Run #2 started unofficially at the Purpan rendezvous, with the actual start some 10k north of Toulouse.
Only a dozen or so Hashers made it to the rendezvous, the vast majority opting to go direct. Yep it was raining, cold and generally pretty crappy weather for the run ahead but the Hash run always goes on, rain or shine. Off we went in the general direction of the run start point near Fronton, only to miss our first check, we went straight through it no checking, no trail, no on-on. Anyway it soon became obvious that we were lost, but in true Hash tradition we sped onwards in the hope of short-cutting to the start (is that a first, short-cutting to the start of a Hash ?)
We eventually found the start with minutes to spare and time to pay our Hash dues. To our surprise there were quite a number of Hashers there, with the final tally coming in at around 60.
There were two trails as usual (well there was two on the last run) plenty of checks, well marked trail (apart from the marks I couldn’t see) copious amounts of mud ,water etc. A first for the Hash was kids stash (candy) hidden along the trail, personally I never saw any but then again I was near the rear of the pack. What I did see on trail was a variety of dead snakes and frogs! a timely reminder of snakes on the runs in France. The run finished back at the vineyard Domaine de Saint Guilhem - Fronton, where the appropriate down downs and misdemeanours were handed out in true Hash style by the GM. James Paddon was DDd for miscalling a checkback, Biggles and his crew were DDd for being clueless on navigation when in the lead from Purpan, among others. Two hashers were honoured with hash names, a privilege reserved for those with a number of runs under their belts. Colin "Hash Horn" Ward was given, after much thought and deliberation, the name of "B.J." not sure what it stands for maybe one of the mismanagement can explain that one. Another hasher, Les Davey, our Hare Raiser (that’s the member of mismanagement in charge of rousing up volunteers to be hares to lay the trail, for you ignorant ones), was given "Baaahman," emphasis on the "aaa’s," something to do with his abnormally strong fondness for the little woollen creatures during his time in New Zealand.
Nearly forgot, there was a further On-On-On courtesy of the owner of the vineyard where we were invited to check out a couple of his fine wines. Further bottles were also consumed in the process of assessing his fine produce until decisions were made on which ones were worthy of purchase. Have to say by that time I was past caring.
Needless to say it was pitch black when we eventually left, no we managed to find our way back to Purpan dead easy, no false checks, back checks or stopping.
Compiled by
Biggles