The Midsummer Hash is always and event to be looked forward to - a long hot summer day, with a bar-b-que and a nice outdoor picnic in a garden full of keen hashers. Well it was a nice day and it was hot, albeit interupted with heavy showers and lots of threatening cloud. It was a little sad that this major event in the hash calendar was the smallest midsummer hash for many years but it must be said that the efforts put in by both hares and hashers made up for meagre numbers.
After a small speech by the JMs (Hares) we were led into the hash by The Chamois sending us up and toward the forest at East Dean. We all knew the way and keenly sped up the hill with eagerness and fire (Come on, give me some help here, use your imagination!). However the crafty hares then led us back down the hill and toward the big climb which we knew must be coming. So at the next check Bambi and yours truly bounded up the hill in true hash fashion (hash fashion being a cross between a stagger and a walk with plenty of stops to catch your breath) only to be called back as the hares had excelled themselves and had fooled us again by sending us back along the track leading toward the Star & Garter before turning left uphill into the woods we normally run in from the Selhurst area.
It was at this point we came upon Hothead Tim Bell with 2 small mini-Bells - Joe and George, who had joined in and taken the more direct route to the hilltop.
Jairo had brought friend Angelo fromMozambique and was explaining the rules, which was interesting as some of us have been doing this for twenty years and as yet we have never been able to work out if there are any rules!
The JMs then decided to cheer us up by telling us that the flour may become a bit invisible here as the storm last night seemed to have washed most of it away. (So no change there then)
We jinked through the forest with well laid checks keeping the pack together and Sue scooping up back markers. The Can Man and I were given a telling off by the JM for discussing communist politics en route but avoided being awarded the hashit as there were so many other contenders. Old Faithful as always was bounding ahead with the Ref taking a more relaxed attitude and saving himself for a sprint finish. We came to a check and Bambi advised me not to go down there as it was a bit steep. True. However when I came back the pack had achieved a lifelong ambition and run off and left me!!
Have you ever tried to find a pack when you have to run every check to keep up?
Eventually I arrived home, certain of receiving the hashit but as they were all tucking into the grub and guzzle it was easily forgotten (especially as Mussolini had only just turned up!)
So lots of food and drink and then the summer raffle. As alwasy the falling down water was the most popular prize but even a bag of homegrown potatoes were on the list!
Raffle over and the hashit was awarded to young Joe because he actually wanted it and such mental irregularity shows he will grow up to be a true hasher...... But in case he is too small to carry it next time that honour will go to Mussolini for turning up late. So.... On On until next time.

Humble Scribe