Hash Flash this week is Cyclopath

"Praise Be" to the RA. The forecast threat of a damp evening was held at bay to allow fine, if muggy, weather to prevail. A small group of keen Hashers was joined by an Almost-Just-In-Time Nik-Nak followed by an Almost-Too-Late Knobber in the car park outside The Glider pub. Forkin' Dickchair, a bit quick off the mark, declared a birthday almost before Hash Mistress Cyclopath had asked. The Hare's directions were simple: "We're on flour, not chalk. Not all the false trails are marked – some are, some aren't, so if you haven't seen dust for a while, you're off trail. There's a check on the corner, go find." Perhaps these directions were TOO simple as the pack had some initial difficulty picking up the trail leading to Mentmore field.

The early FRBs Lulu and Pecker (who jointly retained the title throughout) led the way up to the top of the field and found the first false trail (was Pecker remembering a previous trail of mine round here?). Along the top of the top of the field via the first number fishtail to another check where the correct route was back down the hill again – three sides of the square completed.

Some devious routing to avoid actually passing the front of chez Ringer brought us into the woods. "Which way is it going to be" pondered FDC, "the quarry or the Downs?" As it happens, the quarry would ultimately be correct, but not yet so false trails ensnared both FDC and Lulu. A longish stretch through the woods, including a 5-to-the-back fishtail, brought us to a held check by the chalk quarry. From here on the hunt was on for the uncommon-but-prolific-on-chalk-uplands Pyramid orchid: Anacamptis pyramidalis. We were not disappointed. The trail followed the edge of the quarry before emerging at the viewing stop/twerking stop overlooking the town across to Blows Downs and beyond.

A downhill run-in that crossed over our outgoing path brought us back to urbanity and the welcome sight of the pub right on the hour. Some good beers were on offer to quench the considerable thirst of all, then it was out into the 'garden area' to be serenaded rather well by two or three drinking minstrels.

Hash Master Knobber called the Circle and a fine GK Bombardier down-down was awarded to the Hare, and a beer to the colourful birthday boy. The HM also presented young Knotch with her 100 run hat – just the thing for a warm, muggy evening. The RA had just got started when our host Rupert announced that hot food was ready. This got the better of the Circle and for a short while the RA's sermon was in disarray. Order restored (-ish) down-downs were awarded but the Circle's main focus was now on the excellent sausage, chips, wedges, pickled onions, pickles and salad repast provided for us (many thanks Rupert!!) Nearly all devoured, as dusk approached most hashers made their way home while others (ok Forking and I) stayed on and sampled some more ale.

Thanks for turning out and On-On to Pecker's run next week from The Two Chimneys in Letchworth.

On-On
Ringer