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Run	Date	Hare(s)	Description	MapRef	1:50000	1:25000	1:10000	Aerial
721	2011-09-25	Old Faithful & Bambi	Madehurst Houghton Forest	SU997105

The early day started out with some unusual atmospheric conditions, as we jogged along scattering the flour thither and yon we encountered pockets of air that were like poking a head into a fridge followed by short spells of what felt like a steam room complete with misting on the spectacles.
As the appointed hour arrived all this had evened out into a fabulous warm sunny day.

The gathering throng included yet another visit from Malibog who was sans chariot and already very sweaty from a run from the railway station and a long time no see from Sureshot, last seen in March. Although the pack was pawing the ground in anticipation the JMs decided to delay the off so as to wait for a pair of newbies who were homing in on us using directions from Treefeller on his mobile. After what seemed like a million years Sas and Al arrived and the baying pack was released.

The first check was a mere twenty yards from the start and was missed by most including Pancsi who took the sheeplike pack all the way down a long falsie west towards Madehurst. Then, having found the true trail north, Malibog somehow managed to lead a group ( Mike, dave, Aaron, Karl etc ) in the reverse direction to arrive back at the fourth check amidst much confusion.

Having sorted themselves out they soon rejoined the charge east up the wooded slopes beneath Whiteways lodge where a midweek mountain bike competition had opened up some of the narrower trails. The pack did a lot of work here, checking most of the falsies and all the other trails as well as we headed north west just below The Denture, then across it to return to a major check just south of Langham Wood.

With so many possible trails available a sizeable bunch of Natterers developed at the check while the more energetic hashers, the likes of Dr Blood, Pink Flamingo,Pancsi,Al, the kids,Mike, dave etc took their time finding the narrow trail north into Langham Wood to a regroup at the top of the long climb.

More nattering at the regroup while Al, who was going at a blistering pace had the pleasure of checking out a long long falsie further north and Karl went a long way east to no avail. The rest headed west to Wapelgate Corner and then south in the valley to a check just beneath a vertical climb to the west of the main path.

The kids had great fun here not only managing to climb the slope once but also going back to the bottom to try again. Meanwhile many of the adults chickened out and took a short cut crossing a false trail mark, tut tut. It was here also that Mussolini suddenly appeared, very very late.

The remainder of the route followed the wide forest trails south and then east, arriving at the chariots after one hour and twelve minutes of forest hashing.

At the circle there was mention of the short cutting bar stewards, and we learned that Caroline had disturbed an Adder that had thrown a hiss fit but not given her a nibble. The Hash-It was of course presented to Mussolini for extreme tardiness.

For some the journey home was interrupted by a visit to The Spur.

Bambi.
P.S. At a meeting of the Naming Committee it was decided that henceforth Caroline will answer to the name of Snake Charmer.