Run	Date	Hare(s)	Description	MapRef	1:50000	1:25000	1:10000	More
1018	2023-09-24 11:00	Bika	Lovedean - Bird in the Hand	SU684133

The harvest is almost over, many of the fields are already harrowed and ready for winter wheat. Soon, the autumn gales will be here along with dribbly nose shiggified Hashing. What a shame then, that so few Hashers turned up for this run which enjoyed fair, fresh, dry and warm weather.

Arrivals were like little peas in the huge pod of a parking area behind The Bird In Hand, ushered in by Bika who appeared to be stationed at the entrance showing a leg to oncoming traffic in the hope of luring customers, perhaps that's why so few turned in.

At least our band seemed fairly fit and able even Substandard , who is in danger of being promoted to Standard.

At the appointed hour there was usual repartee, with the Hares drawing our attention to the proximity of this trail to the one of the previous Hash, rather cruelly noting that this would not be a problem because the advanced age of the pack imbues a sufficient measure of amnesia. Thus, not quite knowing where we were, we dispersed, looking for sawdust or flour, while keeping an eye on the Hares' general direction of travel behind.

Substandard happened on the way out, East, across the busy road, and up the hill to the electricity substation where you can hear the 400 kV hissing around the big flat insulators on the two giant pylons. We are going to need more of these in our brave new electron powered world, but not in the South Downs National Park, or my back yard, or your back yard obviously.

A joyous romp over the lush green pastures above The Warren was interrupted by a fish hook that caught Substandard, Snake Charmer, and Bambi.

Field gave way to the cross roads on Tagdell Lane, where we encountered a white van loaded with British Bulldogs, no kidding, absolutely rammed full, no barking, all peering out of the darkness within, a surreal moment.

Then we plodded North West along the lane, meandering through the copious piles of horse ordure, and listening to the sudden hum of disturbed flies as we approached.

Down the hill to Lovedean Lane, and The Ref lead us astray on a false South for a while before we settled on nice flour up Hinton Manor Lane and a fish hook that caught The Ref, Substandard, Bambi, and Snake Charmer.

Memories of a run in the dim and distant past came to Bambi at this point, and a recollection of a path back to Catherington Lith to the East. While letting the rest of the pack know about this, Bambi ran right past the path opposite Denmead Hill Lane, taking all, too many unnecessary footsteps North and receiving some words of reproval to boot.

Thus we found ourselves to the East wandering around on the Lith and having all those deja vu moments from the previous run. Once again Substandard found the way out up Roads Hill, and then Snake Charmer took us over the path that goes through a back garden to Catherington Lane. Surely a case where the resident wishes it really was not in my back yard.

A fair bit of walking and nattering was now going on, progress slowed, more enjoying the sunshine that was coming and going as we headed South through the grazing past The Equestrian Centre to Jubilee Park.

"On! On!" called Snake charmer, then "Oh no!", then "Bugger!" as she was lead astray by a white blob that became obvious was a penalty spot for the soccer pitch.

More ambling South down Frogmore Lane, and then spying those pylons again and turning West the pace picked up as we sensed were nearing the end. And so it turned out, after some clever trail laying that messed us about a bit, we found Coldhill Lane down to and across the busy Lovedean Lane again, with a short anticlockwise loop round to the rear of the car park and the On In after one hour and twenty six fun packed minutes of hashing.

Some had to "rush off", so the few dwindled to the last of the few, nevertheless enough to surround a bench in the garden remained. Down downs, the Hares, Bambi (missing the footpath), everyone else (not yet had a down down).

The Hash-It was awarded to Snake Charmer in absentia, for the penalty spot fiasco. The remainder then remained at the bench, quaffing the ale and become more and more eloquent well into the afternoon.

On! - On! Bambi

Bambi's track
... AND ... photos by Bambi