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NOTES ON DH3 RUN 310 ON WEDNESDAY
24th FEBRUARY 2010
FROM PUTTENHAM CAR PARK (GR: 919462)
Hare
Flash Gordon (Cruise Control)
Hounds:
Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), Tony Soane (Sony Tone), Richard McAllister
(Mountain Rescue), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Chris Farmer (Bidet), Sarah
Nagel (Petal), Steve Nagel (Silvier Fox), John Elder (Seis Matters), Ron
Peasley (Hi Hat), Martin Potter (Goofy), Mike Robertshawe (GM), Karen
Allen (Designer), Vance Allen (Silver Jumper), Steve Booker (Dickhead),
Alan Fiddler (Outrider), .
With Cruise Control in charge we all
anticipated severe rain for he is the one who seems to attract
precipitation. As it happened there was a threat of light drizzle as we
set off to the east (his instruction for the departure) with Silvier
being well orientated and Goofy offering navigational advice from the
rear of the pack. At the 50 yard point, Fruit & Nut was there
congratulating all on getting that far. Then it was across the road and
down the planet’s steepest, slipperiest, most unsafe descent to
momentary chaos while the front runners searched left and right (there
was no straight on). Silvier got it and the pack progressed up the
slippery slope and then down the other side. Now, it turned out this
trail was really for proper runners and that left most of us some way
back. The tracks were deep in shig all the way. Some of them were long
and the first of these had been gently downhill for a long way. This
was fine at the time but we knew, with some foreboding, that we would
have to pay for this descent with a whole lot of uphill later on. For
the back runners, it was depressing to clear the woods to the edge of
the fields only to see these minute figures in the far distance
searching for the lost trail; they were far, far away and by the time
we’d crossed the first large field the front of the pack had progressed
still further along more slippery slopes. A regroup gave short respite
as our new GM observed that the near vertical slope to the front had not
been climbed recently and was therefore not worth checking (I don’t
think any of the Deepcut pack would have considered going up slopes like
that one) and it was not long before Dickhead found the markers and was
off again., bringing Seis Matters and Silvier back from their
investigations in the opposite direction. On a sunny, warm day the
trail from here on would have been perfect. BUT, and it is a big but,
the weather was not very nice as we floundered on through attractive
woodland, past a house on the lake to the next regroup. Here, Bidet,
doing his Field Marshal bit, wondered what on earth had happened to Hi
Hat – had anyone seen him? Well, the only one not to see him was Bidet
for Hi Hat had been there holding up a large tree for quite some time.
Designer had designs on going for a swim in the lake but thankfully she
failed to take the plunge and we were off through the woods once more.
As the pack swung off the main track it was apparent right at the back
that the hare was not following and he had to admit to a ‘crafty loop’
around the lake allowing the late comers to catch up. Now we started to
up again, and up. Almost at the top a call from the right flank
indicated that there was no need to complete the climb although for some
it was the lesser of the two evils. A bit of contouring, still through
considerable shig, took us to a depressing sight – long, long
undulations (mainly up) with the front hounds once more visible in the
far distance. Once the rising undulations were completed, the trail was
simple and led us right back to the car park. By now it was raining
properly. By the time the RA had completed the trail, most others were
already changed and Fruit& Nut was persuaded by popular demand to hold
the circle in the limited shelter of the trees from the wind and rain.
For laying a ‘refreshing’ trail, Cruise Control was awarded his down
down. Others went to the GM on his first run with us in that exalted
position, to Designer (unidentified one), to our scenic explorer, Hi
Hat, to the millionaire two who had managed to take time off from work
to join us, Silvier and Seis, and finally to Dickhead for returning from
being AWOL for so long. We repaired to the Harvester where the absent
bar tender kept us all waiting for our beer and, eventually, a jolly
time was had by all. Pity about the way the traffic outside built up so
much…
ON ON |
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 309 ON
WEDNESDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2010
FROM BRAMSHILL PLANTATION CAR PARK (GR: 760613)
Hares:
Tony Case (Fruit & Nut) and Ian Lowers (City Slicker)
Hounds:
Tony Soane (Sony Tone), Richard
McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Chris Farmer
(Bidet), Sarah Nagel (Petal),Steve Nagel (Silvier Fox), Les Salmon (Ever
Ready), Mette Sorensen (Leg Over) Kath Bradshaw (Twin Peaks), John Elder
(Seis Matters), Ron Peasley (Hi Hat) Anne Holland (Clogs) and Martin
Potter (Goofy).
The snowing
had stopped, the wind was cool, the sun was out and the RA was banging
on until told to cut the cr@p and get on with it. The essence of what he
was saying was that it was a short run and started over the road. So it
was over the road with Silvier to the fore as usual as we paralleled the
road until the trail was lost. Fruit and Nut had left one of his
plastic markers in place and that gave Mountain Rescue all he needed to
follow the true trail – “MR’s got it” from the co-hare was additional
welcome confirmation. Soon Silvier was at the front again, only to lose
the trail again by which time MR had spotted the flour on an alternative
track. From here on, it was either Silvier or Seis at the front with
the rest of the pack content to follow on. There were some longish
straights alongside some fields that led to the first regroup. It was
here that Fruit & Nut commented that at least the pack had had the sense
to avoid the Trail around the large field (the first shortcut). The
truth is that the pack didn’t see the trail around the field, at least
blind Silvier didn’t see it and the pack followed him like lost sheep.
Still, we waited for the two hares to catch up as we didn’t want them to
get lost. While waiting, there were comments: “Couldn’t you have found
somewhere warmer for a regroup?” It was pointed out that this was as
warm as it was going to get. City Slicker regaled us with a tale of a
herd of deer in the field while they were laying the trail. Leg Over
responded that the herd was at that very moment probably discussing the
pack they could now see… Meanwhile, Seis didn’t believe the returning
Silvier that there was no trail to the front so he led Ever Ready
astray. Now, it was a while before Silvier eventually found the trail
again in some pretty rough undergrowth and he only did so by
shortcutting and coming across the trail by accident. Meanwhile, those
who were on the correct trail were accused by Bidet of crossing a bar.
So, we crossed an invisible bar… But that led us to the second
regroup. Again, we waited for the hares to join us before moving on.
It was now an unremarkable run through some pleasant countryside, in
good weather, with good company. Towards the end there was a plaintive
cry of “ON BACK” that was repeated by Fruit & Nut several times but the
pack decided they were too close to home to be diverted, so there we
are; a short run of 45 minutes, just like the old days – perhaps we
shouldn’t have taken the shortcuts but at least it left us more time for
the On Inn. Down Downs were awarded to the Hares for their efforts, to
Goofy and Hi Hat for their return to the fold (in the case of the
former, absent since Run No 271 on 13 August 2008!!),
to Easy Rider on taking up the appointment of Trail Master and to Clogs
who was on her ‘first run’ with us. The Hatch Gate offered us great
hospitality and it was Ever Ready who supplied the very good chips for
one and all (rated at 8.5).
Short run,
short report…
ON ON |
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 308 ON
WEDNESDAY 27th JANUARY 2010
FROM OFFICERS MESS, DEEPCUT (GR: 910584)
Hares:
Tony Soane (Sony Tone) and Karen Allen (Designer)
Hounds:
Flash Gordon (Cruise Control),
Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Derrick
Gray (Prime8), Chris Farmer (Bidet), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Tony Case
(Fruit & Nut), Les Salmon (Ever Ready), Sue Figgis (Centre of
Attraction), Ian Angell (Hippo), Brian Langford (Cyclone), Mette
Sorensen (Leg Over) and Alex Fryatt (Toby or not to be).
Centre of
Attraction arrived nearly on time and before we started! Almost before
the brief brief was over, Cruise Control was off in a flash (pun
intended). Having been warned that we had to cross a road (and back
again) it was not too difficult to guess roughly where we were going and
CC’s guess was the better, leaving Fruit & Nut up the wrong path. So
over the road and around the boundary fence we went and soon came upon
the first check where Hippo went to kick out the circle and got a dose
of cramp for his trouble; he retired. A bit further on was the first of
four regroups. Now it was Cyclone who took up the lead and there he
remained for quite some time. Eventually he was overtaken, but not
before leading us over and around and down and up again. The hares had
obviously sought out all the hills and were making the best use of
them. MR now took the lead for a while and soon had everyone on the
wrong trail, not helped by CC who had somehow stumbled upon the home
trail and called everyone on but going the wrong way. Even Designer had
to admit nothing in the area looked familiar so we all turned only to
hear Bidet claim that he had covered this same path three times and was
getting a bit fed up with it. The call came from distant woods and the
remains of the pack converged on the lead hound and we stumbled on to
the next regroup. It was here that we found Toby who had come across
Sony Tone who was accused of going the wrong way. Once they sorted that
one out the pack set off again and now Ever Ready took the lead. It was
obviously a day of unconventional leaders, particularly when Cyclone was
found to be at the front once more. It was also noted the Easy Rider was
unusually close to the front on many occasions and very much one of the
front runners. All very unusual. As we burst out of the undergrowth on
to a main track most of us knew which way felt like the path home and
were somewhat taken aback by hearing the call of Toby taking us in
totally the wrong direction – like 180 degrees out. But he was on so we
followed down this long, straight track with Bidet complaining that it
was about time we had another check. His wish was answered and now Ever
Ready spotted the trail going up a very steep incline over his left
shoulder. Now we were beginning to fulfil the feelings of the inbuilt
directional systems that some have. Having puffed our way to the top,
everything flattened out and the trail took us back across the road and
through the housing estate to the playing fields. Across the fields and
we were home. Down downs went to the Hares of course for their gallant
efforts, to Toby for some obscure reason, to Hippo and Mountain Rescue
for being adventurous. Centre of Attraction got hers for her amazing
repetitions, and for increasing his fitness, Easy Rider got one too. If
you understand this bit, well done ‘cos I don’t. Over to the golf club
we went for refreshment and chips and a good chuckle or two.
A note of
thanks to Sony Tone who has stepped down after many years of arranging
our receding hare line and, more recently, liaising with MOD Lands to
enable us to use the training areas. He also set up the insurance cover
now necessary for the Hash. His efforts have been appreciated. It is
with some relief that a note of welcome to Easy Rider as the replacement
Hare catcher, and thanks to Fruit & Nut who has assumed the insurance
mantle. Mountain Rescue will continue to write this rubbish and may
take over as Web Master if he has to.
On on. |
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 307 ON
WEDNESDAY 30th DECEMBER 2009
FROM 5 DETTINGEN ROAD, DEEPCUT (GR: 914578)
Hare:
Flash Gordon (Cruise Control)
Hounds:
Richard McAllister (Mountain
Rescue), Tony Soane (Sony Tone), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Derrick Gray
(Prime8), Chris Farmer (Bidet), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Steve Nagel (Silvier
Fox), Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), Les Salmon (Ever Ready), Steve Wheeler (Yorkie),
Sue Figgis (Centre of Attraction), Ian Angell (Hippo), Elizabeth Gordon
(Fast Ahead), Karen Gordon (Mrs Flash), Thomas Gordon (Dashing Forward),
Tanya Jacobs-Cusack ( One More Time) and Mark Cusack (NNY).
“What’s shig?” was the response to our Hare’s short, damp briefing.
The answer was very quickly discovered as the pack rushed off into the
jungle that surrounds military camp. It was probably Silvier who was at
the front, but then it may have been Yorkie – at this stage of
proceedings, your scribe was well behind have tried (in vain) to find
something to mark the ‘Off’ direction for Centre of Attraction who had
given warning that she would be late. Eventually, the back of the pack
could be made out disappearing into thick woodland that was very soggy
underfoot. The first regroup was well positioned with some limited
shelter from the drizzle. On the move again with Silvier calling us on
we wended our way around the back end of the barracks. The rain now
eased off. Around the headquarters building to the Royal Way went we
only to meet Silvier coming back down the hill crying that the way ahead
was blocked off – it wasn’t and we proceeded as before up to the top and
on to that large open space that on this day seemed quite huge for we
guessed we had to cross it. The front runners missed the great big arrow
that took the trail across the middle of the area and it was too late
for most when we realised that the Hare was taking a more direct route
towards the Officers Mess. On by the Mess went we, and into the married
quarters where to our delight and deep gratitude, the Duncan family were
waiting with mince pies and glüwein for us all. Trouble was getting
started again afterwards. With some reluctance we moved off in totally
the wrong direction but the Hare soon got us on the correct path and we
wove in and around the trees until we found ourselves confronted by a
very steep downhill section that went up steeply on the other side. Now
we witnessed a most extraordinary sight – it was a demented Hare who was
determined that the pack should suffer on the hills. He shot up the far
slope at an amazing pace, yelling for the pack to follow him. Most of
the pack blundered on across the valley while the more astute half dozen
watched from their vantage point with a mixture of awe and pity.
Silvier, once more in the lead, then took them on down the far side only
to reappear and come back up to the watchers who were now exceeding
grateful for the avoidance of the unproductive undulating. Meanwhile,
there was a call from within the woods that was thought to be Yorkie
taking his usual short cut but it turned out to be Easy Rider who was
passing the time of day with Old Grouser who had managed to get from the
party outside his house on one crutch. Now the watchers were well to the
fore but this was a short-lived phenomenon for the next regroup stymied
further immediate progress. The light was now fading fast and the Hare
wisely decided to cut out a ‘deep’ loop through the trees and we just
followed Dashing Forward along the main path to the back of his house
for the down downs in the drizzle. Cruise Control got his for laying a
good trail under difficult conditions, Silvier and Yorkie for being Old
AWOLs, Ever Ready and Bidet for their SCB’ing, Elizabeth for jumping
over everything including the RA and Centre of Attraction for being her
quite normal late self. At the Pineridge Golf Club Hippo walked out in
disgust when he realised there was no London Pride on tap, and Bidet
surpassed himself by buying six plates of chips and then realised that
not everyone had turned up. However, there was no wastage and the
gannets managed to scoff the lot.
A VERY
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS
On On into 2010 |
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 306 ON WEDNESDAY 16th
DECEMBER 2009
FROM TWESELDOWN PUB (GR:
822518))
Hare:
Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue)
Hounds:
Tony Soane (Sony Tone), Brian
Langford (Cyclone), Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Libby Ralph (Old Thumper),
John Elder (Seis Matters), Derrick Gray (Prime8), Chris Farmer (Bidet),
Sarah Nagel (Petal), Steve Nagel (Silvier Fox), Tony Case (Fruit & Nut),
Les Salmon (Ever Ready). Adrian Lambeth (Nettles), Steve Wheeler (Yorkie),
Steve Booker (Dickhead), Sue Figgis (Centre of Attraction) and Alex
Fryatt (Toby (or not to be)).
The
temperature rose to 0.5C by the start and the snow continued to drizzle
down but an intrepid 16 hounds turned out to enjoy the fresh air. The
hare’s brief was short and soon the pack gratefully got moving – that is
apart from Centre of Attraction who had not yet arrived and the RA
thought we should leave before her arrival otherwise she would not be
late. Having been shown where the trail started, the pack was on track
for all of about 100 yards but were soon seen floundering and following
the front runner like a lot of lost sheep. It was Yorkie on home
territory that got them all going by turning the pack through 180
degrees an getting them on to the racetrack side of the Tweseldown
road. Having explained to one and all that against the snow the flour
looked ‘yellow’ a pedantic Petal corrected the hare’s terminology by
declaring the colour to be ‘Magnolia’. Whatever the colour, it showed
up remarkably well, even that which had been covered by a film of snow.
Anyway, the pack split at the first fork and then decided to take the
wrong fork until Silvier was heard to call the On. But not for long as
he quickly arrived at the first back back. Fruit & Nut headed in the
right direction but was overtaken by Silvier who led the pack down a
leafy wooded track that in sunshine is really rather lovely; but not
today in the grey, overcast and snowy weather. Once more like sheep,
they followed their leader up the wrong path and Prime8 had to call them
all back again as he took the lead. That didn’t last either but he
enjoyed being at the front while there. Once more Silvier was at the
front and for once took the correct track while others either wandered
around in the hopes of discovering some valid flour or idly waited for a
call. Well, Silvier got them all going in the right direction but then
he found another check. He chose the wrong path initially and returned
to take another wrong one but this time took Seis with him for good
measure. Old Thumper tried another track in the wrong direction and
Toby got the right one that took the pack into the racetrack area
proper. Fears that the trail may be too difficult to follow were
unfounded and the majority floundered around. A moment’s excitement
when Fruit & Nut thought he’d found the trail but it was false. Then we
heard the dulcet tones of Silvier and Nettles who had completed the
circle without realising it and were now trying to get everyone to go on
another circuit. A wink and a nod to Petal got the cooling pack on the
move again and soon we were right across the race track and into the
woods. Bidet called at a check but did nothing else but lounge around
and soon we were at a regroup beside the road – well, most of us were
but Seis turned up in his own good time. Over the road went we, across
a nullah and deep into the woods where the trail went up the
slope until we hit a main track across our front. This split the pack
with many now trying to locate the trail but as ever there were the
layabouts. It was Bidet again who spotted the link and he was off
through some quite close countryside. Now we hit a familiar main track
junction and the pack seemed to be somewhat reluctant to check down the
hill. Old Thumper was the first to go down and her inquisitiveness paid
off and the rest of the pack was called in from far and wide. Down the
track and then a branch off and up through the trees to the ridgeline
along which we proceeded. Down the other side where again there was a
bit of a pause until another wink and a nod got the pack back on the
straight and not so narrow. From here on it was plain sailing although
a bit soggy underfoot through what Ever Ready considered ‘interesting’
countryside to the end. The circle formed and re-formed to make way for
an exiting car and the RA continued his awards. To the hare, of course,
for his festive trail and to Toby the outward bounder who was returning
after a considerable break. Old Thumper got hers for repeating history
for turning up with Deepcut again, and the delayed Centre of Attraction
for her time planning. Nettles received his for being such a long leave
taker having taken the afternoon off to add to his Christmas hols. Then
there were Petal and Silvier who won their award for warming up before
the ‘off’ – actually they ran across the car park to buy a Christmas
tree that Nettles had to hug all the way home…
A
very happy Christmas to all our readers
And
best wishes for good fortune in 2010 |
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 304 ON
WEDNESDAY 18th NOVEMBER 2009
FROM TUNNEL HILL (GR: 918558)
Hare:
Ian Angell (Hippo)
Hounds:
Tony Soane (Sony Tone), Brian
Langford (Cyclone), Tayna Jacobs-Cusack (One More Time), Vance Allen
(Silver Jumper), Amy Allen (On Target) Libby Ralph (Old Thumper), Ron
Peasley (Hi Hat), John Elder (Seis Matters), Neil Warren (Armoured
Farmer), Helen Williams (Full Frontal), Mette Sorensen (Leg Over), Rik
Rewcliffe (Giant Haystacks), Alan Fiddler (Out rider), Derrick Gray
(Prime8), Chris Farmer (Bidet), Karen Allen (Design-Her), Sarah Nagel
(Petal), Anne Tynegate (Aqua), and Tony Case (Fruit & Nut).
We, and indeed the Hare, were blessed with a rain
free day! – that and one of our well favoured DH3 locations attracted a
good pack, both in numbers and quality.
The Hare gave an encouraging briefing, confirming
that there was at least one re-group, and we were off over the
mound-ridge siding the parking area, and down through the trees Hi-Hat
commenting on what a good way to start and warm-up; hitting the bottom
we headed right the first check, Silver Jumper opting for a hill to the
right, Sony Tone headed under the bridge and called ‘On’ half right
ahead, Armoured Farmer led the pack after him.
A good woody trail took us to encounter the first
up-hill challenge, and Full Frontal went for it keenly showing spirit,
which was needed by all for the following steps and slippery return to
ground-zero. More nice forest again with good going to a check that
took us to the road (“petrol”) an on-over into more good woods; Aqua was
now flying, having caught-up with us after a 5-minute late start, it
being a DH3 tradition for a Harriette so to do. Some subtle circuits
and checks took us back over the road and ‘On’-to more rise-and-fall
sections.
Well warmed-up near some star performances in the
checking out and running some long falsies appealed to Old Thumper and
Seis Matters. A steady rise and then a great and stoney climb took the
pack to a re-group on a large open hill-top; “check-it-out!”! and Sony
Tone leapt down in a homeward direction and soon called us ‘On’, to lead
us into more gentle rises and falls where On-Target was going well, now
well into the spirit of the hash, with Silver Jumper in hot pursuit.
The pack were now over the railway-tunnel with
short-sharp ups and downs which Petal and Leg-over found great fun,
indeed so exciting Full Frontal decided to join them over rocks and
roots with muddy sections.
Not far from ‘Home’ a check saw the pack heading up
right, and then a pleasant rise and fall section to the “On-home”. The
Hash Circle formed-up and the RA carried out the awards:
The Hare (Hippo) – congratulations on fixing the
weather for an excellent fun up-down-up trail.
Old Thumper – former GM of NH4, our Mother Hash
(checking us out?).
One-More-Time – A ‘Christening’; and for her
constituent enjoyment of the hills.
Armoured Farmer and Hi-Hat - For being ‘AWOL’;
drawn to X-C Biking
and Round the World Sailing respectively.
Full Frontal – for giving a call to ensure we would
all be present.
And the pack went ‘On-Inn’ to the ‘White Hart’ on Pirbright
Common – excellent ale and the chips scored an ‘8’
On-On!The Pink Panther
|
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 303 ON
WEDNESDAY 4th NOVEMBER 2009
FROM THE LAMB HOTEL (GR:
768570)
Hares:
Derrick Gray (Prime8) and Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue).
Hounds:
Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), Alan
Jewell (Easy Rider), Sarah Nagel (Petal), Steve Nagel (Silvier Fox),
Tony Soane (Sony Tone), John Elder (Seis Matters), Chris Farmer (Bidet),
Mette Sorensen (Leg Over), Vance Allen
(Silver Jumper), Amy Allen (On
Target) and Helen Williams (Full Frontal).
The rain
started just before the pack assembled and lasted until the run was
over. Thanks Murphy. The pack followed instructions and moved off in
an easterly direction along the main road. Silvier and Seis were to the
fore, as anticipated, but they were returned by the check back and had
to follow Sony up the footpath and into the woods. We had by now left
the level ground and started a long uphill drag through some pleasant
(apart from the rain) wooded country. We needed sun to show up the
colour of the leaves, but it was not to be. A grey uphill run took us
to a regroup where, yes, we regrouped. The front runners tended to be
the same for most of the run with Silvier and Seis checking out all the
false trails; an act that delighted those runners anywhere near the
front. We soon got used to seeing both of them returning to where they
should be. They were not alone in taking the wrong track – Petal
confidently led Leg Over and Full Frontal along the higher track while
the trail followed the more picturesque and pleasant lower track along
the river bank. The rest charged on along the riverside enjoying the
experience. Front runners were led over the river bridge only to have
to return from the false trail. A check had the pack puzzled for a
while but perseverance paid off and we were soon on our way again. Soon
we were at the second regroup where we witnessed the front runners
plunging into wild undergrowth in the mistaken belief that that was the
way the hares had gone. Our newcomer in the form of Amy Allen (later to
be named ‘On Target’) had already become suspicious of the hares’
devious laying and decided to check down the hill. She was correct and
soon had the pack back on trail. Once through the woods the area opened
up and an errant Silvier returned to find the trail over a stile and
alongside a small lake. The looping trail allowed the back runners to
short cut to join Silver who was now in full flow. Bidet, who had been
complaining about the problems of being a front runner now found himself
uncomfortably close to the front and his dulcet tones, perhaps tinged
with a bit of panic, could be heard encouraging us to join him. At the
third and last regroup, there was only one way to go so all set of at
pace to get to the open common. Again Silvier was at the front but not
for long as the trail ended and he went off in totally the wrong
direction followed like lost sheep by most of the rest of the pack. It
was now up to Silver Jumper and On Target to lead the way and others
soon followed. The trail looped back on to the main track to the edge
of the common and down through the houses to the main road and The
Lamb. Here the down downs were awarded to the Hares for a fine trail,
to Full Frontal who was making her first appearance with us, and then to
On Target whose first Hash it was and Silver Jumper who was using his
daughter as an excuse for not running. Bidet got one for his honesty
and truthfulness in admitting he had taken a wrong turn and got lost and
one to Fruit & Nut for following him. The On Inn gave us a very good
welcome and not only served up good ales but produced some truly
wonderful chips.
On On… |
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 302 ON
WEDNESDAY 21st OCTBER 2009
FROM OLD GUILDFORD ROAD (GR:
900561)
Hares:
Ian Lowers (City Slicker) and Tony Case (Fruit & Nut)
Hounds:
Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Sarah
Nagel (Petal), Tony Soane (Sony Tone), Richard McAllister (Mountain
Rescue), Ian Angell (Hippo), Kim Dyos (Little Prick), John Elder (Seis
Matters), Chris Farmer (Bidet), Sue Figgis (Centre of Attraction), Clem
Maginness (Hard Hat Harry), Ron Peasley (Hi Hat), Les Salmon (Ever
Ready)and Mette Sorensen (Leg Over).
The brief
wasn’t (as usual with our RA) but it did tell us to expect just one back
back and several regroups – all pretty useful stuff, especially the
‘several’. The way to the On Inn was pointed out to us but we knew what
he meant and we set off at a gallop with Seis Matters leaping off along
the wrong track and most of the pack following like sheep. The slower
starters reviewed the situation and off went Little Prick with a “Don’t
follow me” straight from the car park to the downhill bit. Before we
could all go down the hill she turned off and the sheep now followed on
through the undergrowth. We looped wide around and ended up at the
bottom of the hill and the dulcet tones of Bidet announced the first
regroup. Off went Seis, off went Sony. The latter won and the pack
followed on towards the canal with enthusiastic tuneful (tuneful??)
support from the horns of Hippo and Fruit & Nut before Seis went off in
the wrong direction again and comments were passed about how good it was
to have someone to check out all the false trails for us. With Ever
Ready going off up the wrong hill, Sony went again to the fore as we
turned back into the woods before getting as far as the canal. Then
there was quite a long stretch through the trees before the next check
held us up for quite a while with the more adventurous getting further
and further away from the main pack. Eventually Hard Hat gave the ‘On’
and the pack converged on to the main track with its next regroup. Those
who knew the area were reluctant to follow Sony as he set off in the
direction of that nasty, very steep gradient. Various good advice was
given about how to tackle the steepness and roughness on the track with
comments from Little Prick about being able to enjoy a good ‘wheeee’
soon. She did eventually managed to have a good one that could be heard
from far away but having got to the bottom of the big one she obviously
had nothing left for a series of smaller ‘wheeees’ to follow. By now MR
was unfortunately at the front having stumbled upon the trail and was
quite a long way ahead. Seis soon caught up and overtook just before the
next check. While MR and Seis now checked one way, the rest, having
witnessed so many Seismic errors, felt not inclined to follow them and
went in exactly the other direction. This time it was their error. Now
MR was way ahead of the main pack and went off into the woods (and,
incidentally – uphill) searching for the now lost trail. Having got to
the top he was disturbed by Hard Hat’s distinctive cry of ‘On on’ from
somewhere below so he made a diagonal descent towards the sound only to
find that Sony had now found the correct trail back up the hill from
whence he’d just come. The trail led back to the Old Guildford Road and
soon we were home again. All back in 55 minutes, according to the RA as
he rambled on incoherently about lucky numbers. Then he awarded the
down downs: to the ‘bloody’ hares for an adequate trail, to Hi Hat for
returning and being early and to Petal for being late, the plus and the
minus. To Mountain Rescue for laying, according to ‘Wally’, the ‘trail
of the century’ for NH4 (as a matter of boredom, that had nothing
whatsoever to do with this day’s Hash!), to Seis Matters for being a
‘proper dresser’ (he’d just bought a Deepcut 300th T-shirt}
and finally to Seis Matters (again) for being a False Champion (he
checked out the majority of the false trails for the rest of us – so our
very sincere and grateful thanks to him). Then it was off to the Rose
and Thistle in Frimley Green where they served a large array of real ale
while we watched the tailback on the road build up because of the
roadworks at the Miners’ Arms. All in all, an excellent gathering.
On on |
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 301 ON
WEDNESDAY 7th OCTBER 2009
FROM SPAR CAR PARK, DEEPCUT (GR:
910577)
Hare:
Geoff Cook (Free Ryde)
Hounds:
Alan Jewell (Easy Rider), Sarah
Nagel (Petal), Derek Gray (Prime8),Tony Soane (Sony Tone),
Tony Case (Fruit & Nut), Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Paul
Duncan (Old Grouser), Sally Duncan (Ali Kat), Alan Fiddler (Out rider),
Karen Allen (Designer), Alex Lamb (Soggy Gusset), Brian Langford
(Cyclone) and Les Salmon (Ever Ready).
The whisper
quickly circulated to the more inquisitive - it was going to be an A –
B, our first one for a long time. And it was raining; the first time
we’ve had a really wet Hash for quite some time and it was Free Ryde’s
first trail laying experience and apparently laid from his bicycle. So
it was going to be one of those - too long, all along proper trails and
roads and, judging from the state of the hare’s back, MUDDY. But it
wasn’t – well it was muddy in parts but not too long, etc. The trail
took us off down The Royal Way. At the bottom of the dip, there was
quite some confusion. Soggy Gusset tried to take us the wrong way, Sony
Tone likewise in another direction and it was eventually found by
Outrider who celebrated by going just too far and off on the wrong
track. F&N’s horn told us he was now on thanks to Sony Tone and it was
up the hill to the barracks fence. Quite how Ever Ready got himself
coming out of the woods is a mystery, but not a very interesting one.
Following the fence we came to another pause of some considerable delay
while the trail was sought. Sony and Outrider led Mountain Rescue
astray but the three soon caught up again. And we cut back through the
trees to the fence once more. Now the cry from Petal went up ‘Slippery
path’ and it was and we nearly did. The fence gave some support and
soon we were at a regroup on the road leading to the back entrance to
camp. More searching ended up with a call from down the road and very
soon we were at the bottom of “That Hill” – you know, the one that just
goes up and up. Well, Soggy Gusset wasn’t going up and because he
ignored the plainly obvious trail, nobody else did either. So it was a
disappointed Hare who had laid the trail right to the top and who now
just followed the rest further down the road. Back into woods and
further down to the canal. Soggy was off again with Outrider on the far
side of the canal on to the towpath but here was no flour (apparently,
there had been but the rain had washed it away). Sony took up the rough
pedestrian trail that ran along the canal on the home side for quite
some way before getting to the next regroup. Outrider was getting
impatient and wandered off over the lock bridge to the far side while
Ali Kat and F&N looked for Dennis who’d done a runner. Soon we were all
together apart from Ali who found herself on the other side of the canal
on the towpath. This was just as well as that is where we were supposed
to be. So with Outrider and Gusset back in the front the pack spread
out along the towpath; apart, that is, from some of the older, more
experienced and perhaps wiser hounds who paused, considered and waited.
This saved them considerable energy expenditure for the trail simply
went further down one side of the canal and back through the trees on
the other to where the wise ones were waiting. Little did we realise at
this stage that the trail was near its end. Up on to the road bridge, a
little bit of searching before the On Inn was found and we congregated
at Curzon Bridge. Before rejoining the pack, the rear running F&N
decided to slip down the bank and came back to us with a liberal
covering of mud and sand (for which he did not give himself a
down-down). While on the subject of down-downs, we all stood in the
rain as the awards went to the Hare for a thoroughly enjoyable trail, to
Ali Kat for knowing all the paths in the region, Soggy Gusset for
returning after so long and blaming workload, to Easy Rider for being an
‘articulate’ (RA’s word, not mine) finder of trails and finally to Sony
Tone for being an intelligent checker (of trails) for he was caught in
the office checking the trail on the computer or something. So, that was
that and we repaired to the Pine Ridge Golf Club for some good beer and
excellent 10 out of 10 chips. Then we were joined by Cruise Control who
had to referee a footy match at Pirbright so was unable to join us any
sooner – well that was his excuse, anyway.
Gallery link
On On ‘til the
next one… |
NOTES ON DH3 RUN 300 ON
WEDNESDAY 23th SEPTEMBER 2009
FROM WELLINGTON STATUE (GR:
853511)
 
Hare:
Alan Jewell (Easy Rider)
Hounds:
‘Flash’ Gordon (Cruise Control),
Sarah Nagel (Petal), Steve Nagel (Silvier Fox), Derek Gray (Prime8),Tony
Soane (Sony Tone), Chris Farmer (Bidet), Tony Case (Fruit & Nut),
Richard McAllister (Mountain Rescue), Kim Dyos (Little Prick), Kath
Bradshaw (Twin Peaks), Sue Figgis (Centre of Attraction), Vance Allen
(Silver Jumper), Ian Angell (Hippo), Geoff Cook (Free Ryde), Paul Duncan
(Old Grouser), Sally Duncan (Ali Kat), Alan Fiddler (Out rider), Ian
Lowers (City Slicker), Clem Maginniss (Hard Hat Harry), Rik Rawcliffe
(Giant Haystack), Andy Rogers (Sky Hi), Neil Warren (Armoured Farmer),
Alex Fryatt (Toby), Tim (Hanging About) and from Royal Berks – Wally.
There was just
enough drizzle at the start to make the ink run on the record sheet.
Overcast but surprisingly warm was the weather. A worthy 300th
welcome came from the RA before an adequate brief from the hare and we
were off up the slope past the statue, down the other side, over the
road and across the playing field to cross the next road. The trail was
quickly picked up again and we were into the woods along a rough path.
Sadly this was the last we saw of recovering-from-injury Free Ryde as
the rough ground resulted in his bicycle chain leaving the main pedal
sprocket and jamming against the frame. Sony Tone passed with an
encouraging “I’m not getting my hands dirty” and that was the last we
saw of FR. Meanwhile, the pack was off into the woods in a direction
parallel to the Tweseldown Road. It was quite a fast pace and we were
kept on course by the encouraging horns of Hippo and Fruit & Nut. Those
who knew the area thought they knew where the trail was leading but
suddenly we turned back on ourselves and made for the wire surrounding
the stock car racing area. We followed the wire for a bit and came to
the first regroup. By now Silvier and Hanging About were way off down
the main track checking and, still within sight of the pack, they failed
to hear the concert calling of a dozen voices – or perhaps it was
retaliation for Bidet’s far-from-dulcet addition of “…you Tosspots!” Now
the trail went down through the trees once more, heading further into
the training area. Wally was now gesticulating and complaining that no
one was calling. There was little time for rest at the checks and soon
we were at the top of the hill (the highest point at that side of the
road) only to have to go down again and still further down. A sharp
right-hander at the bottom stopped us going on to the vehicle test track
and there we were at the next regroup – all but the two “Tosspots” who
were still not with us. We waited, we called, Sony, unseen by most of
us, wandered back at bit and uttered the cry of “Are you?” which
immediately got the “On On” response from various members of the waiting
pack only to find it was not the missing two. After about ten minutes
it was decided to move on. Wally was off on his own (well, not quite on
his own as he was being towed by his dog) but it was Toby who found the
trail across some rough ground. He soon lost the trail that was picked
up by Sony and we went on our way across the rough, open ‘heathland’ and
back into the trees. Finding ourselves on the ‘wrong’ side of the
stream most scrambled across only to find there was a major culvert just
round the bend that negated the need for such scrambling. Now, out of
the trees beyond us and coming towards us came the pair of lost souls,
safely back in the bosom of the pack for the return home that wended its
way through the trees back to the open playing field and home. Those at
the front of the pack had not realised quite how strung out the pack had
become and it was a while before all were home for the Down Downs. The
Hare got his for laying a good trail, and being the 300th,
Old Grouser got one as GM with Hard Hat accompanying him as a PGM. Sony
Tone and Mountain Rescue were awarded theirs for their responsibilities
as were Prime8 and Bidet. Wally received his for being a visitor from
Royal Berks and Centre of Attraction for producing the Birthday Cake
(and that was delicious). Petal and Silvier got theirs in an ‘ever
changing world’, the Hare got a second one because the RA was losing it,
Hanging About got his for being on his first run with Deepcut and Bidet
got a second one because it is his birthday on Friday. So, there we
have it; the 300th run over with Down Downs taking almost as
long as the run. The party repaired to the ‘Tesco Arms’ for their
well-deserved refreshments. The chips were down, gaining only a grade
of 6 that could have been re-graded higher with the second batch that
were definitely better at 7 but still not up to standard. Such a sad,
sad way to finish the 300th…
You should
see some of the pictures ...
On, on,
on,
on,
on,
on,… |
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