Tuesday 30th December 2003

The last run of 2003. It's been a good hashing year with lots of new faces joining the old (although some have been missing and some are off to hashes new.) and what better place to finish than at the Harrington Arms at Gawesworth. This has always been a hash favourite back to the days when the beer was brought from the cellar in enamel jugs.

The trail tonight was set by Colin B and Adrian L and the night was frosty and clear. The Lymm bus was much diminished by the absence with injury of Martin, Brooke in OZ and John somewhere. As a result Bambi picked up, I navigated us perfectly ( there has to be a first time) and we arrived at the pub at the ungodly hour of 7:38. It was good to see Bridget braving the trail again at her local hostelry and a useful number of hashers were present ( 25-30). Off we went into the night and out along the main road for a couple of checks to warm us up before hitting the lanes and footpaths. It was not too wet but was somewhat crunchy underfoot. It was a night where I kept getting it wromg and as the checks were a long way out I did a lot more running than usual to get back on the back of the trail. A good brisk trail was had by all and many jugs of Robinsons were consumed in pleasant company.

Tuesday 23rd December 2003

A bit late on the reporting front for this trail due to Christmas. The trail was set by the lovely Mike and Pam from their old cottage in the environs of Pickmere with a request that red was worn for seasonal effect.. Just for a change the Lymm bus was a little late in the approach to Christmas. Maggie had hoped to walk off with Allan but the late arrival scuppered this for her. Martin gallopped off after the pack as we arrived and Jane, who is about to depart the Cheshire ways for the soft southern climes of Milton Keynes ( there is a hash but may tend to be 'traditional'., You had better practice running and drinking at the same time,Bambi) had a bit of a cough and struggled into pursuit. By the time I had found my torch I had to do a bit of legging to get onto the back of the pack. At this point I met Martin coming back to us as he had tugged his hamstring again and thought it best to get back and apply alcohol internally to bring down the swelling. This was a shame as with the amount of water about the mudpuppy would have enjoyed himself with his favourite trick of running straight through with as much splash as possible. He may be out for a couple of weeks. There were extra in the pack this week due to Chrismas visitors and the young Eden .. Louise.. was running along looking relaxed and comfortable..

There was a stop on the way round for a surprise visit to Santa's Grotto. Although the presents in the hedge were well marked Mr Lever managed to run past them all without noticing. The pressies were a selection of socks and lacy undergarments, The latter were worn over clothes and on heads as trophies for the rest of the evening. The trail eventually brought us to the edge of Pickmere where hot mulled wine was awaiting the the jolly mud botherers and after a trip round the lights of Pickmere we headed back for alcohol, hot soup and snacks at the Eden abode. Excellent trail and scoff and Maggie volunteered to drive home.

The Garden of Eden – 23.12.03    By Allan J

T’was the Tuesday before Xmas, & the Hash were invited to start, & (surprisingly) finish at Pam & Mike’s house in Pickmere.  The prospect of Hash footprints over their newly decorated abode must have cast doubts on their seasonal generosity.  They even promised food as well as ale to all the survivors.  It seems the season of over indulgence & flatulence is truly upon us.   

Instead of a walking party of 1, there were 3!  Ken’s brother was on a holiday break from his job in Scotland.  His main sporting pastime turned out to be hill walking!  The other walker was Roger Barnes, who first hashed in June 1983, but who like me can no longer run.  But Hashers, can he walk!  His natural pace must be at least 1 mph faster than me.  That doesn’t sound much, but I reckon I do about 3 mph, so an extra 1 is a third quicker!   

I was completely b**********d by 21.00, although Ken’s brother was perfectly content.  I then found out that it is Roger’s custom & practice, to rise with the sun, & regularly walk the interior perimeter of Tatton Park before Corn Flakes!  I knew he regularly organises a walking weekend in February, & currently has sufficient numbers to fill a small hotel in Llangollen.   I shall think very carefully about his kind invitation to participate, although I understand there are suitable walks for the sick & weedy, as well as for the enthusiasts.

  Inside afterwards I came across a smiling but non-perspiring Mr Hack.  Apparently, he’s had an early puncture, & had returned to base with the firm intent not to let this infirmity ruin a non-driving evening.  When last spotted he looked well on his way to his objective. 

  Then Ken & I had a discussion on beams.  Yes, that is beams.  The Eden’s house is not a standard 4-bedroom McAlpine box.  It seems to have been built in the 17th/18th centuries (?), & is held up by baulks of timber that Ken feels may have seem active naval service at that time.  Apparently, when boats were scrapped at that time, they often got dismantled & the second hand bits used for property construction.  Anyone interested in a 1975 Royal Navy submarine reactor to supplement their Potterton boiler?

  Then Karen & I had a discussion on spelling.  She queried the quality of my prose on the website.  I was delighted!  Here was proof than someone actually reads all the Hash scribes ramblings.  I assured her that my technological incompetence doesn’t quite stretch to not knowing where the spell check is.  However, my advancing senility doesn’t quite mean I always remember to use it!   One odd thing about the reports is, that when they get on the website, there aren’t any paragraphs.   Any ideas Webmeister?                

Tuesday 16th December 2003

The last trail of the year from the two Davids L & T was from the Carriers at Hatchmere. They pointed out that it was very wet the day they set it so if we met any water it must be less than they had experienced. The night was another Hash Tuesday special. Moon up Not many clouds, bit of a stiff breeze but a fine evening for plodging. The trail took us across the road and into the byways and woody bits. A quietish pack again, though the Knusford and Mobberley contigents were a little late in arriving. The trail was relatively clean and very enjoyable and fun. The three pints of Witches Brew helped dim a few more memory cells

Allans Rep....The Carriers (Again!) – 16.12.03  

Once more the pack descended on that gateway to Delamere Forest, the Carriers at Hatchmere.  Once more the pilots were the two Daves.  Once more the pack faced the prospect of the stygian gloom of the Forest on a moonless winter night, with its normal high enthusiasm.    “Well, at least it isn’t raining”.  “Bollocks, I forgot to recharge my torch!”  “ Please don’t let it be a flour trail!” These were just a few of the more optimistic comments heard in the car park before Messrs Taylor & Lever launched the Hash on its customary 10 minute late start.   Apparently, joy was quite unconfined when they realised that the route was 180 degrees away from the wood.  The route had a numerous twists & turns, so the walking party (me) was able to confront the pack on 4 separate occasions.  Excellent!  Twice I was going their way, & twice the other.  Perhaps this sowed a few seeds of navigational doubt.  I do hope so, but I don’t think so, as the trail laying Mr Taylor is so fast he seems to be the second or third arriving at each check, having made sure no one got lost off the back of the pack at the previous one!   Just when the pack had almost forgotten about the Forest the trail veered off to the left out of Norley, the majority unaware that the only way back to the bar from there, is through the eastern edge of the wood.  Whether Mr Rose realised that fact or not I don’t know, but he made a management decision to walk back on the black top with me.  A pleasant stroll & chat brought us to the car park at 21.05.  Within 90 seconds a West Highland Terrier skittered past us to the bottom car park dragging a steaming Mr Fishburne in its fur stream.   Within another 2 minutes the entire pack is home.    So a good run, only 5 ¼ miles, the worst excesses of the Forest avoided & the prospect of beer consumption before 21.15, leads to genuine enthusiasm being shown.   Mr Ellis was so enthused, he even managed to talk the landlady into selling pints of (something I’d never heard of), at £2 a pop rather than £2.05, on the grounds it would make her addition easier.     P.S.  Will the Hash beer consumption plummet if Martin or Mike ever stop running, as there will be no one left to buy the second round!

Tuesday 9th December 2003

A first CH3 trail set tonight by Clive over at Marple. A little worrying on leaving home as the fog was settling in but over in Marple the night was clear and calm with an almost full moon giving excellent visibility. The Pack was in the mid to high 20s with some missing with the most flimsy excuses ( Going to Bradford eh Bambi?). They missed an excellent trail well marked with chalk and tissue and with flour in places where the trail may have proven difficult to find. This was probably to the good as I overheard Karen telling Ken that her hockey skirt and herself had parted company in a match at the weekend. He was lost in a reverie of thought and took about 5 minutes to get back into focus. The words 'Navy blue' were heard to pass his lips.

The route proved to be reasonably tough with a fair bit of 'Up' and great use of the canals and rivers in the area Then back through the woods to link up to the start and into the Hare and Hounds for some Hydes... Brian B appearing slightly behind the others as he went wrong at the second last check. A good sweeping assist by Mrs and Master P for the second half of the trail was unexpectly rewarded for them by it being Dr Robs birthday and he brought and distributed pieces of Bob the Builder Cake

Allans Rep

  Marple is quite some way from the centre of Cheshire Hash operations, & my transport almost didn’t get there on time.  We didn’t have any navigational dysfunction, but a certain degree of mental aberration.  God had provided some isolated fog banks in the countryside for us on leaving Knutsford, so when we came upon a queue for the M56, we naturally decided to leave the safely of main roads & head across country around the side of Rostherne Mere!   Now any half competent meteorologist will tell you fog & lakes have an affinity for each other, so our pilot, that well known Rostherne Mere bird watcher Mr Ellis, suddenly found himself in his favourite feathered friend country unable to even locate the end of his bonnet.  The On Sec suggested the navigator (me) get out and walk in front to guide the pilot.  The navigator suggested the On Sec carry out her own suggestions herself.  The pilot suggested the 2 of us desist from bickering & allow him to try & preserve his No claim Bonus.    Eventually, we just succeed in our objective of arriving before the pack left.   A quick scout of Clive’s map shows he’s designed a circuit of Romiley.  This isn’t the flattest part of Cheshire, but as the pub is next to the River Goyt, there’s bound to be a downhill finish.  As the route was virtually a circle my walking effort seemed best served by a straight-line route out & back to a canal, which was part of the last 2 miles of the trail.  The trick was to decide when to turn round.  Too soon, & I’m back to the pub early, too late & the pack runs by me, & I miss the first round.       Whilst struggling up through a wood on the way out, I came across piles of very fresh flour.  I suspect the trail layer had been freshening his trail earlier in the day!  A few hundred yards later on I checked the hands of my watch to gauge progress, to discover its 6.45!  The buggers stopped!  This piece of Taiwanese ingenuity does have a digital panel, so eventually my progress could be monitored, but only after nearly dropping my torch into the canal, whilst trying to extract my reading glasses from under a Helly Hansen, a fleece & other bits & pieces.   I don’t know what the name of this piece of Victorian canal engineering is, but the damned thing crawls along the side of the Goyt Valley, but ¾ of the way up its 1 in 2 side!   They don’t build ‘em like that any more. They don’t build ‘em at all any more.   Anyway, eventually the pack started to go past me on the flat before the pub, but boy were they strung out.  I think there were only 2 or 3 checks in the last mile or so.  Still, once Brian resolved his problems with the last check, all were safely gathered in, & given the surprise of a Bob the Builder birthday cake from Dr Rob.  He stated that it was a Hash tradition that anyone running on their birthday brought cake.  The general response was that it was a Hash tradition for Rob to bring cake on his birthday, & who were they to go against Hash tradition.

Tuesday 2nd December 2003

Tonight saw close to a hash record. 44 hashers and 3 dogs on a slightly damp evening at the Legh Arms at Knutsford. Simon P had set and took us through many convolutions without leaving Knutsfrod until we set off up a farm track and then out into the mud. At one point we entered a wood and everyone came to a standstill in the middle of some brambles. We were aboout to ask the trees the way out , but fortunately someone spotted the small bridge and we were away on a spell with notalotofchecks (TM). A Bit more squelch and we appeared at the Dun Cow to the East of Knutsford. The next step involved legging it back towards Toft and then into the woods and finally back to the Legh Arms to give the landlord the instruction '20 pints of bitter please, and then some more bitter as well.' Thanks Simon. I now have another pair of fetching 'hash brown' socks as that is the colour they all end up before falling apart.

Tuesday 25th November 2003

This Report from David T.

Hash - Grappenhall Community Centre Another generously sized turnout for Max, Maggie and Jane's generously sized run. Early on in the trail there were a few attempts by various parts of the pack to investigate parts of the Ship Canal and pieces of Atlantic Way which were not on the actual route, but generally the pack was held firmly under control until 9 o'clock approached.
Normally around 9 o'clock, several of the regulars are known to start ostentatiously checking watches, devising short cuts to the pub and politely informing the hares that closing time is approaching. There was therefore some consternation when, with the majority of the Hash feeling they had run a good six miles, the chosen route ran within 50 yards of the club, but then turned away. At this point a couple of runners realised they had pressing engagements which demanded an immediate return to the car park. This was compounded when the next check also turned away from our final destination and furthermore involved running uphill again. Those familiar with Grappenhall and Appleton, which is where we appeared to be going, also began to fret that unless a new bridge had been constructed recently, the only route back over the canal was some distance away. The final loop, although longer than hoped for, did turn out to be shorter than feared as it returned to the recently crossed bridge. The trail finished with a brisk downhill run (always good) in time to catch last orders (just). Thanks to the trail layers.
Later reports suggest that Rod Fishburne turned up a little after 8.00pm after the pack had departed from the car park and the only activity that he could find to join in with was the line dancing class in the Club. I've never seen Rod as an urban cowboy type, but hopefully he enjoyed it, didn't feel too out of place in sweatshirt, tracksters and Nikes and will be able to pass on a few nifty moves to the rest of us in time for the Hash Dinner.

Tuesday 18th November 2003

Tonights trail was set last week by the intrepid travellers, Nick and Heather, on their return from the Himalaya. As a tribute it was from the car park in the shopping centre in Alderley Edge.. a portent for going up the Edge perhaps? Loins were girded and 36 with 4 dogs progressed in an across and upward direction until we reached the foothills. The keen hashers anticipated the next move and checked uphill.
They checked almost to the top.
Unfortunately for them it was around the bottom.
So after some wailing of 'not fair' they came down again and followed the trail. Up we went again.. 'Surely it is up now' they thought. Wrong. N & H wrong footed all by now running away from the Edge and off into the countryside where Jean found out why hashers always wear brown socks..Because they used to be white..However a run through a park at the end and back to the car park on another dry mild night and a rapid troll to the Stag at Warford for beer. The Black Sheep was OK but the Boddies was, in my opinion, bordering on the undrinkable. It seems to have got tinnier and tinnier as time has gone by. Good trail Good pub...

TOP

Tuesday 11th November 2003

This trail was provided by David T ( with David L) from the Plough at Whitegates. David promised a wet run and he was not right. Although it threatened with rain the ground was firm underfoot.. there were a few damp patches with some mud and some big puddles but otherwise it was a brisk trailto the usual high standards. ( In other words I checked once or twice, got some right and some wrong.. did not get lost and finished approximately at the same time as everyone else.) The getting lost did not apply to everyone however. At some point Poger P became separated from his trusty hash-hound Boswell and so went looking for him. No sign of Roger P so Brian went looking. Boswell came back and continued hashing as usual with great enjoyment. Roger T went looking for Roger P and Brian... Roger T and Brian came back together. At the pub we met Roger P who had heard us shouting but couldn't quite get bearings on us. Unfortunately I was driving so drinking was restricted in the excellent pub that is the plough.

4th November. Egerton Arms, Chelford. Hare - Rob Stephenson. un report de Ken Craig

Into November now but another clear, warm, dry night attracted a massive 38 strong pack aided by 7 dogs. 38 runners! and that without several absent regulars. Over a beer afterwards Dave T and I quickly reeled off a dozen names that would have seen us reach 50. Still, a Rob special should scare a few of them away, but no, this was an excellent run. Well paced, over a variety of paths, fields and lanes keeping the pack intact. The flat terrain can make you lose your bearings but we soon emerged at the David Lewis Centre and passed that Hash favourite The Stags at Warford. At one point we passed through a horsey farm with an enclosure of Showjumps. I'm not sure if we were supposed to jump over these but I took a 3 point penalty and refused. Nick and Heather were among the afore-mentioned absentees so we didn't get the traditional 'past-sell-by-date' pyrotechnics. Maybe we'll get a broadside next week at the Plough. A kilometre run-in and into the scrum at the bar. The Egerton Arms is good pub often hashed, but once again I preferred it before the interior designers were let loose. Ken Craig

M. Allan Jones ecrit....

  I couldn’t rouse my ravaged body for last weeks Lever/Taylor trundle from Tarporley.  I’ve lost the old “Hash whatever the weather” enthusiasm!  The forecast conclusion, that God would have his sprinkler on was quite sufficient for me to cuddle up to the central heating!   So on to the Egerton Arms, to discover good Dr Stephenson was in charge.   In my running days, Hashes led by this intrepid medic rarely lacked incident, excitement and most often length!  However, a quick glance at his map showed a suspiciously truncated looking route.  Indeed, as I ambled back into the car park at 21.20, I discovered Messrs. Moorhouse, Humphreys & Arthur in street clothes!  They’d been back 10 minutes, and on entering the pub, seemed disconcerted to be the first at the bar.   This position is almost invariably filled by Tony Ellis, who can usually be relied upon to prevail on the barstaff to produce 10 pints of something suitable.  Our medical trio found a somewhat officious bar maid completely unmoved by their request for such a gargantuan order, until she saw the appropriate paunches to fill, or pounds to pay.  Perhaps she expected these stalwart Hashers to swiftly down over 3 pints each & check off into the night without paying.    In fact, I don’t think she had a good night!  She had trouble when a barrel ran out, got stood on by another member of staff who didn’t check his rear view mirror when turning to get peanuts from the bar, & finally slipped & deposited a couple of Pilkington’s finest on the floor.  Her subsequent comments may not have been learned at the local convent school!  

Tuesday 28th October 2003

I went out with the TallyHo on Saturday for an 8 mile trundle across the moors at Tockholes near Darwen. The weather was variable ( some sun, some rain, some sideways wind and at one point Icy sleet. The terrain was not too bad.. not too sodden and a strong use of green lanes for the first part of the loop towards Winter Hill. There were about 22 of them out and they kindly looked after me. Unfortunately I crocked my hip about 3/4 of the way round and as it was still troubling me I gave the hash a miss this week. However the senior hare has sent his own report..

Report from the Hare David L

It was raining and only a hardcore of non whimps were there. As I sat in the car park at 19.45 I thought that I would be on my own but as I stepped  out a surprising number of Hashers suddenly emerged hesitantly from their shelters. The route was a good 10k and more than 30 checks - set as usual in tissue paper and chalk with markers on the right except when they were on the left. My usual conspirator in Hash setting, David Taylor was returning from a long weekend in Barcelona and wouldn't be back in time - he doesn't normally let that stop him! Therefore Mike Murray kindly agreed to act as back marker despite the injury that had prevented him setting the trail on Sunday and so he was relying on his map reading. There were no check backs or false on ons and the Hash moved on quite quickly - no one wanted to hang around in the rain.  I had run the trail in 45 minutes, so I thought it would be OK for a Hash. However, as it was raining and a few of the Hashers were stiff after their weekend exertions, I decided (after taking advice from Mr Murray) to miss out the final loop.   It rained throughout the run and more importantly it rained whilst we were changing in the car park. One day someone should video the antics of the Hashers trying to change and keep dry at the end of the run (if we were able to see ourselves as others would see us we just wouldn't do it).   Unfortunately, I took the Hash into the wrong field after the second check -  disorientated in the dark; but quickly recovered ignoring the encouraging comments from the pack and we didn't go wrong again. I shouldn't have had a problem - I've run the trail several times but everything feels different in the dark. We didn't stray too far from the village of Tarporley at any time but I managed to keep the Hashers guessing for most of the time. The participants seemed to have enjoyed the run - at least that is what they told me!!

Tuesday 21st October 2003

The trail tonight was by Steve who wanted to show CH3 an example of how hashes elsewhere mark and follow with a flour trail through Delamere. From the start the body of the hash was a little nervous of the trail style.. If there is no flour then you are off trail...simple eh. .Well... If there is flour then you may be off trail as it could involve a checkback or just a false trail back to the last checkpoint. If there is a flour circle then it is a checkpoint with the corollary that if there is no flour circle it is not a checkpoint even if there is a big footpath sign ( this could be on with a checkback though. Gradually the hash got to grips with the trail which was thoroughly marked with many kilo of flour, not a lot of chance of getting lost ( or starving). Some of the quicker hashers got to grips very well and finished at a rate of knots.. but all got back. The back was well marshalled by Steve and the well thought out trail provided a lot of interest and comment from the pack. See below for Allans rep.

The Carriers or Dog eats Trail – 21.10.03 By Allan J

Last week Sarah laid her first trail from The Fox at Elworth.  I’m told it was an excellent trail.  Apparently, she had clearly decided to minimise the chances of that favourite Hashing ailment, navigational dysfunction, by laying enormous bow ties of peach loo paper.  She also found a pub where the landlord produced butties & chips at no cost to the Hash.  With this unexpected high standard of trail laying, one or two runners wondered if she could prevailed upon to lay trails every week.
At The Carriers, Steve laid his first CH3 trail.  Apparently, Steve is a veteran of overseas Hashes, which are usually somewhat different in their ways to the Cheshire.  Before the starting gun, Steve gathered the pack around him in the car park to explain the evenings’ new rules.   
Rule 1 – No paper.
Rule 2 – No chalk.
Rule 3 – Loads of flour!
Rule 4 – A new set of markers to use on the trail.  
He explained what the 0, T, V & CB7 markers all meant, then handed out small crib sheets for those of a nervous disposition.  I think there was a little anxiety from some Hashers at the thought of the inevitable trip into the disorientating inky wasteland that is Delamere Forest at night, without the comfort of a roll of Andrex to guide them back to the Lounge Bar.    Anyway, new rules absorbed, the pack departed.  Inevitably, the wrong way! 
Now, I’m OK walking at night in the countryside, but not in woodland, so when the pack went right, I went left.  A pleasant hour & a quarter later, I ambled back to the pub, to discover Messrs. Lever & Ellis in lonely splendour.  They quickly confessed to having made a management decision at 8.30, to leave the flour followers, & have a “good run” on their own.  I suspect they had gone right, when the pack went left!    30 seconds later Dave Taylor arrived at speed, immediately followed by a galloping Dr Stephenson.  Both had clearly been running very hard.  Another 30 seconds, & Dr Arthur, Kev “Keys” & his whippet thin son careered into the Carriers car park.  Within 2 minutes of my ponderous arrival, about 10 Hashers had arrived, steaming like parading Grand National finishers.  The story was that they had actually found all the flour, and simply hurtled away from the pack.  An astute Mr Lever pointed out that this exalted little gathering contained all the hard core checkers, so the rest of the pack might be some time!  “Excellent”, said Mr Ellis with the true concern of the hardened Hasher, “No crush at the bar!”   He was right, the last of the pack were 15 minutes behind the leaders. 
However, Tony’s early appearance at the bar was not all good news.  He swiftly downed half a pint of Burtonwood, and then commented it wasn’t really to his taste. Simon sipped his brew and pronounced it “Rank!”   A quick survey of the early finishers confirmed that Burtonwood Brewery had seemingly decided to branch out into vinegar production. 
An obliging landlady did a quick Paul Daniels, vanishing into the cellar, & doing whatever it is barmen do amongst the barrels & pipes to turn vinegar back into into bitter.  
To close on the culinary theme, when Dave Arthur finished changing, he looked round to gather up mans best friend into the car, to discover Luinga happily working her way through the V of the 0, T, V etc of the sample trail Steve had created earlier.  I’d never have thought of feeding Labradors flour!        

Tuesday 14th October 2003

Another Virgin trail, this time from Sarah T with the assistance of the lads Dan and Mike. We travelled down to Elworth, near Sandbach. Thankfully I had passengers who convinced me that this did not mean stopping in Middlewich which meant that we arrive on time. There was alternative parking at the cricket club as another good turnout was produced on this slightly cloudy but bright and breezy night. She led us off down the side of the pub and away across several road checks and then off road.. There were plenty of checks to keep us busy on this excellent trail with a couple of effective loops back through previous checks. The usual touch of nervousness of a first time hare showed in several checks but you eventually realise that what seems to be an age to you is only a few moments to the lost pack. The trail seemed to find a lot of corn fields and plenty of canal. Ther was even an added bonus at the Fox in that they had laid on sandwiches and CHIPS and Martin was again not there to savour them and John M ( my chipshop buddy) had gone early and not come into the pub. Quelle Tristesse or summat.

Tuesday 7th October 2003

A virgin trail from Ian and Gian was set from the Carden Arms at Tilston south of Chester. The night before had been strong winds and heavy rain. The morning had seen rain. The evening started with a little rain. The trail itself was run in clear sky conditions with a near full moon and no wind. This was pretty new territory for most of the hash.. especially in the dark. But fear was not needed. The hash set off late ( about 8) as a couple of cars had not arrived as expected. We then got under way on a 6 ( according to Ian) mile trail across interesting paths, under tunnels of trees, past cattle and bulls and nearly through a ford. At one point Jane suddenly stopped and began knocking on a window. It turned out to be one of her friends's house and they were somewhat surprised to see her out in her togs. The trail ran in late at about 9:40 but it was nonetheless an enjoyable trail followed by a couple of pints in a pleasant pub.

Hash Weekend – 04.10.03   un ouvre de Allan Jones

Some Piccies

After the confusion & mayhem of the Salt Barge trail, a group of Cheshire Hashers invaded the wilds of Lincolnshire to carry out the annual ritual of the Hash Weekend Away.  This was the one that was actually booked early in 2002, owing to some confusion between the organiser & the hotel about what was a provisional booking & what was simply an enquiry.   
Stoke Rochford Hall turned out to be an early Victorian pseudo Gothic pile, built for a local landowner on the site of an earlier Georgian house that he seems to have got fed up with.  It was adequate for Hash needs, although it would have been nice if the swimming pool wasn’t 500 yards away from the main building!  
I had promised Mike Murray (said Organiser) and Heather (she who is best obeyed), that I would produce a walk from the Hall on Saturday afternoon, for any non runners.  When we arrived, it occurred to me that perhaps the walkers could use part of the Hash trail Heather & the foot soldier had produced for the Hash proper. 
A quick scout at her map showed this was a runner.  So 7 of us walked part of the Hash trail.  It worked very well, because it gave the walkers a feel for what their running partners/parents actually do on wild winter Tuesday evenings.  We were able to follow the trail for much of the walk, so the non runners could see the markers.  One or two had to be dissuaded from moving them to give their partners a more “interesting” run!   
The evening meal was in the Catacombs!  Basically an underground restaurant.  The food was fine, but having the first course promptly at 19.30, & then speedily whipped away to be rapidly replaced by courses 2, 3 & 4, meant we were all finished by 21.00!  A bit early for my taste.  Mr Ellis had me in the bar at 18.30, so the alcohol gauge was already rising rapidly before the soup of the day arrived.   
However, the early start produced a, “I’ve had a stroke of inspiration!” from Nick.  “He doesn’t do that very often”, said his wife.  The inspiration was to get Tony Higgins to include the walkers in Tony’s “hare of the dog” orienteering trail on Sunday morning.    So 2 runners and 1 walker were included in each team.  It was an excellent idea because it meant that everyone could join in.  I’ve often felt that the non runners who turn up on this jaunt must find it a bore with nothing much to do, and a strain not knowing who anybody is.  A belting inspiration Nick!  This must be repeated, & advertised to Hashers who currently don’t attend.
Sunday morning produced frost, but also a cloudless blue sky & a brisk breeze.  Ideal conditions for Tony’s Wayfaring trail.  After last Tuesday’s motoring odyssey, I thought Karen showed true bravery, by trusting me with her car keys.  Particularly as her car is a BMW!    

Tuesday 30th September 2003

From the Salt Barge at Marston. It was a good evening. There were three hares. There were 29 other hashers and two who turned up late and missed the trail. It would be quite possible to get 32 different hash reports from this trail. We set of well :- running back through the pub yard to run up a trail. from this point the trails experienced began to differ. At the second check from the canal some people ran on. Some went into the fields followed by the hares. Some ren around on a yo-yo run trying to get out again. We then hashed our way through thickets of nettles and Ivy to get back to the canal. Kevan and El at this point missed their youngest. Off went Kev on a search. We meandered though various trails and eventually ran across what appeared to be the building site for Northwich international airport runway2. Then Heather and I checked.. found an on-on and then found ourselves alone. we came back along the canal to the salt works and in. It was a mini adventure and it was quite fun. ( but then this is Max talking.)

The Salt Barge 30.09.03 – “A night to remember!” or the mystery of Kev’s keys.  By Allan

In my Hashing career, there have been the odd Hashes that have been outstandingly memorable.  Nick  firing off a time expired distress flare on a Bonfire night Hash being one.  At the time he hadn’t realised that he & the pack were within ½ mile of the end of Manchester Airport’s first runway & right on the centre line of said tarmac!  Fortunately, air traffic is light at 20.30.  

There is a new entry for this list, the Salt Barge Hash.  The evening started with Peter Rose calling the pack together for instructions.  Nothing-new there.  About half paid any attention.  Still nothing new there.  What was different was his Neville Chamberlain impression. He waved a piece of paper in the air, and explained that this was a disclaimer he’d prepared to absolve him & his two trail laying cohorts, Messrs Higgins &  Burgess, of any liability for loss, injury, damage etc.  How we all laughed!  

The Hash started, & chaos ensued!  At the second check about 12 Hashers incorrectly disappeared down the Trent & Mersey canal.  They weren’t helped by me completely misreading the map I’d been given, & assuring them, that straight down the tow path was correct.  Oops!    The correct trail was left off the tow path rejoining it after a couple of hundred yards. The group in front, although wrong, were probably very fortunate, as the correct route apparently involved nettles of tropical proportions, covering ankle threatening loose rubble, all judiciously placed across the route that the trail layers insisted was correct.  As they had had to battle with these conditions while trail laying, they weren’t going to let the pack escape.    However, they did! 

Somehow, this already depleted Hash appears to have split into at least 2 more groups, whilst battling with the mega foliage & the shattered remains of Northwich’s industrial heritage.  There was also a splinter twosome of Kev & a first time ex-pat hasher, of whom more later.    Somehow each group acquired a trail layer.   There was much cursing, audible to this lone walker hundreds of yards away.  Enthusiastic cries of “ ON ON”, were often followed by a mighty “Wrong!” and “On BACK”.   Clearly confusion reigned.   After 40 minutes of this mayhem, I was ambling back down my chosen route, when the group that had initially vanished up the canal appeared. 

They were retracing the route they had already run, having somehow acquired Mr Higgins, who was showing no mercy & insisting they return to the proper trail.  Remarkable good humour was being shown.     2 minutes later a second group plunged onto the road.  Dave Arthur was not displaying good humour.  He was unhappy about the nettles, unhappy about the rubble & very unhappy about being called back after he’d found 2 markers.  He was making his views known to Brian Burgess who was this group’s guiding light.  I learned early on in my Hashing career that there is no more chance of getting a trail layer to change their mind, than a footballer has in getting a referee to agree he didn’t kick that other player.    Neither of them ever change their minds!   

5 minutes later I came across Kev & his ex-pat colleague.  Kev was very anxious.  He knew where he was, but not where his 12 year old son was!  So Peter’s worry about liability for “loss” was coming true.  We pored over our maps for a minute or two to confirm exactly where Kev was in relation to the trail, then he & his Antipodean friend set off to try & locate his son & the Hash.    After that I spent a peaceful 30 minutes trundling back to the pub.  No sign of the pack of course.  About 21.20, perhaps a dozen of the speedier Hashers arrived.  Another 15 minutes elapsed before all were safely accounted for.  Apparently, the speedsters having survived the security guards on the building site that is Ashtons Flash, worked out they were close to the pub, & set off home.  The unlucky ones who didn’t hit the road before the trail layers did, were firmly guided away from the pub to finish the last 3 checks!    Apart from Dave Arthur limping as he came in, all seemed well.  He had apparently done a forward running double twist with pike over the front of a JCB, fortunately only winding himself, so Peter’s “injury” indemnity wasn’t needed.   

Kev had recovered his lost son, but apparently couldn’t find his car keys.  As I ambled by into the pub, he and about a dozen Hashers were down on their hands & knees meticulously examining the tarmac & the underside of Kev’s Beemer, in whatproved a fruitless search for the keys.  A frustrated stray boot was launched at a front wheel.  Maybe Peter’s “damage” exclusion would apply after all!     In the pub, there was some concern over Kev, his son & the stranded BMW.  But nothing that a couple of pints of Burtonwood didn’t rapidly dissipate. 

A pleasant evening ensued, & someone heard that Kev had got a lift home, & rescued his car with the spare keys, so all was well.   Just as I was leaving Peter Rose showed me a copy of his disclaimer that amazingly 3 Hashers had signed.  He had jokingly asked for name & address & also asked Hashers to state whether they were, “Idiot or Right Idiot or complete moron”.  The troika who signed up rightly ignored Peter’s suggestions, but produced the following alternatives of their own, “ Complete Moron”, “Numbskull” and “Total Idiot (First Class Honours)”.  The names will be kept secret to protect the guilty!  

As usual my bus seemed to leave later than most, & Heather speeded us safely home.  I ambled up to the front door, put my hand in my trouser pocket & extracted Kev’s keys!  My gob has never been more smacked.  He’ d put the keys in the wheel arch, & I hadn’t been near his car.  Hashers have a wide range of skills, but reverse pick pocketing seems an unlikely one.   A quick call to Kev, & we worked out the only possible solution. Firstly, he hadn’t used the usual place, but ran with the keys in his hand.  When we met on the Hash & checked the map to confirm his location & where the trail went, he must have used his keys to point out something on the map.  I must have then have used his keys to make my own suggestions, & in his concern for his son he’d hurtled off without said keys.  I must simply have pocketed them.    What does one say?  When I returned the keys Wednesday morning, Kev said he felt he could still remember leaving them on Tuesday night. I still have no memory of my inadvertent sleight of hand.  A night to remember indeed, or maybe not where memory is concerned!

The Mystery was solved later as Davit T had gone back with Kevan looking for the Lost tribe. He had suggested K got his mobile so can be contacted. It is likely that K had removed key from safety and then run with them and somehow handed them to Allan when they met!!

Tuesday 23rd September 2003

I was off in Leeds for this trail so we have a report frpm, Ken C

The Goshawk, Mouldsworth. (the two Daves). What a difference an equinox makes! Last week's balmy 20C plummeted to near freezing with a chill north wind thrown in for extra punishment. Still, the hashing gods had swept away the torrential rain of earlier in the day for a large pack (and one walker) to set out under clear skies. An excellent trail ensued (well David and David do get enough practice) taking in the many lanes and paths including a number of visits to the Sandstone Trail. A testing, hilly run ended back at the 'improved' Goshawk (why do brewery's do that?) but not before Simon drew blood falling on the run-in. Ken Craig.

An Autumnal Report  from AJ

I see I haven’t produced any Hash literary pearls since the end of July.  So as the light vanishes at the speed of, ahh, light, and winter beckons, I shall remedy this omission.  When I last wrote young Mr Harborne & I were still pedalling.  Our last cycling extravaganza was to the Admiral Rodney at Prestbury.  John has signed up for the Tour de Vietnam in November.  This involves 300 miles across the South East Asian paddy fields in 5 days using a mountain bike.  It also involves him walking round with his sponsorship clipboard permanently welded to his left arm, whilst he smiles cheerfully at everyone he comes across, whilst extracting vast sums of money from them.   His kamikaze approach to the descent into Prestbury past the golf course nearly made the whole cash raising exercise pointless, except it would have made the purchase of a headstone for him cheaper.   I think, sensibly, that the cycles are now in hibernation for the winter.   For me it seems to be walking behind the Hash is the current Tuesday option.  For John it’s early retirement.    I spoke to his ex brother in law, young Kev last Tuesday.  Apparently, he’s loaned John his second best mountain bike to help him get used to his chosen Asian mode of transport.  No one has reported any sightings of this Vietnamese flying machine.  I also met Kev about 3 times during the Hash from the Goshawk.  The 2 Daves had laid an excellent trail from a walker’s point of view, with 2 or 3 triangular routes back to the same point.  Therefore, shortcutting was simple, & I was able to get thoroughly mixed up with the Hash – hence the regular meetings with Kev.  The first time he didn’t seem very pleased to see me.  He was checking & I was wandering down to towards the check, map & torch in hand.   “Blast!” said Kev.  “This won’t be right with Allan coming the other way with a bloody map in his hand!”  (Actually, he didn’t say “Blast!”)  He was right, he was wrong, & had to run back to the check.  The second time he came across me, he came to the same negative conclusion about my presence, except I was going his way.    There were more mutterings, including the familiar one about “being too old for this!”  He continued checking nonetheless, & was rewarded with getting it right!  Inevitably, he got the next check wrong!       Back in the pub, I had a fascinating conversation with Ken & Richard G.  We ended up discussing diets.  Ken doesn’t eat meat, except fish.  He also has the huge social benefit of a wife whose diet does not include alcohol!   Richard’s diet seems to be based on the old “moderation in all things” argument.  All this intellectual ramblings after a Hash!  No mention of the old staples of football, cricket, sex, etc.  I think we’re all getting “too old for this!”  

Tuesday 16th September 2003

Ah well:- Torches nearly all night:- which was at slight odds with the warmth, in the mid 20s. The Lymmbus arrived unfashionably on time at the Davenham hostelry which is the bulls head and we were soon wisked off onto the trail carefully set by Kevan and artfully backed up by Eleanor. So carefully that at one point in the evening he was heard to say 'Thats not on is it?' about the correct trail. There were excellent feints down both sides of the Weaver before taking us across some fields back into the woods by the river. The trail was reasonably paced by got a little stretched due to the large number of stiles and gates coupled with the turnout of 37 hashers, 2 walkers and 8 dogs making the crossing of each a slow process. The trail took us out to the south-west of Davenham before looping us back in from the south east. A plentiful supply of fields, woods and some roads made the Wheetwoods very welcoming.

Tuesday 9th September 2003

David L asked me if I was taking notes as I ran for the hash reports:- but I was able to put his mind at rest that I committed everything to memory and then when I wrote the report made everything up on the spot. So here is the report on Mike's trail at the Rifleman in Wilmslow. It was excellent. I got the early checks wrong as often as not and got the later ones correct. It was a good combination of road and across the parks and nature reserves of Wilmslow. There was an excellent foray into Styal.. The steps were a little steep in the dark ( certainly torch weather) and some longish paths through the woods. No body was lost ( but then David T was not there.). It finished with a brisk run-in and a drink ( in my case) of some excellent Abbot Ale.

Tuesday 2nd September 2003

The trail for the 2nd was a little overcast and thus involve a prolonged use of the torch for the first time in ages. The trail set by birthday boy Adrian was from Booths Car park in Knutsford. The minor Lymm bus ( actually with the lymm contingent of Me and John. rolled up as the pack rolled out.. How do we manage it you may ask.... "That boy at the back! Did you ask how we managed it?" Well... I don't know.. skill I guess. Well off we went at a canter. Down the road .. but Adrian cunningly looped us round so we were heading back the other way and then across the heath and back down towards the town centre. He then took us off and onto some wild ground wher hashers went in at one point but seemed to appear from many directions to get out again. We ended up after much pergrination at NNC and then after a couple more checks finished with a Stevenson style run-in. A quick change and back to Adrian's where Dot had prepared an excellent Chilli and crumble. Ta muchly Adrian.. Many of them.

Tuesday 26th August 2003

The trail was at the Hazel Pear Acton Bridge and was set by the Pair of Chestnuts that are the two Davids. Uncle Albert and David T. The night was still holding up warm and on the promise of a light trail Lynn was out again. Th trail went off fairly briskly and was soon off road. We visited many different animals on the way round, though no llama as in last week's run. It was unfortunate for Lynn that there was a layer of cloud ( so no views of Mars) so that it got dusky sooner than expected and required some torch use for , really, the first time this Autumn/summer. She did in fact miss out the last loop put in away from the pub and so was not out in the dark dark fields. See you next May. Good trail from the Davids with a nice downhill run -in though I couldn't catch Bambi. The offer from Special K to show me the white bits acquired from her holiday was , unfortunately, not carried out.

Tuesday 19th August 2003

Tonight was from the car park behind the Admiral Rodney at Prestbury. A lower than recent turnout tonight.. in the low thirties- for a fine evening. pam and Mike were hares but unfortunately PeeWee has a crocked hamstring and is not back on trail yet. . Off we went through the back of the car park and were immediately checking in a multitude of directions before we were off past the scout hut and across the river into some woods. The trail was fairly brisk but everyone kept together well and we made various visits to the golf course.my mind is slightly vague about details now ( Sunday) due to a BIOS failure on the home machine but I remember a good run good trail, good markings and Robinsons beer....AND .. I was not driving. The 40 metre dash was a bit of a struggle though..

Tuesday 12th August 2003

The report that follows is from David T.

The Dog, Peover Normally, when Max doesn't write a report Ken Craig does. However while Ken was out tonight it was on the walking trail on account of his (allegedly) sports related injury. It was a toe injury that did for Gary Lineker, but that is where any similarity with a top class athlete ends. A good run by Paul Jackson from the birthplace of the Cheshire hash, covering most of the footpaths and lanes in the Peover area, including an encounter with a family out for a quiet walk in what they thought was empty countryside. At certain stages the pack was well spread out although as normal it soon returned to a more compact form as the FRB's got lost. A tricky finish (well it was for me anyway!) eventually brought us back to the pub, where the conversation and beer al fresco brought the evening to a pleasant close. Thanks Paul, get well soon Ken

Tuesday 5th August 2003

I have returned and the continental weather has returned with me. It was 29 degrees as I drove home at 5 o'clock and when Jane picked me up on the way through to the hash it was not that much cooler. A massed turn out at the Bear's Paw for Roger P's trail was relieved with a gentle breeze. Off we went with an instant muster over the other side of the main road for a few last minute instructions and then the trail set off towards Swineyard Hall but we turned before it down a footpath. Across the fields and away.. The trail was brisk but improved in the heat by Roger having removed a loop to shorten it as it was so warm. We passed close to Arley and then made our way back across the fields to be back at the pub for just after 9.. Unlike in Ken's report there were no trampolining nubility on view.

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Tuesdays 22nd and 29th July 2003

Allan's ear witness reports

Barbecues & the Rose & Crown   Having survived the return journey from the Robin Hood in John H’s borrowed Morgan, he then insisted I drive him to Martin’s Barbecue Hash the following week!  Just because he’s driven me & my velocipede 20 odd times without reciprocation.  I mean he’s the one with the bike rack!    I think driving the Morgan made him decide on early retirement from steering on Tuesday nights.  It’s a vehicle designed in the 1920’s & feels like it.  The suspension is sponsored by the British Dental association, & the seats by my osteopath.  It’s impossible to exceed 60 mph if you want to keep a straight line.  Communication between pilot & navigator becomes a matter of hand signals.  Tricky when the steering alone requires the skills of an octopus.  No!  Not my favoured form of transport.   Martin’s Hash centred on John assuming the barbecue was lit when it wasn ’t, & next doors peacock protesting that it needed an early night.  Tony Ellis was the inadvertent star of the evening.  It was his 900th? Run, & a suitable dedication had been etched on to papyrus, with which he was duly presented.  Pam then made her own special presentation to him, to the complete bewilderment of most Hashers.   Those in the know, laughed, then sighed, & I think a very long running joke may now have died of old age & fatigue!    Nonetheless, a splendid event, & thanks to all engaged in provided the fodder, particularly non-running family & friends.   The following Tuesday saw Tony H & Peter Rose compose their Hashing overture from the Rose & Crown at Arclid.   It was an eventful evening for Mr Rose.  He & his wife kindly drove me down.  They have inherited their son’s dog for a week or three, whilst son & family have time off for good behaviour in Italy.  The dogs called Bob.  Jo was going to walk him whilst Peter hashed.  I was deputised to be Assistant Dog Warden.  So, Jo Bob & I went in the car a couple of miles down the road for our little W…A…L…K.  The roads round the pub aren’t great for a gentle walk.  In getting to the chosen start, Jo’s car got scratched by an agricultural gent, with his agricultural equipment.  Jo’s language was also agricultural!     As Jo, Bob & I padded our way round our chosen route; we met the Hash coming the other way.  No Peter!    Jo said, “Must be some sort of record, getting lost on your own Hash”.  “It wouldn’t be the first time”, I replied, as we ambled on down the road, whilst the pack splattered into a bovine infested field.    Back at the pub, Jo dropped me off, & took Bob home.  60 seconds later Peter emerges from the pub with a sorely used pint in his hand.  As the pack weren’t yet all back, I queried this anomaly with him.  “Pulled a muscle in my leg.  Where’s Jo?” he replied.  “Gone home”, says I.   “Oh, I was looking out for  her, so I could go home with her”.    Turns out, he was looking out of the front of the pub, whilst Jo drove round the back!  The poor soul had to wait till closing time, drinking another couple of pints, until his lift was ready to take him home.  It’s amazing the privations Hashers have to suffer for their art.   

Tuesday 15th July 2003

I've been away so here is a report from Ken on Tony E's trail at Rainow

The Robin Hood, Rainow. Set by Tony Ellis. It was the hottest day of the year and the parched countryside seemed to groan under the heat. Not a night for running up and down East Cheshire peaks you would have thought, even if the trail has been layed by Tony Ellis (not normally known for gruellers). By kick-off time however, the temperature had abated somewhat and a pleasant breeze had drafted up as we set off in the direction of the Kerridge ridge. To everyone's surprise Tony resisted the obvious temptation to scramble up to White Nancy, sticking instead to the paths below the ridge which looped back to the lower end of Rainow. For the second half (no half time oranges) we crossed the main road to explore the rolling countryside to the east of the village. Having declared myself 'hill-fit' on return from holiday in Austria I was pleased to get to the top of a particularly long uphill drag well ahead of Dave Arthur (and just behind Dave Taylor who hadn't got himself lost yet). I cajoled DaveA to keep up, but my illusion of fitness crashed when he stated that he'd been delayed attending to a sprained ankle. He upheld patient confidentiality so I don't know who the young lady was who had fallen. Tony Ellis also stayed back to soothe the affected limb, leaving those of us with hairier legs to wonder if he would have done the same for us? We completed the trail running gently downhill back towards Rainow, welcomed by a setting orange sun sitting on the Kerridge ridge and passing a nubile girl performing on trampoline. Ken Craig

Tonight was one of Rob and Tim's BBQ trails. This involves some navigation to map locations, getting info such as telephone numbers from the boxes and noting them down. The further the location then the more the points. This was also to be done in teams who could be on foot or on bike. It was a sticky evening and the teams set off with the promise of beer and cooked food at the end. Brroke and I decided to form a two man Vets team. One of us had specs on and could read and the other could navigate.. you notice the problem! We were doing very well, picked up a few points and 12 minutes from deadline we were very near home. Unfortunately we missed the turn off and were nearly into Knutsford before we turned off......No Way through. OK let's backtrack and down another road..No way through. We asked a housholder who said our destination was about 200 yards away, unfortunately through two other houses and their gardens and told us the road route. As we discovered as we trundled in 18 minutes late we may have been close in a straight line but were well over a mile by road. We managed to keep 5 points after deductio of 2 points per minute late penalties. The food was good though. Eleanor , meanwhile, had unfortunateley managed to come off her bike. Having stunned herself she was whisked off by ambulance to Macc Hospital. She was released to Home and had gone into work on the Thursday. As for the trail...Thanks chaps it was excellent.

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An Unusual Barbecue Hash 08 .07.03

  Hash barbecues are not unusual. Doctors Rob & Tim do a regular event in mid July each year, & Mr Hack follows up a couple of weeks later. This years medical Hash was unusual because of the unexpected need for the services of the sponsors. As I trundled steadily down the Toft Road, pursuing a vigorously pedalling Mr Ellis, I came upon a most unexpected & unwanted tangle of bike tubing & human limbs.   It turned out to be Eleanor, who on giving a hand signal to let her pedalling daughter & all other road users know she was turning right, had ended up pole axed on the black stuff. Fortunately, Rays wife took over with her medical training. Eleanor had taken the 10 count, but on recovering was kept firmly where she was, until the ambulance came to take her to Macclesfield A & E. An experience her husband later allegedly said was worse than worrying about his wifes condition. It seems A & E had themselves had a vigorous evening, refereeing between contestants from the Dog & Duke public bar, who were continuing their pugilistic disagreements whilst the medics were trying to staunch their bleeding!   Anyway, Eleanor went home in the early morning, & was only just prevented from going to work Wednesday morning. She was (the last I heard) also persuaded not to do the Polaris at the weekend.   I got to play policeman slowing the traffic. Something Ive always wanted to do, except not under these circumstances. So Tony, Pam, John & I never got any points, & didnt qualify for the prizes of Werthers Originals dolled out by the good Doctors at the end of the evening. They know how to show the Hash a good time. Hopefully, Eleanor will be fully recovered for the next week.    

Tuesday 1st July 2003

Tonights trail came from Heather and Nick from the countryside near Congleton. The evening turned bright though it seemed as if it was going to rain and a big pack turned out ( it got a little biiger later due to some latecomers but it was up near the 40s again. The initial difficulty was to stop yourself driving past the pub as it is tucked back a little and a sign is in a little disrepair. David T arrived and changed into his kit in the car park and away we went. It was slightly tricky at the start as the road was narrow and there was a sudden rush of traffic , but we soon left the road and off we went though a few slippy fields. The way was firm an the pace was steady ans we covered may pleasant trails and gallops along the canal bank before returning to the pub

Allan's Amble ..Back to Pedalling The Horseshoe Astbury  

  Following his recent athletic activities in Rhodes, young Mr Harborne decided the delights of the dance floor would have to be temporarily given up, in favour of some Hash pedalling with Allan to The Horse above Astbury. Pedalling exercises completely different parts of a mans anatomy to those required to exploit the delights of a sun burnt Greek island.   He has also bravely emptied his piggy bank & committed his 41-year figure to a completely different type of physical stress in November. Hes going to cycle Vietnam. So he needs the work!   As usual we drove to the pub a few hours before the Hash to leave his car complete with bike rack. Monsoon conditions persisted over Mow Cop! I was all for bottling the whole plan. John said this was just a clearing up shower. I gave in, & at to 8 we set off in a light drizzle. At 8.50 we ambled in to the car park, 20 minutes earlier than planned! It was either unheard of speed, or more accurately crap planning!   Dave Taylor was the first Hasher into the car park. He promptly removed two wheel trims from a Micra, & hid them behind Dave Levers motor. He muttered something about students and the amount of tax money they cost. As Daves a financial guru Id hate to quibble with him. However, I thought University students ended up with sufficiently large debts, that their repayments should subsidise my pension as long as I can flog breath from my lungs. Anyway, the two Daves eventually returned the trims, & 3 pints of Robinsons completely blurred Mr Levers explanation of the exact reason for this anomalous automotive activity.

Tuesday 24th June 2003

Over to the wilds of Marple Bridge. Brooke drove the Lymm bus and wonder of wonders we arrived on time. No parking as there appeared to be several bowls tornaments on at the same time. It was a while since the hash were over here. Bill had set from the George down the road.

But this was a trail set by Special K with her lovely helper Mike M. The trail started with a rapid DOWN. a bad sign as it means that nearly all the rest of the trail will involve up. I was not disappointed. The evening was brilliant and the pack was large. (eventually 43 and 7 dogs!!) and took us through many hidden trails and along a very nice bit of canal. We had a brief wtwering stop to appreciate the builders working on Karen's extension before we continued with the trail. Beer went down well and John and Brooke repaired to the chippy for a top up of chips and curry sauce before the long trek home. A good trail on a good evening

Allan's Amble ..More Walking at Marple Bridge - 24.06.03  

At the Bears Paw, Tony Ellis asked me was I going to walk the following week. Knowing it was at that mountainous hideaway of Marple Bridge, I hesitated, but only until he said hed drive me. I suspect my local knowledge of the area was required, as I used to extract pecuniary business from the unsuspecting natives who lived in that area, during my working life.   Another glorious evening beckoned, except that when we arrived, the car park was full. Reason - the Spring Gardens pub has 2 bowling greens! 2, for goodness sake! Both were in use, as I suspect Tuesday must be the Romiley & Compstall Senior Citizens Bowling Leagues regular night of arthritis easing competitive activity.   Karen kindly drew her trail on my map, & an awful lot of Hashers set off into what must have been foreign territory for most of them. It was for me. But its an excellent hashing area. Lots of up, with the occasional down, plus a quick trundle on the local canal, and a refuelling stop at Karens house. Inevitably, by the time I struggled up there, all the ale was gone, & the builders were back trying to double the size of her house.   Back at the pub, the vehicular crush had eased. Dave Arthurs TR6 was notable for its appearance, as it wasnt there when the Hash set off! I suspect Dave & Adrian got the spare map, as when the Eden bus finally arrived, no clues to the Hash trail were available. I think there may have been some muttering as they set off home for the early bath. Marple Bridge is an awful long way to come, not to be able to Hash.   In the end, it seems Heather counted 43 humans & 28 paws in attendance. Could be a record, & certainly would be, if the Edens had run. Hashing is a funny thing. A location that is miles away from the normal CH3 area attracts a massive turn out!  

Tuesday 17th June 2003

Tonight was the night. Lynn had reached her 100th hash in a mere 10 years and one month. From May 1993 she has carefully hashed during the hours of daylight, mostly ignoring those that would require a torch. This came to fruition tonight on a calm and sunny evening hashing around flat ground with a good proportion of lanes. Mind you the footpaths Maggie & I set had become a bit swinish due to the profusion of nettles even though we had done a good stamping job on Sunday. This included the offs as we didn't want to give a false impression did we!! We started with 30 and three dogs and then were joined by Mike M catching us up from behind. We were joined later by Mike & Pam with Sarah, Anne and Sarah's lad and dog. These were disadvantaged by my map of the previous week which was a bit crap..sorry..
It wasn't a too challenging route but still managed to lose four hashers, David Taylor & Rob Stephenson, Paul Jackson & Mark Goddard about 5 checks from home as they legged it at a great rate towards Arley Hall. This is getting a habit for Davit T but he usually waits for the last check to go the wrong way.
Afterwards we were at the Bears Paw which had cleared the tables in one of their roons in expectation of our visit. we still came as a bit of a shock..

Allan's Additives..Another Walking Hash!! – 17.06.03  

Once the rigor mortis in my lower limbs eased off last week, I felt quite elated about my potter over the Peckfortons!  I was sufficiently enthused to ask Tony E to see if he could get me a ride for the following week.  The holidaying Thistletons turned out to be the “volunteers”.    As we left the Bickerton Poacher, hashers were as always crying, “Where’s next week?”, as the Webmeister was busily handing out photocopied maps.  A quick glance confirmed he’d marked two spots for his proposed trail.  One was the drinking venue, the Bears Paw, whilst the other was the start at an old favourite of is, a lay by close to the old WW2 runway at Appleton.  Confusing possibilities I thought!   Comes the absolutely beautiful evening, the pack sets off, & Maggie the Webmeister’s missus accompanies my perambulations.  Halfway way round, an unnamed 3 come ambling in from our left, clearly engaging in that version of Hashing known as shortcutting.  At the same moment the Eden’s plus 2 or 3 others come blasting down from our right.  We know the packs behind us as we can hear them.  Confusion reigns.   Maggie & I quietly wandered off our own way; the short cutters the trundled past, then hesitated & turned left into the North Cheshire wilderness.  Returning to the cars Mike Eden appeared (at great speed) heading away from home!  We couldn’t persuade him it was the wrong way.  It later turned out his car full had gone to the Bears Paw, to find – nothing!  A quick gallop to the nearest pub the Kilton produced – nothing!  So a sprint round the back lanes (in an Espace!), eventually produced gold dust, in the form of the packs cars.  His sprinting past Maggie & me was Mike making up a few extra yards to add to the 4 he reckoned he’d only actually run on the Hash.  He’s training for a marathon & thus needs the work.   In the pub there was a presentation for Mrs Craig.  It was her 100th run, after 10 years & 1-½ months.  As mentioned in an earlier missive, she only runs in conditions where she can see her feet, so winter is a no no for her.   It’s much more fun kissing her than Steve Maxwell.  Who’s next for a presentation?        

Tuesday 10th June 2003

The double Davids set the hash tonight with David T as lead hare. The last time he set from the Poacher at Bickerton I ended up with 8 stitches from diving head first from the top of a stile into a cowpat with a rock in it. Unfortunately the safety net had been removed. There was no repetition tonight even though I was moving a bit more quickly than usual and got quite a few checks right. The trail went well with a slow climb up into the Peckforton Hills along interesting footpaths. The weather had looked threatening to start with but everything cleared away and we did most of the trail in sunshine with a clear sky. The judicious use of short and long loops provided a trail which kept us busy. we trundled past the Pheasant and the Candle workshop before dropping back down to the pub, meeting Popeye and Anne who had arrived late and run a proportion of the trail from back towards front. There were approximately 32 hashers and 5 dogs.

A Walking Hash - Bickerton Poacher - 10.06.03. the earwitness speaks

Last Tuesday at The Swan Max reminded me that the following week would be the Bickerton Poacher. The pub near which he did a 5.7 for Artistic Impression a few years ago, as he headed the Sandstone Trail, following confusion between his feet as to which went first over the last stile, in their enthusiasm to reach the boozer. It is completely true that Doctor Arthur having had 2 pints, then stitched him up using borrowed reading glasses. Definitely a Hash not to miss. Tony Ellis arranged a lift to the pub for me, so I could have a little walk about, whilst the Hash was getting all sweaty & preparing for another regular date with the spare bedroom. I planned a 3 mile walk, which initially coincided with the first 5 or 6 checks of the real trail. It was 25 minutes before the pack disappeared from my hearing. The weather was great. Views towards Wales, with the sun setting over the horizon - absolutely wonderful. What was not so wonderful were the old legs started to remind me that I hadn't climbed a hill since Tony Ellis coaxed my 13 stone up Shutlingsloe last November. They went on reminding me until Friday. By Wednesday evening, it seemed rigor mortis had set in below waist level. Anyway, in the pub anaesthetic was taken. At £2.20 per pint! For boring business reasons, I paid for Dave Lever, so this was easily the most expensive ordinary Hash it has been my pleasure to be on. If he gives me further good advice, I must make sure it's in the depths of Winter, when on Tuesday nights I'm tucked up with a good log fire.

Tuesday 3rd June 2003

Tonight was from the Swan With Two Nicks at Little Bollington, near Lymm:- courtesy of Simon P and Paul J. Although it started off looking threatening the weather cleared well and another good pack of 36 hashers and 4 dogs headed off over the little bridge. Instead of going into Dunham park we set off passed the old mill buildings . The trail made good use of the paths and fields including running round 3 sides of the middle of Dunham before running in through the fields back to the pub. The House beer was very good and merited chipping in for an extra pint.

Report from the Ear Witness Allan J..

The Swan with 2 Nicks 03.06.03   Two weeks away for the Hash through a family wedding, & then a dose of Cheshire summer weather. Im sorry, but I dont do cycling in the rain anymore. But the weather was OK on the 3rd June, so a gentle loop round Tabley, Arley & High Legh, brought me to the Swan just as the pack arrived.   In the pub, Mike Murray was extolling the merits of the beer. Martin looked thunderous, which could only mean he was driving! Tony was talking to a lady Id not seen before. Not surprising as probably half the current regulars I dont know. Apparently, it was her first time. Hashing in Cheshire that is. Shes clearly familiar with the sport as she asked Tony, Whats your Hash name? Rampant! said Tony proudly. There was a slight pause, then, Oh, well I must be going, she said. Its the way he tells them.   Roger very kindly offered me and the bike a ride home in his Espace. Theres plenty of room he said. In the car park after, Im not sure whether Adrian, Dave & 2 dogs agreed with that sentiment! But the front wheel was smartly removed, & the frame jammed between the 2 back seats. The detached wheel the dogs were then squeezed into the back.   Id had a couple of pints, so there are some gaps in my RAM (or is it ROM) relating to the conversation on the way home. There was reference to half inch routers, & other sexual banter, that seemed to revolve around Rogers DIY skills. Conversation then switched to the alleged amorous activities a current Hasher, & then some how we were discussing cycling. According to Dave continuous pedalling can be very bad news for a mans todger! He had a patient in recently who said Doctor, I cant feel my penis!   Apparently, he had been doing a considerable amount of cycling. Dave explained this can lead to pressure on the unpronounceable nerve under a mans groin. In summary, lots of pressure equals no feeling. I tested him out to confirm this, by sticking needles through it! said Dave. There are now 2 blokes & 2 dogs, who have instinctively shot hands & paws to their private parts to check if they are under pressure. Roger put his hands back on the wheel, regained control & we all got home safely.

Tuesday 27th May 2003

Another missive from the On-On sec Heather as I missed again.

What a night - it poured with rain the whole way round. Lots of wet grass and monster puddles for Martin to splash through - the boy really enjoyed himself. Another huge turnout (including vistors from Switzerland and Yorkshire Hashes) plus assorted dogs and despite the threat of a 'Rob S' trail - however the trail was excellent and he didn't manage to find too much mud on the sorties off road.Those of us wearing specs were struggling a bit as we couldn't see where we were going most of the time(lots of pauses to dry off the specs). A huge relief to get back to the Red Lion where the Landlord and staff  seemed very pleased to see us - the Landlord said that if we let him know next time we are running from his pub they will make us up some butties. (Trail setters bear this in mind!!)     OnON Sec

Tuesday 20th May 2003

Ah Well. I missed the 21st Bday Hash but here is a smidgen from the on-on sec

Big turnout again this week (39 plus 6 dogs) it was almost a re-run of the first Hash Trail set by Allan for 18/05/82. Although it was a bit muddy in places following the recent torrential downpours - suited Martin to a tee. A noisy and colourful dinner followed the run and Dave Arthur (as the longest serving Hasher present) made a short speech to reminisce on 21 years of Hashing.

Tuesday 13th May 2003

Tonight from the Stags Head at Warford we had a stonking turnout. Thirty Eight people in the pack and 8 dogs and the trail set by Steve Maxwell. Lynn is up to no 94 now so should be at 100 by the start of July. Martin made his return after his Hamstring pull. Although the evening did not look promising due to the dark clouds and the sideways wind it brightened and there was no rain until after the hash had finished.. the normal Tuesday behaviour for the weather. The trail went well with enough of a figure of eight for Al to return his dog Dini to the car and then catch the hash for the run in. A good trail, The Black sheep was good but the Boddies was fairly off.

Report from the Ear-Witness

The Stag 13.05.03   The evening before the run from the Stag, the Alternate Monday Group met as usual at The Legh. Only the hard core of Messrs. Ellis, Harborne & Jones turned up. Apologies were received from Mr Eden, who was stranded car less in the desolate wilds of Pickmere, whilst his wife enjoyed what turned out to be colourful times in London. Also, Nick didnt turn up, but apparently because he forgot!   So, the hard core engaged in one of its favourite activities, namely discussing the ups & downs of Mr Hs amorous activities. It seemed the chase of the twirling dancing lady would continue on Tuesday, so I would be a lone pedaller to the Stag.   As I cant come to the 21st Anniversary run from The (Gay) Dog next week, I choose a route that took me past the site of the first ever Cheshire Hash. Quite nostalgic! Its a cliche I know, but it really doesn't seem 21 years since that first gathering. Its rather sad that none of the original 5 will be there next week. I would have cycled, but for my wife's niece deciding to get married next Saturday. We are staying for a week in Devon, & I can't justify a 550 mile round trip return to The Dog.   To add to the frustration, the wedding kicks off at 3 p.m. to coincide with the Cup Final! So no Anniversary Hash, & no live football! Apparently, guests will be screened at the church door, to make sure that no one enters the church with disguised deaf aids!   And so to the Stag. What a bloody cold night. Lyn Craig appeared again to complete her 96th run. I think she probably started over 10 years ago. She brings something to the Hash, that none of the old hardened Hashers can, namely common sense. She takes the perfectly sensible view, that when running round unknown countryside, she wants to be able to see where she is putting her feet. Not easy at 9 p.m. on a January night, with horizontal sleet cutting your forehead in half! So she is a summer visitor. Theres probably a technical bird watching word for that, like migrant or vagrant. I must remember to ask Mr Ellis.   Congratulations to Steve Maxwell on achieving 200 runs, even if I did have to kiss the bugger when presenting him with his tankard. Thank God no one knew the presentation was coming, otherwise the whole pub would have been blinded by the multiple flash guns. Enjoy yourselves next Tuesday!

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Tuesday 6th May 2003

Three reports for the price of one!!!!

It was a pleasant bright evening only marred by the fact that I, as volunteer driver, had neglected to read my own instructions on where the pub was. This maintained the long standing tradition of the Lymm bus tearing into the car park as the last of the pack was legging it off into the ' Select your own temprement', 'Name your colour here' yonder. Plus ca change as one says when it is time to copper up for the beer kitty. The trail was mapped by the laduy Eleanor and Kevan merely followed orders on where to mark the offs. So he claimed that he had marked insufficient of the true trail to know whre he was going. This was the second week in a row that there was a maximum turnout of the underhill family and it was depressingly impressive at how quickly they all moved, especially as I had used all my puff catching the hash at the start. Speaking of Underhills Millie was one of only two dogs on trail tonight, the other was Boswell.

There were plenty of checks and twists and turns for the first trail of the year without any torch carrying.. You could tell this because Lynn was back with us. The trail was excellent for the 30 odd hashers , which included 9 of the female persuasion even with some of their number missing.

Report 2 Additional report from the on-on sec

What a jolly brilliant trail that was on Tuesday evening and hardly a patch of mud anywhere. The Underhill Team were out in force yet again. The trail led through the woodland near Oulton Park with a variey of off road surfaces including deep sand - very reminiscent of my training runs along the beach at Pwllheli. Unfortunately I managed to pick up a large thorn in my left shoe from somewhere on the trail and had to resort to teeth to extract it from the sole, what a bit of luck it was that we had not been through any of the usual mud etc. found on many trails - and I don't appear to have contracted cholera yet!!. Keven and Eleanor only fell out about the route a couple of times and we didn't get lost at all resulting in u s getting back to the pub in excellent time. I'm already looking forward to their next trail later in the summer.   Onon Heather

Report 3 From Allan J. The 'ear-witness' reporter

The 2003 Hash Opener! 29.04.03 & 06.05.03   Its May! Its Spring! Its Shall we go cycling to the Hash? time again. Yes! said Mr Harborne, so initial plans were drawn up in early April, when the sun blazed down, & ladies sleeveless crop tops reappeared, together with their owners pierced navels!   We decided the run from The Goshawk at Mouldsworth would be an ideal starter. Its only 15 minutes drive from Johns work, and on his route home. So wed meet in the pub car park at 5.15, leave his car and bike rack there, and return home in my motor. A gentle cycle back, a couple of swift Robinsons, and a quiet potter home. Smashing!   Unfortunately, a problem arose!   John is still engaged in the gentlemanly sport of the female marathon pursuit. Tuesdays is his normal dancing night, and he gives himself time off during the summer to come pedalling. A couple of weeks before the Goshawk, he had an excellent evening twirling an extremely attractive divorcee around the dance floor. Indeed, initial (non) independent reports suggested, he was the one being twirled.   So, he had high hopes for the following Tuesday. Unfortunately, the twirler was a no show! Therefore, no progress. The Monday before the planned Goshawk trip, I got an apologetic E Mail, that basically said, twirling ladies rather than pedals was his preferred option for that Tuesday night, as he absolutely was not going to risk missing her. So I chickened out of the pedalling as well.   The following week the webmeister advised me the Egerton Arms at Little Budworth would be the venue, courtesy of the Underhill family. John decided to continue his feminine pursuit.   My wife volunteered to recover me from the Egerton Arms if I wanted to go solo. Twas a beautiful evening, so I pedalled. As I pottered into Vale Royal woods on the way to Whitegate, I suddenly found a group of people all shouting & waving at me. I stopped. They were four attractive ladies clearly out for an evening promenade! My immediate reaction was I could have done with Johns help here! Reality struck, when it turned out they were only trying to point out I had dropped my cagoule!   As I pedalled into the pub car park, the back of the pack was arriving. Absolutely perfect timing! Not bad for a first effort in 2003. I was so pleased, I fell off! The surface of the car park was deep gravel, & as I have now discovered bikes do not operate well in gravel.   The really good news was Brian Burgess insisted on bringing me & the Tour de France special home, as there was only him & Tony Higgins in his car. Excellent! I can reserve my wifes generosity for another Tuesday. All this & 3 very nice pints of what I was told was Theakstons Special. A very good evening!

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Tuesday 29th April 2003

The trail tonight was set courtesy of David L ( Uncle Albert ) and co-hare David T. We met atthe Goshawk at Mouldsworth, a pub which has been much poshified into a restaurant ( the food looked and smelled good as some went past me towards the dining room). The Davids took the hash out to the first check before sending us on our way. It was a goodly turnout including the ENTIRE Underhill family, the usual 3 of Kevan, Eleanor and Millie the dog, and the additional junior members who all moved briskly along and coped admirably with the trail.. As people may know, around Mouldsworth are some of Cheshire's hills. Up ( and down) these hills is where the Davids took us. The night was slightly damp but cleared up quite well ( It was hash night after all). We moved along back road, through trails, along footpaths and included , as I repeat, much up and down but Very Enjoyably laid out. A good trail and appreciated by all. An Interesting addition to the Hash setters excuses was that there was not a demolished shell of a house on the footpath when the trail was set!!!

Tuesday 22nd April 2003

This week's report comes from David T. ( as I set such a wonderful trail I cannot in all modesty describe it's magnificence)

The Railway, Heatley A few spots of rain on the way to the Hash tonight, but as normal dry conditions for the run itself, which started with a brisk canter along the main road towards Partington. The trail must have been somewhat idiosyncratic as for a large part of the first half David Lever appeared to be at the front, which as regular hashers will know, is not a regular occurence. Alternatively some secret training has been going on in the vicinity of Cuddington. Several opportunities to check down to the Trans Pennine Trail were ignored before eventually we reached the old railway, with its endless checking opportunities, and ran straight across it. Cunningly, the next obvious route down the Bridgewater Canal was also ignored, leaving FRB's scattered over various parts of Cheshire nowhere near the real trail. Another loop away from the pub at the next crossroads also served to further confuse. A final run in along the Trans Pennine Trail finished off a well thought out 6 mile run. Thanks Max. David Taylor

Tuesday 15th April 2003

On-On Sec Heather deserves a BIG star for this trail.

Not only did she set the trail on Friday, she then ran the London Marathon on the Sunday. She couldn't quite get up with Paula Radcliffe but then she hadn't set a hash first.. We went from a new location to the hash... Swettenham Bowling Club. The evening was warm ( this IS April in Cheshire) so there were a lot of knees visible for the first time this year. There were some new, Rosey :- after several weeks in which she prepared herself for life on the trail and a second trip from Popeye. Every one enjoyed the trail , especially the limited use of torches due to the bright evening and then the full moon. It took on several personal notes as Heather said things like 'This is Uncle Gordon's field' etc..Excellent do, Heather.

Tuesday 8th April 2003

Well... another correction...... Jane says she was not off with the fairies. .. She was in a basque............. ski resort.

Hpwever, back to tonight's run set by Brooke from the Rams Head in Grappenhall. A goodly turnout, Grutel was back but struggling with his achilles, Kathy was out again and two newbies with 'popeye' and Louise (?). The night was clear and Brooke took us on a teasing tour or the TransPennine Trail and the Bridgewater canal. Many footpaths we used have now been tamed and tarmacced where once they were shiggy through and through. An excellent trail and a convivial pint (or two) in the Parr Arms.

Tuesday 1st April 2003

Tonight was from the Walton Arms near Daresbury and was set by Brian B. Firstly we had to negotiate the road works to get parked at the pub and then we had to negotiate the roadworks to get to the on-out. The weather had cleared up hugely from the heavy rainfall of earlier in the day and Brian took us along many routes and down hills and across the backs of the Warrington golf courses. At one point we seemed to be in completely the worng place but he had us back to the pub for a drop of Theakstons. Hilary was back out with us and notwithstanding the fact she forgot her change of clothes was persuaded to force down a pint.

Correction to the report of the 18th March by David T Slight inaccuracy in the report which makes the scurrilous (and unsupported by any serious research) claim that no one got lost. I beg to differ as I distinctly remember turning left at the last check, putting my foot down on the "run in" and reaching a sign labelled Culcheth (approximately 1/2 mile further on) before deciding (a) the pub we ran from was in Croft not Culcheth (b) it therefore wasn't the run in and (c) it may be sensible to turn back. I was considerably lost ! David

Tuesday 25th March 2003

This was from a layby just as you crossed into Mobberley from Knutsford. It seemed quite dark and the Lymm bus was down to two. Martin is crocked, John had a throat infection, Jane was off with the fairies BUT Brooke was back from his other summer in Oz and was braving the Cheshire rigours again.. The trails was set by Roger T and he had set it as a relatively short ( for him) one as so many of the Hash had run the Wilmslow Half...20 of them finishing from Rob S and his 1hr 24 to Hilary and her 2h 24.. All commendable efforts in considering that the day was quite hot and , especially for the second half of the fiels, Wilslow had seriously under-provided on the water so performance was affected a bit. Back to the hash. The pace was brisk and the pack got a little strung out but returning Kathy had the back covered. I found it was suitably mild to get the knees out into the open. We worked up a goodly sweat and then repaired to the Roebuck for liquid refreshment. They still let us back even after we had turned up there for a beer stop on our red-dress run

Tuesday 18th March 2003

A visit to Croft and the General Elliot was the on-on tonight, courtesy of Prof Shiggy and Brian B. It was near enough a full moon and you could see it clearly. There was a lowish turnout.. no Docs, no Karen and Julie.. a mere 18 and 2 dogs for what turned out to be a fine trail.. Well:- I liked it. The front and back running was good from the hares no-one got lost and the beer went down a treat

Tuesday 11th March 2003

Today was a Ray run. ably assisted by the bubbly Monty. A new pub for me and through an area that I haven't hashed for a long time. The pub is close to British Aerospace at Woodford and was far enough west for a flying visit from Vicky, keen to sample the delights of Hashing as told to her by Jane. ( There, I told you I could be bribed!). Karen brought along a mate new to hashing so there was a lot of anticipation for them.

The night was warmish. with the usual Tuesday no-rain rules applying. That is not to say that Ray hadn't found any mud.. It was there in good quantity. We met several sheep, missed the geese who were asleep and narrowly avoided falling in a very wiggly river. There was sufficient deception there to keep the hash together though there was a little anxious calling when we were near busy roads. The trail was good and we found that they were busy repainting the pub when we arrived. ( Ray says that they wern't painting it when he set it.). Martin unfortunately had badly pulled a hamstring early on and was waiting our return with anticipation so he could apply some internal depressant ( Robinsons I think) in carefully dosed pint quantities.

Tuesday 4th March 2003

Nick and Heather stepped in at the last minute to set the trail from Redesmere and, as it had been wet, the rest of the hash stepped in mud for the trail. It was not so much wet as very squelchy. ( Tony E with his torch found that not everyone parked in the dark carpark was there for vertical exercise ). It was a number of years since we last trailed from there and it was good to stumble around again. We must do it in daylight again sometime as it is good country. It was a good run although the new shoes will never be the same again. Beer afterwards was at the Egerton Arms at Chelford

Tuesday 25th February 2003

Uncle Albert set tonight with backup from Mike M. We met at the car park by Kingsley school. The night was cloudy and the temp was around 8. Warm enough for shorts. ( though most of us wore longs). David took set us off on a 4 way which resolved to ..over the stile and up the hill on the field. He found plenty of up the hill, up the steps.. up more hill alittlebitofdownthehill and then up the hill. I think we circumnavigated the beacon. It was a good trail on a good night with a good pub at the Horseshoe, made even better when they dished out some free excellent very hot chips and bread for instant chip butties.

Tuesday 18th February 2003

The trail ran on another beautiful starlit but chilly night. Set by Pam and Mike from their new abode in Pickmere it was the first trail across the area since my and grutel's hash with the horse on May 25th 1999. The trail was at a brisk pace with much though in the planning with a tour of the countryside , round the mere and then out towards Arley. The frost was firm but not ankle turning and then back to the new Eden for some rather scrummy Chilli and pud.. and beer!. A good one!

Tuesday 11th February 2003

Tonight was run from the Legh Arms in Knutsford. The Lymm bus dropped back to being late but not by design as a big crash on the M6 had caused a lot of traffic to divert to the A50 and it took a while to go the last mile. Petr R had hung on and we legged it up the Chelford Road to ctch onto the back of the hash. Although it was nominally Knutsford:- by dint of Green hash techniques ( He used some of Robs markers from two weeks before) the hash saw a lot of mud When the fog allowed... Although clarty and heavy in places the trail was enjoyable and as Jane was driving yours truly had more than one pint of Pedigree ( more than two too!!)

Tuesday 4th February 2003

The hash here was set by Paul J and By Dave A from the Rifleman in Wilmslow. There was a hard frost with the ground crackling as we went through the paths and ways. The trail was brisk but was very well set and the hash stayed together well all the way round. It is always good being out on clear clean nights getting up a bit of sweat and thirst. Good eh!

Tuesday 28th January 2003

The hash met at the Roebuck as instructed only to be told by Rob that we were actually going into the Bull. The night progressed dry and breezy and was just warm enough so that the wind chill was not a major factor. Rob strted us off confidently by saying that he was not taking us round Damson Lane twice the way he did last time we went from here and then led us off in the opposite direction for checking. First off was across a muddy field. This was followed by may more fields , interspersed by roads and manure so that at the end the trip down Damson Lane was a light relief. It could have been muddier but it had only rained intermittently since he set it. We were much relieved that the Cheshire Hash weather god kept it clear.

An enjoyable trail though the socks will never be white again.

Tuesday 21st January 2003

This was one of those rare events, Lynn Craig coming out on a dark hash. Her excuse was that she knew where it went and that she had helped set it. It is with this dedication that it has only taken Lynn 10 years to get close to her 100th hash. Just joking of course as she has not been the slowest to get there. I would be wary of running in the dark with us if I wasn't an idiot.

The night was mild, no wind to speak of ( shhhh! don't speak of it). If it hadn't been cloudy there would possibly have been a full moon. The trail was from the Salt Barge at Marston. It took us out along a lot of new footpaths and along the side of the T&M canal and also by the side of the Weaver. Ken brought us up alongside the Antrobus Lift ( and the Stanley Arms from whence ( good word that) we ran a few weeks before Christmas). Although the run in was a liitle long it brought us back along the canal and into the Pub carpark. Some Burtonwood was consumed in the welcoming pub

Tuesday 14th January 2003

The night was reasonably warm so I risked showing leg. The downside of this was that I got clarts all the way up my leg and I had forgotten the water to wash down with. Roger set us a good trail which pleased some by setting straight out through a field of mud. It did improve but the pack got separated a little. I know as I fell off the front onto the A556 without hearing the call back. The small party decided to carry on and cut across from the Back of the Nag's Head at Lymm Roundabout and then acrosss the fields. Little did we know it but we crossed the trail at one point but navigated back to the No3 by 9:05. Several visitors were with us and enjoyed the experience as well. The bulk of the pack (28 and 5 dogs) trailed in at 9:15. An enjoyable trail across the little back roads of Little Bollington

Tuesday 7th January 2003

The first hash of the year was expected to by by Dr Rob from the Whipping Stocks at Over Peover but Tim persuaded Rob to let him and Steve M take over the haring. The night was clear and cold -1C but there was no wind as 28 hashersand a few dogs set out on trail. Tim set very little road and looped us through several places twice for a brisk 9k. The trails were very crunchy.. an indication of several nights of sub zero temperatures and bright days. A few degrees higher nad it would probably have been a mud bath. Present tonight was new girl Jane who did not know what to expect but stated that she really enjoyed the trail..

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