Well, after a rousing call in the Hash Words to try to break the 20 mark, we actually started off nine strong with John Sanday catching up, the Nielson way, later to make it 10. Apart from Hash No 1 we have never had so few!

In a desperate measure to encourage volunteers, the gallant 10 voted in Julian as Hash scribe with effect from Hash 14. He will do it until he has doubled our average turn out figures or for 3 months whichever takes longer. [2003 Ed. note. actually carried on to trash 15].

A word on Hash shirts, we are all set to order these, we are just awaiting a backer, who will carry some of the cost. Julian is also heavily involved in this and I hope we will be ordering soon. Don't forget, you don't get a shirt until have run 5 hashes, and quite a few of you have still to achieve this magic figure.

Hash No 12 from a hare's point of view went well. With an experienced 'crowd' turning up regularly the checks need to be long to give time for a rest. We made a special effort to do this and from our vantage point it seemed to work. Whilst on hares remember that you must let the runners find the checks in their own time and not help them unless they become completely lost. Assistance too quickly destroys the point of the check.

The run started off on high ground and then led down towards the valley bottom, the first check spread cut the field with Julian finding it and Tony away on a flank - The trail led round the hill and

then checked again. Once again Julian found paper and led the hashers round in a loop back to the main path and another check. Malcolm seeing the hares sitting on a bank drifted in their direction, 180o out - a peal of laughter from the hares was hashitable but we could not help it! Off again straight towards the main track a check by a well with Dave having a look to see if we had gone 'down under'. Julian by now lost his concentration and guessed wrong adding a bit extra to his run. The trail led on over the edge of the high ground and checked. Tony found paper and galloped down towards the river, another check, this was a problem which took some time and was only solved by John, who appeared like the Demon King, following the trail backwards On On he called and the happy hashers came panting up from below. John then led them back along the trail, although he got a bit confused in the middle, until asked to forgot where he [had] seen paper in order to give the hash a break, round a spur and up onto the top and we were home.

The promised hot rum punch was there, perhaps a little strong until diluted, but it was certainly popular and the party was still going when I left at 6.45 pm!! A note for your diaries, the first Hash Thrash and ON ON will be on FEB 4th (Hash 15) at Pagella's house, and we look forward to meeting your wives and or girl friends who we hope will also attend. More details later.

NEXT WEEKS HASH 21 JAN AT 4.30 PM
AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE KINGS F0REST (GOKARNA BAN) ON THE ROAD BEYOND BOUDHANATH.