Run	Date	Hare(s)	Description	MapRef	1:50000	1:25000	1:10000	Aerial
699	2010-11-21	Cath, Pete, Tom & Ben	Forestside and Stansted Village Hall	SU756121

A grey morning with god's thermostat set at a chilly seven degrees of heat and her fan providing an icy breeze from the north east greeted a fair crowd of hashers to the small chariot park in front of Forestside village hall, where shortly we will all be bouncing up and down on the floor boards trying not to step on toes.
Canman welcomed back Malibog and greeted virgin hasher Gillian before reminding us all that the first untethered hot air balloon flight had been made on this day back in 1783.
On the face of it Cath appeared to be telling the truth when she said that the hash would be wet, muddy and slippery, however when she went on to say that it was exceptionally well marked with plenty of flour there were some doubtful faces in the pack.
My fetlock is still giving me gip, so I was happy to accompany Pru, Tigger, and The Chamois in a game of 'catch the pack' using a route map to take shortcuts to try and keep up with the action.

From the off a bunch of folk struck out due north to look in vain for flour on the path that leads into the eastern forest where as the rest correctly headed west along the farm road for a long slog to the end broken only by a simple check half way.
Now the pack was out of sight we consulted the map to choose our first shortcut, and also consulted a group of hikers who were just ahead. Oh Oh, there's something not right here, the hikers say that the pack went thataway the map indicates they should have gone thisaway, we can't hear any calling (not unusual these days) so we decide to just head south and keep our eyes open.
Soon we see a falsie and arrive at a check but we don't know which one.
Then suddenly Tigger pushes me into the bushes and before I can consider that this action might be some sort of amorous advance (as it is the rut now) she explains that she has just spotted a yellow shirt so we should hide lest we be seen and give away the trail.
It becomes obvious that the pack are heading away from us so we walk-jog in pursuit and soon catch them up on that long wide ride that runs south east towards The House.
Here there is much chaos, sabotage is suspected and the pack has split in two with each group believing they are on true trail, we join Dr Blood, Malibog, Canman, Torchy and Pink Flamingo as they wander around trying to find the rest.
With a bit of hare help we spot some of the others as Old Faithful, Flash, Panda and Gillian are seen heading a group who are running north just parallel to the road, soon we walkers are all alone together again.
A quick look at the map convinces us we are lost, so this time we decide to head north and on-in without passing go or collecting ... etc.

Soon we are back at the hall and are not surprised to have arrived ahead of the pack because they are involved in a cunning twisty entrail of a trail in the north east corner of the west wood.

After one hour and ten minutes (perfect) the pack returned, puffing and steaming and full of praise for the hares.
There were nominations as usual, Sureshot for over running a falsie (tut tut) and Dr Blood for taking a phone call while checking, however in what is becoming a bit of a habit the Hash-It was given to the person who didn't turn up to carry it this time, namely Jerry.
Thence it was over to West Marden and the warmth of the Victoria Inn where Canman got so close to the roaring fire that his buttocks started to sizzle.

Bambi.