As is usual from Towed Hall, the pack set off in a southerly direction along the track to turn off to the west, down into the valley to the first check which was a delicate shade of pink shredded paper. The elf hare (aka Keeled Over) then prompted the writer to follow along the contour to pick up the trail to check two. Juan Carlos was first to check two, closely followed by Hurry Krishna. Both checked it out further down into the valley but this was completely the wrong direction as the trail went up onto the ridge, along the Bungamati road (complete with ducks and Midge on the lead) and then turned east into the Nakhu Khola valley and to holding check three by a pipal tree.

(Did you know that Towed Under had missed out on buying a turkey for Christmas day and that the Towed family was having duck instead. Obviously they had sent Midge out on a duck quest!)

At the holding check the hash horrors were seen in the distance making their own way to the Rotter abode, where they presumed the first alcoholic holding check was to be. Meanwhile the runners waited for the walkers and then set off down the hill and over the Nakhu Khola by way of the stepping stones. The runners took off on a long loop on the east side of the valley while the walkers had an easy stroll up the hill to the Keeled Over household. This turned out to be a holding check of indeterminate number as the hares could not remember how many checks were on the runners' loop.

Anyway, for the walkers it was holding check four, where we were able to start on the festive cheer of hot rum, deep fried momos, chicken drumsticks and assorted dips. Needless to say, this holding check lasted about 45 minutes (but who was counting?) during which time wheelbarrow races and a cricket match were held by the horrors who were present. Other hashers inspected Keeled Over's new garden shed and wondered why it had taken him a whole Saturday afternoon to sort it out, thus missing a hash.

Eventually "check it out" was called by the hares and the runners were off on an easterly loop while the walkers traversed the track to Rotter's architectural blot on the landscape. Bill the Brewer discovered the only false trail on this part of the run as this took him to the toilet stop.

After more festive cheer of raksi, mulled wine, and home-made chocolate truffles, the walkers took to the vehicles for the drive back to Towed Hall. The rest of the pack took off running across the fields only to be harangued by the local dope smoking fraternity. Needless to say, the runners got back to Towed Hall well before the driven.

The Stand-in GM (Father Christmas (FC) who looked as though he was going to give birth at any moment) brought the circle to order and requested the hares into the middle. Thereupon Keeled Over, as Santa's elf helper, entered the magic circle but FC had lost control already and Moira was brought in for private-partying. (She cannot be related to the absent GM as she took far too long to quaff the down-down).

FC then announced that all partakers of a down-down would be able to put their hand in his sack for a surprise and that, as he was wearing a hood, all partakers must wear a hat in the circle.

The culprits for the delays at the alcoholic holding checks (Rani and Mrs. Rotter) were brought in -only because FC wanted to have two women on his knees at the same time. Anyway back to the run which was awarded a score of 25/12 and the hares received their just reward.