Run	Date	Hare(s)	Description	MapRef	1:50000	1:25000	1:10000	More
950	2020-09-13 11:00	Two Ferrets & Vixen	Graffham Recreation Ground	SU931176

The ultraviolent rays of sunshine necessitated a good old slap on of lotion for this preprandial run, the bottle is getting low, however this will probably be the last time it is needed this year. Also, I am told that the rays are a natural sanitiser for stiles and gates etcetera.

As we gathered, the circle widened, lest we be accused of mingling, which on the morrow would become a criminal offence. It was good of Vixen to be a hare on her twentyfourth wedding anniversary (then on a Friday) when she could have been mingling legally with her beau at home.

Two Ferrets, the other hare told me that Vixen's cubs, Dancer and Cheesy Chips had earlier assisted in laying the trail, no sign of them now, however they had left their own marks, but more of that later.

Bubble numero uno started out in the familiar easterly direction on the unmade road to Old Park followed by a northerly jaunt into the Upper Norwood triangle where many trails have inexplicably disappeared in the past. All very proper with a socially distanced stream of hashers negotiating the lush grassy climb and winding village lanes in the pleasant warmness of a late summer morning.

Presently we crossed the Lavington Road and made the long slog between the fences north north west and down to the stream in Middleheath Copse. Bika and Bambi managed to really distance themselves from the rest along here, then Bika was alone in the front as Bambi rushed over the rickety footbridge afraid the Troll (fol-dee-rol) and ran out of trail. Meanwhile Bika found the flour on the left bank that led to an upstream "try to jump across" opportunity.

Here the bubble became a random scatter as the brave attempted a leap and the cowards picked their way through shingled bits and branches to avoid getting their paws wet.

Now heading West we emerged on the road opposite Homeball Wood which looked attractive but was full of falseness. The diabolical hares took us back East towards Popple Hill and then South towards the chariots.

On the flat pasture just over the brow of the hill the front runner encountered a fish hook, the number in the hook being indecipherable caused a thinking pause during which the rest of the bubble floated in. When Two Ferrets arrived she proceeded to erase the mark with much kicking and white dusty clouds, muttering "Those boys, I told them that I am fish hook phobic, this should not happen on my hash". She was of course referring to Dancer and Cheesy Chips' provocative little trick.

We emerged from our communion with nature on the road opposite Graffham village shop to find the On-In after one hour and five minutes of balmy hashing.

The lovely village playing field provided a perfect open space for a short apres-hash natter. To my right Canman was slumped in his chair busily consuming diet Pepsi (other brands are available) like there was no tomorrow. At the same time, further away, Vixen was recounting important happenings that led up to the conception of her cubs. She was just getting to the gist when Canman attempted to break the Guinness record for the longest loudest belch. Consequently I was not able to hear all that Vixen said, it was something about the need to use the UVF when a slot opened up?, but what the Irish have got to do with it beats me.

We did thank the four hares with some genteel clapping and then helped ourselves to cooking apples that our JMs had found on a tree in their garden, then gradually folded our chairs and drifted off.

On On ! Bambi

See: SM's track ... AND ... photos