Date: Sunday 29th April
Location: Lustleigh (in and around)
Without giving too much away, Dolittle or should that be DoDolittle, Four Sips, myself, Buster, Teasel, Sid, Tilly and two of Four Sips friends went on a pre-hash amble round Lustleigh to see where we are going to lay the trail in exactly one month's time.
We had a lovely walk, I was being a little bit brave in t-shirt and sandals but it did turn out to be nice and warm, if not a little wet in places for my little toes.
Teasel did her usual border terrier style obedience, the sort that goes, "Teasel come here and put your lead on" "ok" well i'll only come just close enough for you to bend down and touch my tail and then run out of the way several times!!!! GRRRRR Still she was reasonably well behaved considering...
Buster was well behaved but was sick on the way round probably due to eating plants that don't agree with dogs, that Four Sips assured me wouldn't be eaten by dogs because they are too sensible not to eat them. Four Sips meet Buster and Teasel the only two dogs on this planet who are too stupid not to know that they will be sick after eating Dog Worsel , or was it Dog Mango, or Dog Groundsel...whatever it was it didn't agree with the dogs!
Dolittle did manage to stand in some doggy doo doo's (not our dogs I hasten to add, ours was nicely picked up and disposed of in the bins provided) hence Four Sip then saying she should be called Doo Doolittle.....
We saw a beautiful wood full of bluebells which was truly a sight to behold and brought back happy memories of other woods I've known filled with bluebells. One of which was Bluebell woods where Farmer Goldstraw kept his pigs...(but that's another story for another day)
Dolittle agreed at the end to backchase or was it backtrail or was it follow the longs. (I was about to start drawing straws for that job, i've been given the job of providing treats for the regroup. Not going to say what just in case... and Four Sips has got the job of telling everyone about the hash and following the shorts...that's the plan at the moment anyway.
It was quite exciting thinking about laying a trail as this will be the first one we will have done, but thankfully with an expert like Four Sips for guidance we will be On On for a real treat.
So thankyou Four Sips for taking us out today, it really is a lovely trail, thank you Dolittle for volunteering to follow the longs around the hash and thank you to the kind people of Lustleigh for not yet knowing what you have let yourselves in for....
So till May 29th On On...
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Hash #14
Date: 24th April 2007
Location: Haytor upper car park
Weather: a little bit misty!!
Location: Haytor upper car park
Weather: a little bit misty!!
Haytor on a sunny day......
We drove into the car park on time, in spite of a little detour round Bovey Tracey when we lost the lane to Dolittle's house, it was there but someone had moved the signposts.....
It was a bit foggy so I put my head torch on only to be told by Dolittle that yes indeed I did look like a twonk (made up name for silly eejit) so I put it in my pocket. We gathered round and Four Sips decided to impress everyone with her double flip back somersault which she had been practising with Sid, unfortuately Sid hadn't been practising and tripped her up and thump down she landed OUCH. She was ok and we listened to our instructions.
Ruff Puff wasn't actually there even though he was the hare, but Vertigo stepped in and explained that there was 3 long/short splits and a regroup and that we weren't to follow the On Home mark until much later down the line and On On was that way. He pointed off to his left or right depending on where you were standing and off we set.
I was running with the usual Dolittle, Tina, Four Sips and Shorty who was braving enough to come tonight even after completing the London Marathon a few days ago. Well done Shorty!!
Off we set then turned back to the car park to try and find the trail. We were up at Haytor rocks until we found our first blob of sawdust, or was it flour? Then we were off, until we reached the other side of the quarry when it all got a little bit confusing. Finally we found the route and proceeded to jog over the moors with the light fading ever so slightly and the mist drawing in and becoming thicker. The regroup arrived and noone was there so I fished about in my pocket for a couple of mints, but not many takers, probably a wise move as i'm not sure what i've had in my pocket recently.
Then off we set again, uphill, (groan groan) I could see Dolittle ahead having stripped off her coat, Tina overtook me and was off and I plodded on my merry way to try and keep sight of them in the misty murk.
......and then the mist descended.
The On Down was at The Dolphin Inn in Bovey and we arrived and surprised ourselves by being only the second lot of hashers through the door. Down Downs were given to Ruff Puff for his non appearance as a hare, he read out a text from Vertigo which said Hash went well? If I were you I wouldn't show my face!! Maverick got a down down for not remembering to bring a change of clothes and ending up in the pub in his running gear (we did hear that he was flashing his lights for the rest of the hashers to see where the car park was so he should really have been let off!!)and Four Sips had one for her spectacular dive at the beginning of the hash.
We came home having arranged to meet to do a trial run for our laying of the trail...which is coming very soon....EEEKKKK....
till next time ....On On
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Hash #13
Goodness me I'm glad I didn't remember it was Hash #13 before I went, not that i'm superstitious but.....
Date: Tuesday 17th April 2007
Location: Shipley Bridge car park
I've cheated ever so slightly this time because I was asked to do the words by Snow White so having written those and sent them off to her I've decided that I'll copy what I've written and then perhaps add a couple of bits to make it more pertinent to this blog. The bits i've added i've done in a different colour so those who have read the words can then just read the bits i've added. (How kind am I?) SO apologies to those who will read the words but there are only so many hours in the day and my OU course needs some attention tonight and there is of course the matter of the bowl of ice cream that is my special treat and then the washing to sort....... :) (i'm not complaining!)
Operation Avon Dam….The Dam Hashers
The Briefing
Time 7.30pm. Carried out by Sneezy & Snow white. We were to follow a trail of flour laid around the Avon Dam area and capture the excitement of hashes gone before. We were to choose between long and short and find our way home before night descended. We were going where no hashers had gone before…or were we? While we were being briefed Buster decided to have a wee as he seemed a little desperate, he started his wee and one of the hashers walked past and scared him and he moved, I thought he had stopped weeing until I felt my leg go nice and warm and realised he was now weeing on my leg.....YUK YUK YUK. I disappeared to my car and found the wet wipes (how I love those wet wipes) and cleaned my leg before re joining the hashers hoping against all hope that noone had seen otherwise that would have been a down down for sure.
The First Wave
All hashers set off at a fairly normal rate as we were faced with uphill and stoney pathways, then onto the moors and the longs started to fade into the distance with shouts of on on, the shorts picked their way through the bracken and fern, and finally found the check, can I just say here that running at the back has it's advantages....I spotted a blob of flour off to the right as everyone else was going on up and with some help from Sneezy as well found the check. The longs returned to join them on the quest for the assault on the pathway to the river. Over dead trees, under dead trees, through gorse and over one steep wall that caused a few injuries (I think this was where Dolittle caught her finger as Teasel dived over the top, so apologies to Dolittle for the bad behaviour of Teasel and I do hope you feel better soon) and nearly scared a dog to death as it was pushed over the wall…mentioning no names (Tina). Apologies too for Tina but then poor Holly hasn't done anything wrong. I do hope you are ok Holly!!) Then the hashers were wading and stepping stoning it across the river. This was no task for weaklings, those hashers were brave and courageous, they got their shoes and trousers wet and dirty. Snow white bravely waited at the other side, smiling and checking that everyone was across. Then it was onward and upward (groan I don’t do hills!) The longs were off again and the shorts thankfully didn’t have to go too far uphill and then we cut across towards the Dam itself. For a moment the mission nearly failed. Snow white the squadron leader was shouting “On Up On Up” with meaning in her voice. Six Pack, he of the longs, had found the check and was jumping up and down wildly shouting “On Check, It’s Here, It’s Here.” We all tuned our radars in and suddenly the entire pack was heading towards Six Pack who suddenly turned upside down and kicked his legs in the air. Growbag was nearly in a collision with Dolittle as he careered his way onwards towards the target, then like a missile he zoomed off up the hill looking for the trail. I can remember thinking at the time how much energy can one person have, one of my memories of this hash is that most of the pack were kept together for longer than any other hash and I can remember at every point we met up with the longs that Growbag was running round first in one direction then in another...At last the second wave was complete and off we all set downhill (phew) towards (oh no) the river.
The Second Wave
Into the river we all went, no fear, no worries until one by one they realised that it was a ploy, we were tricked into the cold waters, the hashers left the water one by one apart from Coldbitz who decided to have a splash about before continuing. The trail had crossed the river but Squadron Leaders Snow white & Sneezy had foiled the enemy with their sneaky up river scramble. Poacher came to everyone’s rescue in the absence of Ollie and helped us over to the other side, apart from myself who ended up in the river. I don't really know what happened apart from the stone under my foot was very slippery and when I went in I got up pretty quickly again hoping that I hadn't got my car key too wet so it didn't work when I got back to the car....the things that go through your mind when you are up against it. Up and up we went, then the cry came up from Red Kevin “On UP to the Regroup.” At last the checkpoint we were halfway to victory. Several chomps later…… Several chomps for those that eat chocolate, i'd put a mint in my pocket so I sucked on that one....remember i'm a recovering chocoholic and I didn't want to put that in jeopardy, there were some other sucky sweets but I was just too knackered to walk the few feet to retrieve one...sad I know, but i'd just come up a hill. It took me a little while to get going again as my legs felt very very cold and my bum and bits didn't feel like they belonged to me anymore!
The Third Wave
With stallions and mares rearing and bucking all around us we raced, or in my case plodded our way onwards or downwards or was it side-wards. By this time I just knew we hadn’t hit the dam, I’d not seen the dam, it was somewhere there but sadly not hit tonight. although with Sneezy & Snow White's love affair with water I was pretty glad we didn't go near the dam because they might have had us wading through the reservoir!
Date: Tuesday 17th April 2007
Location: Shipley Bridge car park
I've cheated ever so slightly this time because I was asked to do the words by Snow White so having written those and sent them off to her I've decided that I'll copy what I've written and then perhaps add a couple of bits to make it more pertinent to this blog. The bits i've added i've done in a different colour so those who have read the words can then just read the bits i've added. (How kind am I?) SO apologies to those who will read the words but there are only so many hours in the day and my OU course needs some attention tonight and there is of course the matter of the bowl of ice cream that is my special treat and then the washing to sort....... :) (i'm not complaining!)
Operation Avon Dam….The Dam Hashers
The Briefing
Time 7.30pm. Carried out by Sneezy & Snow white. We were to follow a trail of flour laid around the Avon Dam area and capture the excitement of hashes gone before. We were to choose between long and short and find our way home before night descended. We were going where no hashers had gone before…or were we? While we were being briefed Buster decided to have a wee as he seemed a little desperate, he started his wee and one of the hashers walked past and scared him and he moved, I thought he had stopped weeing until I felt my leg go nice and warm and realised he was now weeing on my leg.....YUK YUK YUK. I disappeared to my car and found the wet wipes (how I love those wet wipes) and cleaned my leg before re joining the hashers hoping against all hope that noone had seen otherwise that would have been a down down for sure.
The First Wave
All hashers set off at a fairly normal rate as we were faced with uphill and stoney pathways, then onto the moors and the longs started to fade into the distance with shouts of on on, the shorts picked their way through the bracken and fern, and finally found the check, can I just say here that running at the back has it's advantages....I spotted a blob of flour off to the right as everyone else was going on up and with some help from Sneezy as well found the check. The longs returned to join them on the quest for the assault on the pathway to the river. Over dead trees, under dead trees, through gorse and over one steep wall that caused a few injuries (I think this was where Dolittle caught her finger as Teasel dived over the top, so apologies to Dolittle for the bad behaviour of Teasel and I do hope you feel better soon) and nearly scared a dog to death as it was pushed over the wall…mentioning no names (Tina). Apologies too for Tina but then poor Holly hasn't done anything wrong. I do hope you are ok Holly!!) Then the hashers were wading and stepping stoning it across the river. This was no task for weaklings, those hashers were brave and courageous, they got their shoes and trousers wet and dirty. Snow white bravely waited at the other side, smiling and checking that everyone was across. Then it was onward and upward (groan I don’t do hills!) The longs were off again and the shorts thankfully didn’t have to go too far uphill and then we cut across towards the Dam itself. For a moment the mission nearly failed. Snow white the squadron leader was shouting “On Up On Up” with meaning in her voice. Six Pack, he of the longs, had found the check and was jumping up and down wildly shouting “On Check, It’s Here, It’s Here.” We all tuned our radars in and suddenly the entire pack was heading towards Six Pack who suddenly turned upside down and kicked his legs in the air. Growbag was nearly in a collision with Dolittle as he careered his way onwards towards the target, then like a missile he zoomed off up the hill looking for the trail. I can remember thinking at the time how much energy can one person have, one of my memories of this hash is that most of the pack were kept together for longer than any other hash and I can remember at every point we met up with the longs that Growbag was running round first in one direction then in another...At last the second wave was complete and off we all set downhill (phew) towards (oh no) the river.
The Second Wave
Into the river we all went, no fear, no worries until one by one they realised that it was a ploy, we were tricked into the cold waters, the hashers left the water one by one apart from Coldbitz who decided to have a splash about before continuing. The trail had crossed the river but Squadron Leaders Snow white & Sneezy had foiled the enemy with their sneaky up river scramble. Poacher came to everyone’s rescue in the absence of Ollie and helped us over to the other side, apart from myself who ended up in the river. I don't really know what happened apart from the stone under my foot was very slippery and when I went in I got up pretty quickly again hoping that I hadn't got my car key too wet so it didn't work when I got back to the car....the things that go through your mind when you are up against it. Up and up we went, then the cry came up from Red Kevin “On UP to the Regroup.” At last the checkpoint we were halfway to victory. Several chomps later…… Several chomps for those that eat chocolate, i'd put a mint in my pocket so I sucked on that one....remember i'm a recovering chocoholic and I didn't want to put that in jeopardy, there were some other sucky sweets but I was just too knackered to walk the few feet to retrieve one...sad I know, but i'd just come up a hill. It took me a little while to get going again as my legs felt very very cold and my bum and bits didn't feel like they belonged to me anymore!
The Third Wave
With stallions and mares rearing and bucking all around us we raced, or in my case plodded our way onwards or downwards or was it side-wards. By this time I just knew we hadn’t hit the dam, I’d not seen the dam, it was somewhere there but sadly not hit tonight. although with Sneezy & Snow White's love affair with water I was pretty glad we didn't go near the dam because they might have had us wading through the reservoir!
Here is a picture of the dam kindly borrowed from someone on photobucket...thanks purpleglowspider
Nevertheless with beautiful scenery all around we continued. Sneezy offered me the short cut back to base but I declined (I was very tempted, very tempted indeed but no I am not a person that gives up easily in the light of adversity) and scrambled after the disappearing pack in front of me. I could see the backs of Vindaloo and Doris and kept them firmly in sight, the light was beginning to fade and I was ever so slightly concerned at being lost in the middle of somewhere not very populated. (What is this I’m hearing never before has a dam hasher felt so pathetic, come on Gurnie don’t let the side down) I was very glad I'd put my head torch in my pocket and turned it on although it was still light enough to see without it. On On we went, the longs had gone up and up the shorts went across and across. I looked up to see most of the hashers disappearing and then without warning Windy came breezing by…(do you like that Windy breezing….!) yes off he went. With Sneezy shouting keep the marks on your right, he was showing us the way home. I lit my torch and thankfully because the dark tunnel of stones was upon us. Windy did a double somersault flip but was ok and no bones broken thankfully. Down down and down….(at least it was down)…to the On Home mark that I’d been looking forward to seeing (Ok I would just like to make a little bitty request here to anyone laying a trail in the future...when you put On Home and an arrow and Home is like not that close is there any chance you could just scatter a smattering of flour somewhere on the journey home because I did get a tad worried at this point. Vindaloo and Windy (Now there's a good partnership of hash names....!) Vindaloo and Windy had disappeared round the bend, Doris was behind me so I knew I would be ok as long as I kept on the right road. I assumed that on home was along the road but kept looking through gateways just in case as I really had lost all sense of direction...and at last the lights lit up the runway of base (and a big sigh of relief from me) and I was home after one wonderful hash. Thanks Sneezy & Snow white my legs are still aching but so are my mouth muscles from smiling…..…The Dam Hashers have done it again On On till next time.
The down downs were given to Sneezy for losing the last Long/Short split, to Snow White for losing her walkie talkie on the hash and having to run back round the hash to find it. Coldbitz for sitting in the river and Glasseye for having a near miss in the river. See how good it is to be at the back of the pack....no-one but no-one knows about your little mishaps and adventures...although I wouldn't mind doing a down down as long as it's non alcoholic....
Am I the only teetotaller hasher in the world? Am I the only non-runner hasher...?
Who cares? I'm having lots of fun and now i'm rambling so i'm going to go before I bore you all
Till next time On On.....
Nevertheless with beautiful scenery all around we continued. Sneezy offered me the short cut back to base but I declined (I was very tempted, very tempted indeed but no I am not a person that gives up easily in the light of adversity) and scrambled after the disappearing pack in front of me. I could see the backs of Vindaloo and Doris and kept them firmly in sight, the light was beginning to fade and I was ever so slightly concerned at being lost in the middle of somewhere not very populated. (What is this I’m hearing never before has a dam hasher felt so pathetic, come on Gurnie don’t let the side down) I was very glad I'd put my head torch in my pocket and turned it on although it was still light enough to see without it. On On we went, the longs had gone up and up the shorts went across and across. I looked up to see most of the hashers disappearing and then without warning Windy came breezing by…(do you like that Windy breezing….!) yes off he went. With Sneezy shouting keep the marks on your right, he was showing us the way home. I lit my torch and thankfully because the dark tunnel of stones was upon us. Windy did a double somersault flip but was ok and no bones broken thankfully. Down down and down….(at least it was down)…to the On Home mark that I’d been looking forward to seeing (Ok I would just like to make a little bitty request here to anyone laying a trail in the future...when you put On Home and an arrow and Home is like not that close is there any chance you could just scatter a smattering of flour somewhere on the journey home because I did get a tad worried at this point. Vindaloo and Windy (Now there's a good partnership of hash names....!) Vindaloo and Windy had disappeared round the bend, Doris was behind me so I knew I would be ok as long as I kept on the right road. I assumed that on home was along the road but kept looking through gateways just in case as I really had lost all sense of direction...and at last the lights lit up the runway of base (and a big sigh of relief from me) and I was home after one wonderful hash. Thanks Sneezy & Snow white my legs are still aching but so are my mouth muscles from smiling…..…The Dam Hashers have done it again On On till next time.
The down downs were given to Sneezy for losing the last Long/Short split, to Snow White for losing her walkie talkie on the hash and having to run back round the hash to find it. Coldbitz for sitting in the river and Glasseye for having a near miss in the river. See how good it is to be at the back of the pack....no-one but no-one knows about your little mishaps and adventures...although I wouldn't mind doing a down down as long as it's non alcoholic....
Am I the only teetotaller hasher in the world? Am I the only non-runner hasher...?
Who cares? I'm having lots of fun and now i'm rambling so i'm going to go before I bore you all
Till next time On On.....
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Hash #12
Date Tuesday 10th April
Location: The Poacher's Arms, Ide.
We'd been informed it was a live hash tonight as Growbag was stepping in at the last minute so we weren't sure what to expect. We listened to how many shorts, longs and short shorts and set off. We made a good start but due to the incline of the hill being against us, we soon eminated towards the back of the pack. We slowed down a bit as we realised that Shorty was behind us, she'd been getting the food order sorted as the vegetarians hadn't been catered for. She soon caught us up and we headed upwards and onwards.
At a crossroads we debated whether the shorts go on or go left on the short short, we decided to do the short short along a narrow road, passing a couple of cars, or should that be a couple of cars passing us as we really weren't going that fast.
Getting towards the end of the lane we bumped into Growbag and Alice? (I think that was his name) who told us to turn round as we needed to go a bit further.....so Dolittle, Gurnie, Shorty, Absorba and a few others turned round and followed Growbag and Alice back along the road we just came from back to the crossroads.
When we arrived Growbag was looking intently at his map and saw our running and said "I think the best thing to do is to go back the way you've just come, turn left and then follow the trail back where the longs will join it."
SO we all turned about and headed back down the long narrow lane that we had just gone down, then just returned down and off we went. I was a little concerned when I saw Absorba ahead doing a bit of a hop and a skip sidewards and thought that he might have tripped, then a couple of others did the same manoeuvre on the same piece of road and i thought ey up, there's something funny about this bit of road, then I realised they had been turning to look at the view and jumping to see over the hedge....doh! I couldn't see over even when I was jumping so I carried on.
We turned at the public footpath and negotiated some very dog unfriendly styles, poor Buster took a tumble at one of them but he got up and was ok.
Then came the cows. Now i'm normally quite brave when it comes to cows and I'm greatly relieved that DH wasn't out tonight because he doesn't like cows and tonight would have finished him off probably. So to the cows, they were on the other side of the field but saw us and to say they were getting a bit skittish is probably an understatement, Dolittle thankfully saw my worried expression and stopped so we were safety in numbers. The cows saw the dogs and thought game on, Buster saw the cows in one field and heard them in the one next door and thought "AAARRRGGGHHH". Anyway with a bit of "come on move out of the way and other such statements" we made our way through the field, Shorty tried to shortcut through a gate until Dolittle said it's over there, the stile is over there......I looked and saw nothing but a herd of cows...hmm I thought this is going to be fun. 
We did get through the cows unscathed and continued to follow the flour till we were back in the pub car park. We were, for once, some of the first back so i'm glad we did the short short with the extra detour on top rather than the long.
Anyway it's late now, i'm off for a good sleep, so sweet dreams all and till next time On On ;)
Location: The Poacher's Arms, Ide.
We'd been informed it was a live hash tonight as Growbag was stepping in at the last minute so we weren't sure what to expect. We listened to how many shorts, longs and short shorts and set off. We made a good start but due to the incline of the hill being against us, we soon eminated towards the back of the pack. We slowed down a bit as we realised that Shorty was behind us, she'd been getting the food order sorted as the vegetarians hadn't been catered for. She soon caught us up and we headed upwards and onwards.
At a crossroads we debated whether the shorts go on or go left on the short short, we decided to do the short short along a narrow road, passing a couple of cars, or should that be a couple of cars passing us as we really weren't going that fast.
Getting towards the end of the lane we bumped into Growbag and Alice? (I think that was his name) who told us to turn round as we needed to go a bit further.....so Dolittle, Gurnie, Shorty, Absorba and a few others turned round and followed Growbag and Alice back along the road we just came from back to the crossroads.
When we arrived Growbag was looking intently at his map and saw our running and said "I think the best thing to do is to go back the way you've just come, turn left and then follow the trail back where the longs will join it."
SO we all turned about and headed back down the long narrow lane that we had just gone down, then just returned down and off we went. I was a little concerned when I saw Absorba ahead doing a bit of a hop and a skip sidewards and thought that he might have tripped, then a couple of others did the same manoeuvre on the same piece of road and i thought ey up, there's something funny about this bit of road, then I realised they had been turning to look at the view and jumping to see over the hedge....doh! I couldn't see over even when I was jumping so I carried on.
We turned at the public footpath and negotiated some very dog unfriendly styles, poor Buster took a tumble at one of them but he got up and was ok.
Then came the cows. Now i'm normally quite brave when it comes to cows and I'm greatly relieved that DH wasn't out tonight because he doesn't like cows and tonight would have finished him off probably. So to the cows, they were on the other side of the field but saw us and to say they were getting a bit skittish is probably an understatement, Dolittle thankfully saw my worried expression and stopped so we were safety in numbers. The cows saw the dogs and thought game on, Buster saw the cows in one field and heard them in the one next door and thought "AAARRRGGGHHH". Anyway with a bit of "come on move out of the way and other such statements" we made our way through the field, Shorty tried to shortcut through a gate until Dolittle said it's over there, the stile is over there......I looked and saw nothing but a herd of cows...hmm I thought this is going to be fun. We did get through the cows unscathed and continued to follow the flour till we were back in the pub car park. We were, for once, some of the first back so i'm glad we did the short short with the extra detour on top rather than the long.
Anyway it's late now, i'm off for a good sleep, so sweet dreams all and till next time On On ;)
The pictures are taken from google search herd of cows........
Pedal bash #1
Date: Sunday 8th April
Location: Butcher's Arms, Abbotskerswell
We arrived early, the we being myself, my husband and my two sons. We started to unpack the car and Dolittle and family arrived. We got on our bikes with a little excitement, a little nervousness and some soreness for some of us!
A bugle summoned us to the centre of the field and we listened to someone (sorry don't know who you were) telling us the proceedings for the morning and after being given a quiz to do while we were cycling, (well not quite) we set off.
Dolittle and I did our usual sprint start and ended up right at the front of the back of the pack!! It was uphill to start with and with the weighty Oli I had to push after a little way as the bike wasn't wanting to be ridden, well that's my excuse and i'm sticking to it.
Shorty took pity on us and escorted us most of the way through the worst bit of hills and downs, I would have caught up a bit but Oli decided that going mega fast down the hills wasn't good for his breathing so I could only go downhill so fast which meant my momentum for going back up the hills wasn't so good. Never the less, we cycled through the back of Ipplepen and onto Staverton and had a lovely surprise of ending up at the beer festival on the Staverton steam railway platform, Theo was highly delighted with the prospect of seeing trains.
We were given some eggs that had been hidden which Oli and Theo ate with great relish. We stopped for a rest then it was On On for home. It was harder work going back but the sun was shining the birds were singing and the peace in the countryside was wonderful. Oli decided he was going to help push me home so every five minutes I had two little hands on my bottom pushing with a little voice giggling, then he started doing his wiggle wiggle, which wasn't too helpful for the control of the bike.
We arrived back at the pub, worn out, sore bums but happy. We queued to get drinks which refreshed us nicely. Theo, Oli and C and D all won an Easter egg which was lovely. We had a quick go on the slide before heading home.
A wonderful cycle ride, thanks for Shorty and Bigfoot.
till next time.....On On
Location: Butcher's Arms, Abbotskerswell
We arrived early, the we being myself, my husband and my two sons. We started to unpack the car and Dolittle and family arrived. We got on our bikes with a little excitement, a little nervousness and some soreness for some of us!
A bugle summoned us to the centre of the field and we listened to someone (sorry don't know who you were) telling us the proceedings for the morning and after being given a quiz to do while we were cycling, (well not quite) we set off.
Dolittle and I did our usual sprint start and ended up right at the front of the back of the pack!! It was uphill to start with and with the weighty Oli I had to push after a little way as the bike wasn't wanting to be ridden, well that's my excuse and i'm sticking to it.
Shorty took pity on us and escorted us most of the way through the worst bit of hills and downs, I would have caught up a bit but Oli decided that going mega fast down the hills wasn't good for his breathing so I could only go downhill so fast which meant my momentum for going back up the hills wasn't so good. Never the less, we cycled through the back of Ipplepen and onto Staverton and had a lovely surprise of ending up at the beer festival on the Staverton steam railway platform, Theo was highly delighted with the prospect of seeing trains.
We were given some eggs that had been hidden which Oli and Theo ate with great relish. We stopped for a rest then it was On On for home. It was harder work going back but the sun was shining the birds were singing and the peace in the countryside was wonderful. Oli decided he was going to help push me home so every five minutes I had two little hands on my bottom pushing with a little voice giggling, then he started doing his wiggle wiggle, which wasn't too helpful for the control of the bike.
We arrived back at the pub, worn out, sore bums but happy. We queued to get drinks which refreshed us nicely. Theo, Oli and C and D all won an Easter egg which was lovely. We had a quick go on the slide before heading home.
A wonderful cycle ride, thanks for Shorty and Bigfoot.
till next time.....On On
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Out of the mouth's of babes
Yesterday I'd been finding out some maternity clothes for a friend who is pregnant and Theo was asking me what they were, I was explaining to him that when you are pregnant, like I was with Oli that you get big tummies because the baby is inside you and you need clothes that will fit and that was what the clothes were........
This morning Theo came up to me and said "Mummy, you know you had Oli inside your tummy?" I replied " Yes Theo I did " He looked at me and said "Did you eat him?"
I had to smile to myself, bless him, he must have been wondering how on earth he'd got in my tummy and probably wondering how i'd managed to eat him.
The funnier thing is that he's been looking at the digestive system in a book we've got and we talk about how the food gets digested and how it comes out with a plop! He looked quite relieved when I said I hadn't eaten him, but then got very bored when i tried to explain about Daddy planting seeds and ...well i'll say no more :)
Here's a picture of Oli only a few hours old, see no bite marks!
Friday, April 06, 2007
Soapy and Bubbles walk for charity
Two hashers who I briefly met on Tuesday night are walking 5,000 miles in aid of the charities Guide Dogs for the Blind and RNLI.
http://www.tvh3.com/coastalwalk.htm
The link above will take you to the story so far and how you can help with sponsorship and help them raise the money they need.
I've given my £2.00 just think if everyone who read this gave even £1.00 then that would be at least £3.00 i'd have helped them raise!!!
On On .....
http://www.tvh3.com/coastalwalk.htm
The link above will take you to the story so far and how you can help with sponsorship and help them raise the money they need.
I've given my £2.00 just think if everyone who read this gave even £1.00 then that would be at least £3.00 i'd have helped them raise!!!
On On .....
Hash #11
Date: Tuesday 3rd April
Location: Ideford, The Royal Oak? was it I can't remember.....sorry
So what delights were in store for us tonight. The hares were Maverick and Floss, the toilets were busy to begin with and someone borrowed my head torch as they hadn't put the lights on yet. Dolittle forgot she was wearing hers so had a wee in the dark! (Sorry but I couldn't resist :) )
We set off through the lanes of Ideford towards Chudleigh, Buster decided that he needed to relieve himself so I stopped to pick it up and looked up to find noone in my view, running as fast as my little legs would carry me, while tying up a poo bag and holding onto Buster I got within sight of the others. I then spent a few minutes trying to work out whether to tie the poobag onto the lead, hold it in my hand or double bag it and swallow hard and put it in my pocket. The pocket option was the choice and I just remembered in time the mint imperials in the left hand pocket, that was a close shave.
Then my focus was back on the hashing. I had got left behind so I did another bit of a fast walk (it was uphill!) to catch the others up. We headed up towards Ideford Common and were able to jog again for a bit. Ollie was at the top with his dog so I slowed up for a chat then realised I was being left behind again. The last leg of the hash I was jogging on my own with Dolittle, Shorty and another lady (sorry forgotten her name) in my sights. Dolittle at one point tried to stand on Teasel but luckily Teasel survived to tell the tale! We got back to the car after another good run and after getting changed we went to the pub.
Don't even ask who had the down downs because I don't think at that point my tired state was taking anything in. I'll give it a go.....Ollie for not turning up on time, Growbag for getting lost and who was the third? Was it someone's birthday? I just can't remember sorry.
Then Doris and Rambo were presented with a couple of engraved wine glasses which they then did a down down with. Doris gulped down her brandy in one mouthful while Rambo was a little longer and then cheekily said "Did I win?"
Bubbles and Soapy paid us a visit on their way past, they are walking John O'Groats and back on the coastline in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind and RNLI.
Another good hash, and then to bed........ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz
till next time
On On :)
Location: Ideford, The Royal Oak? was it I can't remember.....sorry
So what delights were in store for us tonight. The hares were Maverick and Floss, the toilets were busy to begin with and someone borrowed my head torch as they hadn't put the lights on yet. Dolittle forgot she was wearing hers so had a wee in the dark! (Sorry but I couldn't resist :) )
We set off through the lanes of Ideford towards Chudleigh, Buster decided that he needed to relieve himself so I stopped to pick it up and looked up to find noone in my view, running as fast as my little legs would carry me, while tying up a poo bag and holding onto Buster I got within sight of the others. I then spent a few minutes trying to work out whether to tie the poobag onto the lead, hold it in my hand or double bag it and swallow hard and put it in my pocket. The pocket option was the choice and I just remembered in time the mint imperials in the left hand pocket, that was a close shave.
Then my focus was back on the hashing. I had got left behind so I did another bit of a fast walk (it was uphill!) to catch the others up. We headed up towards Ideford Common and were able to jog again for a bit. Ollie was at the top with his dog so I slowed up for a chat then realised I was being left behind again. The last leg of the hash I was jogging on my own with Dolittle, Shorty and another lady (sorry forgotten her name) in my sights. Dolittle at one point tried to stand on Teasel but luckily Teasel survived to tell the tale! We got back to the car after another good run and after getting changed we went to the pub.
Don't even ask who had the down downs because I don't think at that point my tired state was taking anything in. I'll give it a go.....Ollie for not turning up on time, Growbag for getting lost and who was the third? Was it someone's birthday? I just can't remember sorry.
Then Doris and Rambo were presented with a couple of engraved wine glasses which they then did a down down with. Doris gulped down her brandy in one mouthful while Rambo was a little longer and then cheekily said "Did I win?"
Bubbles and Soapy paid us a visit on their way past, they are walking John O'Groats and back on the coastline in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind and RNLI.
Another good hash, and then to bed........ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz
till next time
On On :)
Chocaholics anonymous
I was the world's worst when it came to chocolate but I'm very happy to report that I've not had a single piece of chocolate since July 2006.
So come on who else wants to join this exclusive club of happier, fitter people who can survive without chocolate???
This post is done especially for B, you know who you are, you asked for it and you got it. Now my blog has got some reference to chocolate.....anything else I can write for you sir :)
So come on who else wants to join this exclusive club of happier, fitter people who can survive without chocolate???
This post is done especially for B, you know who you are, you asked for it and you got it. Now my blog has got some reference to chocolate.....anything else I can write for you sir :)
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Gerbils - how strange is this.....
After reading a post on a myspace friend's space (is that English?) about gerbils, it reminded me of an incident that happened when I was younger living at home. Quite an amusing little story about my brother's gerbil called Fred.
Now my brother was away for a weekend and left me in charge of Fred, our dog Bracken who was a border/lakeland terrier escaped into his room and scared Fred. I found Fred lying on his bed, legs up in the air stiff as a board dead. Horrors... I got the advise of my Mum and then made a little box to send poor Fred off in. We decided to wait until my brother returned home from his jaunt and left Fred in his box, in his cage.
We collared my brother on his return and relayed the sad story to him and upset he went to his room so we could sort out Fred's funeral only to find Fred sitting there munching on the box that was supposed to be taking him to his last place of rest.
We were all amazed and my brother was convinced that it was a miracle until we were told that apparently gerbils do this rigor mortis state to confuse their predators.
Sad thing was we waited at least four days when he finally did die because we didn't know if he was having us on again!!! 
This isn't Fred but an interesting gerbil nonetheless
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
South Hams 500th Round Robin Run
Date: Sunday 1st April
and we then drove to Totnes and joined lots of other people dressed like clowns to go traipsing about the countryside dressed like clowns and getting some very strange stares from people.
Location : Totnes to Paignton to Kingswear to Totnes
Transportation: Car, Bus, Legs, Train, Legs, Ferry, Boat, Car
What a fun day was had by all. I woke up and dressed like a clown and was then joined by Dolittle who was also dressed like a clown
and we then drove to Totnes and joined lots of other people dressed like clowns to go traipsing about the countryside dressed like clowns and getting some very strange stares from people.It was a great day and we had lots of fun. We started at Totnes and went by bus to Paignton, we did a hash over to the restaurant/pub, I can't remember it's name but it was at the back of the cinema there. Call me useless if you like but I had other things on my mind at the time!
Then Dolittle and I walked up to the Steam Railway where we and the other hashers became the holiday makers delight and were snapped several times by various tourists. We got on the steam train to Kingswear. We scared a lady in the toilet who had just gone in to have a quick wee and when she came out of the toilet the room was full of clowns, I will never forget her face and if you are reading this now I do apologise and hope that you have fully recovered from the shock of it all.
We dropped off our bags at The Ship Inn and off we went on the Hash, our second I suppose with South Hams Hash House Harriers. It was very hilly, very very hilly and all I can remember is thinking how many more hills before home?? The steps at the end nearly killed me and I must confess to stopping once on the pretence that I needed to blow my nose but really it was just to try and get some feeling back into my legs..... jelly comes to mind when I think back to it.
I eventually caught Dolittle up who had gone ahead and we jogged back to the pub, well almost. We got our lunch after a bit of a wait and sat with Big Bird to eat it.
Dolittle and I seemed to be the only ones concerned that the ferry was leaving at 4.20 and it was 4.15 and they were just starting the down downs. Dolittle and I were asked to participate but they'd already poured out the beers and as we don't drink we had to decline. SO sorry about that but I will explain, Dolittle was driving and I only have one kidney and am a teetotaller. Next time give us a soft drink and we'll down it for you gladly ;)
Well we missed the ferry we needed but got the next one which was in time to catch the boat. We all boarded and the down downs continued, I lost count of how many there were but the occasion ended with the Grand mistress I think they called her the Grand Mattress but I could have been mistaken was given a chain of post made out of little pink pigs.
We arrived back in Totnes very weary after a lovely day and Dolittle raced me home to get back to my family.
Thankyou South Hams for a wonderful day, i've got some photos, lots of memories and a lovely T-shirt to remind me of the time we had with you...
till next time... On On
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Naming ceremony
Tuesday 27th March
Why is it when i'm typing that i'm singing in my head...."we've only just begun" and "I'm on the top of the world etc etc "
So the hash was great, we walked to the pub with a little trepidation and got ourselves our drinks. We went to stand next to Maverick and he started discussing with Red Kevin about the down downs and I can remember looking at Karen and thinking well we aren't going to be named tonight and with a little disappointment but some relief we went to eat Four Sips' chips for her. At her request I hasten to add. We sat discussing wool, socks and knitting patterns and vegetarianism and generally putting the world to rights when we heard those two words for silence. Hash Hush.
Four Sips moved closer to the rest of the hashers so Karen and I decided to join her and stood at the back. Maverick started by recalling a couple of mishaps and then he said those fatal words...."we've got two young ladies..." I can remember swallowing hard and turning round to look at the wall behind me. It wasn't the fact that this could well be our time for being named, it was more the fact that I was being called a young lady!! ;)
I was handed a half pint of something which looked like weak orange squash and Maverick turned to Karen. Her name turned out to be Doolittle as she has an affinity with animals and a houseful of them. Apparently a French lady had previously been called Doolittle when she had been caught asking a cow for directions in the mist and had been named that night, but noone had seen her again so it was decided that Karen should be Doolittle and she was handed her half pint of suspicious looking liquid. The third pint was handed to another gentleman who I didn't catch the name of as I was trying to work out how I was going to drink half a pint quickly without making a mess, or making myself sick.
The song started and we commenced the drinking. It tasted awful and I can remember feeling the drink dribbling down my chin and dripping down into my bra...I was thinking what a lovely sight I must look now. I looked over at Doolittle and realised that in my anxiety over drinking the yukky stuff i'd gone too quickly and my solidarity of drinking at the same time had gone by the board. OOps so sorry Doolittle, it won't happen again. Anyway it was soon all over and we had got our names. Doris and Rambo came to show us the attire we could buy with our new names on them and we ordered a t-shirt each.
So there you have it Karen and Ruth have become Doolittle and Gurnie. We could start some sort of law firm or detective agency with those names. Doolittle and Gurnie, pet detective agency at your service.
For those of you who wonder what Gurning is all about or whether I was correctly named i've attached a couple of pictures.. I'll leave you to decide.
Just want to add that if anyone is reading this and wondering about starting hashing then do. I have enjoyed every minute of it so far and for someone who doesn't run and doesn't drink and doesn't do going to pubs, that's a big thing!
The Carpenters - Ilsington
Why is it when i'm typing that i'm singing in my head...."we've only just begun" and "I'm on the top of the world etc etc "
So the hash was great, we walked to the pub with a little trepidation and got ourselves our drinks. We went to stand next to Maverick and he started discussing with Red Kevin about the down downs and I can remember looking at Karen and thinking well we aren't going to be named tonight and with a little disappointment but some relief we went to eat Four Sips' chips for her. At her request I hasten to add. We sat discussing wool, socks and knitting patterns and vegetarianism and generally putting the world to rights when we heard those two words for silence. Hash Hush.
Four Sips moved closer to the rest of the hashers so Karen and I decided to join her and stood at the back. Maverick started by recalling a couple of mishaps and then he said those fatal words...."we've got two young ladies..." I can remember swallowing hard and turning round to look at the wall behind me. It wasn't the fact that this could well be our time for being named, it was more the fact that I was being called a young lady!! ;)
We were requested to step forward and with Karen muttering oh no, oh gawd we took our places at Maverick's side.
He had three choices for my name, Blog, Blogger or Gurnie. Someone who i'm not going to mention ( Foursips!) had been giving out some inside information and had told the hash that all my photos on my blog were of me gurning. Most of the hash decided that Gurnie it would be and with someone singing Ernie and he drove the fastest milkcart in the west, I had to laugh. I was actually pleased with the name, Gurning is a Cumbrian passtime and as I was brought up in Cumbria it was quite appropriate.
I was handed a half pint of something which looked like weak orange squash and Maverick turned to Karen. Her name turned out to be Doolittle as she has an affinity with animals and a houseful of them. Apparently a French lady had previously been called Doolittle when she had been caught asking a cow for directions in the mist and had been named that night, but noone had seen her again so it was decided that Karen should be Doolittle and she was handed her half pint of suspicious looking liquid. The third pint was handed to another gentleman who I didn't catch the name of as I was trying to work out how I was going to drink half a pint quickly without making a mess, or making myself sick.
The song started and we commenced the drinking. It tasted awful and I can remember feeling the drink dribbling down my chin and dripping down into my bra...I was thinking what a lovely sight I must look now. I looked over at Doolittle and realised that in my anxiety over drinking the yukky stuff i'd gone too quickly and my solidarity of drinking at the same time had gone by the board. OOps so sorry Doolittle, it won't happen again. Anyway it was soon all over and we had got our names. Doris and Rambo came to show us the attire we could buy with our new names on them and we ordered a t-shirt each.
So there you have it Karen and Ruth have become Doolittle and Gurnie. We could start some sort of law firm or detective agency with those names. Doolittle and Gurnie, pet detective agency at your service.
For those of you who wonder what Gurning is all about or whether I was correctly named i've attached a couple of pictures.. I'll leave you to decide.
Just want to add that if anyone is reading this and wondering about starting hashing then do. I have enjoyed every minute of it so far and for someone who doesn't run and doesn't drink and doesn't do going to pubs, that's a big thing!
See I take quite a nice picture I think hehehe
Hash #10
So we've reached double numbers....Hash 10 and still smiling.
Tuesday 27th March
Location - Ilsington
I was late picking Karen up tonight but luckily for us the hash was only 3 miles away from her house so we arrived with plenty of time to spare. It was very strange indeed to be able to see people's faces in the daylight and not be poking about in the dark sorting the dogs out. It was also light enough to watch Floss throw a stick way away into someone's garden for the dogs to catch!
We listened to the instructions, or rather I should have been listening to the instructions but I was too busy giving a lovely Springer a bit of a cuddle and love, i'm a soft touch when it comes to brown eyes and waggy tails.
We all set off and happily for me we had several checks in procession which meant I was able to warm up slowly and not lag too far behind right from the start. I'm sure if it wasn't for my slowness Karen would be up with the front runners, but bless her she's always turning round and checking i've not keeled over in a corner somewhere.
The hash itself was one of the nicest ones we've done so far, that's just my opinion but one I think that most would agree with. I had a guided tour with Red Kevin at the start of the hash and he informed me that the lane I was running down was part of the Hill Climb. I'm not sure now whether he was just giving me some historical information or preparing me for probably one of the steepest hills we've had. I got to the top puffing and panting and re-joined Karen, Shorty and Four Sips who were ahead. It was a lovely evening and it was nice to be able to have a look at the countryside around us. We arrived at the re-group and decided which long to take with the shorts. Shall we take the 2nd long and the last short or the longer long and the short or the shorter long....well we decided to take the 2nd long which was running round the field. I tried to do it but with the group taking a short cut, I decided that I should try and keep up with them.
I had a brief chat to Sneezy who was telling me why one of his dogs was having a mad yapping session. Then we entered the woods and encountered a deer. It was beginning to get dark so we put our torches on and continued through the woods. Shorty, Karen and I finished the hash chatting and smiling.
Then it was off to The Carpenters for the On Down. I've detailed this in a separate post entitled the naming ceremony!!
Yippee I'm named, i'm now an official hasher...read on to find out what it was.. or is.
till next week, take care, happy running and On On
Tuesday 27th March
Location - Ilsington
I was late picking Karen up tonight but luckily for us the hash was only 3 miles away from her house so we arrived with plenty of time to spare. It was very strange indeed to be able to see people's faces in the daylight and not be poking about in the dark sorting the dogs out. It was also light enough to watch Floss throw a stick way away into someone's garden for the dogs to catch!
We listened to the instructions, or rather I should have been listening to the instructions but I was too busy giving a lovely Springer a bit of a cuddle and love, i'm a soft touch when it comes to brown eyes and waggy tails.
We all set off and happily for me we had several checks in procession which meant I was able to warm up slowly and not lag too far behind right from the start. I'm sure if it wasn't for my slowness Karen would be up with the front runners, but bless her she's always turning round and checking i've not keeled over in a corner somewhere.
The hash itself was one of the nicest ones we've done so far, that's just my opinion but one I think that most would agree with. I had a guided tour with Red Kevin at the start of the hash and he informed me that the lane I was running down was part of the Hill Climb. I'm not sure now whether he was just giving me some historical information or preparing me for probably one of the steepest hills we've had. I got to the top puffing and panting and re-joined Karen, Shorty and Four Sips who were ahead. It was a lovely evening and it was nice to be able to have a look at the countryside around us. We arrived at the re-group and decided which long to take with the shorts. Shall we take the 2nd long and the last short or the longer long and the short or the shorter long....well we decided to take the 2nd long which was running round the field. I tried to do it but with the group taking a short cut, I decided that I should try and keep up with them.
I had a brief chat to Sneezy who was telling me why one of his dogs was having a mad yapping session. Then we entered the woods and encountered a deer. It was beginning to get dark so we put our torches on and continued through the woods. Shorty, Karen and I finished the hash chatting and smiling.
Then it was off to The Carpenters for the On Down. I've detailed this in a separate post entitled the naming ceremony!!
Yippee I'm named, i'm now an official hasher...read on to find out what it was.. or is.
till next week, take care, happy running and On On
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Heart shaped stones
I collect heart shaped stones. These are stones that I find when i'm on holiday mainly but I have found a couple in the garden while i've been gardening. This is the first one I ever found, it was when I was on holiday in Scotland and we were skimming stones into the loch. Loch lomond I think it was. I found this and thought now then do I skim or do I keep. I kept it and it became a thing then that when I was on holiday I would look out for a heart shaped stone to take back as a souvenir and memory of that holiday.
A couple of them i've found in the garden and yes I know some of them you have to use a bit of imagination to see the heart in them but I was running out of time on holiday and they had to do i'm afraid!
I wonder if anyone else collects heart shaped stones.... would be good to find out if anyone did.
Oh well back to the grindstone with the OU course.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Hash #9
Tuesday 20th March
Location: Riverford farm (eventually!)
I picked Karen up and we set off to Riverford Farm, (not the shop) and found the shop straight away, then drove down a road, stopped near a car, the chap inside wound down his window and said are you looking for the hash. We then followed each other around for the next 15 minutes or so. Karen asked someone for directions and we discovered we were at the field kitchen, but we couldn't find any hashers cars, we lost the chap who we later found out was called Vertigo. Very nice chap too! We drove back to the shop, drove down into a farm yard with private no entry on it, then decided to follow our gut instincts and drove back to the main road, found the sign with Riverford Organic lorries on it and followed our noses.
At 7.30 approximately we drove into the car park full of cars but no hashers in sight. We deliberated and decided that we did not want to be left out so we walked around trying to find the start of the hash, eventually found a blob of flour and we were off. We managed to get quite far until we ran out of flour, then we struggled, crossed a couple of fields, relocated the flour, listening out for fellow hashers.
We finally heard them in the distance in the opposite direction to where we were going and then we hit the road, we made an executive decision to go back via the road as time was ticking on and we didn't want to miss out on the lovely food. But which way to go, do we follow the road to the left and take the lorry trail home or do we go right and go down the narrow lanes back to the back entrance of the field kitchen. We chose right and down the hill we went, Karen dropped her torch and then her mobile phone, round a corner, over a bridge which I didn't remember driving over but on we kept. Then we came into the hamlet which we recognised. Then we saw the signs for Riverford farm and the tractors and lorries and we were back.
We got back in time for some lovely pasta and were a little disappointed to find out that noone had thought of a name for us so no down downs tonight.
It's our tenth hash next week so hopefully someone will have some inspiration somewhere along the way!
A bit of a strange night tonight, but good fun just the same, we did a mini hashlet and some orienteering and Karen is going to bring her map and compass for the next time...so till then...keep safe and On On !
Location: Riverford farm (eventually!)
I picked Karen up and we set off to Riverford Farm, (not the shop) and found the shop straight away, then drove down a road, stopped near a car, the chap inside wound down his window and said are you looking for the hash. We then followed each other around for the next 15 minutes or so. Karen asked someone for directions and we discovered we were at the field kitchen, but we couldn't find any hashers cars, we lost the chap who we later found out was called Vertigo. Very nice chap too! We drove back to the shop, drove down into a farm yard with private no entry on it, then decided to follow our gut instincts and drove back to the main road, found the sign with Riverford Organic lorries on it and followed our noses.
At 7.30 approximately we drove into the car park full of cars but no hashers in sight. We deliberated and decided that we did not want to be left out so we walked around trying to find the start of the hash, eventually found a blob of flour and we were off. We managed to get quite far until we ran out of flour, then we struggled, crossed a couple of fields, relocated the flour, listening out for fellow hashers.
We finally heard them in the distance in the opposite direction to where we were going and then we hit the road, we made an executive decision to go back via the road as time was ticking on and we didn't want to miss out on the lovely food. But which way to go, do we follow the road to the left and take the lorry trail home or do we go right and go down the narrow lanes back to the back entrance of the field kitchen. We chose right and down the hill we went, Karen dropped her torch and then her mobile phone, round a corner, over a bridge which I didn't remember driving over but on we kept. Then we came into the hamlet which we recognised. Then we saw the signs for Riverford farm and the tractors and lorries and we were back.
We got back in time for some lovely pasta and were a little disappointed to find out that noone had thought of a name for us so no down downs tonight.
It's our tenth hash next week so hopefully someone will have some inspiration somewhere along the way!
A bit of a strange night tonight, but good fun just the same, we did a mini hashlet and some orienteering and Karen is going to bring her map and compass for the next time...so till then...keep safe and On On !
Friday, March 16, 2007
Archie the Buzzard!
Well on Wednesday I had a trip to Escot with DS1 and DS2 and B. We had a wonderful sunny day and thoroughly enjoyed our time there watching the otters and the peacocks, trying to find some more stamps on the letterboxing and the highlight of the day was being introduced to Archie's new owners.
I should explain that Archie is a Common Buzzard, I used to be a falconer many moons ago and Archie was my first ever bird. He was bred at the centre I worked in and was raised by a rather severe Ferruginous Hawk. He came to me when he was old enough to leave his "mum" and I trained him from scratch. Archie wasn't imprinted, he knew he was a bird, I won't say a buzzard because being raised by a Ferruginous he may think he's one of those but he knows he's not human. I spent many an hour getting him used to me, to cars, to the outside world and eventually we flew him free. Now I will tell more about Archie but today I just wanted to share with you the exciting news that i have now met his owners who are at Escot http://www.escot-devon.co.uk/ and we got chatting. They have said I can go and see Archie whenever I want and that later on I can go out flying with them and take Archie out if I wanted to.....how fantastic is that. All these years later and I have contact with my most favourite bird in the world. So if you read this Miriam and Michelle have taken over the falconry at Escot and they are turning the place around, tidying up and making it wonderful so if you get chance go and see them and go and say hello to Archie and his new girlfriend Lucy!
I'm so happy and thrilled about this, it's even bringing hashing down on my list of happiness monitor to 2nd place!!
I should explain that Archie is a Common Buzzard, I used to be a falconer many moons ago and Archie was my first ever bird. He was bred at the centre I worked in and was raised by a rather severe Ferruginous Hawk. He came to me when he was old enough to leave his "mum" and I trained him from scratch. Archie wasn't imprinted, he knew he was a bird, I won't say a buzzard because being raised by a Ferruginous he may think he's one of those but he knows he's not human. I spent many an hour getting him used to me, to cars, to the outside world and eventually we flew him free. Now I will tell more about Archie but today I just wanted to share with you the exciting news that i have now met his owners who are at Escot http://www.escot-devon.co.uk/ and we got chatting. They have said I can go and see Archie whenever I want and that later on I can go out flying with them and take Archie out if I wanted to.....how fantastic is that. All these years later and I have contact with my most favourite bird in the world. So if you read this Miriam and Michelle have taken over the falconry at Escot and they are turning the place around, tidying up and making it wonderful so if you get chance go and see them and go and say hello to Archie and his new girlfriend Lucy!
I'm so happy and thrilled about this, it's even bringing hashing down on my list of happiness monitor to 2nd place!!
The pictures below show Archie on his bow perch in my Mum's old garden enjoying the sun, see what a beauty he is. The 2nd picture shows Archie's first kill......which was a worm!! That was taken in a place called Threlkeld in Cumbria. One of the most beautiful places in the country. Cumbria that is.
The third picture shows myself, a very young 20year old (I had Archie early for my 21st) this was one of our first ventures out on the creance and he'd just flown from the wall to my fist so I was happy and Archie had his fill so he was pretty much content. The fourth picture is a Barn Owl called Bebe, who was my second favourite bird and sadly she is no longer with us, she was at Escot for a while. When I get time i'll let you know some more stories about Archie until then I'll just keep smiling.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Hash #8
Tuesday 13th March
Location - Haldon
Is it really number 8! Time flies when you are having fun. Well tonight I decided to take DH with me to try it out and a very good friend of mine, Tina. We arrived slightly later than anticipated after a detour to pick Tina and Holly the dog up.
" Any virgins?" Ollie shouted and we said yes. "ok he said all virgins into the centre and introduce yourselves"
I looked and Karen and swallowed hard, we had been convincing Tina and DH that they wouldn't do anything like that to them and indeed it was the first time in 8 times that they had done it, but they coped well and the Hares came forward and told us all about the dangers that were coming up.
We set off and immediately I lost sight of Tina, where is Tina I kept asking, she's ahead I was told, then half a mile down the road she appears behind me, with her leggings wrapped round her ankles! Her torch wouldn't work so she was trying to sort it out. This was a good start. I got left at the back of the pack as it was straight running on the road and no chance for a breather or a catch up, but I plodded on. A car came through and I nearly swung for them when I kindly stepped onto the verge to let them past one of the neanderthals wound down his window and said "You'd get fitter if you ran you fat b****"
I didn't respond until he was well past, just in case and then i shouted "get a life!" took several deep breaths and carried on trying to catch everyone up.
We turned and here was the Long Short split, my first chance for a catch up possibly. Everyone else was in front of me so I plodded on not too concerned about where everyone was. Little did I realise that it was at this point that Tina had decided to do the Long and run on after the longs and we only found this out when we arrived at the regroup.
I caught up with the others then had a chat to Four Sips who had already managed to trip and be dragged along the ground shouting "here goes another dislocated arm!" I'm sure if it was me i'd have been shouting something far worse.
Onwards through Haldon woods we went, I spoke to someone else whose name I can't remember and we discussed the wonderful feeling we get when running swiftly up hills, or something like that anyway, perhaps it was more, these bloomin hills!!
Then I lost sight of Mark and Karen although i'd seen her with Shorty so I knew she would be ok. We arrived at the regroup, although a considerable number of people did a short cut along the road back to the cars. (cheeky!) After the regroup we did some downhill skiing on our bums down some very steep hills. This is where the mad cyclists go apparently, i'm sorry but I was scared enough going down on my bum, the thought of being on top of a bike while going down the same hill didn't really appeal to me!
Then it was the final leg home. Dh went home as he was starving hungry and after a detour to Tina's house for her shoes we went to the Bishop Lacey.
We were very nearly given our hash names but missed out to Codpiece I think who nearly skewered himself on a tree, to a new hash name for Dancing Queen and I think it was the hare, although I can't remember who that was, Starsky perhaps. So a very disappointed Ruth, a much relieved Karen and an excited Tina left the pub to go home to unwind. RuffPuff did say it would be our turn next week so we'll see. Till next week, run safely, watch for trees and On On!
Location - Haldon
Is it really number 8! Time flies when you are having fun. Well tonight I decided to take DH with me to try it out and a very good friend of mine, Tina. We arrived slightly later than anticipated after a detour to pick Tina and Holly the dog up.
" Any virgins?" Ollie shouted and we said yes. "ok he said all virgins into the centre and introduce yourselves"
I looked and Karen and swallowed hard, we had been convincing Tina and DH that they wouldn't do anything like that to them and indeed it was the first time in 8 times that they had done it, but they coped well and the Hares came forward and told us all about the dangers that were coming up.
We set off and immediately I lost sight of Tina, where is Tina I kept asking, she's ahead I was told, then half a mile down the road she appears behind me, with her leggings wrapped round her ankles! Her torch wouldn't work so she was trying to sort it out. This was a good start. I got left at the back of the pack as it was straight running on the road and no chance for a breather or a catch up, but I plodded on. A car came through and I nearly swung for them when I kindly stepped onto the verge to let them past one of the neanderthals wound down his window and said "You'd get fitter if you ran you fat b****"
I didn't respond until he was well past, just in case and then i shouted "get a life!" took several deep breaths and carried on trying to catch everyone up.
We turned and here was the Long Short split, my first chance for a catch up possibly. Everyone else was in front of me so I plodded on not too concerned about where everyone was. Little did I realise that it was at this point that Tina had decided to do the Long and run on after the longs and we only found this out when we arrived at the regroup.
I caught up with the others then had a chat to Four Sips who had already managed to trip and be dragged along the ground shouting "here goes another dislocated arm!" I'm sure if it was me i'd have been shouting something far worse.
Onwards through Haldon woods we went, I spoke to someone else whose name I can't remember and we discussed the wonderful feeling we get when running swiftly up hills, or something like that anyway, perhaps it was more, these bloomin hills!!
Then I lost sight of Mark and Karen although i'd seen her with Shorty so I knew she would be ok. We arrived at the regroup, although a considerable number of people did a short cut along the road back to the cars. (cheeky!) After the regroup we did some downhill skiing on our bums down some very steep hills. This is where the mad cyclists go apparently, i'm sorry but I was scared enough going down on my bum, the thought of being on top of a bike while going down the same hill didn't really appeal to me!
Then it was the final leg home. Dh went home as he was starving hungry and after a detour to Tina's house for her shoes we went to the Bishop Lacey.
We were very nearly given our hash names but missed out to Codpiece I think who nearly skewered himself on a tree, to a new hash name for Dancing Queen and I think it was the hare, although I can't remember who that was, Starsky perhaps. So a very disappointed Ruth, a much relieved Karen and an excited Tina left the pub to go home to unwind. RuffPuff did say it would be our turn next week so we'll see. Till next week, run safely, watch for trees and On On!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Hash #7
Hash number 7 - Date Tuesday 6th March
Location : Manaton
It had been raining hard and this morning I woke to find the river where I lived was flooded, did this make me wonder whether I should be going out in the dark, running around with the possibility of being washed away....erm No. I was as keen as ever to go hashing and off I went out of the house. I had to move my husband's car out of the way before I could go which meant I was five minutes late picking Karen up, but we arrived in Manaton with a trail of hasher's behind me in the car! Oops. I don't like driving fast when I don't know where i'm going.
We arrived to a clear sky and impending dark clouds overhead, is that possible? Anything in Devon is possible. We were ready in double time and just as we got out of the car it started to rain, I donned my hat and we waited for the instructions for the trail.
And we were off (minus Four Sips who was at home nursing a poorly tooth, she was there with us in spirit though!) We managed to stay with quite a few people this week, the path was a river and bumpy, stoney and nobody was going very fast. We came to the first long/short split and although I was tempted to turn long just to see what happened, Karen and my better judgement took over and we went with the shorts. I spent the first part of the trail looking for marks on the right, which is where they normally are and not seeing them, then Karen informed me that we had been told they were mostly on the left with some on the right...mental note, pay more attention next time Ruth!!
It was all too soon regroup and for the first time in ages or ever probably we were at the regroup with everyone else and had sweets and everything, fantastic. Then we were off again, it was now that things started to get a little stressful for me. The rain had stopped and with the hills going against us we were at fast walk pace and my glasses started to steam up. It wasn't too bad on the road where my feet were fairly safe, it was a little trickier over the field especially diagonally and on a slant but I coped. The problem came when I tried to get over some boulders and streams and rivulets of water and in between the boulders was what can only be described as amazing grade A shiggy. I put my foot down and it disappeared into this shiggy up to my knee, this led to an imbalance in my weight so I put my hand down onto what I thought was a stepping stone only to find that disappear into the shiggy as well. I luckily stopped just as my nose came level with it. Several more times into the brink dear friend and out the other side I was covered in black muddy stuff. I stopped to wipe my glasses so I could see where I was going and with a concerned look from Karen we continued.
We went up and up and then went down and down slipping and sliding all the way, it was a bit blowier up the top though and my glasses were finally demisted and I could see again.
We arrrived back at the car park and I stripped out of the muddy clothes and into some clean ones. Then off to the Kestor Inn for a drink and the down downs.
We still haven't got our nicknames and I think I will protest if we don't get them before we reach Hash #10. I was reading in some hashes they get their nicknames after 5 hashes. Or should I be pleased that we haven't done anything really stupid to earn a hash name? There was a suggestion that we should be Tweedledee and Tweedledum. So any suggestions?
Well another successful Hash, a little muddy, a little wet, a lot of fun.
Till next time On On
Location : Manaton
It had been raining hard and this morning I woke to find the river where I lived was flooded, did this make me wonder whether I should be going out in the dark, running around with the possibility of being washed away....erm No. I was as keen as ever to go hashing and off I went out of the house. I had to move my husband's car out of the way before I could go which meant I was five minutes late picking Karen up, but we arrived in Manaton with a trail of hasher's behind me in the car! Oops. I don't like driving fast when I don't know where i'm going.
We arrived to a clear sky and impending dark clouds overhead, is that possible? Anything in Devon is possible. We were ready in double time and just as we got out of the car it started to rain, I donned my hat and we waited for the instructions for the trail.
And we were off (minus Four Sips who was at home nursing a poorly tooth, she was there with us in spirit though!) We managed to stay with quite a few people this week, the path was a river and bumpy, stoney and nobody was going very fast. We came to the first long/short split and although I was tempted to turn long just to see what happened, Karen and my better judgement took over and we went with the shorts. I spent the first part of the trail looking for marks on the right, which is where they normally are and not seeing them, then Karen informed me that we had been told they were mostly on the left with some on the right...mental note, pay more attention next time Ruth!!
It was all too soon regroup and for the first time in ages or ever probably we were at the regroup with everyone else and had sweets and everything, fantastic. Then we were off again, it was now that things started to get a little stressful for me. The rain had stopped and with the hills going against us we were at fast walk pace and my glasses started to steam up. It wasn't too bad on the road where my feet were fairly safe, it was a little trickier over the field especially diagonally and on a slant but I coped. The problem came when I tried to get over some boulders and streams and rivulets of water and in between the boulders was what can only be described as amazing grade A shiggy. I put my foot down and it disappeared into this shiggy up to my knee, this led to an imbalance in my weight so I put my hand down onto what I thought was a stepping stone only to find that disappear into the shiggy as well. I luckily stopped just as my nose came level with it. Several more times into the brink dear friend and out the other side I was covered in black muddy stuff. I stopped to wipe my glasses so I could see where I was going and with a concerned look from Karen we continued.
We went up and up and then went down and down slipping and sliding all the way, it was a bit blowier up the top though and my glasses were finally demisted and I could see again.
We arrrived back at the car park and I stripped out of the muddy clothes and into some clean ones. Then off to the Kestor Inn for a drink and the down downs.
We still haven't got our nicknames and I think I will protest if we don't get them before we reach Hash #10. I was reading in some hashes they get their nicknames after 5 hashes. Or should I be pleased that we haven't done anything really stupid to earn a hash name? There was a suggestion that we should be Tweedledee and Tweedledum. So any suggestions?
Well another successful Hash, a little muddy, a little wet, a lot of fun.
Till next time On On
Monday, March 05, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Hash #6
Tuesday 27th February - Location Hembury Woods.
I really didn't feel like going out tonight, i'd had bad nights with both little ones and was very tired, i'd also developed a cough and thought i'd probably return with a worse one. It got to 4pm and I could feel the excitement start to build and that overrode all my anxieties from earlier in the day and so it was that at 7pm I was arriving to pick Karen up. We located Hembury Woods with time to spare due to our exceedingly fine navigating and map reading. (maybe we should start orienteering!!) It wasn't too cold and the rain had stopped so we thought we would keep reasonably dry. We pulled up behind Maverick and got our head gear on. I gave Karen a quick lesson in how to wear her torch without it flinging off her head at a crucial point. We signed out and listened to Brassic's instructions and off we all went.
We didn't get too far before we all got lost and then eventually found our way, then it was a short ride to the back of the pack. We soon got left behind but kept up with a few of the shorts. Maverick was behind me so I thought we would be safe. We ran out of Hembury Woods and came out onto a road, no marks to be seen but we did see some headlights to the left and the hashers in front shouted to us that the trail was that way, so followed them making sure we kept an eye out for Maverick so he would know where to go. He popped out of the lane and we shouted and flashed our lights and he was soon coming up behind us. Our safety blanket!
We came to the long/short split and decided to do the short! Off we went down into the village of Holne, only ten minutes or so before I was saying to Karen, we don't need to go to Holne, we need to turn left before Holne! Into Holne and the hashers in front had gone on ahead but we came to a check and followed the way it told us to go. Maverick had caught us up, then he disappeared and it was only when we were safe and sound back at the pub that he told us his story of going his own way!! So much for our safety blanket, we were on our own. We were quietly confident that we would make it, we now knew how to read the trail marks and we merrily shouted On On to each other when we passed a mark.
We followed the arrow down to the regroup, well there were three people there with a couple of bags of sweets. Ollie and Sneezy asked if there was anyone behind, we weren't sure where Maverick was at this point but there were some longs behind us. We stood and ate a couple of jelly babies while the dogs were made a fuss of, then with karen looking at me with eyes saying....come on come on let's get going, we passed on the sweets and followed the trail. I was thankful to be the last one as they ran past the mark and nearly got us lost but we got back on track and slipped and slid through a few fields. I ended up on Buster a couple of times and in a pile of nettles another time, with my hand stinging and my legs and bum muddy and wet I was still in fine spirit.
The trail took a bit of a turn for the worse at this point, and we found ourselves trying to negotiate through woods with marks every foot or so, then climbed back up to the track that we had left before.... oohh dear! Never mind. The river that we were reliably informed could be jumped was not jumpable so Karen and I waded through like a pair of intrepid explorers with no fear of being swept downstream or man eating crocodiles or anything!
Then Brassic came to our rescue and with a few other straggling hashers he led us back to the cars. It was up and down, through brambles and over trees, at one point I slid and nearly ended up with a tree between my legs, luckily I stopped just in time.
We made it back and signed back in again with Sneezy just beginning to worry where we had gone. We went back to the car to get changed and then onto the pub for the down downs and to locate Maverick!
I felt great after finishing the hash and my cough had stopped but I sucked a couple of fishermen's friends just to make sure I would be ok. (Just realised that might sound rude, I am talking the lozenge type friends here!!)
Another successful and enjoyable hash, with the Hash Bash to look forward to on Saturday it's all good stuff.
So till next time
On On x
I really didn't feel like going out tonight, i'd had bad nights with both little ones and was very tired, i'd also developed a cough and thought i'd probably return with a worse one. It got to 4pm and I could feel the excitement start to build and that overrode all my anxieties from earlier in the day and so it was that at 7pm I was arriving to pick Karen up. We located Hembury Woods with time to spare due to our exceedingly fine navigating and map reading. (maybe we should start orienteering!!) It wasn't too cold and the rain had stopped so we thought we would keep reasonably dry. We pulled up behind Maverick and got our head gear on. I gave Karen a quick lesson in how to wear her torch without it flinging off her head at a crucial point. We signed out and listened to Brassic's instructions and off we all went.
We didn't get too far before we all got lost and then eventually found our way, then it was a short ride to the back of the pack. We soon got left behind but kept up with a few of the shorts. Maverick was behind me so I thought we would be safe. We ran out of Hembury Woods and came out onto a road, no marks to be seen but we did see some headlights to the left and the hashers in front shouted to us that the trail was that way, so followed them making sure we kept an eye out for Maverick so he would know where to go. He popped out of the lane and we shouted and flashed our lights and he was soon coming up behind us. Our safety blanket!
We came to the long/short split and decided to do the short! Off we went down into the village of Holne, only ten minutes or so before I was saying to Karen, we don't need to go to Holne, we need to turn left before Holne! Into Holne and the hashers in front had gone on ahead but we came to a check and followed the way it told us to go. Maverick had caught us up, then he disappeared and it was only when we were safe and sound back at the pub that he told us his story of going his own way!! So much for our safety blanket, we were on our own. We were quietly confident that we would make it, we now knew how to read the trail marks and we merrily shouted On On to each other when we passed a mark.
We followed the arrow down to the regroup, well there were three people there with a couple of bags of sweets. Ollie and Sneezy asked if there was anyone behind, we weren't sure where Maverick was at this point but there were some longs behind us. We stood and ate a couple of jelly babies while the dogs were made a fuss of, then with karen looking at me with eyes saying....come on come on let's get going, we passed on the sweets and followed the trail. I was thankful to be the last one as they ran past the mark and nearly got us lost but we got back on track and slipped and slid through a few fields. I ended up on Buster a couple of times and in a pile of nettles another time, with my hand stinging and my legs and bum muddy and wet I was still in fine spirit.
The trail took a bit of a turn for the worse at this point, and we found ourselves trying to negotiate through woods with marks every foot or so, then climbed back up to the track that we had left before.... oohh dear! Never mind. The river that we were reliably informed could be jumped was not jumpable so Karen and I waded through like a pair of intrepid explorers with no fear of being swept downstream or man eating crocodiles or anything!
Then Brassic came to our rescue and with a few other straggling hashers he led us back to the cars. It was up and down, through brambles and over trees, at one point I slid and nearly ended up with a tree between my legs, luckily I stopped just in time.
We made it back and signed back in again with Sneezy just beginning to worry where we had gone. We went back to the car to get changed and then onto the pub for the down downs and to locate Maverick!
I felt great after finishing the hash and my cough had stopped but I sucked a couple of fishermen's friends just to make sure I would be ok. (Just realised that might sound rude, I am talking the lozenge type friends here!!)
Another successful and enjoyable hash, with the Hash Bash to look forward to on Saturday it's all good stuff.
So till next time
On On x
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