A wee bit risky it was - standing there on the Ray Path as the big Tata’s and Ashok Leylands from Hindustan came barreling by, but 26 Hashers defied this danger to assemble for the 96th ‘Hash. “On, On,” and damned if we didn’t cross that friggin’ river three times in the first couple hundred metres....#$%$&Ø*&$s%,..... Nice going, hares Richard & Julian, how’d you like to do the next run in the Bagmati on your knees? Some of the cagier Hashers like Allen & Nedegard tried to avoid crossing the river, but everybody ended up baptized eventually. Mike Scholey liked it so much he even paused to take a final dip at the last river bend before the trail climbed up the hillside to the first check. It was bad enough that we had to cross the water thrice, but the hares were out running around throwing off false scents causing some of the fellows to make a couple extra crossings. Anyway, the first check got people fairly well grouped up until the paper was spotted and the Hash President led off to the east high up along the north bank of the river. Some confusion ensued when Russell, DK, & a few others who had missed the trail also found paper on the south bank leading away towards the hills. The hares finally cleared this up at the next check when we doubled back over an old auto bridge and all headed off among the paddy fields to the south.

A couple more beautiful back-checks revealed to us the basic strategy of this as DK & other overly-ambitious types were more than once caught far out in advance and were forced to backtrack some distance to catch up to the tailenders who had subsequently discovered the paper on back-checks. Our compliments to the hares for a cleverly-planned and well-executed strategy! However, such a tactic did also tend to muck about with those in the middle of the group who occasionally found themselves in rather untenable positions on tiny bunds amidst the paddies. There were places where Shambo seemed to be the only one able to rejoin the main group easily. At one point - in & about the village of Bosigau - we even seemed to be running two different hashes.....but.. we know some of you weren’t on paper you sneaky devils you. Running your own alternative hash is very much hashitable - unless of course the HP or HM is there to authorize it.

The gang finally all came more or less together on the heights north of the village where we began a long slick downhill drive towards the highway where our steeds were waiting. Some folks fairly coasted in this stretch while: others became quite competitive. This scribe confesses to trying to keep up with iron-legs Kedwell when he ended up on his backside zooming down about 20 metres of slick, muddy slope.

But then, everybody seems to have had an encounter or two with the rivers, irrigation ditches, or paddies as we all arrived back at the chariots looking like drowned paddy-rats.... except our sanitary Swede who looked like he hadn’t even left the cars. We thought we were all back and proceeded to demolish the first round of beers when Levitsky was spotted jogging down the Raj Path from India - where the hell he had been we didn’t even want to guess.

The frosties were really sucked down fast after this one - and unanimous opinion declared this a superb run - well laid and fun for all...

Hash quiz number 96 - What is the difference between a Hash with a bunch of smart midgets and the mixed Hash?

Walking Stick: A repeat awards to Julian Pagella for walking around the trail as if he were on a Sunday stroll in Hyde Park.

Hashit Bestowed in the traditional full-flush ceremony this time to the scribe for falling in too many rivers on this run and highlighting it with a spectacular dive in the mud.

HASH No. 97 Hares, Gough & Gough - Take the main highway towards Lhasa and Peking. Just beyond the third bridge from the Ring Road and before the Bhaktapur turn-off look for the buggering big beast of Goughs. (about 6-7 km from the RR)

Tentative Plans for the hundredth - Immediately after the 100th Hash Run itself on Monday we will retreat to the Gough abode for tea and crumpets and some nature films borrowed from the Disney studios. Appropriate attire and manners will be expected. Plans for a more public function to include wives, kids, girlfriends, boyfriends, friends of indeterminate origin, dogs, and all the rest on the following Friday or Saturday have not yet been firmed up. Anyone with ideas or comments as to transport, location, activities, etc., etc., etc., has the right to pass them on the Hashmasters. The HM’s of course retain the right to advise anyone to stuff their ideas and comments.