Capt Fantaaastic passes 100+ Haring milestone

It was one of those runs where it's an honour to be able to say "I was there". Capt Fantaaastic with the help of his alter ego Paintball, becomes the first in H5 to achieve more than 100 outings as a Hare. Our hearty and well deserved congratulations to a long-serving Hasher.

By a happy coincidence, his first recorded haring with H5 (as Paintball) was from this very pub in May 1996 [Dep Ed].

The good Cap'n says:

I am writing this whilst trying to watch the other semi (ooh err!) so continuity might be a bit of problem. Laying the trail On Sunday was a real treat. The weather and company were both fab and the apres beer was sheer nectar. We had to abort one section of the trail, due to the large pricks and verdant stinging nettles (clearly a somewhat forgotten footpath).

The evening of the run was a delight and slightly cooler than of late. A beautifully formed pack with the surprise addition of the lovely Bracket, who looked a little unHinged to me (get it?). Last seen in another age and looking well past the days of piggybacks and bovinophobia. A quick intro and we're off. The first falsie was a bit harsh. Down a steep hill, Rapid seemed somewhat discombobulated (just wanted to use the word) by the severity of the opening ploy. It wasn't long before we strike off towards Segenhoe Church. As anticipated, the usual FRB culprits, Rapid, Edwina, Depth Charge and Hayden n A'Bettin reach the fish hook first. These repeat offenders were somewhat surprisingly joined by Bracket, who needed a bit of encouragement to follow the non-rules (personally I think she may be spending too much time with CRK).

Circumnavigating Segenhoe Church, we are off again. Depth Charge leads the pack "GOOOOAALLLLL!!!! (France 1 - Belgium 0)" across the fields and deeper into the countryside. A few of us were heartily raped by the Brassica Napus, which was particularly prolific on this run. Past the perennial puddle and onwards we go. Depth Charge (who else) lead us along the overgrown hedgerow. Big pricks abound, but DC has been issued with a hash utility belt by the ever-thoughtful Blow Felt. Secateurs have never, ever been seen before in a hash run, but I guess there is a first time for everything and DC sets about the task of clearing the hedgerow with gusto.

The rest of the run followed the usual pattern. A few motorway bridges were crossed. A few fishhooks encountered. A short-cut (for those that desired it) and a fairly long run in. Nik-Nak has clearly been watching too much world cup football, because she decided it was fair game to turn into a scrubber and kick out a fishhook (eat your heart out Colombia).

It was a delight back at the pub, simply imbibing a few beers and chewing the fat. The closing circle was called, and down-downs were awarded to the hares as per normal. Others were awarded to Bracket for allowing her attendance record to lapse (returnee); Ringer for asking to be serviced by Pussies; Paintball aka Capt F (me folks) was given a fantaaastic award for apparently being the first to hare 100 runs (more of this later).

Finally, the circle is handed over to the RA and awards were dished out to Hayden n A'Betting for inviting Capt F to "get his length in" (sic); Rapid for inviting the Harriettes to a personally administered bush trimming service; Nik-Nak for being an utter scrubber and of course the RA decides to drink the health of the delightful Bracket.

I would like to close by saying thank-you for my special award. I think its tip-top and was a little lost for words yesterday evening (unusual). Laying runs is a pleasure to me and definitely not a chore. So, to be recognised for something you enjoy so much seems slightly odd, but I am utterly thrilled that you have done so.

On-on run 1430 - The Fordham Arms in Sharnbrook, brought to you by the inestimable Edwina & Major Jon