As we gathered for the hash, a cool breeze swept across Amersham in stark contrast to the beautiful spring sunset. Perhaps that is why many of the patriarchs of the hash chose to sit this one out (David & the blonde, Gerry and Phil not to mention Simon, Steve and Tracey). (Ed's Aside, Gerry was in Scotland on Holiday) Regardless, we were happy to welcome back Mary from last week and Anthony from last October. Anthony wasted little time before he and Mike could be overheard explaining to Marta, “It’s not the number of bulbs that matters, but rather the skill employed when using it” and “it’s not the size, but the power it puts out.” Welcome back Anthony!
The hare finally gathered us together at 7:50 and while waxing prosaic, Jo arrives nearly running him over – proving it’s dangerous saving a spot for hashers. Ade continues to explain that the long run tonight will be a relatively flat 5.5 miles. As for the short, apparently a choice needed to be made between having breakfast and setting the short … needless to say only one route was set. Ade redeemed himself by telling the SCB’s that there would be an out around 2.1 miles allowing them to get home with near a 3 mile run (the last bit unmarked).
Finally, we were set loose in the direction out of the old town. Two checks later (including a very long explanation concerning the dangers of the road ahead) and we were crossing the 413 leading to the Shardeloes jumping course and the first on back. “Good evening Mike.”
Just after crossing the cricket grounds (which some of the hashers decided to run straight through) Jo noticed Roger carrying the flour for marking the way. As Roger tried to explain that he wasn’t the hare for the evening, Jo surmised his real purpose on the hash: “So you’re Ade’s bi*ch.”
Two more on backs later – “Good evening Mike” – and we turned a check into a regroup. Eventually the group was able to convince Ade there was a run taking place this evening and we were off again over the water and up the hill passing a pair of England’s finest along the way. Why these constables were sitting in an idling car on a track blocked by four workmen and their truck is a mystery.
It was across the 413 again and up the hill towards the train tracks. A check just before the tracks leads to another regroup. Several minutes later and we were off through the woods (Roger pointed out that these woods use to be a hot spot for young men to meet for sexual encounters … TMI). One official on back later – “Good evening Mike” – (and one unofficial one which Helen and Sam enjoyed) and we cleared the woods to find a check where the long/short split would be if breakfast didn’t interfere with setting the hash this morning. Discussing things just long enough for the lactic acid in our legs to form throngs of pain for all of us who only run on Tuesday nights, we bid the shorts farewell and head left and onto a false trail.
Ade belittles our hashing skills as he calls us back setting us straight on the proper direction. We do find the next trail leading us into the woods and across the tracks just in time to encounter our first train of the evening. We regroup again in the woods allowing Maggie the chance to catch her breath after apparently taking a bit of a tumble … it wouldn’t be a Moose run unless somebody went down (never mind Maggie, Helen didn’t want you to be the only one going down tonight as she later enjoyed a stealth fall in the woods). Two checks later and Helen finds a short cut on right before Sam finds the proper marking straight on. Everyone, save Sam, takes the short cut and we are off through more woods and out towards a neighbourhood.
Through the neighbourhood we go until a check leads us to the tracks once again. As the call is made from the other side another train passes by. Down the hill we go towards the Amersham soccer pitch with lights blazing strong enough Dick was seeing triple. On left we go into the old town where the hash was meant to lead to an ON INN. Instead, Mary (our virgin hasher from last week) asked for more and a quorum of longs headed down the other side of the stream and behind the old town high street until we found our way clear and back to the pub.
Other than the lack of chairs (and chips) the pub was inviting and the ales were delicious as usual. Thanks for the run Ade!