A good crowd assembled on this fine Tuesday evening at the pay car park in Bourne End. Is this Ade's 12 annual Bounty run now? The group included two second timers, who enjoyed last week's run so decided to return --- Betty Ann and Nicola, plus two “first timers”, Nicola's friend and Jamie, who had hashed once 10 years ago. Ade also brought a friend - a first time lady hasher. It'll be hard for Jaime to get a 100 runs T shirt at that rate. Welcome back to long lost hasher Rory.
Ade gave us a new rule --the first 3 to every check should do an on back.
The pack made it to the first check and checked it out. On-on was called over the bridge, and off we went. Before too long we were called back by the hare, who fortunately has a loud voice, or disaster could have ensued. Apparently we were following the wrong marks so we went back over the bridge and started following the flour in the correct direction.
We went through some fields and other usual hash type territory. As promised by the hare, no big hills, for the shorts at least. Where was the deep water we remember from last year? No deep wading, or gentlemen carrying ladies over the water this time.
We reached Cookham, and entertained diners as we followed an official footpath through the outdoor dining area of a restaurant. Some runners were tempted by the smell of good food.
Cassie and Lexie were up to their usual sparring.
On-on to the large green at the end of Cookham high street. Not too long after that was the long/short split. The longs (surprise) went up a steep hill, and ran along a field at the top. We got to a check, which looked down on some young campers. Duke of Edinburgh award participants?
Not likely! We're informed that the 16 year old daughter of one of our hashers was in that group, and that before leaving home she had raided her parents' liquor cabinet. Was the trail going to run past them, so the young lady might be embarrassed as people of her father's generation shouted 'Hi' to her? No, the trail veered right down the hill, and not right through the tents, one of which was erected right on a footpath.
We went downhill, back to the river, passing vacation homes of the wealthy, which hashers conjectured might no longer be covered by flood insurance.
On to the Bounty, in time to see the walkers already seated, and the short cutters already changed and arriving at the pub. On on another third of a mile to the cars to change, and then to retrace our steps to the pub. Then after a pleasant time at the pub, on back again to the car park.
No repeat of last year's excitement when Ade had to rescue Jilly from rising flood waters and we had to abandon the idea of going to the Bounty and use a different pub.
Nice weather and a good run.