Run	Date	Hare(s)	Description	MapRef	1:50000	1:25000	1:10000	More
960	2021-06-06 11:00	Snake Charmer Pancsi & Splasher	Lavington Common Car Park	SU949187

One of the many giant potholes in West Sussex is situated in the entrance to the car park at Lavington Common. Substandard plumbed it's depths as he charged through apparently without thought for the suspension of his multi-dented van, such was his eagerness to join the throng of Hashers who were already gathered in the shade of the pines.

Indeed it was a throng of relatively large size compared with our time of bubbling, with a "first time with us welcome" for Blind Ness and a "visitors welcome" for good old Dick Head, even Prancer had managed to find us.

We have used this area so often that a new variety of slug has evolved which is dependent on a regular ingestion of self raising flour, so it is a challenge for Hares to find a novel trail. However our Hares on this lovely summers day were well up to the task, they are real Artists, or so I have heard.

From the off we got into a yo-yo, first the pack headed East for Duncton Common and a whole load of frustration, before returning and heading South West, across the road in the general direction of the well concealed camping site with Slightly Disappointing Hash Name leading the way.

This whole area is a boggy reservoir that drains into the upper reaches of The Rother, and with recent rain it was no surprise that we were soon picking our way through a hip and thigh deep morass. Very annoying for those who are fleet of foot and suited to a sprint along a dry leafy lane, yet amusing for those who observe the afore mentioned as they curse and swear with each knee deep venture into the shiggy.

Two additions to the pack on this stretch included a "better late than never" Popeye and a Belted Galloway bullock, they both look similar with their heads down pawing the ground, however Popeye is more likely to toss you.

Oh yes, I think the first of three fish hooks was encountered in this area, it caught Romping Donkey, Bika, Dr Blood and Showjumper.

After a circle through the shiggy we re-emerged West of the chariots at the Brookside crossroads and were soon engaged on a long sprint up Cathanger Lane and into Main Wood with Bambi getting well ahead and able to take a breath and some snaps as the others closed in.

At first it looked like the trail would go further West to Fitzlea Wood, however after a stones throw a back check saw us heading East on the long straight haul to Cathanger farm with a predictable fish hook that caught Dick Head, Bambi, Popeye, Kinky, Slightly Disappointing etc., and Dr Blood.

Progress all along was quite respectable, at no point were we getting stumped, probably due to the decent pack size and the associated number of available trail checkers. Soon we were crossing the lane East and making the climb through the Rhododendron to the ridge above Duncton Common, lovely soft going here on the pine needles that have come from high above.

Next a descent towards the sand pit and the usual obligatory crossing of the ravine that has been cut by the stream. However on this day, the trail flirted with the Northern side and headed across the slope above the West bank, we did waste a little time peering across the chasm on the chance of seeing flour on the far bank; it did not exist, instead we were treated to a quick final fish hook that caught Slightly Disappointing etc., Bika, Romping Donkey and Dick Head.

Continuing West, we arrived at the boundary of wood and heath near the chariots and assumed it was On-In from here down the knobbly rooted ankle snapping path at the base of the big tall pines, but NO!, this way was False, and Slightly Disappointing etc. could be heard a far off, South in Merlin's Wood calling us on.

I guess a loop through this wood is not to be missed, it is mostly an adventure in tunnelling under the low massed interwoven branches of Rhododendron, dark, atmospheric, half crouched at times, those of a nervous disposition should not attempt it alone on account of the gremlins hiding around every gloomy corner. By the grace of God we all made it through to reach the ON-In after one hour and eleven minutes of smooth flowing Hashing.

There was just enough space in the car park for a wide circle which convened and rather rapidly, without much due diligence, summarily handed out the Hash-It to Bambi for some trumped up minor misdemeanour or other.

Some of the more adventurous said they were going to visit The White Horse on the way home while others stayed for a short natter over a can or two before negotiating the pothole out of the car park.

On On ! Bambi

See: SM's attenuated track ... AND ... photos by Bambi