WEDNESDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2011
FROM STARVE
ACRE (GR:
843593)
Hare: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut)
Hounds: John Elder (Seis Matters), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Les Salmon (Ever Ready), Sue Figgis (Centre of Attraction), Derek Gray (Prime8), Brian Langford (Cyclone), Tony Soane (Sony Tone), Ann Holland (Cloggs), Tanya Jacobs-Cusack(One More Time), Sarah Nagle (Petal), Steve Nagle (Silvier Fox), Diane Wheeler (Wet Bush) and Steve Wheeler (Yorkie).
The Hare’s brief finished with “The On Inn is over there…” ‘Twas not what he meant and ‘twas not what we hoped and the speedy front runners soon found there was not a pub in sight. We left the car park in a westerly direction, through the tree barrier and into open country. Instead or carrying on straight over and deeper into the area there was a quick right turn as we headed towards the roar of A30 traffic. By now, Dogmatic had checked out two or three wrong trails while Seis and Silvier pounded along at the front with One More Time. It was not long before the latter two were rejoining the main pack on the correct trail as we continued to run parallel to the A30 for what seemed like an eternity. Ever Ready now admitted that perhaps he should have visited the gym this morning after all as his repairs were put to the test once again. It was reassuring for the slower ones to see Yorkie frequently trying out non-floured tracks. Soon we were reassembled at the first of the three regroups. We regrouped well at this one. Setting off once more we now started to get further from the main road and were soon following Seis who had gone off way over to our left and called on the pack to another check where he went left-ish into the woods. Meanwhile, Silvier and Yorkie were well away on their own and the main body now heard two ‘on ons’ from two directions. Favourite was Seis as we followed him and missed the next regroup completely. It was about now that Centre of Attraction made her appearance (customarily late) as the Hare directed us down to a road where his instruction was to go right unless we wanted to go around the trail again. Right we went. Then left towards an area where Sappers were training to perform a ‘plant’ ballet to the sound of reversing sirens and the sight of flashing orange lights. The third regroup formed at what looked like an embryonic Afghan building plot. However, Yorkie was not interested enough to wait and he was off along the far side, successfully circumnavigating the great plot to find the on and he was off. There was soon some debate as to which way we should go – the consensus was correct and soon we found ourselves on the Hare’s flour-saving wheeze of following his out trail back in. Mr Bumble’s was a pleasing place once more where, again, the whole pack joined for a pleasant quaff.
On On,
Next Run: 30th November: Outridden Copse (Bourley Road) (GR 832510) – Richard McAllister
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 354 ON WEDNESDAY 2nd NOVEMBER 2011
FROM REAR OF THE TWESELDOWN PUB (GR:
820518)
Hare: John Elder (Seis Matters),
Hounds: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Les Salmon (Ever Ready), Steve Booker (Dickhead), Sue Figgis (Centre of Attraction), Derek Gray (Prime8), Brian Langford (Cyclone), Ron Peasley (Hi Hat), Tony Soane (Sony Tone) and Russell Steel (Trailfinder).
Centre of Attraction appeared for the first time in an age – not only turned up, but was early! Dickhead also returned to the fold after even longer away. Anyway, the start was encouraging but swiftly ran into a bit of a problem. We all set off at our own speed (or lack of it) over the sports ground away from the main Fleet-Farnham road. Over the embankment we went with F&N keeping straight over into the wide open horse exercise area. Meanwhile, the wilier Easy Rider turned left down to the Bourley Road and over the other side, swinging round to his right circumnavigating the end of the race track. At the next check, it was newcomer Trailfinder who sussed out the way ahead, a position which he readily adopted for quite a lot of the way round (hence his Hash tag). We made our way over towards the ‘Foresters’ road and entered the training area on the far side. Considerable confusion followed as we proceeded further into the woods where an unfriendly little yapping dog with big teeth produced decibels far in excess of that expected of such a small, albeit angry, doglet. We now turned off the main track back towards the northern end of the race course. As the trees gave way to open land, Trailfinder went left, Dickhead half left and F&N hard right. The tinny whistle from F&N indicated that he was on so we followed through some shiggy bits. Soon MR found himself at the front until Dickhead overtook and went off in the wrong direction leaving MR on the correct trail (for at least a couple of hundred yards). There was a feeling that we would be making our way over to the canal, but no, we didn’t get there as the trail now turned back towards ‘home’. By now, there was a wind that kept us cool (hardly a word used to describe most Hashers) but it did not distract the rear triumvirate of Prime8, Sony Tone and Cyclone from their lengthy discussions. At the second regroup Trailfinder was on again and through more shig we went. MR found himself at the front once more and was not happy with that, particularly as he fell for the double bluff and found himself way down in the wrong direction. The trail now followed the main path away from ‘home’ and wended its way over towards the main road where Dickhead was doing his ‘lollipop’ bit to see everyone safely across the road. Then we were made to climb the hill to our fore to admire the view all around. Having now regrouped we were invited to run down the other side of the hill to pick up the trail near a bunch of mobile toilets. We now avoided the main track and cut across some rough heath land for a while and a bit, making for another prominent hill up which we were almost certain to be led. Short cutters managed to remain on the level while the main pack went around and then over said hill to join up with the SCBs. From here it was fairly straightforward to follow the trail along the side of the race track and back to the On Inn – The Tweseldown – where the whole (for a change) group enjoyed their get-together despite several power cuts during the evening.
On On,
Next Run: 16th November: Starve Acre (GR 843593) – Tony Case
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 353 ON WEDNESDAY 19th OCTOBER
2011
FROM YATELEY COMMON (GR: 838594)
Hare: Colin Crofts (French Leave)
Hounds: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), John Elder (Seis Matters), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Steve Nagel (Silvier Fox) and Les Salmon (Ever Ready).
Easy Rider turned up in his new car, but it was the arrival of Petal that started the consternation; she had seen dark clouds over Bracknell (not so far away) and was concerned about the rain potential. At the time we were in the sun and rain was not forecast but the clouds were surely blowing towards us and, yes, we did get wet, and, yes, there was a cold wind blowing but then fortunately the sun came out once more. The start was pointed out to us and we were off in a westerly direction, following the A30 towards Blackbushe aerodrome (as once it was known). There was confusion as the front runners failed to correctly check the trail but soon we were back on track. BUT, and it was quite a big but, some phantom destroyer had tried to rub out the trail – destroyed blobs, ruined regroups and probably some 80%of the trail was messed up. However, determination and the Hare kept us going when necessary and we continued to progress along the trail. Although Seis and Silvier were instigators of the day’s front running, it was Mountain Rescue who led to the first back trail where his devotion to front running was very short-lived when, having found what he thought was the out trail, was the in trail and the rest of the pack had turned in the opposite direction and were some distance off. We now found ourselves at the lower car park and the first regroup. Seis took the lead again as we followed beside the A30. We followed through some pleasant woodland and found ourselves on a wooden structure over some potentially swampy ground. The Hare called back the front runners as F&N took the lead off the structure deeper into the woods, through holly bushes and some close countryside. Soon we were in the open once more but there was no sign of a trail, scuffed out or otherwise. We looked for a while before the faint cries of Silvier were heard from the middle of nowhere and we met again at the second regroup. Silvier was once more the lucky one and his cries prevented too many of us wandering off in the wrong direction. However, at a cross junction we came to a grinding stop. Silvier was off somewhere, Seis dashing around, Ever Ready offering advice and Easy Rider finding the trail that was back over our left shoulders – Oh that cunning Hare! A cross junction now held us up as MR returned from checking out a lengthy track only to find the devious Hare had glanced off the main track and on to the right, a far from obvious deviation. Once more the trail took us through some quite close country and over some unavoidable shiggy bits and we passed a cemetery that had once had a very impressive entrance but now cried out for some TLC. An ENORMOUS field appeared and the worry was that whichever way we went, it was a long, long way. The short cutters now met the front runners who were confused by the two checks so close together and by MR who called on only to find it was a soggy tissue, not flour. However, the trail really did eventually go the way he was going and soon all was well once more. The Hare was now worried about the destruction of his trail but we managed to trace it through countryside thick with gorse and holly. From the front, MR spotted a horse on the trail and had it not been for a regroup, would have caught up with it (was it a fast running hound or a slow moving horse?). We now neared the On Inn and entered open country bathed in evening sunshine and the last regroup. It was here that the Hare offered to take us home along a short cut. We had been out for over an hour and (after last week’s experience) were afraid that the Deepcut Hash would start earning an unwanted reputation for long runs. Mr Bumble’s was the watering hole where F&N was asking who Mr Bumble was…
On On,
Next Run: 2nd November: Rear Tweseldown Pub (GR 820518) - John Elder
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 352 ON WEDNESDAY 5th
OCTOBER 2011
FROM UPPER HALE (GR:
829492)
Hare: Brian Langford (Cyclone).
Hounds: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), Colin Crofts (French Leave), John Elder (Seis Matters), Derek Gray (Prime8), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Sarah Nagel (Petal) and Les Salmon (Ever Ready).
This must go down as the longest trail in the history of DH3. There was one word of warning in the Hare’s brief - he got lost laying the trail in an area he thought he knew well. With the pack now considerably lacking confidence they set off heading to the right parallel to the road through some quite pleasant woodland. Seis disappeared off on the wrong track while Easy Rider found the real way ahead into the body of the training area. The sound of F&N’s tinny horn filled none with confidence. Up to the top of the ridge we went and were soon brought to a temporary pause while the search for flour progressed. We came to the first regroup and then found the Hare at the front showing us the way and calling to try to keep us on trail. At this stage, F&N had disappeared off into the distance never to be seen again and Seis was off in the wrong direction once more. Easy Rider and French Leave were now nearly front runners, superseded only by the Hare. Soon another pause saw Petal off to the right, Ever Ready to the left and MR up the middle, hedging his bets and actually discovering the trail. Then things went wrong again with MR going up the hill, and Ever Ready advised to look straight on where he did indeed find more trail. We now had Easy Rider, Ever Ready, Petal, and Seis as front runners, F&N and Primate lost, MR alone and French Leave somewhere with the Hare yelling his heart out to try to get the loose hounds back into the pack. Sadly, the wind was blowing in the wrong direction for him. MR now found the trail but having lost his voice was unable to do much about it. However, his progress was witnessed and the remnant pack followed until a split in the paths. The main pack got it right and now the Hare showed that he was lost again. To and fro we went until Ever Ready spotted the flour and once more. Up the hill we went, and up some more passed an abandoned (presumably stolen) motor cycle. Along the ridge a bit and then down again. Steeply down we went. Soon we found ourselves heading towards the A 325 as we undulated. It had now become just too obvious that this was going to be a long one (by Deepcut standards). The trail took us to the edge of the training area before turning back in the direction of Caesar’s Camp, still a long way off. By now, the pack remnants were well spread but making progress. From the extreme it was just a matter of running the 100 miles back to the start which we all managed, some faster than others. There was some significant shig on the way, but no blackberries left. The Alma provided suitable reward for those who had time to spare and well deserved drinks were drunk with the Hare given his reward for all the effort in laying his monster trail…
On On,
Next Run: 19th October: Yateley Common - A30 Gravel Pit Car Park (GR 838594) - Colin Crofts (French Leave)
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 351 ON WEDNESDAY 21st SEPTEMBER
2011
FROM THE CROWN, BADSHOT LEA (GR:
863484)
Hare: Libby Ralph (Old Thumper)
Hounds: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), Colin Croft (French Leave), Nick Dodd (Dogmatic), John Elder (Seis Matters), Derek Gray (Prime8) Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Brian Langford (Cyclone), Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Steve Nagle (Silvier Fox) and Tony Soane (Sony Tone).
The weather turned in our favour and we set off in pleasant sunshine from the pub towards the main road, over the road and on to a concrete road towards Badshot Farm. We had gone but 50 yards before we heard vitriolic castigation of Fruit&Nut who had the temerity to advise the Hare about laying a trail (at least that’s what we understood from the gist of the rebuke). Silvier and Dogmatic were well to the front when F&N saw a path to the right, up which he went. No amount of calling, yelling and screaming by Easy Rider and Mountain Rescue and would bring him back to heel on the true trail. Soon we came to the real trail turn and F&N tried to open the locked gate to the field while everyone else went through the open pedestrian kissing gate. The trail now followed the line of the field along a close path. By now the front runners were well away on their own unmarked trail and out of earshot apart from French Leave who had the sense to return. At the back of the pack ER and MR started making pigs of themselves by attacking the blackberry bushes beside the track. Good, they were (the blackberries that is). After the first regroup, we found shortcutting Prime8 had caught us up and the trail continued to our front as we passed the new David Lloyd fitness centre. A check caused a delay as French Leave set off to check yet another wrong path, ER returned from his false foray and the main body was seen disappearing to the right along the main road. They turned into a nature reserve with Petal leading to a check and the trail opened out into a playing field and we found Seis had now joined us. While the pack went round the edge of the field following Sony Tone and Cyclone ER and MR received a hint that the best way forward was to cross the diagonal of the field. Through the gap and on the far side of the next field could be seen the two missing wanderers who looked so pleased with themselves at having cut out half the trail thus far. Once we had regrouped, the Hare delivered a general (Oh! Lord. Here goes Deepcut using rank again) bollocking along the lines that if there is no flour and you get out of earshot, you’ve gone wrong and you are wasting everyone’s time. Setting off again, F&N was left feasting on blackberries. We now crossed another road ‘at a strategic point’ with Petal to fore once more. Wending our way forward we had to cross the main road once more to the third regroup. Silvier and Dogmatic quickly found the trail while MR was distracted by the blackberries once more. In catching up with the pack that was seen plunging down to the right by the road bridge, MR could see in the distance where they were going so followed the plunge to the right – unfortunately on the wrong side of the stream. And this is where your scribe lost contact with the rest. He looked for a way across the stream (for he was nursing a recently sprained ankle and really wanted a bridge) so he had to return to the road and cross over that way. Mistake – for soon the trail went back over the stream and the ankle was better not tested in case of further damage. Another error took him a couple of miles out of his way and the Hare had the temerity to blame blackberry gluttony for keeping him out of her sight. Anyway, all ended well at The Crown where good ale was served and quantities of chips (thanks to Sony Tone) were delivered to the tables just rounded off a very good outing. Chip rating 9.
On On,
Next Run: 5th October: Upper Hale (opposite petrol station) GR 829492 – Brian Langford (and probably Tony Soane).
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 350 ON
WEDNESDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2011
FROM PINE RIDGE GOLF COURSE (GR: 907587)
Hare: FAILED TO APPEAR
Hounds: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), Les Salmon (Ever Ready), Colin Croft (French Leave) and Nick Dodd (Dogmatic).
Well, it happened again. Four Hounds turned up to follow the trail but no trail existed. Not to be beaten, the intrepid four set of for a jog around the golf course. Sadly, your Scribe was not able to be there to join them, even in the bar afterwards. So, that’s it for this one…
On On,
Next Run: 21st September: The Crown, Badshot Lea (GR 863484 - Libby Ralph)
NOTES
ON DH3 RUN 349 ON WEDNESDAY 24th AUGUST 2011
FROM REAR TWESELDOWN PUB (GR:
822518)
Hare: John Elder (Seis Matters)
Hounds: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Derek Gray (Prime8), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Les Salmon (Ever Ready), Colin Croft (French Leave), Brian Langford (Cyclone), Libby Ralph (Old Thumper), Chris Farmer (Bidet), Steve Nagle (Silvier Fox), and Nick Dodd (Dogmatic).
Deepcut lethargy to the fore once more as the pack wandered off in a southerly direction into the football field. Dogmatic, on his first foray with Deepcut, did actually run but to the wrong corner of the field. Eventually the pack strolled out onto the Beacon Hill Road and wanted to go left into the training area. However, at the roundabout the trail was picked up going off right towards the old Queen Elizabeth Barracks with Old Thumper losing the lead to Fruit & Nut. Each attempt to leave the road and enter the woods was foiled by a distinct lack of trail so on we went, and on towards Church Crookham. Eventually, perseverance paid off and the trail did go into the trees and out the other side when a cry from forward led MR to go across a bar, much to the Hare’s chagrin. Now the check stopped us at the road side as we approached the military married quarters. The obvious straight on option was the wrong way to go and the pack was turned to the right by Fruit & Nut into the area of the houses and we passed the car park from which many a start had happened. Once free of housing we turned into woodland once again and through a tunnel of undergrowth into open countryside. Now there started a long, very long upward trend that saw the pack well spread in line with French Leave and Dogmatic rejoining the pack after their inaccuracies. On the way, we came across some edible blackberries, some small reward for the upward progress. A sudden left plunge into thicker woods led to Easy Rider plucking more ripe berries from the bushes. Out on to a road and down to cross over the main Beacon Hill Road once more and a regroup (with a shortage of blackberries). On restarting, OT, Dogmatic and Petal were all seen running UPHILL – for while anyway. The track now became a little soggy as we seemed to be going up to the trig point. However, to the trig point we did not go as the lure of real shig was just too great and the trail took us through some extreme mud and slush and flowing water. Then we continued upward only to loop back down to the main path with Dogmatic well in front. Good thing really for he was soon returning on a back check. Fruit & Nut, who we thought knew the area well, soon had us going downhill. And down, encouraged by his tinny whistle. At a major junction, French Leave found the first false trail, and OT the second. Another regroup before taking off down towards the fishing ponds with French Leave coming back from yet another fruitless run in the wrong direction. So we continued, overcoming another check and following the calls of OT who was now well out front and making for the open area beyond the lakes. Cyclone foolishly followed MR who found himself on a long false trail as the main body now turned and headed for home. The trail swerved off the main track and joined a newish track that had rapidly become covered by bracken. Through this bracken we progressed until it became almost impenetrable as we scrambled to join Bidet who had sensibly remained on the main track. And that was it, really. No more adventures. Primate eventually wandered in having had the courage to start the course without his satnav. And F&N got lost somewhere out there with not another soul showing any sympathy for his plight. In the Tweseldown, Bidet announced to the arriving pack that the barmaid was connecting a new barrel. Those who wanted Alton Pride were clean out of luck as the pump was broken, so most of us ended up taking a Liberty…
On On,
Next Run: 7 September: Pine Ridge Golf Course (GR 907587) – Rik Rawcliffe
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 348 ON
WEDNESDAY 10th AUGUST 2011
FROM BRAMSHILL PLANTATION (GR: 759613)
Hare: Tony Case (Fruit & Nut)
Hounds: Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Derek Gray (Prime8), Ron Peasley (Hi Hat), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Les Salmon (Ever Ready), Colin Croft (French Leave), Brian Langford (Cyclone), Libby Ralph (Old Thumper), Tony Soane (Sony Tone) and Lewis Soane (nameless)
After many weeks of non-appearance, it was good to see the return of Cyclone and Sony to our midst. Ever Ready was looking stronger again, and so we set off in good heart. Old Thumper was the first to run and, shortly after, Petal set an example that was slow to be followed. Into the school sports field, OT to the left and Petal to the front. The trail actually lay between the two of them as we cut diagonally across the field and into the trees. The running had really started now. A pause, as we came to a junction with OT keeping left again while French Leave took off right and right he was. So we all followed and went through the trees in mottled sunshine. Very pleasant it was. Then we were stopped for a while, searching for the on. It was a while before we got going again, but going we got and continued along the track when Hi Hat started on the subject of ‘psychology’ and whether a brain was needed for such study in which case it was a waste trying to relate the subject to the Hare. Now moving on towards the main school buildings where we were once again brought to a halt. MR investigated the school area only to be called back into the woods away from the buildings but happily wandered on to the trail once more. Soon we were making our way through some tight countryside to the main road and across to the first regroup. It was here that the Hare gave out some misleading information about his trail; it was not a one blobber so those who went off to the right and thought they were correct were in fact wrong. Easy Rider ran off straight ahead and made his way steadily up the slope only to come back having lost sight of any trail. The farmer was creating huge amounts of dust from his harvester, but it was not enough to put off ER as he entered the field to find the trail going up the slope again, parallel to the road from which he’d just come. Now the trail became a bit tricky. MR had found it outside the field and we entered widely spaced, open woodland and the trail went along a long, straight, never-ending track that eventually took us to the next regroup (fortunately, long before the visual end of the path to our fore). MR again found the restart and led everyone off down to a cross junction and check. Having a quick look at the many options, he soon found he was on two but after much further investigation decided he was no longer on trail – and, yes, the Hare did admit he had not laid a false trail bar(stard!). Anyway, yet another regroup allowed the pack to reassemble as one. Lewis was sent off by Sony to check out the left hand path while MR guessed the correct way to the right and after just a couple of hundred yards there was another regroup and, just four paces further on, yet another regroup – it was suggested that the Hare’s short term memory really is failing if he cannot remember what he did just four paces before. MR was now way off trail and left behind so knows not who found the real trail leading for the Inn. Someone found a false trail but from the leading Hound there was no sound. The main pack was well on the way home but fortunately Primate was still within range to direct the misguided MR and we all arrived safe and sound. From the car park, Hi Hat set off apace to try to catch up with the early departers only to find his car boot was still wide open. The Hatchgate was its usual high quality as the pack enjoyed the evening sunshine and cooling breeze. Oh joy…
On On,
Next Run: 24 August: Rear Tweseldown Pub (GR 822518) – John Elder
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 347 ON
WEDNESDAY 27th JULY 2011
FROM TUNNEL HILL CAR PARK (GR:
918558)
Hare: Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue)
Hounds: Derek Gray (Prime8), Ron Peasley (Hi Hat), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Steve Nagel (Silvier Fox), Ian Angel (Hippo), Chris Farmer (Bidet), Les Salmon (Ever Ready) and Sue Figgis (Centre of Attraction).
“Damned fine trail” reported quote from Bidet who made it to the meet this time without the huge disappointment of finding the location changed. But before any report on this Hash, a word of thanks. For many years Sally Duncan (Ali Kat) has run our web site. She designed it and set it up in the first place but has now handed over to John Elder (Seis Matters) who has volunteered to run it from now on. So, many thanks to Sally for all she has done for us. Meanwhile, back at Tunnel Hill the mob was assembling. It was great to find Ever Ready back with us, albeit not running yet (he did try later but was castigated for so doing so he desisted). The brief was short and soon the mobsters moved off with a pre-warned Silvier to the fore. It was only seconds before he was on the wrong track but quickly brought back to join the main pack that descended the slope to the north and found themselves going up the far side where the trail slipped down again to the edge of the railway fence. However, Silvier found himself checking uphill as he didn’t want to go back towards the railway bridge. A pity really as that is now where the trail turned. Once more the flour trail was ignored in preference for blind running. Soon the front runners were returning to join Easy Rider who had slipped off to the right, through the trees to the edge of the road. On the other side the trail dropped down to what ten days ago had been real shig. Disappointingly, recent lack of real rain had allowed it to dry out somewhat, but it still offered something to the careless as Fruit & Nut offered a helping hand to Petal – he’s such a gentleman and he didn’t even think about giving her a gentle push. Undulations took the pack through a narrow trail to a T junction where the pack’s feeling that it continued to the left was totally wrong. So, right they now turned and then left over the railway bridge to the canal towpath where the trail could have gone. But it didn’t. Bidet was suspicious and Easy Rider went on a bit further and found that the trail went along the fence of Deepcut Barracks for a while. Silvier had disappeared and Bidet and Easy Rider continued their confused checking. Soon we were at the canal for the first regroup. Bidet’s seriously considered opinion was that the trail had to go right along the tow path. After Silvier got a good head of steam up in the wrong direction and the rest of the pack following MR decided time had come to let the pack know there was not much point in going that way. And all returned to the regroup. A quick search and Bidet found the trail going into the trees and Hippo now in the fore took us down the slope to yet more shig that had to be crossed. For some unknown reason (maybe it was the closed gates that put them off) the consensus was that the road towards the ‘big house’ was the preferred way ahead. Easy Rider knew that the side gate remained unlocked so he opened it and through we all went. The trail went off parallel to the railway line and Ever Ready confirmed that he was OK to assault the hills (part of his recuperation exercises, he implied). Well, more of the same old story found Silvier busily checking out the check but with not a lot of success so Bidet was quizzed about what he had seen and where a possible solution may lie. Silvier, keen to take the wrong way again, was soon at the front taking the wrong way again. But the main body now managed to get back over the road into the main training area and undulated to the next regroup. Bidet now shot off on the wrong track while Silvier for once got it correct. Hippo decided that the path Bidet was on was good enough for him so he led the short cutters back towards ‘home’. The diminished group now had fun checking out the steep hills and soon found themselves heading back towards more familiar territory. Hi Hat was in danger of departing unnecessarily up a steep hill and returned to sensibility after some judicious coughing by the Hare while Easy Rider disregarded the warning until it was almost too late. After wending their way back under the rail bridge they got home where C of A, who had been to Tweseldown instead of Tunnel Hill, was waiting. The White Hart provided good ale and we provided the simply superb company. Bonhomie was plentiful.
On On
Next Run: 10 August: Bramshill Plantation (GR 759613) – Tony Case