We were delighted to welcome four new members to the Hash which gave us a very satisfactory number of 14. Under the anxious prompting of Niel, who was the one and only hare, we eventually started off at 4.35. Latecomer Julian was left still changing, but obviously it was to be a long run and Neil felt he would be spending the night searching for lost runners if we didn't go soon.

A good thickly laid trail had us galloping off across the paddy. The first check had us well spread out and the second caught us on its bank of the river. The pleasant gurgling sound had a marked effect on Julian and Tony R who just could not contain themselves and as a result got left a little behind. Fredrick had all the luck at this point and kept on finding paper while the rest of us making calculated guesses (wrongly) found ourselves crossing and re-crossing the river. The trail led up to the high ground where a parting of the ways occurred. The old and bold set off on a faint trail and if they had not been stopped by an exhausted hare would have made the Tibetan border by daylight. The children who had laid the extra mileage must have been suitably gratified by the result but it left us somewhat out of breath!!

Rejoining the main body at long last we checked in an open area of paddy. As we spread out to look for paper the hare called us back and had us running almost backwards round a small hill. This extraordinary manoeuvre was soon explained, for had we ranged a little further we would have found paper and saved ourselves about ½ mile of the trail. The pack were now well and truly spread out with some pointed remarks being made in the hearing of the hare. Darkness was falling as we came up onto the road and headed in towards the cars. The trail was a very good one, cleverly laid and Niel must be congratulated, it was not his fault (or was it?) that the children gave him a helping hand.

It should, it is felt be reported that while sipping a beer in the darkness, one member grew very excited as he spotted a large aeroplane coming into land. It took time and patience to calm him and assure him that the evening star would not be landing at Kathmandu International Airport that night.

NEXT HASH NO 6 NOVEMBER 19 AT 4.30 PM
At the British Embassy Club - Need I say more!