MH3 Run 281. Hawk and Buckle, Etwall

Supermoon over the On Inn

RUN #281

Date : Monday 14th November 2016
Location: Hawk and Buckle, Etwall
Hares:Lionel, Catflaps and Seaman Stains
Weather: Dry, mild with a supermoon
Pack size: 14

This was a hash with a lot going on. The trail was done under the light of a supermoon, the last time we may have seen it this big Lionel was only 2 years old and the other three birthday celebrants (Seaman Stains, Oriface, and Catflaps) weren't even born. With the moon at its 'perigee' it is 5% bigger than average. Although cloudy we did get several good glimpes of the full moon out on the darkness of the trail. I look forward to seeing the next one on MH3 run 497 in 2034.
We also had a newcomer to MH3 - Ernie - a hash virgin a week ago but did his first trail with QH3 eight days before and has already 'earned' a hashname. If you've got an hour to spare Gobalot will explain its origin.
Seaman Stains was still here and took the opportunity to set the r*nners trail. Whilst the many walkers strolled around the small village that is Etwall, other hashers were sent on a trip to Hilton that included a long stretch of 1.7 miles along the Mickleover cycle path. Oriface recorded a distance 5.0 miles and time of 1hr:00min:00sec - a perfect distance and time for a hash trail.

260th Birthday Cake. A candle for each celebrant
accumulating 60+65+65+70 years between them

At the On Inn we were treated to chip butties and a chocolate birthday cake, how could this be anything other than a good run! Dobber led the circle inside awarding DDs to the following:
1. Ernie, first Mickleover trail;
2. Trianal, shoes still glowing, today's FRB;
3. Oriface, NOT complaining?;
4. Three that usually do well to avoid the hash, Louise, Slapper and Miss Frequently;
5. Gobalot took one for her 41st wedding anniversary, Oriface having treated her to a night out with chip butties.

The hares were thanked for setting the trail and Seaman Stains and Miss Frequently wished well for their removal to Devon.



On On..... Durex 

Trail as done by Durex

QH3 Run 921. Plough Inn, Ashby de la Zouch

RUN #921

Date : Sunday 6th November 2016
Location: Plough Inn, Ashby de la Zouch
Hares:B*gger and Goblin
Weather: Cold and overcast, rain at 12:10
Pack size: 15


Goblin and B*gger stepped in at short notice to set this trail, the latter with a doctor's note to say he couldn't run. There was a good sized pack including newcomer and hash virgin Mark.
Shagulater was showing of his recently gained tan by turning up in shorts (not Bermuda ones) and shirt and found he had to run round the trail to keep warm. B*gger was left to look after walkers (Malteaser, Miss Takemenow and Wallington) whilst Goblin had the more arduous task of looking after the r*nners. Newcomer and orienteer Mark soon learnt that the object of hashing is not to get from A to B directly, just to Get to the Pub Sooner (GPS). FRBs and walkers just about got back to the On Inn as it started to rain. Your scribe being one of them I can officially record this as a dry run maintaining the RA's incredible feat of weather control.
At the On Inn, Mark was quick to volunteer to the pub landlord to go and get some milk for the tea drinkers and hence returned to a chorus of 'Ernie the fastest milkman...'. A hash naming on his first run was then a certainty.
Unlike the Ashbourne hash yesterday where the RA made everyone go out into the cold for the circle, the soft QH3 RA led a circle inside. Awards were given to:

In hashing circles you will be known
as 'Ernie'

1. A somewhat off colour Sauasge  for being seen going the wrong way on a one way street;
2. Oriface was not given his 100x timer mug which the RA HAD been carrying around for many months, instead he had to settle for a beer;
3. Gobalot for loosing her voice and not calling;
4. Too Tuf, one of the last to get back and hence did get wet in the rain;
5. Mark the hash virgin got a welcome drink plus the hashname of Ernie;
6. The hares Goblin and B*gger were thanked for setting the trail and awarded 44.4%. A special appreciation was given for the brunette sheep seen on trail. A good run verdict is always ensured when bribed with those lovely shortcake feet!;
7. Shagulater wearing pink trousers, was welcomed back from his Bermuda flying vacation; and finally,
8. Durex, not in the A-team this week on account of a bad back, had said shopping did not help his condition so Malteaser must take some of the blame.



On On..... Durex 

Trail as done by Durex

AH4 Run 65. Old Dog, Thorpe, near Ashbourne

AH4 RUN #65
Date : Sat. 5th November 2016
Location: Old Dog, Thorpe
Hares: ASB and Hash Puppy  
Weather: Sunny but with biting cold wind
Pack size: 10

For today's trail we returned to the Old Dog Inn in Thorpe, except it was called the Dog and Partridge when we were here last. That was on 3rd January 2011 (AH4 Run 16, ASB and Mama Rose hares). They've done a really great job revitalising and renovating this pub - excellent real ales, very friendly and courteous staff  and good food. I must include this in my itinary next time I'm on the Tissington Trail which runs close by.
Surprisingly we didn't touch the Tissington trail today, the hares (ASB and Hash Puppy) uncharacteristically choosing a less level route heading out towards Dovedale. R*nners (though there wasn't a lot of that today) were compulsorily sent over the top of the 'mountain' that is Thorpe Cloud, whilst walkers were given the option of going around it. I choose the latter but Malteaser choose to go up and over. The hare did confess to me that no flour was to be found on Thorpe Cloud itself, and the sheep could readily take the blame for this! One Loose was the first 'r*nner' to arrive at the famous Dovedale stepping stones, surprising followed closely by a walking Malteaser. Road Kill, Wriggle, MK3 hasher Enema and Joanna arrived sometime after, all hashers choosing to ignore the bar on the first stepping stone. 
We had the unusual occurrence of seeing Blitzen (and child) on the trail having arrived at this popular tourist spot mainly by car. The only one missing was the Co-hare (Hash Puppy) who sensibly chose to look after the car rather than do the trail twice. The fish hook was obediently observed by four rather than three as instructed, probably on account of the fact that the hare was at the back of the pack only about 20 metres down the hill.

..that mountain there!

ON Up, Up, Up......

Bar? What Bar? Wriggle and Road Kill on the famous Dovedale stepping stones.

As is a custom with the AH4, the majority choose to have lunch at the ON INN and the circle had to wait. When the circle did get going we left the warmth of the pub for the large barn area which doubled up as a cycle shed. Awards were given to:
1. Malteaser (hashy birthday);
2. Enema and Joanna, a welcome back from Milton Keynes and a virgin hasher/visitor respectively;
3. One Loose, today's keenest checker (the other Road Kill had already gone home);
4. Blitzen for a rare appearance well into the hash trail;
5. I thought Enema and Joanna were friends but it didn't stop Enema dobbing in Joanna for lost property, resulting in Joanna getting a second DD; and
6. The hares ASB and Hash Puppy were thanked for a lovely trail.  

Today reminded me why the AH4 is a special hash with its trails set in the wonderful scenery of the Peak District and the care taken to accommodate walkers as part of the pack. I was able to appreciate this today during what was for myself a rare walking of a hash trail. 
There'll be a Christmas trail in December (probably Saturday 10th December) so we hope to see many more of our 'members' next month!


On On.. Durex

Trail as done by Durex (walking)

QH3 Run 920. Meadow Covert, Edwalton

RUN #920

Date : Monday 31st October 2016
Location: Meadow Covert, Edwalton
Hares:Too Tuf and Chicki
Weather: Dry and mild
Pack size: 7

With no red dress run this year we had the minor celebration of Halloween, well at least Butt Plug and Durex did by coming dressed for the occasion. However, our small group of seven was somewhat outnumbered by the hoards of witches, vampires and zombies roaming the streets of Edwalton.

Hares Too Tuf and Chicki stepped in at the last moment to set this trail and despite being laid a day-and-a-half beforehand the flour was mostly still intact. A strained back meant I was forced to seek a shorter route. I probably saw more of Trianal than I usually do on a trail as well selected shortcuts usually meant I arrived at most points around the trail about the same time as Trianal. Usually chased by Butcher's Dog going slower than usual as she was still recovering from a twisted ankle.

The On Inn was well decked for Halloween so I felt quite at home whilst waiting for the pack to arrive. Unusually for QH3, more than half those present had solids which delayed the start of the circle. No rest for the hares with Too Tuf as stand-in Beermaster to fetch the beer and Chicki doing her usual duties as RA. Awards were given:
1. Smutley for having 'a crack in front';
2. Trianal for his pre-hash warm-up;
3. Durex and Butt Plug for taking the trouble to dress up for Halloween; and finally
4. The hares were thanked for setting the trail and awarded a score of forty-six and a turd percent as it passed a sewerage works.

There was little to announce as we have no hares for next Sunday's trail. All those present had good reasons for not volunteering. No hare, no trail next Sunday?!

On On..... Durex 

Walker's trail as done by Durex

MH3 Run 280. Bluebell Inn, Melbourne

A sign of things to come? Mobility scooters parked outside the On Inn

MH3 Run 280
Date: Monday 17th October 2016
Location: Bluebell Inn, Melbourne
Hares: Gobalot and Oriface
Weather: Clear skies with nr. full moon
Pack size: 10

The question I had before this trail was "could the hares, freshly back from their USA adventures, find a sufficiently long trail around the small town of Melbourne without resorting to night-time manoeuvers in the dark countryside?" Yes they could, and a fine trail it was. Even with a temporary fairground occupying part of the town, sufficient pathways were found including a stretch along the disused railway. Torches were certainly needed as 75% was along unlit paths/roads but no shiggy fields or the need to disturb sleeping cattle or sheep.
The pack split in two from the start with walkers Dobber and Catflaps setting a casual pace at the back and r*nners Wriggle, Ballcrusher, Artless Dodger and myself trying to keep Trianal in sight. Seaman Stains defies classification, although walking, was seen checking at the front of the pack on several occasions. The hares popped up at random points around the trail just to make sure I was checking for bars at the end of every false trail. Just look at all those false trails I did on the GPS map link below!
Alas the fairground was closing down as we arrived back in town - no rides on the Helter-Skelter this time.

In the circle RA Dobber made the following awards: 
1. Seaman Stains for walking around faster than many of the pack. Rumour has it that he is fitted with a transponder. Maybe his final MH3 hash?
2. Ballcrusher was seen appearing through hedges like a badger - hedge hunter.
3. Trianal got his usual DD for being all over the place though for once on the right trail, just too far out in front to be seen or heard.
4. Catflaps for leading Dobber astray. And I thought you just had to follow flour.
5. Hares Gobalot and Oriface were thanked for a good trail.

On On ..Durex

Trail as done by Durex

QH3 Run 919. Duke of York, Lichfield (Joint trail with Bull Moon H3)

RUN #919

Date : SATURDAY 15th October 2016
Location: Duke of York, Lichfield
Hares: Durex and Soggy Balls
Weather: Lovely autumnal sunshine (again!)
Pack size: 16

What a grand day out our joint trail in Lichfield with the Bull Moon H3 turned out to be. Our RA did us proud with yet another dry sunny run.

Lichfield is a lovely little city and we can't believe we've never visited it before even though we live just 25 minutes up the A38. I can even forgive them for claiming Lichfield rather than Solihull was the birth place of Dr Johnson.

The Duke of York was an excellent On Inn, a friendly pub with excellent ales, plenty of room and real pub food snacks such as pork pies and scotch eggs. Worth a visit if you are in Lichfield.

The Bull Moon Hash celebrates full moons with a hash trail, fittingly done this month in Lichfield at a weekend when the Lunar Society were also meeting in Lichfield with a conference celebrating 250 years of the society.  Lunarticks (as they were known) have had many famous members from the scientific community including Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgewood, Joseph Priestly and James Watt. They've just been going for a bit longer than the Bull Moon H3.

A reasonable sized pack, half-and-half Quorn and Bull Moon (depending how Wriggle wanted to be classified), set off just after noon on a promised 5.3 mile trail. After just over a mile with the pack still together the SRBs led by a limping B*gger were offered the option of a shortcut. This was readily taken by a majority of the Bull Moon H3. This left Ballcrusher, Goblin and Malteaser (the 'C-Team') to do most of the checking.

Hash hound Freya showed the fishmen how not to catch fish by jumping into the fishing ponds. Being in Staffordshire there were no sheep or cows to entertain us, just a couple of horses.

Just over two-thirds around the trail was a beer stop courtesy of Soggy Balls. The walkers arrived here well before opening time but it was a most welcome drink on a warm sunny day.

In the Duke of York we had a room to ourselves, which is probably just as well with Quorn RA Chicki trying out a full range of DD songs. Distracted by a large pork pie and hash chips I forgot to make any notes about the circle led by Stretch and Chicki. This is what I remember... though no necessarily in this order.

Hares Durex and Soggy Balls were given seperate DDs and thanked for a good trail. The former was smiling as nobody had been lost, the latter was under the supervision of his parents. Malteaser received two awards, one for not seeing a check she was standing right next to and for being overheard mentioning she could no longer fit into her waterproof trousers. This was Skid's 200th QH3 trail and she had come a long way to participate. Coach was selected as the token Bull Moon walker accompanied by hash virgin Jan (?). Nose Job was thanked for his lack of control of the said hash hound at the fishing ponds and Mad Max for showing such great appreciation of strawberry flavoured water at the drinks stop. Too Tuf's roll of honour as a Down Down champion was recited following his recently added accolade as Madrid Hash DD champion. Ballcrusher did a lot of checking today but was only remembered for the one on which he turned back on the correct trail. Well that kept the pack together allowing Stretch and Nose Job walking at the back to keep up. Then finally there was Wriggle, promiscuous regarding the hashes she associates with, mingling with many but unable to decide as to which one she belongs to.

These joint trails are always great fun. Let's have more!
On On..... Durex 

Trail as planned by Hares

QH3 Run 918. Great Hucklow Bunkhouse weekend

RUN #918

Date : Sunday 2nd October 2016
Location: Foundary Adventure Centre, Great Hucklow
Hare: Butcher's Dog
Weather: Lovely autumnal sunshine
Pack size: 30

This Sunday's trail was the end-point of our bunkhouse weekend in the Peak District. Friday night had seen the "back-to-school" assignments followed by a long 10 - 12 mile walk on Saturday (Gt Hucklow-Foolow-Longstone Moor-Coombs Dale-Stoney Middleton-Eyam-Foolow-Gt Hucklow). Saturday was party night (see the QH3 Facebook page for photos!) so all but one of the registrants were grateful not to be the hare for Sunday morning. The weather on Saturday had exceeded all expectations remaining dry all day whilst Nottingham was hit by heavy thundery downpours. Sunday was even better with blue skies and lovely autumnal sunshine, our RA Chicki can do no wrong at the moment.
Hare Butcher's Dog was out before most got up for breakfast. During the setting she met the unhappy farmer who bore a grudge against any groups or runners using a public path across his land, though the Tweeny incident of 3-4 years ago obviously hadn't helped.
Much of the first half-mile was down hill which may have accounted for Captain

A nice way to spend a Sunday morning - hashing
in the Peak District (photo by Lily the Pink)

Oates being at the front. Nice to be running with a larger than usual pack, our ranks swelled by seven hashers from Norfolk who had joined us for the weekend. After a few checks the usual FRBs became established, namely, Sausage, Lily the Pink, Puss in Boots and Trianal with myself also present to report on anything of note. By the time we got to Bradwell the pack was well spread, even with the walkers being shepherded off before this point. Out of Bradwell it was useful having a holding check so everyone could regroup and walk through the field with cows and calves. 
The public footpaths of Stanlow Dale are poorly marked and differ in several places from what the maps show. After the encounter with angry farmer the hare obviously opted for the cautious approach and took us back along the well established tracks and road.
A comfortable circle was held in the lounge of the Adventure Centre, the beer master taking the opportunity to use up what drinks were left, mainly mild and dandelion and burdock, both sometimes supplemented with cream. Awards were as follows:
(1) Wallington - for strapped wrists;
(2) Slug - champion snorer;
(3) B*gger - many sporting socks have "L" and "R" written on them and B*gger still got it wrong;
(4) Twonk - organising Nash Hash 2017;
(5) Yogi - not realising that QH3 can't count past 3 so we call On-On not "three";
(6) Goblin - chef for the weekend. Round of applause for excellent food;
(7) Trianal - after yesterday's 12-mile stroll he warmed up for today's trail with a 4-mile run yesterday evening;
(8) Butcher's Dog was awarded a good run accolade achieving a higher than average of 48.2% though Barritone complained there were no brunette sheep;
(9) Basset was dobbed in by Smutley as a sinner though I missed what for as I went out the room to get another drink;
(10) Shagulater dobbed himself in for using skin cream rather than toothpaste whilst standing next to Sausage who he thought was Captain Oates;
(11) B*gger failed to workout how to lock the key in the keysafe but had fortunately failed to locked the door as he was one of the last back from the trail; and
(12) Durex for snitching on the RA's dog and Too Tuf's contribution to the Tweeny incident from many years ago.

Thanks to all who made it a wonderful weekend especially to our guests from Norfolk who add something of the exotic to the event.


On On..... Durex 

Trail as done by Durex