Trash

Here is the trash for Run #495:

HASH No: 495
HARES: Follow Me Harry & Squashed Balls
AT: WIOC Playing Field, Friars Hill Road
HASH SCRIBE: Julia

Following through on my New Year’s resolution to step up on my level of fitness and further encouraged by the promise that it would be an "easy and flat" course, here I am waiting in anticipation to start my second Hash.

Goldilox welcomed visitors from as far away as Canada, Washington and Seoul and the regulars, some of whom had completed as many hashes as there were in existence. He also noted the exceptionally good turnout of about 75 people that included a number of children. Before we set off he announced the reintroduction of a longstanding tradition; the appointment of a Scribe (someone to write a brief account of the Hash). The appointee also had to carry a four foot fashioned HB3 pencil throughout the Hash! I laughed, thinking ohh how embarrassing! Goldilox was laughing too........ And so was everyone around me as that four foot pole headed in my direction…....I stopped laughing, and thought of the additional weight I had to carry but accepted the appointment graciously.

As I gathered my composure I heard someone shout "On-on!" Expecting to be heading toward the nice "easy" and "flat" terrain in a southerly direction, I was a little confused why we were heading in the opposite direction up Friar's Hill! What part of "flat "was this, I exclaimed! Everyone was off, so, I dug in, scribe in hand, head down and up that hill, determined not to be the last and to at least, try to keep ahead of the children!

At the top, between the short, sharp gasps for air and the sweat burning my eyes, I managed to glimpse the breathtaking views of the city, the rolling hills of Five Islands and beyond the Caribbean Sea, wow! This is all part of the Hash experience, and part of the challenge, I thought. As I waited for the burning sensation in my thighs to cool off, I took in a moment of appreciation for our paradise. "On-on!" and so the trail continued up and over the top of the hill, then on a downward track behind the housing development and towards Paradise View.

It probably wasn't until this point that I could have a proper conversation with my Hashing partner. "You’re doing well Ju," "is it heavy?" she asked, as I watched a fellow Hasher pass by with a child on his shoulders. "Naw" I replied, "do you want to carry it for a while?". " No way! And get a "down-down!" She laughed. She recited the occasion when she received a "down-down" for talking on her cell phone during a Hash and despite pleading ignorance and brevity of the call she had to pay for the crime. I looked and the scribe that now weighed like lead (lol) and started to contemplate the depth of bushes at the side of the road......

Walking westward with Paradise view on our right, I was relieved that the trail took us south through Mckinnons. I looked back at the steepness of hill we had avoided. Where were those kids? I thought, they were no where in sight and the pack ahead of us were getting further and further away. We picked up the pace, but by the time we reached Anchorage Road, we could not see anyone ahead of us and so we used the paper trail and assistance from the villagers to ensure we remained on the right track. I held on to that scribe as if it were a religious artefact, pleased that it was now enabling me to balance, as we manoeuvred through some natural and man-made ditches. Turning left back onto Friars Hill Road, walking hopscotch through the cow dung, the sight of base and the taste of a cold beer was all that I was focusing on..

An hour and a half later, we had completed the course. What a great sense of achievement, scribe and all. Albeit one of the easier Hashes, for me it was a good work out, even though I now have one arm more toned than the other. Back at base, we were advised by the RA - Doggy Style who congratulated the virgins amongst us ......the "down-downs" were administered and christened the Hasher with the child on his shoulders "Child-bearer" a name that will hopefully stick with him for the rest of his hashing life, just like Popeye for whom a moments silence was given in acknowledgement his recent passing.

After a few self administered "down downs" some jokes and good conversation that was the end of Hash# 495. Will I be back? Of course! A fantastic experience, an opportunity to appreciate the paradise that is all around us with great company. An experience not to be missed!

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