Sorry for delay in updating this website - I have been stuck in a virtual Traffic Jam for the past few weeks! It seems to be fixed now...

The latest hash organised by the Ham Hill Hash attracted just a small but elite group of hashers to the Prince of Wales atop Ham Hill as
the regulars were mostly either running in the London Marathon (note to self; don’t organise one for Marathon day again next year!) or finishing off training
for the North Dorset Villages Marathon (in Stretchy’s case, she was looking for pot hunting opportunities at small local races!).

The course was laid by AOT and Mixy on a promise of 5 runners coming along, and a devious one was set – however as one by one they
sent texts of excuse, the realisation dawned that only Warthog was a definite, and the hares rather lost interest in doing anything other than getting back to
the pub, plan of action being to take Andy for a beer if he was the sole runner.. In the event 118 118 turned up from Chard with two friends and 4 was
deemed quorum, so off we went!

The course went round the ramparts to the Pinnacle and then off down the side of the hill – the group were confused by the small diversions
round trees as we dropped down to Norton but regrouped through the village. Across the Rec earlier in the day we had bumped into Club member Ian Mathieson who realised that we were doing our “flash running” but declined the offer of the hash as he was duty solicitor at Yeovil Police station and it might not have
gone down too well if he was standing on top of a hill having a beer stop!

Here we met a young lad, Phil, who just finishing a run but who knew AOT through Duke of Edinburgh awards and was talked into turning round
and doing another 3 miles! It was a case of on up through the woods to the top of one of the Monty hills – no Jakko here, but there was a beer stop, looking
down through the valley (Bombardier is a nice drop if you were interested…) We headed back to the Tinker’s Bubble, avoided the waterfall and headed straight
up the side of the hill – back to “Shagger’s Hump” (see Jon Rowe for details!) and On Inn.

We got back to find that the heritage tractor society were at the Pub in force, so wasn’t even chance for a beer – on to the next one, I reckon!

Photos at:

https://plus.google.com/photos/102304700661788307343/albums/5869923396353427073?banner=pwa

RunReplay at:

http://www.runreplay.com/replay.aspx?event=1881

Race day arrived on 7^th April and in truth, I knew full well that I hadn’t done enough training for the half marathon – indeed, I hadn’t run more than 5 miles for the 3 weeks preceding race date – and it was always going to be a case of “getting round”. Fleur Jones had come down from Bridgend and it was good to see her, with discussions that we’d stick together and hope for sub-2 (dashed within about 800 yards of the start when Fleur disappeared in to the distance – she finished in 1hr46).

Had the race - only been a mile long I’d have beaten Rose Harvey, as I was ahead of her until that point, but I spent the first 4 or 5 miles seemingly going backwards (nice chats with Jakko Bailey and Maria Wadey as they ran past!) until finding my pace with a group of three, Lyn from Honiton, young girl called Charlie (who was apparently amused by my requests for bacon sandwiches from the crowd and thought I might help keep her going!) and a chap who didn’t join in the chat
much and wasn’t really missed when he moved off!

Had the race been only 10 miles I would have been OK, but it’s not and I wasn’t! After 10 miles I really struggled with an injury between the ears – mentally I knew I wasn’t up for it and it was almost run/walk. Lyn cracked on, leaving Charlie and I to make it round together; she was, it turned out, suffering from a stress fracture to the foot, but was pleased to finish and the 2hr04 was not as bad as it could have been!

Claire Webb, Jason Squire and Sarah Lomas from work were waiting at the finish representing the firm and seemed to be quite impressed – as much
with the bleeding nipples* as anything!

It was a nice reception at work on Monday, even if the "Taunton Hero" e-mail was a bit much!

*they grew back!

Easter was upon us and rather than wait until the Sunday, the latest running of the Ham Hill Hash took place on Good Friday from the Pen Mill Hotel. There was a good turnout with the Friday edition attracting some who hadn’t been able to make Sunday runnings  and we even enticed in Mono from Zambia (albeit that she had only come from Sherborne today!). Barnacles was up from Weymouth (he did have the courtesy of driving up rather than cycling and making us all feel inadequate) – in his H5 T-shirt with “Quasi” on it; we’d all forgotten that we’d named him previously (apparently Quasi as he was a good “ringer” to know) – sorry matey, but we’ve now seen Octonauts and there’s no way it can be anything other than Barnacles!

With the course laid by Mixy, TwoSkin and Moose, it was always likely to be a bit devious, and the crowd set off down towards the station, only to have to turn round and run back past the front of the pub! The numbers had been swelled with the addition of three from the Chard H3, Innertube laeading the way, and it was these seasoned hashers who found the trail round the back of the Royal Marine – not sure COYS even knew there was a pub there (it’s always good to introduce natives to parts of Yeovil they didn’t know about!). Do bear in mind when laying the course at 8.30 that traffic may get busier during the day – it being a Bank Holiday, the roads had been silent early on and the course was laid backwards and forwards across Sherborne Road; by 11am the caravans were out in force and it was nose to tail through town!

Safety has to come first and there was an impromptu re-group as we headed up past the Vets to Wyndham Hill. Now it should be pointed out here that Moose had joined the group running despite needing to get off, as he wanted to see whether anyone followed his completely cunning trail through the mud round a cattle feeder – and how he laughed as the Chard contingent and Robbie Hawkins headed out across the field and had to be called back (we’ve taught that boy well!); that’ll teach them for running too fast! Down across the hill towards the pub and then a nasty nip back through the path round the side of Wyndham, coming out opposite the sad sight of the old Laserquest (what a good idea to demolish only half a building.. but not half as sad as the old ski slope, which we couldn’t incorporate into the route), and then through town.

At the Vauxhall Garage Mr Hawkins senior met the car they’d named after him – I still think the Vauxhall Dumbledore would sell more

– and all the runners were given their “Rocky” moment, running up the set of stairs next to the Swan Theatre before heading down past Goldenstones and up into the woods of Ninesprings.

Duke enjoyed a trip down memory lane, remembering how we’d made them all go in and out of the hedge last time we were opposite the Gateway, and AOT just enjoyed a trip as she lived up to her name. Woody and Teddy also had a trip as we crossed the field and it was then on up – straight up the side of Summerhouse Hill to a Hot Cross Bun and beer stop atop the hill.

On Inn was back down through the woods and straight back to the pub – watch out for details of the next one!

RunReplay at:

http://www.runreplay.com/replay.aspx?event=1858

It's taken a while but here is the March update!

Following the last hash, the personal running has been a bit intermittant, with trips to Club nights interrupted by work and things like picking up cars and having children's car seats fitted, or going to Twickers for the rugby!

With the Taunton Half just weeks away the training has been stepped up to a level at which I can now be comfortable that I will get round the 13.1 miles without dying - a few 7 and 8 mile runs with the Club and a return to racing at the Babcary 7.5 road race.

It was good going back to racing, mostly seeing the crowd of regular racers who were in attendance and having a good chat witth people I hadn't seen for a while during the 2012 sabbatical, and then running round with Ines - keeping up a good pace, which ultimately may have been a bt quick for Ines wh was then running back to Sherborne afterwards! Accompanied by worried first time racer Rebecca in her build up to Yeovil Half and Rod and Cedric of the Gillingham Trotters, it was a pleasant run in the early Spring sunshine - the hills weren't as bad as remembered and the fast downhill finish appreciated - time of 1hr08, so nlot quite the sub-hour finishes that I used to have as a benchmark (there's always something to aimm for next year!).

A little concern was that the left calf started to tighten towards the end of the race and had to head home - to find out the "Paula" compression socks ready fro next week!

OK by Tuesday for Club night and then a long run at the weekend - joining the Run Buzz recce run of the Yeovil Half course, which despite ending up leading round the 2hr15 group (which actually finished in about 2hr35 as we corralled a group of 5 runners of different paces round), meant I'm now confident that will get round the full Taunton distance (though hopefully a bit quicker!). Mind you I've only run once since, 6.5 miles on Club night as work and weather have got in the way - even plans for long run on day off work was interrupted by spot of impromptu bird watching out at Steart (well sort of - the weather was too bad even for ducks!).

Taunton's 3 weeks and counting....!

The snow had disappeared and the rain had kicked in in time for the latest hash, out at the Red House. Mixy and Moose, together again, headed out to lay the course in the wind and rain, with vague idea of where to go - it's hard to recce a course when it's 4 inches under snow!

The sun came out in time for the "off" - Mountin' Goat and his good lady (Mounted Goat, I think she wanted to be called!) turned up, together with COYS, Janus  and AOT, whilst Slipper of Taunton H3 and 118 118 of Chard H3 arrived. Completing the line up were Pete Darton (he must have a hash name!) and his friend Kevin. It does make for a novel start when one of your number starts pointing out his emergency medication strapped to his arm, but once this bit of houskeeping, and an explanation of fishhooks for the uninitiated, had been done, it was off in all directions. It is always gratifying for the hares to see the whole pack run down to the check and have to come back on themselves to the path they've all run past!

Across the fields to Barwick and the first disappointment of the day - the bridge Mixy was intending to hide beneath, troll-like, was just about keeping a raging torrent in check; wouldn't have been room for my fat backside beneath it! Across the field then (stick with the hare if you're a SCB!) and up to the road - the Obelisk was glinting in the sunlight but luckily none of those who'd been on the previous Red House hash even remembered it, let alone try to head for it...

Through Barwick and out into the fields - let's not mention the half hour the hares spent trying to find the footpath when laying the course - and heading down to the far corner. Unfortunately the camera wasn't available to catch AOT going, well, "AOT" into the muddy ditch, and the rain then started lashing down - so shame when Pete found the fishhook cunningly laid in the field entrance and had to come right back up!

 There'll be no troll under the bridge this time!

Up past the Obelisk

 Off through the Yeovil Junction road - Pete went up to do a bit of train spotting (we saw him!), we all aahed and oohed  at the tiny Shetland (who was that feeling a "little horse"?!) and then enjoyed a game of Pooh logs at the bridge - that river was very high! The sweetie stop gave a renewed burst of energy - must have done, as AOT ran all the way up the hill! - and then it was a bit of dodgy running up the Stoford road to Summerhouse Lane. Funnily enough no-one wanted to check out the track through the woods- they must have cottoned on where we were heading! - and so it was that we headed down towards Jack the Treacle Eater (even if Kevin and AOT couldn't find the course without a bit of prompting..)

Beer stop at the Treacle Eater (and 118 118 finally made sense of his T-shirt!) and a trip down memory lane for COYS as she recalled her time as token female housemistree at the former borstal school (sounded hairy!) over a beer with friends before heading out and back towards the pub - a gentle bit of hashing (though no-one's heart was really in it after the big bottle of blue stuff!) back across the fields before the sprint on-inn..

Nice meal afterwards, reasonably priced - just need to sort out the next one now!

http://www.runreplay.com/replayFull.aspx?event=1758 RunReplay

Doesn't he look a big boy now!

Just an update from the depths of the snow - since the return to the running club a fortnight ago, there's been little running. Last Tuesday saw a cold coming on during the afternoon but still went running, did the 5.7 miles course with Phil - and then couldn't stop shivering all night! What with a day off on Thursday (when I was joined by my sickly daughter), snow on Friday, William's first birthday on Saturday and then more snow again today, there's not been much chance to get out!

Hash run still on for thisSunday up at the Red House - 11am - snow permitting! 

Just to say the Sabbatical is over - it was so good to get back up to the Club on Tuesday night! You don't know how many times on a Tuesday night in the past 14 months I've been on babies' bath and bedtime duty in body but out on the roads with you lot in spirit!*

Ran the 5.6 miles group with Phil MacQuaid and Paul Walford (who surprised me with his burst of speed past Old Creamery - everyone seems to have improved so much whilst I've been away!), enjoyed the banter along the way and raced Cris MacPherson in to the finish - it was just like the old times!

* not the nights in torrential rain, obviously! 

Given that the previous two Ham Hill Hashes would have been nothing without the Blandford runners adding to the numbers, it seemed right to accept the offer of an invitation to their 600^th Hash, at the home of two members Phil and Kerry between Dorchester and Blandford. A really good group assembled and we were all given balloons at the start – guard these with your lives, we were told, and the first six to hand them back at the end would receive a bottle of wine!

It was a good course- and the idea of putting at least six fishhooks in one field (albeit it was a long boring one, so needed to be broken up a bit!) was the work of (evil) genius! Halfway round we stopped at a Quad bike and outdoor pursuits centre for a gluewein (or lager!) and obligatory archery stop, which was a bit different!  I don’t think William Tell has anything to worry about on the arrow accuracy stakes yet…

On back and it was a shame that I had to miss the lunch – it looked lovely, but family called!

Photos at: https://picasaweb.google.com/MartinChaffey/BlandfordHash600#

Run Replay at: http://www.runreplay.com/replay.aspx?event=1726

 Quite safe!!      Just blow into this bag!

I've nicked the Blandford Words in full..

According to Silent Running, hash lore has it that big-number hashes are strong medicine.  Knowing this, and knowing also that there would be food and drink aplenty afterwards at the residence of Services and Landphill, a fine turnout of hashers congregated in the adjoining field.  Here, Silent Running dished out orange commemorative T-shirts to those who had ordered them.  Some Frog, thinking himself too macho to wear such a girly colour, had asked for a shirt in little boy blue instead.  Orson wasn’t running, but turned up on his mountain bike having followed some of the trail en route.  Some parts were too muddy to cycle and he’d had to carry his bike.  Sounds promising, I thought. 

With our food and drink deposited inside, and resplendent in our new shirts, we listened as Silent Running described the sawdust signs that he and son Strider had laid the day before.   

Strider wasn’t with us on the day; perhaps he was still laughing about the very muddy fall his dad had had while out dusting.  The rules concerning balloons were explained, and mostly understood.  Numerous photos were taken. 

Silent Running had given us a vague start direction, and Mixy was first to find the trail, which led southwest along the edge of a field by the side of the A354.  It was at this point that Ronlet pinged me for the words, with the excuse that she wasn’t sure if her knee would last all the way round.  It did of course, as did Day Glo’s dodgy leg.  At the end of the first field was a hedge (careful with those balloons!) leading to a rather lumpier field, which ended at a whip-in beside a small fence topped with barbed wire.  Once the pack of 20 had struggled up to the whip-in, we were directed over the fence and to our left, along the small road that leads to Charisworth Farm.

There were several checks along the road, and while Jibber and Honey Trap explored in the woods on the left, Warthog found the trail to the right a bit further on, over a metal gate, across a narrow field to a stile, and onto a leafy, rooty path with woods on the left.  Eventually we emerged at another whip-in at the entrance to East Down House and the chicken farm.  Here Madness and Postie reckoned they knew where to go and headed northeast along the driveway before forking off slightly to the right along a leafy track.  They were quite far in front and feeling pleased with themselves until they reached the first of the “fish-hooks”, which meant they had to run back to the rear of the pack.  I’m calling them fish-hooks because that’s what they usually look like, but today they consisted of a circle with a number in it, and an arrow pointing back.  In this case the number was 3, so the first three had to run back.

At a minor crossing, the trail continued ahead through some woods to a junction, where everyone turned right for some reason and followed the muddy path round to the left.  Eventually we were called back and invited to climb through the hedge into the field and follow its periphery.  Feeling that this long field might prove a little wearying for us, our kind hare had placed a succession of fish-hooks to amuse us.  How we back-markers laughed when the front-runners such as Birdseye, Shagpile and The Slobby Uno ♂ had to run back behind us!  We laughed less when it became our turn.  I reckon we had four or five of those bloody fish-hooks, one after the other.

The smug look of a man who's laid six fishhooks ina single field!

By the time we emerged at a junction, Honey Trap had burst his balloon, and Kackler’s dog Dozy Trout had managed to attach several nasty looking lengths of bramble to her ear and legs.  The obvious route lay along a very shiggy track through the undergrowth, and Warthog and Mixy launched themselves at it with relish.  It wasn’t the right way though, and we squeezed past a metal gate and ran in the open instead, along the north side of Little Coll Wood.  After a while we left the track we’d been following and ran on the grass to the right of it, slightly downhill, until we reached the start of the next wood and a whip-in.

Warthog found the next part of the trail, heading north, down the right hand side of a field and eventually to a long, muddy uphill track.  By the time Madness, Long Cutter and Conversely reached the whip-in at the top, the rest of the pack had got bored and moved on.  The slope levelled out and the mud vanished and soon we were at a whip-in that Silent Running asked us to remember for later on.  Down the road to our right was Gorcombe Farm quad bike centre, and that’s where we went.

Inside there were drinks and nibbles.  Most of us had hot spiced wine, although Mixy had a pint of lager and may have slightly regretted it later.  [And so did Day Glo…]

Kackler somehow managed to get a wine glass twice the size of everybody else’s.  How does she do it?  Once outside again we moved on to the archery butts (I think that’s the technical term).  We took turns to shoot four arrows each.  It’s hard to fire a long bow while holding a balloon, but that can’t fully account for how useless most of us were.  Still, Farm Girl’s well-known fear of cattle didn’t stop her hitting the bull, and Landphill got one too. 

Postie managed to win a balloon to replace one she’d burst earlier.

Time was pressing, and our legs had gone strangely weak as we staggered back up the hill to the whip-in we’d been asked to remember.  From here we continued ahead and up and used a nervous horse and rider as an excuse to hide in the bushes and rest until they’d gone by.  Apparently horses are easily spooked by people wearing bright orange and waving balloons.  Odd.

We kept going in the same direction, southwest, along an increasingly steep and muddy path.  Some Frog caused mild consternation when he leapt into Farm Girl and sprayed her with mud, but I think she liked it really.  At the top of the climb Madness and Emptier agreed that they’d nearly come full circle, and were proved correct when the sawdust took us along a track to the right which led onto the small road we’d used at the start of the hash.  After a while we found the BH3 ON IN sign, and set off to find the finish, which was still nearly a mile away.

The balloon rule I mentioned at the beginning meant that the first six back with intact balloons would get a bottle of wine.  There was some debate at the finish as to whether those who had run along the dangerous main road should be disqualified for not following the sawdust, although it is well known to those who know such things that once you see the BH3 sign you can ignore all other dust marks and go any way you choose.  I can’t remember who the first six were, although I certainly wasn’t one of them.  I wasn’t too disappointed though, because they were only little bottles, like you get on aeroplanes according to the much travelled Farm Girl.

Tour Guide and Glühwein were waiting for us when we finished and once they had admired Birdseye’s bloody knee (he was the only faller) they went inside to warm up while the rest of us repaired more steamily to the ladies’ shed and the gentlemen’s barn to change.  Day Glo had to leave for a family engagement, but the rest of us were soon inside, drinking beer and wine, nibbling on very garlicky bread and indulging in gentle persiflage.  There was loads to eat, prepared by Services and Ice Queen while we’d been out.  A very jolly time was had.  We were impressed by the huge amount that Baldrick managed to eat.  Farm Girl and Kackler were surprisingly well-behaved and didn’t tease Shagpile too much, although there were regrettable references to Turkish rugs.  I learned a new word from Farm Girl, although I still don’t understand exactly what it means.

Many thanks are due to those who organised the hash, prepared the food, brought the food and drink, and selflessly consumed it.  We even got cake and balloons to take home!

Hare(s):           Silent Running & Strider

Hounds:          Baldrick, Birdseye, Conversely, Day Glo, Emptier, Farm Girl, Honey Trap, Jibber, Kackler, Landphill, Long Cutter, Madness, Mixy, Postie, Ronlet, Shagpile, Some Frog, The Slobby Uno ♂, Warthog

Social Hounds/Puppy Hashers:           Glühwein, Ice Queen, Orson, Services, Tour Guide

Real Hounds:   Dozy Trout