OK, the Master's back and it all fall to bits again. The request to write a few words was received on Tuesday at around 3 p.m. I was advised that stats and photos had already been posted so would I get a move on. A quick glance at the website revealed a singular paucity of pictorial information, to wit:

• One photo of a non-runner
• Three pictures taken on the hash (one showing the Fox actually on paper!) (I've removed one for artistic effect - GM)
• One picture which looks like an archive photo of Sideways somewhere but certainly not anywhere where we had laid paper on Saturday (oh no sir! - this was taken on the most exiting and interesting part of the outing. Quite disgraceful that the hares didn't think to put paper along it. - GM)
• One picture of two non-runners taken the following day! (supplied by Towed Under under separate cover - Towed should consider a liaison - GM)

It would appear that no photographs were taken during the circle (yes there were - see photo next to bottom) - mismanagement in the extreme and a fact to be noted for next week's circle when the guilty party, none other than my own progeny, Tadpole, will have to be taken to task. Considering that we have an identical camera to Rotter's I'm interested to see what the excuse will be.

On to the run. A delayed start at 16.00 allowed the British School contingent to make it, having had an extra day's school because of the Maoists - so much for their hearts and minds campaign. The Hares seemed totally unsure of who had laid what paper or how many checks there might be. Eventually a total of 6 checks was announced with Nos. 2 and 5 holding but Shortcutters would miss check 4, and so 42 (counted them all did ya, Towed? - or just stole the GM's stats) hashers set off on the usual out trail from Towed Hall, and straight down the terraces from Check 1. Using paper kindly laid by Pink Floyd last week, the trail came straight back up again to Holding Check 2 (check 3 from last week, check 8 from run 1238 etc., etc.) on what is locally known (to the Towed clan anyway) as the Pimple. Down-downs next week for Pink Floyd and Liz for being caught on camera holding hands.

The trail continued more or less straight along the irrigation channel to Check 3 below the first Bungamati tree although the runners were taken down and up again, literally down in the case of Head Chopper (see photo) who managed to almost completely disappear in a ditch. From Check 3 the run split, with Shortcutters taking the trail up to the tree and down towards the Nakhu Kola and the runners, borrowing a section of the Tuesday fast hash, to cross the river at where the girder bridge should be but wasn't. An immediate challenge for Bog Trotter who did not want to get her shoes wet. Check 4 was on a mound on the other side of the river, presenting a brief challenge to the front runners and allowing the slower ones to catch up, led on a little by the Hare who was not quite sure where he had laid paper but knew the general direction.

Back across the river, much to the disgust of hash mutt Tesch, and up a steep climb to Holding Check 5 under a Pipal Tree to join the Shortcutters. Then back down to the river again with only three runners, Jalak, Tadpole and another, taking the long trail on paper across the river from Check 6. A fairly easy run in back to the on in site saw everyone back before dark. It just remains to be seen how much of this week's paper can be used by Rotter next week.

The circle was eventually called to some sort of order by the GM as darkness fell. My lack of recall as to what went on is due to not having been forewarned that trash was required, and therefore having no notes and there being no photographs to jog the memory. It has absolutely nothing to do with the amount of ale that was swilled during and after the circle.

Anyway, here's what can be remembered:

In a first for the hash, the circle was supervised by an immobile patrol of the Bungamati armed police, who later left quietly after no-one came forward to offer them a down-down.

The Hares were called in for the run discussion, receiving a general verdict of good run and, I think, a score of 10.9. The Master then ran out of ideas and started wittering on about incidents before being forcibly reminded of Newcomer Andy's presence. Andy is here to bring water to Kathmandu. This will take around 10 years to achieve. No further comment. Returnees Michael, MB and Barbara were invited to celebrate their comeback with a small libation and it was pointed out to the Master that he also had been absent for a considerable time. I would not wish to insinuate that he is a candidate for the CIAA, but suffice it to say that the hash list, by which these things are judged, is on his computer.

We then managed to get around to incidents and three (?) hash crashes were reported, Claire, Head Chopper and I think Juan Carlos or someone of similar height. There was a latecomer, Mark (hashing for two weeks in succession!) but since he was also an early leaver he missed his reward. If he can make it three in a row then it can be given next week.

As the GM lost control again, Grumblewald and friend were simply making too much noise and had to be reprimanded for private partying.
Mercedes, having made a welcome effort to get to the hash was given the traditional reward for sitting in the circle. As if that was not enough the Master christened her Screwed as a result of what the doc fixed to her ankle. Handphun,who was caught for wanking in the same pocket as her mobile, now no longer lives next door but one to Towed Hall, having moved because the road was too rough. It was pointed out to her as she made a welcome return to the hash after moving house, that she should have noticed on her way in that the road is now being rehabilitated only one week after she left!

The Hashit went to Rotter for forgetting to award it to anyone else.
Thanks to Mrs Rotter for the circle food, to Towed Under for after-circle catering, Jedi, I think, for last week's cake and to everyone for eventually leaving.