QH3 Run 889. Bell Inn, Cromford

RUN #889

Date : Sunday 20th December 2015
Location: Bell Inn, Cromford 
Hare: Butt Plug
Weather: Sunny and Mild
Pack size: 11


Today was the QH3 Christmas 'Jingle Balls' trail. Although our RA Chicki was absent today, I was sent a text pointing out that she was still looking after the weather for us. Indeed, it was sunny with temperature in the mid-teens, but hardly Christmas weather! Snow would have been nice - there's no pleasing hashers. 

Wobbly Wallington reaches the top of the incline

The hare (Butt Plug) prepared for this trail by staying the night in a castle having set the trail the previous afternoon, before the rain. Nevertheless, most flour was still there and near the start a bit more had been added to the puzzlement of the pack. A big white patch had been carefully placed on the trail, but with carrots in it.
This being Cromford there was only one way to go and that was up. Up the old railway incline to the High Peak Trail we went, pausing at the top for a fantastic view and some photographs.

"The reindeer went that way"

The hare won the award last year for the most elevation gain on a trail and today was obviously putting in a bid to retain that award. The route was only just over 4 miles but seemed much longer on account of the continuous upward climbs. It was no surprise that the On Inn was a decent down a 12% hill for more then half-a-mile. We suspect the hare had actually done more than lay just flour for the Christmas trail. On the upwards path to the trig point (323m and above Black Rocks) we passed a large decorated Christmas tree.

The Hare's Christmas Tree

In true Christmas spirit no run subs were collected and Goblin provided some scrumptious mince pies and Christmas tree shortcake biscuits. No attempt was made to usurp our absent RA and a quick circle was convened inside to thank the hare for the Christmas trail of the year and possible contender for actual trail of the year. It is always nice hashing in the Peak District especially when the weather is good and there's plenty of shiggy from all that rain we've had on non-hashing days (i.e. every day apart from Sundays). One DD was also presented to the hasher voted as today's biggest sinner and Malteaser got a many citations including, finding so many of the false trails and being a FRB (well at least on the downhill bits) keeping up with Horse's Arse and Jelly Knob.

Excellent trail..... 

Shortcake Christmas Trees
by Goblin

On On..Durex

Trail as run by Durex