Despite the deliberate attempt by the Shitemaster to send the pack direct into the army barracks, most realised that it was the turning after, rather than at the checkpoint where one was supposed to turn right. So it was that a goodly number of hashers foregathered on a pleasant winters day, looking forward to a quick trot up to Changu Narayan and back. By only 15 minutes after the allotted hour, the GM called proceedings to order and the Hares into the middle to tell us all about it. Not much to tell, really - seven checks with 2, 5 and 6 being Holding Checks. No false trails and probably a river crossing (well, hopefully, two). The only question was which Sherp was which, not clarified by the GM's explanation.

First paper was off to the east and with Duckbill, Towed and Keeled leading the way, the pack were soon heading off on the wrong trail. Hurry K picked up the right way and led us on a long run out over the river plain on narrow paths to Check 1. I'll decline from any comment about the main photo that depicts events at Check 1! Keeled eventually found paper heading off towards the river but then swinging east towards Bramakhel and Holding Check 2 at a nice little chautara. Check 3 was right on the river bank, tempting some of us to cross and look to the usual trail up to Changu Narayan, only to be fooled by the Hares who had continued the trail further east along the river bank to Check 4 before turning up the hill.

Up at the temple, a first for HHHH was encountered - Holding Check 5 was a Pay Check! Rotter an' I were stunned, on staggering into the temple, to be faced with a demand for Rs60. Clearly the paymaster had no sympathy with exhausted Hashers and would brook no argument that these rates only applied to tourists, which we were not and, in any case, historic rights of entry had been granted to the Hash in its original charter. So it was that we all gathered outside and had to be guided back down through the village to find the trail that emerged from the other side of the temple.

There followed a superb run down the hill through the pines before we contoured around, still in the forest before crossing a small valley to Holding Check 6. Kruel, Rotter and Towed managed to get well ahead of the pack here, and had a bit of a wait for the rest to catch up, except for Hurry K who appeared from completely the wrong direction. There was then a winding route home where we caught up with the walkers. Since the beer was clearly in view from Check 7, the FRBs headed straight home despite the despairing cries of the Hare to take a more circuitous route.

Soon all were back, matters were eventually called to order and, with a substantial audience of local brats forming at least a quarter of the circle, the Hares met their judgement. Much was made of the Pay Check, but eventually a well-deserved 9.9 was awarded. Other down-downs were awarded to:

Now we all know that the Brits are renowned as an insular lot, and there is no question that the GM manages to combine this with the noble Scottish art of bigotry, racial intolerance (especially with reference to that land to the west of Britain, beyond Ireland) and downright prejudice. So it was, therefore, that following last week's castigations of the Belgians, French and other close European allies with whom we have similar long and friendly relations (such as the Australians), he was quick to bring in the Japanese, the Germans, (with Karin immediately christened with a strange Chinese hash name of Haa Fat, for something to do with her headgear), the Canucks and the English.

What the GM really needs is Torchy, the battery boy, in order that the entire hash proceedings can be recorded on electronic media (and act as an aide memoire for yours truly). Sadly his camera batteries expired so there is little or no record of what came after the English. I remember that the Hashit was awarded to Heme, or was it Gyurmi, and proceedings were brought to an untimely close, and that's about it!

Thanks to the Hares for an excellent run, even if it didn't go quite where I expected it to, and to Mrs. Rotter for the catering.