Run	Date	Hare(s)	Description	MapRef	1:50000	1:25000	1:10000	More
990	2022-08-28 11:00	Kinky & Bambi	West Marden	SU772136

It's been a while since we have been in the West Marden neck of the woods. The prospect of fresh trails, the very pleasant weather, more than a brace of newbies, and the celebration of our hon president's birthday combined to produce a good turnout.

Pru, Grasshopper, and Old Faithful turned up, The Ref dragged his sister Sonia along, a black Jag roared up and a guy called Jason got out, and Sue and Jackie ambled over to join us. So many new eyes needed to see the form of our flour marks, so Kinky obliged, clutching his dispenser and with a few deft flicks of his wrist soon demystified the hieroglyphics for us.

We started and soon with so many people scampering thither and yon the trail East up the Locksash road was discovered. A steep climb this and two tempting downhill trails to Compton, both of which were false, even so they failed to to tire out Jason who must have been using those batteries that keep toy bunnies clapping their hands forever.

A bit of a breather at Locksash Farm, some checking for the trail, while a strong fence prevented the rest from being mobbed by hungry sheep.

South from here, on tarmac, on the Watergate road, a bit of a slog, however broken by a fish hook that caught Jason, Sonia, Snake Charmer and The Ref.

An animal, a badger, had been flattened into the road on this stretch, really flattened, sinking into the heat softened tar and well into it's putrefaction, oh! that lovely aroma, so attractive, just right for Belle to roll in, a good dose of "eau de rotting badger" behind the ears, so a la mode.

Slightly Disappointing was, as usual, taking all the wrong choices, finding himself at the bottom of Birchin Copse while the rest were taking the loop through Warren Copse to get to Watergate. We turned West here, loosing Old Faithful for a short while as he headed east towards Woodbarn and being hearing challenged was oblivious of our shouting, screaming and whistling to gain his attention.

Next, the really tough climb up Watergate Hanger and strangely no moaning, to reach a regroup and "say cheese" moment at the top.

It was down hill from here, and we moved through the checks at a pace, past Cabragh House, across Oldhouse Lane. Bika threw a surprised Aragorn into the water trough here, it was not big enough to take Splasher though he looked a bit worried.

Then just a skip through the woods above the sewage works (or "domestic wastewater treatment plant" as the local estate agent refers to it) and we reached the On-In after one hour and twenty minutes of delightful hashing.

At the circle, The Ref presented us with a brand new oak framed HHH sign, should last for ever, and we thought about giving the Hash-It to Snake Charmer because she forgot to bring it and kept wingeing about a wasp sting, however we presented it to Splasher who recently was seen riding his bike straight into a park bench.

Then a stone's throw to the Victoria Inn, where in the sunny warm garden the JMs had organised a commemorative presentation to Canman for his ninetieth birthday.

After a few supps of ale to wet the larynges we launched into hashy birthday to you while Snake Charmer and Sausage Lottery made several attempts to light the special pyrotechnic display on the cake. Cake! yes, and soon it was shared out and devoured with relish and much licking of sticky fingers.

On – On ! Bambi

See: Bambi's Track ... AND ... Photos by Bambi - See: For PC .. and .. For Mobile

See: Photos by Bambi For PC .. and .. For Mobile