Hares and T-Shirt Management: Lao Lovers Location: Aru Bari

Hash 1200 started off awespiciously as Spare Part arrived out of a cloud of dust, which almost choked the waiting hares, who were already semi-sick and suffering. However, the semi-Himalayan Run 1200 had been laid and celebratory T- shirts were awaiting the ragged hounds, who soon appeared resplendent in their new attire. The hares announced six checks, and to enable the front runners to keep up with the hares, checks 3, 4, 5 and 6 were all declared holding checks.

As the GM (in the midst of a near-death flu experience) had decided to walk most of the run and keep his horror company, the pack was soon on the way to check one, found not far off at the road intersection in the pine forest below Jagdol. Hounds scattered in all directions but honours went to Casper (I think) who found the trail through the pine forest on the north side. Check two, half way through the forest, did little to slow the pack as paper was quickly found leading further west. Hounds were observed following several trails up through the pines but all trails led to holding check 3 overlooking the Tribhuvan airport seen vaguely through the haze to the south. Grumblewald and the Jedi were off like a shot along the obvious routes clearly marked with crosses leaving Keeled to take some advice from the hare before he too shot off, but up the ridge heading west where on-on was soon heard. The trail by-passed the Jagdol monastery, where building works had blocked a possible route through the beautiful grounds, and dropped to the next saddle on the ridge to holding check 4.

69, (probably nearer death than the GM) who had already taken the shortcut easy route to check 4 decided he'd had enough and retreated back the way he'd come, while the enthusiasts headed off further west, thinking we hadn't gone far enough. This left the GM holding the light, or having a rare flash of insight, as he headed for the paper with hardly a moment's thought, except that he was far enough from the beer already. The trail to holding check 5 led round the west side of Jagdol hill eventually returning to the welcome sunshine as the temperature was starting to drop. Everyone except 69 made it to the check. With only about six possible routes out of the check, confusion reigned as the hounds milled around trying to get a lead from the hares. The Jedi took off along one of the routes and was not seen again until there was beer in her hand, while eventually the proper trail was found contouring around the hillside to holding check 6 at a pipul tree just below Jagdol village. From here the beer was in sight; too strong a temptation for most of the thirsty pack, which despite crosses on the ground and loud calls of false trail and on-back, continued with determination downhill to the on-in. Meantime, the wise ones followed a great trail down off the spur, then cross-country along the back of a village, up through a gully and back to the chariots.

A bitter breeze forced the circle quickly together. The hares were applauded for the production of the commemorative T-shirts and then given a 9.8 for a great run. New hash scorer Keeled Over seems determined to break hash tradition by offering the circle detailed and logical explanations of his decisions. All this has done so far is give more opportunity to ignore the proceedings, continue private chats, and . . ah . . . drink beer.

The circle welcomed virgins Janine, who is not a dam-builder, and Milivoj. Then newcomers Alex and Gemma Harper. Where on earth did this pair hear rumours that the HHHH is a serious running organisation? Only after a year in Nepal did they summon up courage to appear. They were of course rewarded by joining the pack's usual stately progress around the countryside.

Returnees Casper and Mike were entertained. Casper was quickly recalled to the centre and ordered to pull down his over-trousers to reveal his crash damage. A bum-print of monsoon proportions had been difficult to achieve today. He was joined by bloodied-knee fellow crasher John. There was then a spin of Martina roulette, which nobody wong today.

The award of the Hashit has rarely been with such certainty. It had all been explained by Mrs Chick on the way round. Glancing at the subject line of the hash location message, dad had got the family out of the house at 1100 hrs. To be ready for the start at 1200! John got his due, at about 1710 hrs. He faces about another six hash years of being too early.

Everyone departed back into Spare Part's cloud, which probably contributed to the cancellation of the SAARC jaunt to Nagarkot the same afternoon.

Lao Love and Rotter