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Cheshire Hash House Harriers
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List of Hash Reports for 2008

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    30-12-2008 Legh Arms

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-12-31 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    The last hash of the year set by Allan (for the second week in a row) assisted by Tony E and laid in and around Knutsford. The location chosen was the Legh Arms which has recently been sold and is about to be refurbished.

    It was a chill night but considering that it is between Christmas and the New year there was a good turn out over 30 - including 7, + 1, dog walkers. As it is the season of giving - Allan gave us a brisk 4.5 miler with 26 checks and we kept going well throughout - which Dillon would have been pleased with as somehow he had been parted from his hash kit and so ran (at minus 3) in track shorts and vest. Once we got into the pub after it was a while before he could be separated from his new friend - the open fire.

    As is usual with El Presidente's trails everything was findable though there was a tricky bit where he sent us into a block of houses where the only options were to go left and go round the circle or go right and do the same before coming out where we went in. It was a good trail - followed by some Marstons and then away.
    As Martin was driving this week he settled for 2 pints of Coke rather than the success he achieved the previous week in the Penny Black

    23-12-2008 Penny Black

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-12-23 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    As a late substitute for Pam and Mike - Allan and Martin set this trail in and around Northwich. The weather was mild Temp about 8degC so there were a number of knees out tonight with a total head count in the region of 50.

    Starting out from the car park behind the Penny Black we were led over the busy road before setting off along the side of the main road. We moved on to one of Allan's favourite Northwich check points down a path between two sets of railway lines with a six way check in the bridge in the middle. This then drew us through the housing estate before taking us into Marbury Park with many checks

    A brief foray out past Gadbrook Park and Robert's Bakery before we turned right and commenced some mildly muddy terrain before ending up past the main Northwich cemetery before we ran in. Because it was only a couple of nights before Christmas the Penny Black - a Big JD Weatherspoons beer hall - was the fullest I've seen it on a Tuesday.

    16-12-2008 Hatton Arms

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-12-17 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Brian G and Chris S set this while a touch unwell and gallantly followed through with back marking on what turned out to be a manky night. Cold harsh drizzle lots of water underfoot and a bit of a skate in places.

    We set off left out of the Hatton Arms car park for a couple of checks away from the motorway end. Soon however we made our way across the fields and into some woodlands - where the footpath had turned into a stream. We hacked our way out and found ourselves running alongside a reservoir which on exiting - I realised - was Appleton. A feint was made towards the golf course and we headed towards Stockton heath before diverting onto the canal before galloping down the Bridle way. A loop up the hill brought us to a mince pie stop at the Cliff lane end by the cemetery before we dropped down to come into the back of Goose Lane and home

    09-12-2008 Whipping Stocks

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-12-10 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    It was Rob's birthday and he was setting from the Whipping Stock - a good pub in Over Peover and as it is fairly local it is a favourite of Rob

    Out of the 16 trails set from here Rob has done 6. However in celebration Rob had declared that it should be a Red Dress run and so the majority of the hash had dressed appropriately often with a Christmassy theme - Alison as Mrs Christmas - Tony and I in our matching House of Eden (Chiang Mai) tutus and other similarly ruddy creations but all dwarfed (literally) by Allan's big Santa stetson picked up in Poundland.

    The evening was cool 0degC and with a clear night about 3 days off full moon. As a result the surface of the ground was getting a bit slick so a bit of puusy-footing went on out of the car park and across some cobbles. The initial find was out along Stocks Lane towards the Dog but soon we went off road and started breaking ice films on very cold puddles in fields. At this point I briefly lost feeling in the big toe of each foot and it took a bit of quicker running when we got back onto a road to get them back to normal.

    It was a relatively normal hash (for Rob) as he had added a little extra in that he had set out 10 'medals' at various checks with a trade in value of a free pint at the end. There was a small rider in that if you found more than one you had to pass the excess on to one less fortunate than yourself. This seemed to encourage stronger observation amongst the pack. Later in the hash we made our way though the 'Eye' which - although very pretty in Summer - was ankle deep in dark brown cold mud. There was a welcome site at the end of this in that there was a table with mulled wine and mince pies waiting for us to refresh ourselves before making the last few checks and then one of Rob's mile long run ins..

    After a quick change it was into the Stocks where there was a blazing log fire, Beer at about 1.40 per pint and fresh chips. Rob had also provided a big cake

    A good evening.

    02-12-2008 Beeston Castle

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-12-03 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    This week we moved a little bit further down the A49 to the Beeston Castle Hotel for a trail from Roger T that had many incarnations.
    It was originally going to be with Adrian Long, then with Dave Arthur. As it happened Sid stepped in to help set it but couldn't run it on the nigh so back marking was provided by Mike Murray.

    Our evening started off slightly awry as Martin - who had designated himself a coke drinker du nuit - had to cry off as he had left important docs at work and so had to trek back into Manchester. Maggie and I looked at the ice cold drizzle but decided that we would make the journey and arrived 10 minutes before the off - not quite a record. There were eventually 27 ticks in the book for the night as Roger led us out to the footpath through the stock yards and almost the longest run to the first check that I can remember.

    This led us round the edge of a coppice and onto a check on a very small tarmac'd road. However it was on through the fields. There was a quick break onto roads where we got a little stretched out before going off down the canals. At points along the road the surface was a bit icy and it was trying to snow but remarkably held off any serious weather.

    After the canal it was across more - very damp - fields and then more little byways. We were eventually staggered - at the early hour of 8:50- to gain sight of the pub and run in. An excellent trail of a mere 4.7 miles. Even with our reduced count we must have boosted the pub takings for the night - and also unusually for the bulk of the hashers - we nearly all sat down watching the warm fire and enjoying the craik. -

    The following link will show the trail.
    {Map](http://www.mapmyrun.com/sc/victoria-english-river/beeston-castle-beeston-02-12-08-route-4706063)

    25-11-2008 Fox & Barrel

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-11-26 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Brian B and Tony H set tonight from the Fox and Barrel at Cotebrook - down the A49. I wrapped up with two layers as it was 1degC and darkness was increasing. It had climbed to 2 when we arrived at the pub and as it was a still evening it did not seem too bad - soon warm up.

    This seemed to operate extremely effectively partly due to the pace of the pack - but as we found out as well when we left the pub at 10:15 - the temp had climbed up to 6! (next morning it was 9)

    Back to the run - This was mostly off road taking in most of the countryside to the west of the pub and bringing back most of the fields on our feet - obviously a higher clay content down there. This was one of those times that you gain a stone in weight as you cross a half acre of ploughed land - especially when the footpath was yet to be re-instated. Pack management went well - especially as there were a goodly number out - probably mid forties tonight.

    Brian did the front and Higgo managed the stragglers. However there were one or two moments where Brian lost track of where on the trail we were and he had to hunt around to send us the right way. This had the disasterous effect on El Presidente in that instead of husbanding his resources at the back - he was at the pointed end of the pack. At least he managed to get over the narrow stile early as with so many on trail it took a while to get us all over. This also meant that the faster ones were towards the back and were not three checks onward.

    However we all got back to the pub - sometimes from different directions and there were some pints of Jennings waiting pulled on the bar. Another fine trail. The trail can be found here
    Map

    18-11-2008 Vine

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-11-19 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    The trail tonight from Roy K and Roger P had me baffled. But this is normal when it is through terrain that I know so well - you have lots of these 'I wouldn't have done that' moments and you always know - exactly - where the pub is while you frantically ransack your memory as to where footpaths start and finish to provide the quickest escape route. But the boys did a good job.

    Out we went towards the Dunham Park but then the diversion (first deja don't) and we crossed past the Swan with Two Necks. Then down and on a long check under the canal and across country - we did get a bit strung out here - and then through a farmyard last traversed in the opposite direction from the Olde No 3. The cow muck and mud were as we had last gone through - so the job I did at the weekend washing my hash shoes to make them flexible - if not sanitary - went out the window. A few extra wanders in unexpected directions brought us to Outrington Canal Bridge - then across the fields and into Wetgates Lane. A brief slog across the fields brought us to the trans-Pennine briefly then off across country and the run in to the pub and some well deserved Sam Smiths.

    The turn out was big - the night was not raining - the shoes were covered in poo but this is what is anticipated

    11-11-2008 Beartown Tap

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-11-12 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    We followed the instuctions to this pub to the letter . The tricky bit proved to be the bit where the A54 and A34 appear to join up as you need to follow the road passing Tesco on the left before turning right at the traffic light part way up the hill. However :- we were early on an evening that the car temp gauges said was about 8degC but the cutting wind brought down a bit.

    The hares removed the first check from the car park - an announced 9 way - and just let us loose in the park over the road where we milled about for a bit before someone chanced on the correct route which took us out of the park and onto what appeared to be a bridle way. This was surprisngly firm underfoot condsidering the recent weather and the pack moved along well - interrupted buy the occasional check.

    The most memorable of these was a check down from the old disused railway line to the other side of the valley. After about 500 yards or so there was another check straight on up the hill and left and down into the valley. This route was suspiciously quiet so I felt the obligation to go down. Fortunateley there was a small bridge across the stream and a bunch of steps back up to the old mineral line where the hares were waiting having shortcutted the diversion. It was fascinating to see how high up on the other side of the valley the main body of the pack had got and watching their lights trail all the way back down and up again to get back on trail.

    The trail then diverted from the usual Peter and Colin trail in that they remained in contact with the pack and we did not get lost in the middle of nowhere miles away from the pub. There was a small muster just as we got back into civilisation as we came back off the canal and a run through the back streets brought us back to the car park and then into the Beartown Tap - after which the publicans had their work cut out pulling many pints for the thirsty hasher. Excellent!

    04-11-2008 Sutton Hall

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-11-05 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Paul J set tonights trail (helped on the night by Brian B) from the rather posh Sutton Hall near Sutton Lane Ends just South of Macclesfield. The first impression as we arrived was that = no matter how long the trail - the drive itself woul provide a long run-in in its own right.

    The first check proved to be at the gates of the pub with the on being down along the canal. I was fortunate/unfortunate that it was a route I selected. Fortunate because I didn't have to catch up. Unfortunate because I then was in a position to check at the next one. I had an impressive result on the first 5 checks by which time I was thoroughly knackered from continuous running. Getting the next one wrong left me in the position of not having to check for the next few as I was chasing the pack.

    There was some interesting off road experiences as we were apparently running around reservoirs/lakes for a bit of the time as felt mostly as we climbed the very steep bank at the side of one of them. After this I was very surprised when we appeared down by the side of the Fools Nook (see the pubs page for a reference). The territory became a little rogher for a while and then became familiar again as we again climbed the bank of the reservoir before going in a new direction.

    The run in was good and the pub was also good (though a touch expensive on beer price) The selection of ales on hand pump was impressive with Weetwood, Thwaites and a local Macc ale called Typhoon which was highly drinkable

    Good one chaps.

    28-10-2008 Stag's Head

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-10-29 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    You would think that I could manage better by now. I pulled into the Carpark at Somerfieds at Alderley just as the pack were leaving. This was a slight problem as I now needed to track down my torch, reflective coat and my thin gloves and hat It was a bit taters out there.

    Fortunately Paul J held back so that I had a target for the first check and I then spent the first two checks playing catch-up - which I did as we came to a junction with a big facing stone wall. Left and right was called and we then had a long stretch before the next check. Uphill towards the Edge. The next few checks continued withe the ascending theme until we reached the top.

    What followed was a small roller coaster up and down the lanes around Alderley until we ran in along the main drag to the car-park for a quick change and then back to the Stag at Warford for some refreshment.
    An excellent trail - just what was needed on a cold night.

    21-10-2008 Foresters Arms

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-10-22 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Mr Jones was helped on this trail by Mr Lever - his second assist in as many weeks. The location Winterley - the pub the Forresters. Allan says that he has never run from here before though it has been set twice - both by Nick and Heather - Once in 1994 and the second in 2005. Strangely enough - the last time we went from here it was followed by a trail from Clive from the Forresters at Romilly.

    However - I digress - The night did what it normally does now - it fell - so torches from the off - but a clear night so shorts still worked well but two layers were called for. The pack including walkers numbered in the mid-forties and we were soon out of the pub checking multi-ways before we headed up the road towards the north. I managed to get the first 5 checks right - so with my lack of running recently I was grateful of a forced muster where the hares brought the pack back together as we negotiated a busy roundabout. After this it was business as usual with a great selection of country lanes and footpaths until I recognised where I was.

    If you travel up the M6 between J16 and 17 there is an point where if you look west you see a fairly straight stretch of canal with a white hump-back bridge in the middle of a field. This was where we were and then heading under the motorway before hitting the fields again. The loop was not however very severe and we were not too long in getting back to the pub where the Weetwood was in excellent condition. -

    One of El Presidente's classic trails ably assisted by David

    14-10-2008 Tigers Head

  • Report by :- Stewart on 2008-10-15 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    I was away and Stewart felt driven to sent in the following report on Mr Newman's trail from the Tigers head entitled
    Well if no one else is doing a report then
    The Tigers Head, Norley 14th October.
    Someone had offended the Hash gods. They manifested their displeasure in heavy and incessant rain. So persistent was the deluge that, on first glance, the car park looked devoid of all Hashers. Closer inspection revealed small lights flickering in cars, the sure sign of a furtive Hasher pulling on waterproofs. It wasnt until just before the off that we emerged, the majority sporting goretex, the hardier few defiant in their normal wicking running wear. Wicking doesnt work when the rain is horizontal.

    The numbers were slightly reduced (but only marginally considering the wicked weather) and Chris N. managed to warm the collected rabble by announcing that the route had been truncated by a mile due to the conditions. Dave L. gallantly assisted as Chris rather self deprecatingly admitted he couldnt run fast enough to direct the hares at the checks.

    Despite the Gods doing their best to spoil the trail it was an excellent combination of road, track, field, forest and mud. Martin H. arrived as the pack moved off but made up time quickly as he doesn't like to miss any muddy opportunities. One of the newer , younger and quicker members made an offering of his stomach contents to appease the Gods wrath. And the Gods relented! The rain stopped and it turned into an ideal running night. Those sporting goretex stripped off, the wicking crowd smiled smugly and the checks reappeared from the murk. Even the supplicant revived!

    The real reason for the Gods change of attitude became apparent at the end. Rob S. had disappeared! Some strange ritual sacrifice? Cliff (whos relying on Rob for the navigational part of the Karrimor) went out to look for him. A sign of true friendship which some mistakenly felt was actually only a desire to get the cars keys which Rob had on him. Rob S. returned alone but none the worse for wear with Cliff grumbling in a little later.

    Good pub, good beer and everyone happy to see Cat back from her stint in the Smoke.
    A most enjoyable trail at 5.5 miles (about 7 for the front runners)

    07-10-2008 Lane Ends

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-10-08 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    I will try to remember this trail later....

    30-09-2008 White Lion

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-10-01 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    We motored our way down the M6 to J16 and round to Bartholmley and the very nice White Lion pub. The weather on route was abysmal - really chucking it down and with wall to wall trucks and their spray I was of a cautious bent. This meant - surprise - the bus was late.

    We dropped off the two walking members of the party as we passed the walking group beating their way up the narrow lane towards the A500 bridge. Surprisingly it was not raining here at all - just a layer of damp on the road. So Martin and I parked at the pub and found the map stash to see if we had a hope of catching them. However tonights hares - the new trail setting Stewart, assisted by the more experience trail layer Simon, had produced a loop with an point we could cut across and intercept at about 1/4 to 1/3rd of the way round - which we duly did.

    Stewart knew the countryside well having spent 18 years of his youth in the area and so knew both official routes and the farmers well enough to use non-footpaths which seemed to cause the pack to check with a little trepidation. The route took us over the M6 and after running through a very slurried path and tunnel back underneath it to take in an excellent run-in. The rain had held off all the way round and gave us a spattering at the end.

    The pub was excellent and welcoming and the effect was increased by plates of bread and chips and what Allan described in Woganesqe style as 'snorkers'. which produced that rarity - a quiet pub with the hash in - as we were too busy stuffing. Allan then gave out a mug for 200 trails to Colin B and a glass for 100 to Rob B. Excellent trail -

    27-09-2008 Wynnstay Hotel

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-09-28 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    From the keyboard of Allan :-
    Hash Weekend 2008 - Wynnstay hotel - Oswestry 27/28.09.08
    Do any of you know how to fix cars? I've got a 2002 Honda Civic that has developed an occasional tendency to blow its coolant out! As is the case with occasional auto problems, the trade hasn't been able to sort it out. Christine & I were trundling contentedly towards Oswestry just before lunch on Saturday, when trouble struck! You know the waters vanishing because all of a sudden the engine doesn't respond to the accelerator. If you don't stop and let the motor cool, the problem gets worse, as the car simply goes slower and slower. Completely crazy! So unplanned and time-consuming pauses obstructed our progress.

    And so, we didn't reach the hotel until 14.20, to be told by the very cheerful receptionist that the On Sec had marched the runners out of the bar 20 minutes earlier! Fortunately, Heather had left a map, which showed the start as the lay by I'd used last year, for the Sunday Wayfaring Trail. So, no navigational conundrums there then! With the car being suspect, there was no risk of getting caught speeding down the wide-open but single lane A5. Having given the pack 20 minutes start, I wasn't attracted by the prospect of trying to work out how to catch up, on an afternoon that was the sunniest and possibly warmest of 2008.

    But fortunately, normal Hash service was in operation, and the pack were still in the lay-by. It turned out, that Nick and Heather had led a convoy of half a dozen cars away from the hotel, but mislaid one before the lay-by was reached, despite each car having been issued with a map. So there was a navigational conundrum to solve after all. Eventually, the 5 people in John Richardson's car worked the answer out.

    And so, after a very pleasant sunbathing delay, away we went on what was (accurately) predicted was a 6-mile ramble across unknown countryside. With there being just over 20 runners, about half what we produce on a Tuesday night, it felt like a trail from the last century. It's a lot easier for trail layers to cope with the more modest turnout.

    This part of north Shropshire is ideal for Hashing, with plenty of alternate routes, with a mixture of lanes and paths, although many of the latter are clearly not often walked, as Sheffield steel had to be used by the trail layers whilst laying the trail. Anyway, the weather was brilliant, the company great, and no one got lost. The sun was so warm, that when the run was finished, there was a marked reluctance of the runners to leave the lay-by, as a nice grassy bank gave excellent sun bathing options. - But eventually all returned to the hotel, for an appropriate wash and brush up before the evening's festivities. One of the attractions of the Wynnstay Hotel, is that it has a pool, with all the other watery options, which in four visits, I've yet to sample. On Sunday morning, God gave the Cheshire Hash a no option watery option! Despite the faithful promise of the Met Office, Sunday brought rain! Lindsey Hack, Martin's wife took a quick look out of the window, and decided to ring home, to make sure her daughter had brought the washing in that had been left out overnight. No! replied a puzzled daughter in answer to Mum's question. Well, why not? Lindsey wanted to know. Because it's glorious sunshine! was the unanswerable reply.

    And so, the Wayfaring trail would be performed in inclement conditions. Maybe the weather can be blamed for what was to follow. Certainly, one of the walking groups did the sensible thing of disappearing into Costa Coffee until just before their time limit ran out, when they returned to the Wynnstay lounge for a cup of coffee. The other walkers persevered and arrived back thoroughly drowned, but inevitably the winners.
    As for the runners, well, where to start. The 16 of them all set off within a few minutes of one another. Indeed, they all returned quite close together, but before they had even got properly back into the hotel, were all accusing each other of cheating. There were pointed fingers, cries for disqualification, requests for point's deductions and even one for the issue of a red card! So, clearly they had really enjoyed themselves!

    So, I've consulted the black box, as well as the CCTV tapes, and carried out detailed interviews to try and establish if any of this lot even attempted to follow the rules. And the answer is probably not! It seems that two of the four teams are probably clean, and even they had their troubles. One team managed to divide into pairs as suggested by the rules, but didn't evenly split the area between them, as they handed in their two separate answer sheets, showing that each pair had been to 4 of the available 26 points! An unnecessary duplication of effort.

    The self-styled Team Dunce had various adventures. On one occasion they were seen allegedly using their car at one of the remote points of the area, to relieve the burden of running. I suppose this is my fault for not specifying in font size 72 in the rules, that use of a car was restricted to just getting to and from the start. There were also complaints of pairs being dropped off at places other than the start, and again, I didn't specifically exclude this in the rules. As Shakespeare might have said, is this initiative or cheating? Anyway, Team Dunce were to live up to their name by earning less points than any of their competitors.

    One of other gallant runners, having battled across a footpath overgrown with 8-foot high corn, eventually found daylight on the other side of the field, to see blue sky on the horizon to the east. If they'd looked harder, they would probably have seen Lindsey's daughter sunbathing under the washing line. This Hasher rather suffered in the cornfield, as the nettles were so high, stings were inflicted on the neck!
    Another pair, having collected an answer very close to the A5, decided that the quickest way to their next destination, was up the little lane parallel to the main road, and then do a quick right on a bridge over the A5. The trouble was, the A5 actually cuts this little lane in half, and there is no bridge! So, our intrepid pair then decided to gamble on leaving the area shown on their map, in the hope there was another bridge further north, that would allow speedier access to where they wanted to be, rather than retracing their steps. There was, but only after they had to pick their way through the largest car boot sale I've ever seen! I'm not sure whether they had to pay the entry charge.

    We had a few people running on Sunday, who have not engaged in this event before. What Nick referred to as Hash virgins. Well, one of these found themselves paired with Mr Lever. Very soon after they set off, they decided a little bending of the rules wouldn't hurt anybody, and anyway who would know? So they used some initiative and separated, unaware that this would lead to divorce! The plan was for each to pick up the answers at two of the nearby points, and then return to join up again. Mr Lever was not the one to keep the map! So , inevitably, he had some cartographic confusion. He couldn't find the points he was supposed to be at, so couldn't find the answers to the questions he couldn't quite remember, and where the bloody hell had he come from in the first place. His colleague was to wait 20 minutes for his return, before realising the divorce was final.

    Meanwhile two white knights appeared to rescue Mr Lever, in the form of Messrs Underhill and Richens. So for a happy hour or so he trundled round with them until Mr L says they eventually pointed him in the direction of the finish, whilst they went off to their collection point. Could this be an example of initiative on the part of Kevan and Max? Anyway, before David got back to the motors, he fell in with Karen and Rod Fishburne, so eventually he managed to run with nearly half of the Hashers who'd started out on this little exercise.

    What is really intriguing is Mr Lever confesses his initiative meant he collected a Eurovision nil points, but his team's total was still 70 points better than any other team at a massive 540 out of a possible 650! - And so to the results. I think I probably ought to disqualify all 4 running teams, and arrange a rematch for a week on Sunday. My worry is that some of them might take that suggestion seriously!

    So here is a list of who did what.
    Nick's Team 410 Points . Heather's team (complete with Mr Lever) 540 Points .
    Tony Ellis's team 470 Points .
    Team Dunce 390 Points .

    P.S. The route for Saturday run can be seen via the following link.
    Hash Weekend

    And also...

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-09-28 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    The hash weekend was - for the fourth time in succession - from Oswestry and the Saturday dawned with brilliant sunshine.

    Mike M went off with Steve Mcg for a birthday round of golf before returning to run the Saturday trail set by Nick and Heather. - the region selected had been the location of the previous year's orienteering trail and was through some beautiful lanes and fields.

    As it was dry underfoot and about 19°C it was an ideal afternoon trail setting us up for the evening food and drink. The turnout was excellent with high twenties between the walk and the run. Chris Fishburne partook of the looking after Murray duties and hashed well for the full 6 miles while Rod walked the other Westie

    The following day was the orienteering with 4 teams of 4 setting out for St Martins in the slight drizzle to follow the maps and identify the info at the marked points. - I was partnering Kevan and we started off well with the first few and then had a hiatus as we missed a very small road - which was the correct way - and ran into an small housing estate and along a long public footpath - which wasn't. When we realised that the water tower we were stood next to was just at the wrong edge of the map we re-traced our steps - with David L who we had found - mapless and pointing the wrong way - in the middle of said estate.

    This had probably lost us about 15 minutes so we had to slightly curtail our range before meeting up with Tony E and Alison who had been ranging around the other side of St Martins.

    We managed to return in time - by 3 minutes- to avoid penalties. The results will be provided in a later bulletin. Click on the photo link to see the couple of pictures I have.

    23-09-2008 Golden Pheasant

  • Report by :- Heather on 2008-09-24 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Having twisted my hip cutting a hedge I unfortunately missed Robs trail from Plumley - my drive and a short distance so it has fallen to the on-on sec to provide the following report. :-
    Golden Pheasant, Plumley Rob Stephenson.
    A lovely fine evening after about a week of dry weather, so things looked quite promising. Some of us had gathered in the car park with a little trepidation after Rob's trail (sorry I mean run) up in Macclesfield Forest, however he promised us a good trail with checks and not very long.

    Nick was prevailed upon to be back marker and provided with a map. We set off into the night, almost dark at the start now, to the first check. Checkers were still getting into their stride and adjusting their vision so we all made it to the check before the OnOn was called. As we progressed the pace quickened and we were soon past Holford Hall when the back of the pack came to a grinding halt.

    Steve M. had lost his car key, a torchlight search began - the missing key was detected by 'eagle eye' John S. The search party then had to put in a burst of speed to catch up with the rest of the pack. - Having crossed the railway line several times the front runners were loath to tackle the nettles and yet another crossing, so they all headed off to the left, eventually El Presidente and the Hon Sec decided that perhaps another crossing was the right way and soon found themselves almost in the lead for the first time on the trail.

    Everyone agreed that it was a jolly good trail, expertly laid by Rob, who did admit later that it was almost the same trail that he set several years ago. Fortuneatly Hashers have very short memories!

    16-09-2008 Poachers Inn

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-09-17 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    A trip out to Bollington was on the cards and Brooke had volunteered to provide the motive power for the long trawl over from the south of Warrington. The journey took longer than we had anticipated and we arrived at the Pheasant to find the pack had gone - probably about 10 minutes previously.

    A quick look at the chaser's map showed that our best hope was to haul ourselves straight up the hill towards Rainow to cut them off as they worked their way across country. After a short wait there appeared the glow of a torch and to our surprise Tony H appeared - having taken a short cut he was now in front of the main pack.

    A little while later a glow appeared as the hash - with a number of them with ultra-bright LED searchlights - came up the trail.
    We now joined in the fun. From here the ground got very squelchy and my recently cleaned grey shoes turned dark brown again. Although we were near the top of the hill - the hares managed to produce some extra 'up' especially coming out of the coppice with the encouraging - 'just up this hill then run in'. It was a longish 'just' followed by a sharp left - uphill and finally a downhill lope to the pub.

    09-09-2008 Olde No. 3

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-09-10 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    A constantly changing hash this one :- last week I had an urgent email from Adrian to say the trail would not be in the far reaches of Macclesfield Forest but would be at Little Bollington - handily placed for me at least as it is 3 miles up the road from my house towards Altrincham. However it came about that at last weeks trail his co-hare who was cycling - went a-over-t off the road and crocked himself so there was a change of back marker to Roger T.

    This hash had the unusual feature for me in that I knew where I was all night - knew where the pub was and also the shortest route back to it. This is not normally an advantage though as what often happens in these circumstances is that you get that 'I wouldn't have gone that way' moments - which is the whole point really. The evening however was dry and bright overhead but brown and scroggy underfoot due to the copious quantities of rain that we have been having in recent weeks/months etc.

    First check off was at the pub and we moved towards Lymm before looping right and over the Bridgewater canal snd doen towards wetgate lane. We didn't get that far though as we turned sharp right through a rich pool of sludge before heading across the fields towards Dunham. The fields got deeper before we came out next to the Vine. After some milling about it was off towards Altrincham but a sharp right turn took us down towards the converted Mill buildings and a trip-trap across the bridge over the Bollin and to the Swan with Two Necks.

    This was followed by more mud till we re-reached the A56. We then went left and then right down (Spodegreen?) lane and across more mud and squelch before swinging back to the A56. After a bit more checking we headed back towards the Swan but a finesse left took us across the fields to the pub
    Here is my take on the route...
    Mapmyrun

    02-09-2008 Dog

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-09-03 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    I missed last week but was fitt-ish again from this trail from Mike Murray with the assistance of David L from the Dog at Over Peover.

    Tonight was a massive turnout - including the four-footed companions there were 65 or thereabouts on trail. Considering what the weather has been doing recently we go away in dry conditions but with the cloud cover it was threatening to get dark fairly soon. We started with a left out of the pub car park and a little bit of a tretch before we made or way off road.

    It is always surprising how a familiar routes can be re-mixed to appear different - as a result I was surprised when we turned onto a road a little later to be confronted with the main dish of Jodrell Bank looming through the, now raining, evening - aimed low down towards the southern sky.

    As anticipated it got steadily darker and out came the beacons that were the LED torches that Tony had obtained in the spring. They were seriously bright - such that if you looked at one inadvertently it took about 5 minutes for your night vision to come back. I got the feeling that if all of the torches were pointed at the same spot on a wall they would burn a small hole in it. - soon the trail went off agin - this time though the woods - and the progress could be marked by the baying of a kennel full of hounds as we passed

    A good trail led back to the pub and it was time for a beer or two.

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-09-03 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Allan proves his memory of events is much more effective than mine. -
    Dog Inn, Over Peover – 02.09.08 -
    The Dog is where the Cheshire Hash started over 26 years ago. In those unreconstructed days before political correctness became a new definition for stupidity, it was called the Gay Dog, and featured a very pleasant painting of a multi-coloured hound on it's external sign. It plays havoc with my Hash records, when pub owners change the name of their boozers. It doesn't help either, when they can't decide how to spell certain names, like Legh and Leigh, and then to put the cherry on the icing of my confusion, we regularly go to the Legh Arms at Little Leigh. How is a geek supposed to cope? Answers on the back of a 20 quid note stuck through my letterbox.

    Anyway, this evening was brightened by the return to our little car pool of the On Sec and her husband from their now annual August pilgrimage to Wales for the sailing season. Apparently, the recent inclement weather, has meant that their normal bobbing up and down on their boat has been supplemented by a regular corkscrew motion. Something to do with the winds pulling their parked boat one-way, whilst the tide is dragging it another. Nick & Heather seem to have reached such exalted status in the Royal Society for Pwllheli Boating (RSPB), that their August is spent on duties involving parking their skiff on an anointed point in the Bay, and waiting whilst all the junior members of the RSPB happily race round them, enabling said juniors to get to the bar first. Ah, the burdens of high office.

    So off we set to the Dog, and just by the Over Peover cricket ground we overtook Adrian (nearly Ten Ticks) Long struggling to keep his Raleigh close to Dave Arthur's rear wheel. So clearly Dave' s calf is still not fit for running, leaving Hash pedalling as the athletic option. Suitable bawdy epithets were hurled at the sweating pair, somewhat to the surprise of our 5th passenger, young Ken Sutor, who was being provided for the first time with an example of the quality of conversation, support and comradeship normally available in this car school. Ken, it's not always this good honestly.

    In the car park, were a LOT of people! In the end no less than 68 ticks went into the book. If you were there, and I missed you then I'm sorry! Mike Murray was the architect of tonight's route, with David Lever in chief support mode. I'd seen Dave the night before, and he reckoned this trail might be a quick one. He wasn't wrong. It wasn't as fast as the trail he and I laid from the Walton Arms at the end of April, where the pack found EVERY check, but nonetheless we still motored round. Or at least most of us did. This us didn't! Stupidly about 3 miles in, I found myself being tail gunner! Then Allisdhair McNaul called On On after the sharp right turn I was still 300 yards short of. Oh God!

    Immediately I turned this corner, I fell in with a small disreputable ambling group including Colin Bodimeade, John Seymour and others, but most importantly Carol Culley. At this moment my dodgy ticker tocked, and I had to slow to a real crawl. Carol gallantly stayed with my failing frame, and after 5 minutes it settled sufficiently for a very steady run to be resumed. However, the next ¾ mile only included one 2-way check, and suddenly there was just the two of us in the moonless blackness. Very fortunately, Mike Murray had thrust a map in my hand before the start. As I know this area well, I was intending to be brave, and to run without cartographical assistance for the first time this year. Anyway, eventually we came to a 3-way check, and a peak at the map revealed the correct route was a ½ mile trundle down a bridleway south of Peover Hall. A quick conference, and we decided to be stupid, and do the correct trail.

    This was probably a fortunate decision, as when we turned off the bridleway to try and work our way through Spinney Wood up to Peover Hall, we came across a solitary torch, with John Seymour attached. He didn't know where he was, and on being asked where the pack had gone, denied all knowledge. How did you get here? asked Carol. Following Mike Murray. he said. So where is he now? continued Carol. No idea! replied a quite unconcerned Mr Seymour. So our duo became a trio, and after some searching, we found the stile leading through the wood, over the Peover Eye, and onwards to the Hall. Eventually, about 21.20 we reached the pub, just as discussions about search parties were desultorily being started. So no harm done, and my grateful thanks to Carol for her company.

    Did I say no harm done? Well possibly not. What follows is anecdotal. i.e. I didn't see the reported happenings, which were reported to me by third parties, and are repeated in true Hash gossip style. If it's all wrong, it's not my fault! The hero of this tale is the good Dr Arthur. In addition to Adrian and Dave, Sid went cycling instead of running this evening. - Adrian had his problems. Firstly, whilst in very good order for a man of his youth, he isn't perhaps quite as athletic as Dave and Sid, and openly confesses to lacking the courage of the downhill racer that occasionally the other two allegedly display whilst pedalling. Secondly, Adrian had set off cycling without remembering to recharge his bike headlight! So as the night got darker, so did the view in front of his front wheel. Inevitably, in trying to keep up, he had a minor off. Nothing serious, his progress virtually unimpeded. And then whilst following his comrades down through a tree covered bend, there was resounding metallic crash in front of him, and as Adrian reined in his steed, he came upon a scene of complete anatomical confusion. Legs and spokes everywhere! Both Sid and Dave had come off, apparently quite separately. The culprit was a combination of a road covered with a layer of bovine waste product, which when combined with the remnants of the afternoon's rain, had produced a surface only suitable for a gold medal attempt by Torvill and Dean.

    Sid who is a tad younger than the other two, seems to have bounced. But Dave has been shaken AND stirred. Somehow the three pedalled back to the Dog, where Rob Stephenson examined his Senior Partner, who was trying to put the proverbial brave face on a slightly shaking hand supporting a wobbling pint of the pub's finest. Rob and Dave's wife Tuppy decided that home and rest were the only option, and so back to Knutsford they went for Tuppy to tuck him in.

    The post Hash report is that a visit to Casualty showed no broken bits, but some of them are very battered. Tuppy says he has huge deep graze on his leg bigger than a serving plate. So his work is restricted to no stair climbing, no visits to patients, no carrying anything, and please mind what you're doing with that walking stick. The good news is that now he really has to follow Pam Eden' s advice and rest this bloody calf of his. He has my and hopefully your very best wishes. - Finally, I mentioned earlier, that tonight we had 68 ticks go in the book. This is comfortably a record. For the last couple or three years, we have averaged month by month a turnout in the low to mid 40's (including dogs Mr L). For some unfathomable reason, in August this year we have had a turnout each week of 63, 65, 50 and 68. The 50 was for the Crag, which takes 40 minutes from Knutsford, so for Hashers coming from Northwich and points west, is a trek. This is a quite unprecedented jump in numbers.

    In the last century, August was often a poor month for Hash attendance. I suppose in those Dark Ages a lot of us now more mature souls had our ankle biters to take to Tenerife, for their annual roasting in the sun, before they returned refreshed to their endless battle with the teaching profession, themselves happy in the knowledge that they faced one less year of combat, before their index linked pension kicks in.

    Having said that, we do have quite a few regulars with school age kids, and frankly I haven't a clue why we've had such good attendance. Long may it continue. And don't let this evening's over 7-mile trail put any of you off!
    Dog

    26-08-2008 Crag

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-08-27 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Allan again provides stirling reportage
    Crag, Wildboarclough - 26.08.08
    The Crag at Wildboarclough is a remote pub, no less than 70 miles from the Dee Hotel on the Wirral that the Eden's took us to a month ago for their 4 mile round trip ramble across the sands of the Dee Estuary. The area round the Crag is rather different to the salt flats of the Dee. On sunny days the hills around Wildboarclough get blanketed in a measles rash of slow moving tiny multi coloured spots, each containing an enthusiastic human wrapped up in a layer of Gortex. On bitter August evenings when the sun hasn't been seen since the Armada, this same area reeks of desolation. Even Heathcliff would get depressed. Maybe Miss Bronte had her summer holidays at Wildboarclough.

    This evening's epic was provided by Bridget and Carol, the birthday girl. They weren't in the pub car park by 19.50, so one or three optimists felt that maybe we all had the wrong pub this week, and could get away with a getaway straight into the bar. But then a rather harassed pair of trail layers arrived and dished out instructions. Firstly, the route was apparently so rough, that if we got back with less than 3 twisted ankles, then the trail would be a success. Secondly, and rather weirdly, we were told we mustn't run straight past a bloke, 3 children and a picnic table!

    So off and inevitably up we went. The weather Gods decided to be benign, and no sun shone, nor wind blow, or rain rain. Either of the latter up here, and life is exceedingly unpleasant and potentially short. Eventually, 600 feet higher than the pub, and right on the exposed top of the Peaks, we came across a temporary and free bar! Here were Bridget's husband, children and Carol's son, complete with portable table, and copious quantities of Pimms! Can we have a birthday celebration each week please?

    After 10 minutes of blissful alcoholic peace, rapidly approaching frozen limbs forced the pack back into action, and I immediately discovered the Pimms had gone straight to my thighs. Running is a real problem if your legs have turned to chicken soup. Fortunately, the trail now led steadily down for some distance to Three Shires Head, where Cheshire , Staffordshire and Derbyshire all have a quick cuddle together. There was quite a long pause here to gather up all the stragglers, and then off back up an increasingly rugged path we struggled.

    By now, God has switched the floodlights off. And what do we have? Hashers plodding along the top of the Peaks in nearly pitch dark, on a track impassable to 4x4 vehicles, some of them with no torch! Jenni Worth had brought no illumination, whilst Eleanor was similarly unencumbered. She had brought her blind dog Millie, who has an excellent sense of smell, but is no substitute for a good torch. There has to be some joke in there about the blind leading the blind!

    The Crag clearly doesn't make massive profits from its evening trade. When Mr Ellis and I arrived, I think there were 3 non-Hash cars in the car park. By the time we'd finished running, they'd vanished, and CH3 had the Crag virtually to themselves! As it was Carol's birthday, Pam Eden had made a large cake for the occasion. It became a small one within a pint and a half. Hashers can be locusts after they've done 5 and bit miles in the Peaks.

    We had a guest runner from some Hash in the south of England. I hope some kind Cheshire Hasher explained to him that Pimms and posh cake are not our regular Tuesday night fare. Anyway, an excellent evening was had, and I think particular thanks should go the landlord at the top of the hill and his three underage barmen. What would he have said to plod if they'd happened upon him, and enquired what was a solitary bloke doing on top of a hill in the dark with 3 young kids, and a barrel of potent booze. 'Well officer, you see I'm waiting for a group of mainly elderly runners to come by, so I can give them a drink to celebrate my wife's friend's birthday.' You couldn't make it up!

    Crag

    19-08-2008 Bears Head

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-08-20 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    It is not every hash night that you get to run through the middle of someone's house :- not once but twice. Admittedly this was exceptional in that Nicky - the lead hare for the night (helped as co-hare by Eleanor) - had just completed on said residence which happened to be a gatehouse.

    Very like those on a castle but without the castle. But as the people who had sold it to her and who had in theory completed had not finished moving their kit out I got the distinct impression that Nicky had ideas on the boiling oil front.

    However - back to the trail. Set from the Bear's Head at Brereton we had a fine but overcast evening - torches would be required at some stage. The heads-up was that it would be 10k and about 22 checks and the pack, including the walking contingent but not the dogs, comprised some 51 individuals. That said the result of the first check was through pre-reported gatehouse arch and then off to the wilds. Well slightly muddy if truth be told. A herd of cattle watched with fascination as we appeared amongst them - milled about aimlessly for a bit and then continued on.

    We seemed to exert a degree of interest in various beasts that evening as we cantered though another field and a llama stood there watching us carefully. That makes two weeks in a row really as the trail from Warford last week involved both llamas and alpacas.

    After much muddiness we returned through Nicky's new arch and ran in to the pub at about 9:15. Enjoyable but I got my 4 week old trail shoes well and truly clarted up. Back in the pub and some Thwaites 'Lancaster Bomber' went down a treat.

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-08-20 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Allan muses :-
    And so to the Bear's Head at Brereton, with Nicky being the boss and Eleanor providing back up.
    We have been here only a few times before. We came in 1999 with Roger Turner in charge that man again! I've always thought that that night the distance from his first to second check was the longest I ever remember. I've put my memory of it into Map My Run and this link shows the detail.

    1999

    - The web site reckons this non-stop distance is virtually 2 miles, from the pub to Junction 17 of the M6.

    I mentioned this to Roger in the pub after we finished Nicky's trail, and with a couple of pints inside him, all he did was to roar with laughter, and confess that he couldn't remember he'd even laid a trail from the Bear's Head. I can't complain. Whilst checking out Hash records re Roger's effort, I discovered that I have set from the Bear's Head back in the Pre-Cambrian era, and have no memory of it.

    Anyway, Nicky produced a route that went nowhere near the M6. She has just bought the lodge house leading to Brereton Hall, only 50 yards from the pub. It's an unusual property, being two buildings separated by the drive up to the Hall, but joined by a bridge 15 feet up in the air. She took us out through her new property, and gave us a return view lit with torch light an hour and 25 minutes later. Apparently, this Tuesday was completion date, and the old occupants should have already left. Ah, no! As we set off, there was a modest sized self- drive hire Transit van coming towards us from the direction of the Hall. It turned out, this was the old owners moving themselves to the new property they had bought further up the drive. Needless to say, some of our husky Hashers offered Nicky their assistance to remove these squatters! An offer she didn't immediately decline! Apparently, she wasn't due to move in until crack of sparrows Wednesday a.m. so hopefully these nocturnal removals will have been completed by then! If not, I'm sure we'll hear.

    When Nicky first went into the pub to let them know we would be bringing profit to their business tonight, they said 'NO!' It always surprises me, the different reaction that landlords have to the prospect of a quick 200 quid on a quiet Tuesday evening. Tonight, the Bear's Head staff initially didn't want to know. All sort of excuses were rolled out, and I suppose that as the place now has a block of Travelodge style bedrooms, maybe this is where their money is. In the end Nicky wore them down, and entry was accomplished. Inevitably, when we all piled in, there were about 4 other people drinking in what is a very large bar. No less than 64 ticks went into 'the book' tonight, and even allowing for Mr Lever' s canine friends, there must have been well over 50 of us in the bar, most quaffing ale at well over £2.50 per pint. How do these people prosper failing to sort out easy business like ours? I know for them it's only for one night every 5 or 6 years. But they don't help themselves, with an attitude, which insists we paid the 25p that the kitty was short of, when the bill was paid at the end of the evening! I shan't be using this place!

    Ah, I think that may have been one of my rants! Anyway so to more pleasant issues. Tonight Karen and John Seymour both completed their 200th run. Well done both! Their achievement means that with the On Sec still bouncing up and down with her husband off the Welsh coast, I shall have to go down to Northwich to see our engraving gnome to order the requisite pewter pots. The chap who organises these trophies for us runs quite a large specialist emporium in Northwich, but does as Heather once said 'lacks conversational O Level'. He doesn't do any form of chat, which is OK, but the b''''r is often not open when his sign says he is, which isn't!! I went down on Tuesday morning to collect Mrs Lever's glass for her 100th run, to be greeted by a blacked out shop. No helpful notice on the door to say 'Back in 5 minutes, I've run out of sugar' or 'Back in 3 weeks I've broken my leg' Just a locked up shop in the middle of the morning when he says he's open.

    This is the third time that I've been to get stuff from him, and he's been shut! How do these people prosper failing to sort out easy business like ours? Ah, think I might have said that in my earlier rant

    Mr Seymour subsequently told me that his 200th run was in the same pub as his 1st! And 'No' John, I am not going back through the records to check that this is a first! Interesting co-incidence though, for as I said earlier the Bear's Head is not a regular Hash venue. Anyway, it is mid morning Friday, and I'm now going to have a shower, s..t and a shave, and try and locate my enthusiasm for yet another trip to Northwich. Wish me luck!
    2008
    P.S. My back of the pack compadre Cat has just started a 7-week job secondment in London. Hopefully, she won't be corrupted by decadent southerly ways!

    12-08-2008 Stag's Head

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-08-13 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Tonight was from the Stag at Warford for a trail set by Peter R and John R under trying conditions. John had already informed me that they had has severe problems marking the trail initially as the rain while they were out kept dissolving the Loo roll and washing off the chalk - but several goes at doing it produced a good trail.

    And yes.. It does rain on CH3 Tuesdays. Before we set off from home in Lymm we experience a heavy duty downpour including thunder and Hail. Fortunately on the trail itself we had a brief downpour and about 15 minutes of rain to make the running kit somewhat heavier than we had started.

    Considering the weather before hand we had another large turnout. Rachel R was out on trail after 8 months of motherhood and performed well through the liquid underfoot conditions. There were 9 in the walking contingent a a few dogs. I am not certain of the totals but there was a distinct slowing as we reached each of the stiles on the route but also some brisk running on the bits between.

    Back at the pub afterwards - the beer was excellent (especially the Tim Taylors Landlord) and the other landlord - Lawrence had handcrafted plates of Bread and butter and chips to the great satisfaction of the assembled hashers.

    Good job chaps

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-08-13 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Allan Reports :-
    Having had my wife at home for the last 10 days with a dodgy back, but needing to get a funding bid done to keep her charity away from financial oblivion, she has been swapping our office chair for our long settee, depending upon whether the back pain is currently more important to her than getting her typing done. Basically, your correspondent has been kept away from the keyboard for ages. Who cheered? - So you can all have a BOGOF offer for your latest Hash report. Except, I don't recollect any of you Buying One, so Getting One Free is hardly a bonus.

    Anyway, I'll combine some thoughts on the Stag and the Bear's Head in one missive. What is it about animals and pub names? For centuries loads of boozers have had big dramatic animal names like Lion and Bear, but that all appears to have gone out of fashion to be replaced by Rats and Ferrets!

    'It's you that made it rain!' said Rob Baddeley as we changed in the Stag car park. 'My fault again then!' I reply. 'You prattled on about it not raining on us for ages in one of your last reports, and so you've jinxed us!' continued Rob. Excellent, I thought, evidence that someone actually reads these odd dribblings. The rain wasn't too bad anyway. Lasted about 10 minutes or so, and at least it was dry when we set off from the pub. I absolutely hate having to get out of the car before a Hash if it's already raining. I can cope with the moisture if it starts on the way round, but it so much more difficult to deal with cold.

    The last but one time we ran from the Stag, Laurence the landlord ran with us. The last time he couldn't because there was a power cut and he couldn't get his beer pumps to work. In fact, with no power he couldn't get anything to work. Fortunately, on that occasion just as we came to the second check, all the lights in the village flashed on, and the Stag's alcoholic delivery system was reprieved.

    Tonight, our trail layers Peter Rose and John Richardson had arranged for Laurence to serve chips after the run. Nice one lads! A substantial numbers of bodies presented themselves before the off. Dr Arthur is still struggling with a calf, and nothing our vet Bridget can do can help, so he's off for a couple of hour long sessions, under the care and ministration of Pam Eden. Pain will be inflicted. He's hoping to be fit for the Carry More event in October. (My wife has just pointed out that that she thinks that should be Karrimor).

    Whatever, it's a distinctly athletic activity involving running, cycling, hunting and fishing that several of our more lusty spirits attend each year. Dave's dodgy calf clearly puts his participation in some doubt, so tonight he turned up on his Raleigh, with Sid and Adrian ('I must get my 10 ticks') Long to help him cycle round the lanes of Warford. Apparently, cycling causes his distressed calf no problem, whilst running means even more visits to Pam!

    And so off we went straight across the 8th fairway on Wilmslow Golf Course, regrettably without any golfers to witness our stately progress. Nothing like a Hash upsetting the middle class! As the rain descended, I came upon a returning Rachel Richardson whose excuse for not running these last few months is the bringing of another little taxpayer into the world. Good, someone else to fund this OAP in his declining years. Apparently, having to deal with a 10 month old has been a challenging experience, but hopefully more normal service will be resumed in November, when she returns to work, and more importantly perhaps some regular hashing.

    So on we trundled, with the front-runners doing an excellent job finding the right route, and leaving the trail layers to sweep the rear. Inevitably, the front eventually stalled. A straight on had been called, when we should have hung a left, so with a surprising lack of whinging, reverse was found and normal service was resumed. A few checks later we arrived at some welcome tarmac, and left past the expensive and foody Plough and Flail was called. What the pack didn't then know, was we were supposed to have gone right at the road, for an extra Ý mile loop, before then being tempted by the Plough and Flail. As we weren't to finish till 10 past 9 anyway, this little navigational aberration was a big extra bonus. Also the trail layers were rightly continuing to shepherd the back, so they were in no position to correct this directional dysfunction.

    As the time went on, the light went out, and my new Night searcher torch went on. This looks very promising. It is a rechargeable beast that I think Rob Stephenson found out about earlier this year, but which Tony Ellis eventually turned into a major mail order business. In the end I think he got over 30 orders for this torch, so as winter approaches, the b....y things had better work, otherwise he's going to need his own Customer Service department!

    A total of 63 ticks went into 'the book'; very close to the record 65 Roger Turner had a couple of years ago for his summer barbecue/orienteering event. Roger always counts how many folk set off for a Hash, and was a little doubtful about this total of 63, as he'd only counted 51 attendees. But there were 3 cyclists and 10 walkers all doing their own thing, as well as us runners, so confusion was inevitable.
    Here's the map link.
    Stag

    05-08-2008 Davenport Arms

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-08-06 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    John Seymour set this with the aid of his brother as all the hashers he asked had precommitments. The result was an excellent trail - a bit short on check points but with lots of interest.

    We went off from Redesmere - down the A34 - as site renowned to the hash for its swans, geese and its shags. The first two are always quite interested in the number of people turning up but for some reason we seem to disturb the last.... However tonight was a good turnout - in the order of 47 including the walkers and the two semi injured partaking of a bike ride instead. This was very good - considering that the day had been quite rainy and the heavens opened at about 6:30. At hash start though there was a great improvement and we got of in dry - but humid - conditions

    Heading out away from the main road we were soon off down a footpath ad beating our way round the end of the mere and heading North towards Capesthorne which we ran by on the opposite side of the lake. A little later though we passed a fine building in the style of a manor house complete with a ha-ha. (One of those features that from the field side they look like earth and brick walls but from the House they just look like a long view. This kept the livestock out of the garden. Presumably called such as if you ran out of the house and kept going the residents would have a laugh as you did your lemming act)

    We then spent some time running down footpaths paralleling the country lane from one side or the other which was quite novel. Eventually we returned to the car park where it was necessary to wait for the walkers who had got baulked at a crucial part of their walk as a farmer had blocked access to most of the footpaths they needed to progress and they had to retrace their steps.

    Then it was off to the Davenport where I watched the other hashers imbibing the excellent beer as I was designated driver.

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-08-06 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    El Presidente feels his quill quiver and this is the result :-
    Davenport Arms (Redesmere), Marton - 05.08.08 -
    Having jokingly referred to us being due a wet Tuesday in last week's report, the weather God nearly delivered this week! It showered on and off all day, but stayed drive for Mr Seymour's trail. But on the drive from the Redesmere car park to the pub, down came the precipitation. We do seem to be lucky on Tuesday evenings, but I suppose as we've been running for 26 odd years, the odds are that it probably doesn't actually rain much at the same time on the same day every week of the year

    Anyway, Mr Seymour chose a well-used venue for his trail. In his pre-flight briefing he promised plenty of checks, and a sub 6-mile trail. He was right about the miles, but only 20 checks made for some hard running. Some of the front-runners went past me late on in the piece as though they were being paid to run! John got his brother to help him lay the trail, but he's the only runner in his family, so your scribe got a map thrust into his hand, to help the back stay on track. In view of our comparative lack of velocity, we joked early on that the Hash was tonight in the care of the 'Twins of Speed'. 'More like Twins of Evil' grumbled one Hasher as he shot past.

    Actually, I think Twins of Evil was the name of a Hammer horror film from the 1970s. The twins were a real life pair of twins whose acting ability was secondary to their generous milk white double frontage, which got regular exposure. The poor villain of the film, the local vampire, got so confused by this choice pair that he had to keep coming back for regular site visits!

    John's trail took us to bits of Cheshire I've definitely not seen. After the last couple of weeks of new ground, this was more virgin territory, although perhaps I'd better not go back into film commentary mode. About half way round the route I glanced right to catch a glimpse of a very impressive sandstone building which appeared to have a large lead light window, surrounded by quite elaborate carvings. The map says this is Brook House Farm, but if it is still a farm, it's quite grand! I suspect the owners got quite a surprise to see a group of runners including some lightly clad elderly men trundling across their front garden.

    A little later, after another of John's rather long runs between checks, he then had great fun with a piece of country, where for some reason, a footpath parallels a road for some hundreds of yards. The two routes were only separated by a solid hedge, with the path starting and finishing on the road. The road and path are clearly shown on the OS map, and if anyone knows why this peculiarity exists, please let me know. Heather would know, but she is spending August bouncing up and down with her husband on their boat off the Welsh coast.

    Having found and expertly used a path that didn't actually do anything, John then came to one he wanted to use, but it had gone! The sand people, who are busily removing half of Cheshire's farmland to feed Pilkingtons furnaces in St Helens, have expanded their quarry so much that John's path had been swallowed. However, as some compensation they have provided an alternative path. This tracked the road same road, as the earlier path, but on the other side. So now John had been able to create 4 or 5 checks on and off tarmac to confuse the pack, when all we'd effectively done was run us forward about ½ a mile up a country lane. Excellent trail laying!

    This newly created path, had a solid footing of what looked like concrete railway sleepers, which were slightly tricky underfoot, as with their great weight, they had settled onto the farmland slightly unevenly. Whether this was the cause of Mr Hack's demise I don't know, because a few checks further on, Cat and I by now happily propping up the rear, came across a walking Martin. Apparently, he was suffering some foot trouble, but he had a map, and just to be sociable (and to get a sneaky rest), Cat and I walked with him for a couple of checks listening to his tales of his family holiday in California. His teenage daughters thought he was a great wimp for not joining them on some 2-mile long, 300-foot high roller coaster that did 2 and ½ somersaults with pike and backwards, and all for only $10!

    Eventually, Cat and I returned to the cars and despite our little rest at the end, it was still only 21.05, so the fast boys must have really motored. One or two of them were to get a little frigid, as they had left their car keys in the care of the walkers, who may have had a bit of locational confusion, as they had not returned to the car park, by the time Mr Ellis drove his car pool to the pub. Tony Higgins reckoned he had given directional instructions to the walkers whilst he was ploughing his solitary furrow, but it became apparent, his instructions consisted of semaphore arm signals at a range of 2 fields, and a muddy ditch, so perhaps not as useful as some well chosen words.

    And so to the pub, where Nicky arrived bleeding gore over the carpet. I thought she must have cut her finger in action, but it turned out she had safely negotiated barbed wire fences and rickety stiles on the Hash, and somehow let her Mercedes coupe bite her with it's drivers door after she had finished running! A compassionate hasher was able to glue her digit back together using their in car medical kit. We used to have one in the Hash bag, but it 's vanished. Perhaps Hash funds should be spent on a replacement. Anyway, no serious damage done, and here's the map link.
    redesmere

    29-07-2008 Bleeding Wolf

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-07-30 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Well - I've been away haven't I and no reports were in my inbox for the two trails Steve's in Delamere and the Eden's at West Kirby so... -
    Late news 03/08/08 some reports for West K now in.. Thanks peeps... see below
    Tonight was from Scholar Green South of Congleton.
    Although there was a sudden downpour at 6 pm - when we got to the run site the sky was clear and the evening bright. The temperature was in the low to mid 20's. We were led out from the pub across the road and then off down a side street after which it got interesting. Considering how far down we were and that it is summer hols time there was a good sized pack.

    It was fairly firm under foot and at one point when we turned off on a track towards Mow Cop we attracted the attention of retriever who thought running around was fun. After we collared it and gave it back to it's owner we made a sudden detour away from the hill. This involved rolling under a barbed wire fence - 8 points for inventiveness Zero points for stiles..

    A quick hack across a cowpat encrusted field brought us to a small leap over a small stream and onto the disused railway line and solid footing. What followed was a good mix of field and path and we got pulled together at the church when the bulk of the pack got it wrong. Eventually we made it back to the pub where the Robinsons was on excellent form.

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-07-30 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    A report from Allan :-
    Bleeding Wolf, Scholar Green - 29.07.08 -
    After 2 weeks of novelty, with flour markers and corrugated sand bars for run ins, tonight the On Sec and young Nick offered up a bog standard CH3 trail with loo roll and chalk. Scholar Green is an area we rarely visit, and nearly all of this Tuesday's route was new to me, which is great. Well over 1,300 trails, and new territory can still be found by trail layers in our little part of England. The one possible down side of the Bleeding Wolf is it's upside potential. It's only a mile and a half from the top of Mow Cop, and Nick in his introductory speech offered up the word 'undulations!' And so we set off in the precise direction of Mow Cop. Offering the pack a mountain to climb, and they can't resist it. At least three times, the front checked uphill as though convinced the Thistletons wouldn't be able to resist the view from the top.

    Silly, silly! A brief flirtation with the contours and all of sudden there is Nick well to the right of us at the bottom of a steep field, in completely the opposite direction to Mow Cop, politely suggesting we join him. Clearly, the pack had missed a stile the trail layers hadn't, and to get down to Nick, a quick limbo under some barbed wire was required, followed by a long jump over a swollen stream. A check of the OS map afterwards showed, no stile had been missed, and the trail layers had cheated! They'd let us all run up a farm track towards Mow Cop that isn't a right of way, before revealing their dastardly plan! Naughty!

    That brought us out onto what looked like a dead railway line, and the next check was in Kidsgrove, so we were over the border into the City of Stoke on Trent. At present Stoke doesn't require advanced notice of foreigners birth dates, occupation, credit card details, but as Gordon Brown seems determined that the UK Government should follow our 'special relationship' with the United States of Paranoia, and imitate their inevitably tax raising obsession with security laws including observing when each of its citizens passes wind, we should Hash there now whilst we still can. Ah! I think I promised not to rant a few reports ago. Sorry, sometimes I get a wee bit carried away.

    Anyway, to use my favourite paragraph opening word, back to the Homeland we trundled, and indeed at one stage it looked like we were going to have a real bonus evening of a finish by 20.40. Well, perhaps not! Nick and Heather are battle hardened trail laying veterans, who know when to tease. Within sight of the Bleeding Wolf, we turned left when the pub was right, and indeed wrong. And then away into the gloom of Summer House Plantation, a deciduous woodland, presumably part of the Lawton Hall estate. A quick swing round Lawton churchyard, and then we were offered a check in a field of maize. So sure were some of the front runners that right was right, as that was a straight line to the bar, and it was now 9 o'clock, that they had virtually disappeared before the On Sec called them to order. Much muttering in the corn ensued, which may not yet have been as high as an elephant's eye, but it was certainly higher than mine, and offered no prospect of a short cut across the field to the correct route, despite the field having no fences.

    A further swing away from the pub caused more muttering, but as nobody but the trail layers actually knew precisely where we were, there was nothing for it but to follow Tony Higgins up the hill and out of the wood. (Where did he come from?) And so back to the pub for just gone 10 past 9. Sadly, tonight it was my turn behind the wheel. The only good news being the lime and soda was high the price of whatever pint was the Hashes favourite for the evening. On On to next week and some ale.
    P.S. We must be due a wet Hash soon!
    Mapmyrun

    22-07-2008 Dee Hotel

  • Report by :- Heather on 2008-07-23 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Report in for this trail from the OnOnSec and one from El Presidente

    From Heather :-
    The Dee Hotel, West Kirby.
    This was our first venture towards the far reaches of the Wirral, part of the old Cheshire. - We sped along the motorways heading towards the sun, progress was much slower once we reached the 'B' roads to West Kirby. Nick declared that he thought that the Wirral was flat and where had all the mountains come from. Despite the distance there was a big turnout of runners, walkers and various dogs. Mike and Pam called order and gave out assorted instructions to the serenade of Jack the Dog who was keen to be off.

    The trail led us along the old disused railway line (The Wirral Way), with a quick jinx into the local park past the duck pond. A little further on the check was by the beach - this bought on a great rush of checkers heading off towards Hilbre Islands, this of course was wrong. We veered off to the left and headed towards the high ground though Caldy Village and the woods. Pam said it brought back memories of her teenage years when she lived in this area. She declined to go into further details!

    A magnificent view from the top of the hill, where Cat decided she needed a better view and climbed up onto the top of the 'Trig Point' joined by about five other hashers before it all got a bit crowded. The OnOn was called and we headed back downhill towards the shore and the marine lake where the Tuesday evening dinghy racing was taking place. Mike announced that the trail now went off across the sands to Hilbre Island, he wasn't sure that the markers would still be there as the tide had been in and out several times since the trail had been set.

    Bravely most of the runners set off across the sands, splashing through the pools of water and hoping that we would get there and back again before the tide came in again. Mike kept trying to reassure everyone that we would be OK until about midnight. It's much further to the islands than it looks and the runners returned in a steady stream until well after 9.30.

    Some local young girls noticed the usual Tuesday night changing in the car park and were overheard calling their friends on their mobiles and telling them that there was 'a crowd of old men undressing in the car park'. Those getting changed and overhearing this being most upset at being referred to as 'Old'. The Dee Hotel is a Weatherspoons establishment, so it was full of youngsters drinking very cheap drinks. They were very surprised to see a bunch of 'oldsters' in the pub and even more surprised when they found out that we had been running.

    Nicky and Peter H. were awarded their 200th Run Tankards to much cheering and applause. David L. was also commended on achieving his 500th.
    A good trail and certainly very different to anything we have done before.

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-07-23 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    And from Allan :-
    The Eden's have been promising us a run with a 'twist' for months. This was their offering. Pam Eden's stepfather used to live on the Wirral, and in his declining years spent some considerable time in a home here, requiring regular pilgrimages from Mid Cheshire by Pam and Mike. So, they know the area. The slight downside is, that its b...y miles from the heart of CH3 operations. Google maps reckon it's 45 miles from Knutsford, and heaven knows what time Bridget set off from Macclesfield to arrive at the start.
    Amazingly, Clive, Cat and Carol came from Manchester, probably both straight from work. Carol had a locational aberration and so had to endure a solitary tour of the environs of West Kirby, as the pack had left without her. In the end, despite this trail being probably further than any other normal Tuesday night run from Hash Central, 52 ticks went into 'the book'. So despite the journey, only Rob Stephenson' s barbecue trail has attracted more interest this Hash year. I shall never bitch about having to go to the Pheasant at Burwardsley again. Well, at least not until the next paragraph.

    Going to the Pheasant actually takes longer than going to the Dee Hotel, despite being 16 miles less from Knutsford. Ah, the benefit of motorways! Anyway, off we went in this completely virgin territory. I'd only been padding along for 5 minutes when my ticker started to stutter. Still, as agreed with the medics, providing it settles down on its own, all I do is slow down, and ignore it. It's easy for them; it's not their heart. Still, Cat provided her normal stalwart assistance, and as there were loads of checks, we managed to stay with the pack. Actually, the trail layers seemed to be very keen to keep us all moving. No sooner had the folk at the back arrived at the check, then off we went again. The only real break we got was from a viewpoint in the woodland behind West Kirby. Inevitably, Rob climbed up on top of the concrete post on the viewpoint and dragged half a dozen other Hashers with him. I suspect that when he was at University he probably organised the ' how many people can you get in a Mini competition' for Rag Week. In fact, he probably was Rag Week!

    Anyway, after then being hustled along down to the sea front by about 25 to 9, the pack then found a grinning Mike Eden pointing across the still damp sand to a lump of rock a couple of miles offshore saying, 'No more checks now, just a little run to Hilbre Island and back!' Now, Mr Ellis had been talking about the mysterious Hilbre Island on the way to the Hash. Apparently, it's a well-known bird watching site that apparently takes him an hour to walk to. Also, Nick had been saying that the Eden's had asked him for a tide table a couple of weeks earlier. So, all was revealed. The ' twist' was a 2-mile check free run across a corrugated sandy beach to a guano covered offshore island, and then back to the pub. No wonder they wanted to get us to the sea front as soon as possible! If we'd ambled, the pub would have been closed by the time we got back.

    One look at the distant island and, I'm sorry, but my courage failed. Desperate pleas to Nick, before he disappeared below high tide level, produced the car keys, and so I returned quietly back to base camp. Comfortingly, on the way I fell into good company as another half a dozen Hashers had decided that a quiet ice cream from a kiosk on the sea front was better than bird droppings on a rocky islet. We wandered back to the pub by 10 past 9, at the same time as the front-runners hurtled home. 35/40 minutes from leaving the sea front to returning to base camp is pretty good going it's 4 miles! The rest of the pack returned in the proverbial dribs and drabs. Cat and Bridget ran out to the island, but then decided to return in more stately fashion, and got into the bar at 21.40! But they seemed quite happy, and enthusiastically entered into the main subject of conversation in the bar, namely men's waistlines. - The previous Monday night a few of us were gathered in our local and as usual discussing the problems of the world, and finally got into detailed discussion of our waistlines.

    In the world of the credit crunch, and astronomic fuel prices, we end up talking trousers. Funny what drink will do. Anyway some months ago, for a reason I can't now remember, I had to put a tape measure round my waist. 37 inches was the result. Now for many years I've slotted quite happily into what claim to be 34-inch trousers. The others all reckoned they got into 34 or 36-inch pants, so we all agreed to measure ourselves before Tuesday night! The results consistently showed that we were all 2 or 3 inches bigger in the real world, than we are in the fantasyland of sartorial elegance. In case there was any backsliding, I actually remembered to bring a tape measure with me.
    Now you know how things go once the beer starts to flow, and before long men with, one notable exception, were flinging their arms up in the air and demanding to be measured. (Money has changed hands so the non-conforming David's identity can be kept secret!) Again the results of all this struggling to get my arms round other Hashers waists was that they were all, with the exception of Roger Turner, that magical 2 or 3 inches more rotund than Debenhams would have them believe. Roger was delighted with his consultation as his missus reckons he's a lot larger than he is. He doesn't look remotely bothered one way or the other.

    Towards the end of this measuring session, Carol got hold of the tape, wrapped very little of it round her waist, and announced that she also was 2 inches bigger in the real world than her Levis would have her believe. I tell you it's a conspiracy! - At this stage of the evening Tony Ellis, who wasn't driving and had therefore fully benefited from Wetherspoons cheap prices available in the bar, was beginning to eye up our lady Hashers and my tape measure. The sensible thing seemed to be to retire the tape measure, before Tony's enthusiasm, and a lady Hashers good humour came into violent conflict! The Dee Hotel is a Wetherspoons pub, and charges very competitive prices to those with an alcoholic weakness. No sign of the credit crunch here, a financial problem that one of our more well heeled Hashers didn't really seem to have understood when they commented, 'Credit crunch, is that a new Cadburys chocolate bar!'
    They were joking weren't they?
    Mapmyrun

    15-07-2008 Vale Royal Abbey Arms

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-07-16 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    A late report on Carthief's trail from El Presidente :-
    Vale Royal, Delamere 15.07.08
    (Start at Barns Bridge Gates).
    Once or twice a year, Steve Argles reminds the Cheshire Hash of the way that most Hashes around the world lay their trails. Steve is probably our most international Hasher, as his job has taken him to some places I have never heard of, so he has in depth knowledge how other Hashes operate. Flour seems to one of their key ingredients. We use loo roll as markers, most other Hashes apparently use flour.
    Useful in a desert, perhaps not quite so appropriate in a Western Temperate climate, although as Nick says, 'It never rains on a Tuesday,' so we're OK then. The first time Steve brought McDougalls to the Cheshire Hash, he gave detailed instructions to the assembled multitude of the way the trail was marked, which included a small crib sheet he had produced for each Hasher, which they could refer to as they ran round. Also, Cheshire apparently doesn't use the usual method of marking which can include On Ons that lead to dead ends, and a numbering system, which means you count back so many blobs of flour from where you've gone wrong, so you can right yourself. No, I don't really understand it either.

    Whilst Steve was busily explaining the basics of this brand new system, and puzzled Hashers were also checking out his crib sheet, Luinga, Dave Arthur's dog, had discovered that Steve's demonstration flour markers on the floor of the pub car park, were actually quite tasty, and was busily devouring Steve's markers behind his back, whilst he was attempting to explain their significance to a confused Hash. Since, that first rather chaotic attempt at using the international Hash trail laying system, Steve has persisted with it with his trail laying, and this week it worked beautifully. He had dispensed with the markers that led to dead ends, (and total confusion), and had adopted our simpler system of 2 markers on the right meaning On On. And On On we did! At great speed, into the depths of Delamere Forest, where the last time I ran here, I came across a bloody great lake that wasn't there the last time I passed this way. A knowledgeable Hasher told me it had been introduced to provide a diversity of habitat for the local woodland flora and fauna. What bilge, this lake was covered with about a thousand less than local black-headed gulls! When the Americans introduced their first National Park, they decided to eliminate the nasty wolves that killed all the lovely deer. 3 years later all the lovely deer had stripped all the lovely trees, and the lovely bushes, and the Park keepers had to go 700 miles to find some fresh nasty wolves that were hungry! The law of unintended consequences.

    Tonight's unintended consequence of a beautifully laid trail was its speed! The front found all the markers, and those towards the rear, eventually couldn't hear the On Ons as the enthusiasts had disappeared out of hearing range!! Where is Mr Hack when you need him? A few of us more sedate Hashers found that checks were correctly found before we could get there. So we ended up doing a cross-country run. Brian Glover had brought two friends of his from Warrington for the first time. I think they have international Hashing experience, but I could be wrong there. But this was not an exactly gentle introduction to the Cheshire Hash. Chris Newman had chosen this run to make his first running appearance for a year, and soon regretted succumbing to his son's request to come Hashing now that his heir was 'down' from University. A strained calf/thigh/hip interfered with his progress, and he needed a short cut back down the road that cuts Delamere in two, to make sure he was changed and ready on time for the aprè s Hash at the Vale Royal Arms. Chris insisted he put his name down to lay a trail to coincide with his *0th birthday later this year. Perhaps the enthusiasm generated by a couple of expensive pints overcame the aching body.

    Anyway, all were eventually returned safely to their cars, although by the time Cat, Carol and I arrived, half the Hash was changed into civvies, and getting ready to leave for the pub. And it was still only 2 minutes past 9! For the last mile and a quarter we had been virtually on our own, with the pack in front, and Steve behind making sure Brian G and his friends didn't completely vanish off the back. But our lonely vigil was never a problem, as we kept following the flour. I wonder what the locals would make of our using flour as markers, if a trail layer wanted to lay an urban route though say the middle of Northwich? I shan't attempt it. -
    Mapmyrun
    I think this route is fairly accurate, but as all the satellite images were taken in high summer, with thick foliage on the trees, there may be the odd error. Anyway, it's about 5 and ¾ miles of excellent hashing.

    08-07-2008 Pheasant

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-07-09 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Down Cheshire again tonight for a trip to the Pheasant at Burwardsley, next to the Candle Workshop.

    The two Davids had combined forces again to take us from this pub halfway up a hill, into some of the prettiest countryside in the county. However, like the previous week, there were vertical challenges.

    It was a pleasant surprise to see Helen M returning to the Hash fold after a period of about 6 years for an area that was relatively local to her. The weather was very kind in that we had left home in grey gloom, had then got stuck behind most of the slow drivers in Cheshire but then arrived at the pub in bright sunshine - a state that we enjoyed throughout the trail. From the first check we were surprised in that the two D's took us along the only horizontal choice available followed by a slight incline.

    This soon changed though. The rest of the trail consisted of ups and downs of varying degrees of difficulty. Though to give the guys due credit - we had a downhill run-in to the pub.
    The pub was excellent the beer, Weetwoods, on brilliant form neither too warm or chilled to death. The only issue I had with it was that it was 2.90 per pint....... A good trail though.

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-07-09 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    And from Allan :-
    Pheasant, Burwardsley - 08.07.08.
    Holidays! Wonderful things that provide the opportunity for relaxation, over eating, inebriation and penury if you're not careful. They also get in the way of Hashing. 2 weeks holiday actually means 3 weeks without exercise, and as your age clock ticks ever nearer midnight, restarting running after such a break becomes ever harder. Whinge whinge!

    And on my return there were the undulations offered from the Pheasant at Burwardsley to really stretch the hamstrings. I hate going to the Pheasant, not because the pubs horrid, but it is expensive and it's b...y miles away! It's the only pub we go to, where if you're coming from mid Cheshire you actually have to drive beyond it, before you can turn back east and up the hill, to find you can't get in the pub car park because of a herd of horses!

    In fact, Dobbin and crew were parked immediately in front of the pub entrance, and not blocking the back entrance to the car park. Despite my pre-holiday pleas to the two Davids who were in charge tonight, they insisted the Pheasant was their chosen venue, and gave pre sweat instructions to no less than 49 Hashers, who weren't as whingeing as your scribe, and actually appeared to be looking forward to their 5 and a half miles of exertion.

    Mr Lever had made sure that his markers were 'tucked away', which meant that a number of them weren't found by the fast merchants, but this had the desired effect of keeping us all together, assisted by the muster our pilots organised at the top their Hashes one big climb. And then we got to the 'will they won't they?' point. The high point of the Peckforton Hills actually has the remains of a narrow gauge mineral railway running steeply downhill from the top. In years gone by we have had trail layers just tease us with this 1 in 2 climb, whilst some less subtle Hashers have had us go up and down it in the same Hash! Step forward Kevan Underhill. Oh he can't, as Kevan appears to have retired from our exclusive brethren.

    Actually, in the last century, I used to go out with a girl whose father was a senior member of the Exclusive Brethren cult. Google it, and you'll see that it isn't perhaps the most Christian of Christian cults!

    Anyway, to return to the top of the hill and the railway line, it turned out that the two Davids were just a pair of teasers. We were offered a downhill view of the railway, but spared the descent. Thank you guys! About 10 past 9, all were safely gathered in, except for Sid who done something ouch to his ankle, and Mike Murray who was playing Florence Nightingale and shepherding Sid home safely.

    As the evening was dry, most of the Hash grabbed their Wheetwoods and sat outside on the pub patio watching the sun die in the west over Wrexham. Again as usual, after a Hash, even with my winter fleece on, a quick trip outside to check I'd ticked all the right walkers, left me freezing. So a retreat to the bar was exercised, minus glasses, as not for the first (or last) time Doctor Arthur was in need of ocular assistance. Something to do with writing cheques! I think I'll get a £2.99 pair of readers from T J Hughes in Warrington, and donate them to my GP. I'm sure Hash funds can stand it!

    The funds are currently needed for a couple of engraved cans, as Peter Horner and then Nicky have now completed their 200th runs. Nicky creeps into 50th place in the Cheshire Hashes 'mostest' runs stakes, with Peter just in front of her. Dave Lever was 500 tonight, but for some reason the Cheshire Hash tradition only gives specific recognition to all our physical efforts, after our 100th, 200 th and 1,000th runs, so Dave gets precisely nothing. All three of them are in the top 20 of our 'who does it most often' category.

    Mapmyrun

    01-07-2008 Ship

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-07-02 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Tony Ellis had elected to set from the deep south of the county at Danebridge - a place we frequent at least once in the summer and more so for those who take part in the Wincle Trout run. It is a part of Cheshire that is blessed or cursed with a lot of up and more than it's fair share of down

    As is the tradition of the Lymm bus - see any old report - for here - we arrived just after the pack had set off. As usual this necessitated finding a map or the knowledge of a local inhabitant to guide os on the start and then a sustained chase up hills. We were fortunate in that we caught them reasonably soon but Roger T was unfortunate in that whoever lifted the map off the wiper failed to notice that there was more than one in the waterproof sleeve - so he had no idea and ran off in the wrong direction.

    The weather - which had been variable all day - was mixed. We had bright spells and also drizzly spells but fortunately not too much to do more than make the footpaths a little slippier. This was mostly on one section of the trail where we had the unusual experience of meeting a bunch of about 15 runners coming the other way. We could hear Tony, who was back marking, shouting that they had gone the wrong way before he got a closer look and realised that he knew none of them. We met them in the pub later and they turned ouut to be Congleton Harriers out on a training run.

    After further climbs and drops we made our way back to the cars and then the pub - which was selling some of the best JW Lees bitter I have tasted in a long while. Good Trail Tone

    24-06-2008 Rob's House

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-06-25 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Now this was the night of Rob's BBQ in Knutsford and for it he reverted to his long established teams - navigation - get lost - run in late - points challenge with the teams made up of either cyclists or runners or walkers - team size 2-4 members with the proviso that once a team you had to stay together for your whole slection of places to run to

    In other words - no splitting up - To encourage an element of competiveness there was a whole gamut of prize categories - womens team runners - mens team runners - mixed team - older hashers teams - walkers - veteran bike etc..

    All the above was announced from the small pulpit Rob has in his garden with the result that the bawdy comments from the floor sometimes drowned out his instructions. There was a goodly turnout with Sue being responsible for 4 extras - her other half plus lucy and her other half and Esther? (sorry if I got this wrong - but I was drinking..) from Barcelona.
    John Jocys made a return with his bike having thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Ken's Big Walk on the previous Sunday and did the full 22 miles as had 5 others. 6 of the participants had taken the option to stop after half the distance.

    So off we (me Martin and Nigel) went - studying the maps to guestimate possible scores - So off it was to Ollerton to collect the telephone box number for a mere 5 points then on - out to turn right at Brookhouse farm and down the road to the end and beyond for Blease Farm and the points there (15). Then on to Ash Farm (10 points) and through until we met 7 sisters Lane. We then did some serious moving but eventually got back 3 minutes before the 9:20 deadline with 35 points.

    The winners of the group had 40 points, the bike winners had 90, the mixed had 50 and the walkers got back nearly 10 oclock but got toblerone anyway.
    The bbq was excellent. and it only rained mildly during the trail

    17-06-2008 Thatch

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-06-18 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Now Allan is very quick with the keyboard as it is only 5:50 on Wednesday - but he is off on his Hollies...
    Thatch, Faddiley 17.06.08
    This time last year Ian Blakeborough laid a trail from the Willy Moor Lock close to Whitchurch that was MILES from the normal centre of CH3 operations, and ended up with cavorting in the canal. His offering tonight was not far from the site of that triumph, but this time didn't offer water slides or hills, and not a lot in the way of tarmac.

    What it did have was stiles!! In a area that clearly is really very rural and not walked a lot by the general populace, nature has had chance to flourish, so that in some cases not only was there no shortcut round a stile, occasionally there was hardly a route over the top of the buggers! In one case near the end, Ian was right at the front actually leading the pack, which one or two of us thought a bit odd. However, what he was doing was showing us the keyhole-sized gap in the hedge that really was the correct route.

    John Moorhouse was there first, and even with Ian's encouragement still couldn't believe he was meant to squeeze though the miniscule opening, which led to single plank covered in foliage that took us over a ditch deep enough that Boswell disappeared as he plunged into it. All this took time, not helped by the late start, as we all waited in vain for Brian Burgess and his crew, of which more later! So inevitably, by the finish there was the odd moan. You can guess from whom!

    One or two Hashers who had come from the eastern seaboard of Cheshire, decided that with the chequered flag being waved nearer 10 than 9, they wouldn't stay for the promised £2.70 a pint beer, but save their money and get home before midnight. Medals to the three C's, Carol, Cat and Clive for turning up at all. Carol has the ability to change from work suits to hashing gear at the start of a run, faster than Tony Ellis can reverse the process at the end of a Hash, even with the prospect of him being at the booze first. Mind you, Carol has had some practice at her quick change, as she doesn't always arrive EXACTLY on time.

    Eventually, we all struggled back over the main road to the pub just after 9.30, although in my case, that was only after a quick parachute roll down on to some cut hay, which hid some solid object I didn't get my right foot up and over. Two pints of Timothy Taylor's worked as a magic potion. The pub Ian had chosen is very accurately called the Thatch. In fact, it's clearly had a new roof put on very recently. I suspect at some expense, as thatching isn't the cheapest form of roofing. It's probably required to remain thatched by the planners as the brewery claims the building is 15th century. The Xmas lights strung round the edge of the thatch clearly aren't of Tudor age, and do look a bit stupid on such an ancient building.

    Anyway, on getting into the bar, the first person I met was Peter Rose, who was supposed to have come with Brian B.
    'Oh, you made it then?' says I,
    ' Yes' says he.
    Scintillating conversationalists are Peter and I. It turned out that he, Jo and John Richardson had been with Brian B, when the latter's car decided that to keep up to the 40 mph speed limit at Sandiway required 4,000 revs from it's diesel engine! Not good. Apparently, Brian managed to nurse the sickly beast back home, and the other three then decided they would come for a drink anyway.
    'Can I have a tick?' asked Peter.
    ' Have you run?' I replied.
    ' No', Peter said.

    Not getting any better at this chat lark are we? Anyway, I said he could have a tick, but he had to at least make a token running effort. So out and across the pub car park we go, and down to the first corner on the main road runs Peter, with Dave Taylor and I witnessing this athletic nonsense. Five seconds later a very stiff and sore looking John Richardson appears, to follow Peter down the road.

    'I was only going to walk tonight, as I've cycled 50 miles today,' said John. However, the promise of a tick, overcame his tired tendons, and a token effort was made.
    Dave remarked that they should only get a tick if they got themselves stung! I forgot to mention earlier that some of the verdant foliage encountered on the run was definitely not friendly! However, Dave's suggestion seemed a little harsh, and so I've credited Peter and John with ticks. How soft am I?

    Finally about half ten, and still in daylight, our little band returned to Mr Higgins motor for the 45 minute drive home. Young Mr Seymour, who had ably assisted Ian with his trail laying, wandered across the pub car park, and came back with a 3 by 2 bit of carpet. Now that's 3 by 2 feet and not inches for any ancient DIY enthusiast out there, who is still operating in imperial. Thinking it was one of our hashers hard foam mats that a few of us have for changing on in the winter, John threw the item in the boot, and off home we went. When he got back and looked in the boot to take his gear out, he pulled out his newfound prize, but not his running shoes! The driver firmly declined to engage in a 90 minute round trip back to the Thatch to search the car park for the missing items! Not unreasonable I thought! So John went home shoeless, and indeed carpet less, as he simply left the latter item in Tony's boot. It turned out to be simply a piece of cheap beige coloured polypropylene that presumably has nothing to do with the Hash. If someone recognises it then I'm sorry, but its now landfill. How hard am I?

    Thatch

    14-06-2008 Martin's House

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-06-15 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Martin's BBQ Hash
    Lindsey did her slaving away over food and Martin set a trail - put up beer tent - got beer and both are to be thanked for such great hashpitality.

    The afternoon set in sunny with a stiff breeze from the north west as bodies appeared through the countryside to find the location. Eventually there were in the region of 17 runners and 10 walkers plus some dogs. There were plenty of the junior variety as Bridget brought the full household of other half, two sprogs and the dog and Stuart and Alison brought two strapping teenagers and a smaller one in what can only be described as a racing pushchair as demonstrated by the fact that they kept overtaking me in fields , on roads, and almost over stiles.

    Ray came with the distaff side of his lot and they all performed well with checking out the trails. Unfortunately I had one of my 'I know where this will go' days so kept getting it either cunningly right - or more often- drastically wrong. Still it was an excellent trail leading up towards Arley - but not quite - and rouns many tiny roads and footpaths.

    We concluded with a run in to the beer tent where Weetwood as awaiting and welcome and food was very welcome. Sitting round the pot-bellied stoves as the evening first chilled and then seemed to warm up as the wind dropped was excellent

    10-06-2008 Headless Woman

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-06-11 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    A little witty reportee form Allan
    Headless Woman, Duddon 10.06.08
    I got a call from Brian Burgess (tonight's pilot), a few days before this evening's trail. He was looking for some assistance; with a ' novelty' he was going to incorporate in his route. Now sometimes ' novelty' and Hashing don't always mesh too well together. Green string marked trails and indeed no marker trails came to mind! So, not being really fit enough to handle trail laying anymore I was initially a little anxious. However, all Brian wanted was for someone to play traffic policeman late on in the trail where he was going to offer a long loop to the fast runners. He needed someone to simply offer the two options to the pack as they came to the dividing point. It would mean I would have to take a short cut about half way round to ensure being at the anointed spot in time, but that was all that was required.

    'OK', agrees I. And for once, all was well. Except that the short cut, Cat, Bridget and I took to get in front of the pack, brought us out onto the middle of a very long straight stretch of road, at the same time as the front of the pack reached the end of the straight 600 yards away! So they could see us padding steadily away from them, so they didn't bother with the boring checking bit, and set off at high speed in pursuit. We JUST beat Dave Taylor to the dividing point, where despite being told right was the long route, and left the short, left he went, and effectively got it wrong! Anyway, the rest of the pack arrived in ones, twos and clumps, and decisions were made as to how much sweat each Hasher was prepared to lose. The non-drivers to a man (and woman) went the long way, to generate even more space for the booze yet to come. Just after the short route runners were all gathered together, my dicky ticker went wobbly. It broke out into its occasional very fast beating mode. But I had my secret weapon! The cardiac troops at Wythenshawe had equipped me with what they call a Card Guard. It's a bit like a pocket calculator, but with only two keys, and four very sturdy metal feet. The idea is that if your heart misbehaves, you plant the four feet in the middle of your chest and press the ' record' button. You can hear your ticker beating it's quite weird. Hopefully, your heart returns to normal, but what you then do, is to ring Wythenshawe, and when asked, press the 'play' button whilst holding the Card Guard to the mouthpiece of your phone. Basically, this thing is a portable ECG machine that you can download the results to the hospital over the phone. Ain't technology wonderful?

    Whilst engaged in my medical ministrations Cat and Mr Ellis stood by, and made sure no harm befell me. OK, so I was the only one with the map showing us how to get home. Nonetheless, my thanks to them for their kindness. After a small navigational dysfunction, owing to me drawing the route in the wrong place on the map, us short cutters safely returned to the bosom of the Headless Woman, so be followed only 5 minutes later by the first of the fast men, who had done an extra mile and a quarter!

    In the pub, three people came up to me and said, 'Did you hear about Tony Ellis?' Well, as said Hasher had escorted me into the pub, I assumed that somehow I'd missed something important. I had. Brian told everyone at the start about his option trail, and Tony knew I was going the short way, because of me having to do my policeman bit. So, when he discovered early in the piece that I gone on a short cut, he assumed he was left with all those happily prepared to run the full 7 and a quarter miles. 'He went beetroot!' said one witness. 'He was apoplectic!' said another. Brian as the sole trail layer was delighted at his friend's confusion. 'Makes it all worthwhile' he said. Tony admitted afterwards that he hadn't realised that I was going to do a small short cut just to get in front of the pack, to be able to direct traffic. He slaked his unnecessary anxiety with 3 and half pints!

    In the bar Eleanor told me that at one stage this evening she found herself chatting to a John. Moorhouse, Richardson, or Seymour I asked. She didn't know which, but reckoned I would when she had finished recounting the conversation. She had discovered from John that he was still working part time even though he was really retired. -

    'Where do you work?' Eleanor politely enquired.
    'Styal' replied John.
    'What do you do there?' continued Eleanor.
    'I'm a Warden,' says John.
    'WHAT!!' explains Eleanor, 'You're a part time warden in a woman's prison?'

    After John Richardson had finally managed to control his hysteria, (and bladder), he explained that his 10 hours a week are spent at Styal Mill and Country Park.

    - Eleanor and her now non-hashing husband were the first trail layers to bring us to the Headless Woman well over 10 years ago. I was reminded, inevitably by Tony Ellis, that that was the trail where Eleanor and Kevan got into a dispute on a very black November evening as to which was the correct way out of a ploughed field. 'It was daylight when we laid it!' To end the arguing Mr Ellis reckons he grabbed the map from Eleanor, thrust it into my hands for me to sort the navigation out, on the grounds that, 'I'm not driving tonight, and therefore would like someone to get me back in time for a drink!' I don't remember all the details but that's not a completely apocryphal story! But hashing will have its revenge. Tonight Clive had to help sort out my navigation, after my afore mentioned cartographic error. Nobody's perfect!

    Mapmyrun
    The link shows the short 5.7 mile route, not the long one.

    03-06-2008 Windmill

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-06-04 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Another month - and John Seymour assisted by Mike and Pam set out from the Windmill at Whitely Green to the North west of Bollington. This was a very pretty village basking in the warm sunshine - a relief actually as at 7 o'clock in the morning it was raining stair-rods over towards Warrington

    There was some warning that it may be a trifle damp underfoot but off we set through the village and then off down a narrow footpath and through a coppice with many cries of mild pain as - because it was warm the shorter shorts were being worn.But because it was warm the longer nettles were being grown. We soon reached a simple stile which took us into a field - into being the term as - unless you leapt from tussock to tussock - you ended up ankle deep in said field

    At this point there were plaintive cries from Jenny W - calling out that as a gentleman I should be coming back to carry her across the muddy bits - but as I needed to ensure my legs would get me through the run - I demurred - It could have been getting worse - and it did a bit - later on. However it did her no harm as she was soon legging it away at the front involved in a mud kicking contest with other hashers. - The route took us through some wonderful countryside - along the canals - and the converted railway but also with some serious up with the climb up to Pott Shrigley Hall before we dropped back down again.

    The legs were feeling it a bit for the downhill run-in but the beer was good - though expensive- and the pub was welcoming. Very enjoyable trail for the 45 + 2 dogs.

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-06-04 13:00:00
  • Detail :-

    and Allan's version of the same trail
    Windmill Whiteley Green 03.06.08 -
    There I am sweating over a warm spreadsheet at work on Tuesday morning, when the phone goes. Now nobody ever rings me at work, because only my wife knows where I am and it's her work I'm doing my volunteering at!

    I pick up the phone and say 'Management's humble assistant'. 'Oh ', says the volunteer receptionist, 'I've got a John Seymour for you. ' 'Right & .!' says a very puzzled me. It turns out that John has rung home, discovered from my wife, who is at home preparing to go to a meeting in Crewe that I have escaped over the border to the Unitary Borough of Warrington. 'Could you do me a favour please? ' says John. 'If it involves money, trail laying, or anything similar to what Max Mosley's been had up for, then I'm your man!'

    Turns out all he wanted was to be able to push the evening's maps through my door, in case he didn't get back from Birmingham in time for the Hash. Two questions jumped to mind. Why didn't he give the maps to his follow trail layer Mike (Eden), as presumably Mike was going running? Secondly, what's he doing in Birmingham on a Tuesday, when he's agreed to lay a trail for the same night? The reason was he's buying a new car.

    John has had a huge 4 wheel drive, 8 seat Japanese truck for some time, that is ideal for his Alpine cavorting in the winter, but isn't ideally suited to the circumstances of the current credit crunch crisis. It's like Roger Turner's old style trails, where there were more miles than checks. This Oriental beast of John's does more gallons than miles. The good news when we rolled into the pub car park was there John was, complete with an even bigger truck, but this one clearly off a German production line. - 'It's only got 4 seats!' he said, when someone queried the size of this behemoth. Investigation revealed he was right, but he hadn't mentioned the kitchen, bathroom, and fold down double bed that were incorporated into what is clearly a much more practical motor for his winter trips than the previous one.
    Apparently, with Teutonic efficiency the garage offered long-term warranties, including breakdown recovery, tyre repairs, and a maid service on Thursdays. I understand John decided to hoard his Euros.

    A surprise attendee tonight was Daniel O'Brien, who lives close by in Bollington. Daniel has been broke for ages. He's had Achilles trouble for some time, and told us from the safety of his bike's saddle, that he was currently nursing a broken wrist. Daniel does do all types of bikes road, mountain and motor. Apparently, it was the latter one he'd recently parted company with, hence the consequent broken bones, plus sundry ablations. Sorry, that should be abrasions. An ablation is what I had last year to try and sort out my motor.

    Ian Blakeborough had made a late decision to bike in from the Welsh arches, as the weather had improved dramatically during the late afternoon. Ian arrived on his 32-valve overhead-supercharged twin barrelled motorbike. When Daniel spotted this beast, he went all misty eyed, and the two of them had be dragged away from their drooling over the bike, so the run could start.

    Before the off, John S gave his instructions for the evening's run, which principally consisted of an apology that the cheapest beer was £2.60 per pint. That's £20.80 per gallon, which makes the current price for diesel at £5.85 per gallon a complete bargain. Bearing in mind that when a brewery makes beer, it doesn't have to pump it up from 5,000 feet underneath the Saudi desert, then ship it 8,000 miles, before shoving through a refinery that costs mega millions to build, it makes ale seem criminally expensive. I never did understand economics. Anyway, John suggested we all paid £6, a good plan as we have half a dozen Hashers close to their 200th tankard.

    Oh yes, there was a run tonight. John and Mike offered up a neat 5 and ¾ mile trundle that was mainly off road, and like last week offered a couple of blasts down a canal. It also featured the Middlewood Way, a long defunct railway line. Cat and I ran together, and like one or three others got a bit lost off the back early on, after we had to join a big queue for one of those mountaineering expeditions over a 6 foot high stile with absolutely no option to go round. That always stretches the pack out.
    Two checks later, Mr Seymour offered Peter Rose, Sue Henckert, Cat and I a short cut. Peter and Sue said 'yes'. Bravely, or potentially stupidly, Cat and I said 'No'. We managed to rejoin the flock 3 checks later, just in time for a long run up the Middlewood Way. When we reached the end of the Way, Peter and Sue were still with us despite them using a different route!! I showed Peter my map, and suggested he and Sue could go straight back down the old railway, as the correct trail was simply going to go back to virtually the point we'd joined the Middlewood Way in the first place.

    However, now things started to go awry. Peter and Sue clearly got back OK, as Tony Ellis came across them whilst he was checking. Yes, that's right, Tony Ellis was checking! Had got himself to the front with a burst of enthusiasm and luck. Tony asked Peter if he'd discovered the right route. For some reason Peter seems to have said, 'Yes!' Off they went, and eventually came to the Macclesfield Canal, where doubts about their precise location arose. Guidance was sought from some walkers on the canal, who happily pointed them in the right direction. 5 minutes later and doubts about their precise location arose. Guidance was sought from some walkers on the canal, who happily pointed them in the right direction. 5 minutes later, and they realised that this time they really were going in the right direction. Motto Never trust the first lot of walkers you meet on a canal.

    And so, all safely returned to the expensive pub. All survived the 500-foot difference between the high and low points of the trail. And all piled in the pub! Mr Hack wasn't driving this evening, and so second pints were called for long before I quaffed my first or even thirst. He then presented me a large plastic container with considerable amounts of cash in it, proclaiming he'd paid for both rounds. He had! But then it turns out some folk hadn't heard Martin taking second orders. How can people not hear Martin when he's been drinking, and wants to order his second (or third)? Anyway, even after the laggards were satisfied, a profit was made!

    In the pub I got talking to Tim Mallon, who has been absent for a while. Turned out that the last time he'd hashed from the Railway in Mobberley, he'd managed to unsuccessfully grapple with a stile, which ended with him mangling some tendon or other in the middle of his ankle. A self X ray (Tim being a Doc) seems to indicate soft tissue rather than hard bone damage, hence he's been off weeks! It's funny, but sometimes it seems almost easier to break a bone rather than a tendon. Certainly, I was away for less time with a broken leg than Tim was with his torn tendon.

    Finally, there were some notable absentees tonight. The On Sec was away being 'under the weather'. Aren't we all, all the time? She was apparently saving her body for a medical on Wednesday morning to confirm she's fit enough to climb Everest again in October. Her Doctor (young Dave Arthur) was also absent. Shock was one suggested reason, as some unkind soul said he'd just seen the final bill for his daughter's wedding! He has my sympathy, as I' ve recently been to one of my son's wedding. Boy, there must be cheaper ways to get a woman into your bed.
    Also, Tony Higgins was away, but this is his annual 2-week golfing foray to the wilds of South Wales. Like General Macarthur 'he will return.' Tony now once again leads the best overall charts as Stuart Bailey having run his first 15 straight Hashes, has missed two with a holiday. Stuarts average drops from 100% to 88%. If Higgo misses 2, his average drops by about 0.15%!

    Finally, here's tonight's route.
    MapmyRun

    27-05-2008 New Horseshoe

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-05-28 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    The trail tonight from the New Horseshoe was by Simon P. At the start he said that as he had set it on his own he would mostly be towards the back making sure the slower of us were not dropped - which is the perfect methos.

    A slightly diminished turnout tonight of about 35 was explained by being half term - but the evening had held up fair after a half day of lashings of rain so it had even warmed up a degree or so. Off we were led down Cherry Lane to the start of the checking process and we were soon tempted off road. The trail was immaculately set and had a good combo of fields , footpaths, tracks, canals and roads with up down and plenty of wooded trails to satisfy nearly all hashers. It was possibly a bit too dry for Martin but after getting back to the pub there were cries from David L that 'that was a proper trail' - the only slight downside was on entry to the pub.

    I had done my reasonably regular job of sticking my head round the door as we got back and suggesting they start pulling 15 pints - to give them a head start. The most reasonably priced was the Tetleys on the hand pump at 2.35 so off they went.. Unfortunately as was found out by the leaders into the pub .. So was the bitter.. Unfortunately the beer had gone off - the replacement tetleys still needed time to settle and re-condition This being real ale. So we moved on to the Bass which was excellent but lively and took a while to get pulled. So there was a patient thirsty queue led by Allan waiting for the delivery.

    As an addition later on came some hotdogs and chips to cement a warm welcome in a good pub

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-05-28 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    And fron Allan is the following version :-
    New Horseshoe, Lawton Heath End 27.05.08
    The phone rang. It was Tony Ellis. 'I'm driving tonight,' he said. 'I 'll pick you up about 7.' Funny, I thought. He drove last week! Tony volunteering to drive is as rare as a successful Gordon Brown policy. 'I'm not drinking' he continued, 'so I may as well bank one. ' This could be a new Hash currency, volunteering to drive more than usual in exchange for some as yet unspecified Hash service in the future. Perhaps three voluntary drives could be worth swapping for one bit of trail laying. Well, it seemed declining his offer was not a serious option, but setting off at 7 to get to the outskirts of Alsager seemed to be displaying unnecessary enthusiasm. 'We'll be there before half seven! There'll be nobody there for you to socialise with!' I protested. 'Well, it's all sorted now, so be ready!' said Tony with finality.

    I was wrong; we were there before 25 past 7!! It's only about 16 miles to the New Horseshoe from Knutsford, but it's an area we rarely Hash, so I suppose it seems much further than it actually is. Surprisingly, there were a couple of Hashers already there. Clive and son had arrived from Marple, with Roy without Derek, safely parked up as well. By the off, a relatively modest 30+ Hashers had appeared. This was not a surprise, as this is a half term week, which invariably drops the numbers. This was probably as well, as Simon Parker who was at the helm, had only told the pub to expect about 25 of us! They seemed pleased at the prospect as they'd promised to do some chips for us when we'd finished, to go with the beer. Nice one we thought!

    So, after a few words of guidance from Mr Parker away we went, me without the comforting figure of Cat to shepherd me round! She couldn't make tonight, so this was one I would have to deal with myself. A quick glance at the map Simon provided, gave some immediate comfort. The trail looked as though it had loads of checks. And so it proved. 37 checks in 6.15 miles, with a mixture of paths, housing estates, dead railway lines, plus a double dose of the Trent and Mersey Canal. With so many checks, the fast runners were scattered all over the county hunting down tissue and chalk, which had taken a pummelling from the skies over the weekend. Not every check was found (unlike Mr Lever and my 36 check epic from the Walton Arms last month), so without any great effort the pack stayed together, despite Simon having no back marker. As we went round, loads of Hashers started to say how great this Hash was. 'Just like the good old days', said some old fart. I even got an unsolicited E Mail testimonial from Mr Lever eulogising about how much he'd enjoyed himself, although why he contacted me and not the deserving trail layer I have no idea!

    So much congratulations were showered on a surprised Mr Parker as he arrived back in the pub car park, and finally Max popped into the bar and ordered 15 pints of Tetley's, before he got changed, to make sure there was no delay when the thirsty hordes hit the bar. In fact, a perfect evening in prospect. Ah, well & & & & & & & & .no! There was a hiccup on the alcohol front. - 15 pints were waiting patiently on the bar and when the first Hasher arrived, who downed a mouthful of Tetley's, and was instantly consumed by much gasping and coughing. The beer was horrid! Other thirsty Hashers arrived, to confirm the original guinea pig's findings. Confusion reigned behind the bar, whilst restraint was exercised in front of it. Eventually, more Tetley's appeared from another pump, but this was more rancid than the first lot! Finally, some rather warm Bass was satisfactorily produced, (at 13p per pint more money of course).

    And then, the pub produced the chips for us all. Complete with a sausage in a dry white roll. So in the end, all was fairly well, except for the pub's profits, as when I left there were still 14 ½ pints of sour Tetley's sitting on the bar, looking for some unsuspecting punters. One final thought. The last time Simon laid a trail, the pub ran out of beer! That may not be strictly accurate, but it was only staffed by two young school leavers who confessed to not knowing how to change a barrel!! So Mr Parker is in some danger of getting a reputation. However, with the quality of his trails, any slight post Hash niggles can be forgiven.

    Mapmyrun

    20-05-2008 Dog

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-05-21 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Birthday time again and we met at the Dog at Over Peover for a trail set by the on-on Sec and the Footwarrior.

    I had managed to get myself organised to get Martin and arrive early so that we could pass our food orders on to Heather and also get a parking space. Having done that I managed to get the hashers clumped up in order to take a picture before the off. of 44 of the hashers and 4 dogs. I remained behind the camera. see the photo link to the left for the pictures

    Once the orders were sorted off we went for the lead out..And at the first check Nick called back Paul who was disappearing down what appeared to be a drive for that very reason. A few miuntes later Heather called that route on=on as it was a footpath and not a drive - such is hashing.

    After much getting wrong I settled myself to an amble until - while chatting to Eleanor I managed to fall over my foot and into the field which had a sprinkling of nettles. I was already regretting the shortness of my shorts here but when we ran through some tall nettles it got a little more painful.
    However we trundled round the 5.7 mile route for a good run in to the pub. Here the landlord had got really organised to keep things tidy. As we had given Heather funds for our food and two drinks - he was handing out raffle tickets to us each to cover the two drinks and stop kitty drift. It worked out well - especially for Martin as some of the drivers had handed the second half of their tickets to him to attempt consumption and he would have done a major job of it if I hadn't interrupted him to take him home

    As is usual for this night Allan - El Presidente - handed out stats sheets including all who had attended the previous year and had met the 10 trail minimum he has for statting. This had proved interesting as Tony H was slightly knocked into second place with an astonishing average of 90.52% of possible trails spread over 26 years (1092 out of 1205) by newcomer Stewart Bailey who has done all 16 of his possible trails. His average will drop as he is now away from the hash for a couple of weeks. The other interesting thing was Adrian Long looking pleased to be on the stats. At the Hash dinner he had objected to being missed off last year's list and then Allan had explained the 10 rule. Since then he has made sure he reached the target by barely missing one since to fit in 11. Well done to all and to the hares for organising it all.

    13-05-2008 Swan with Two Nicks

  • Report by :- on 2008-05-14 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    No report

    06-05-2008 Hanging Gate

  • Report by :- Heather on 2008-05-07 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Tonight we had a set of routes from Rob around Shuttlingsloe
    Following is a report from the on-on sec
    The first time we have been out on a Tuesday night expecting to go hashing and all we got was a run. - The car park was in Macclesfield Forest, Summer had arrived, a good turnout and even two new runners joined us - both encouraged by their workmates. Rob called every one to order to deliver his pre-hash instructions. Unusually these did not include phrases such as 'markers on the right except where they are on the left' & 'M marks the muster point' etc.

    Instead Rob announced that there would be three runs of about 6km, 8km and 10km. He then handed out some maps and declared the off by leading everyone out of the car park. All routes led towards Shuttlingslow - the front runners disappeared into the distance as everyone headed for the high ground. NO CHECKS meant that we were spread out over several kilometres. Once at the top those of us on the middle route admired the views and the lovely sunset before re-tracing our steps back down again and then heading back towards the forest and eventually the car park. The shorter routers never reaching the higher ground.

    Inevitably several runners had not taken their reading glasses with them and were visually challenged when map reading was required. Others had no map at all and Dave managed to take a right where he should have gone left and ended up running a huge loop up across the moors before heading back to the woods and the car park. Luckily everyone seemed to be accounted for when we arrived at the Hanging Gate.
    This appears to have been the 'Arm-chair' version of trail laying and is not to be recommended to others planning to set trails for CH3.

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-05-07 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    A supplementary extended set of reports from El Presidente -
    Greyhound,
    Walton Arms,
    Black Swan and
    Macclesfield Forest - April & May 2008
    I see the On Sec has had a few 'words' about Rob's trail from Macclesfield Forest last Tuesday (06.05.08). To be fair it was a little 'different'. After this trail I got an E Mail from Dave Lever along the lines of, 'two weeks ago we had a trail with loads of checks, that were all found, now we have a trail with no checks that nobody found, presumably we'll now get a trail with no runners!' Hopefully not, but Nick reminded me recently that on his first ever appearance, there was a Hash with no trail layer! No wonder it took him a while to work out what was going on.

    Rob does have a reputation for bringing novelty to trail laying. This latest episode where there were no checks, has been preceded by trails with quiz questions attached, trails from pubs that were boarded up, and perhaps most bizarrely a countryside trail in the autumn, where he substituted green string for the usual white loo roll. Oh, and the hashers were supposed to collect the string as we ran round the trail, and the one with the mostest at the end qualified for a prize!

    Anyway, the interest last week's trail has provoked has inspired me to do a brief report covering the last 4 weeks, since I've been allowed to at least try and run a proper Hash again. - NO! Don't click off now, I might have something interesting to say, although you'll have to keep reading to find out.

    As some of you will know, I have got a bit of a problem with my ticker, which has decided to tick in very odd ways and at strange times. I am currently mystifying the medics. I can just hear Tony Ellis muttering, 'He's been mystifying me for 25 years!' Thanks Tone. In view of my not running properly since last September, my complete lack of fitness is a problem. So Cat has very kindly been keeping an eye on me for the past 4 weeks.

    My return to proper action was at the Greyhound at Ashley, where Ian Franks did the steering for the first time, following his friend Adam Hyde doing something painful to his lateral inset carpel whatsit, meaning Adam had an excuse for not doing the planning. Ian gave a mud warning at the start, also confirming it had rained since he laid the trail. Well, it was a bit mucky in places. It always is down by the River Bollin, except in high summer, but there was nothing to get too upset about.
    Until, we entered the last field!! We were 500 yards from home, and a quick glance over the stile confirmed that unless a complete retracing operation was put in force, s..t was going to cover the ankles! To add to my personal misery, having finished the trail and whilst walking back to the car, my ticker scrambled. Usually, it sorts itself out within a couple of minutes. Tonight it didn't. So into the pub, and a quick consult with Dr Dave ensued. One or two hashers that night saw Dave apparently trying to throttle me. - ' He's finally had enough of that malingering bugger,' said one of my hashing 'friends'. 'No, I think they're trying out the latest ideas from the Ann Summers current bestseller, 'Beyond Bondage'' said another. In fact, Dave was applying pressure to my carotid artery to try and get the heart back to normal. OK OK, it's page 215 of Ms Summers book we were trying out! Anyway, normality was eventually restored. -

    The following week Dave Lever and I laid a trail from the Walton Arms. I've had my eye on Moore Nature Reserve for some years, as there are bits of that area that I don't think we've ever previously desecrated. In the end we produced a 5.9 mile 36 check route. Come the night, we've only done 2 checks, and my tickers gone all funny again. Actually, there aren't a lot of laughs, when your own personal engine decides to run on only 3 cylinders. But Cat persevered at the back with me, and the heart fortunately returned to its normal rhythm.

    Unfortunately, the hash produced it's own excessively fast rhythm! A forensic examination afterwards confirmed that neither Dave or I had to call any of the checks. You buggers found ever last one of them! After 1,359 attempts the Cheshire Hash seems finally to have produced the perfect trail where every On On was found by the pack. That's very satisfying in many ways, but we couldn't possibly do it every week, as it means that at best the trail runs at the slowest speed of our quickest Hashers! .... If that makes sense.

    Basically, the pace was so fast, I simply couldn't keep up even though I'd laid it and knew where we were going. So Cat, Carol and I walked the last mile and half, and were still in the pub cark by 3 minutes past 9! Some of the quick ones were drinking before 9, on a trail only a few yards short of 6 miles, and I repeat with 36 checks! It must have been a rocket trail, because the following day, I got an unsolicited E Mail from Dave Taylor, who is not the slowest of the quick runners, complementing me on an excellent trail.

    The following week was Nicky and John Moorhouse's epistle from the pulpit of the Black Swan near Lower Withington.

    Unusually for Nicky she was dithering about whilst giving her instructions at the beginning. Now few of us really listens to the trail layers excuses before the off, and tonight was not one of those glorious balmy spring evenings, but a chilly gusty precipitation threatening one, so the pack just wanted to get on with it! Nicky's problem was the late arrival of her trail-laying colleague. Eventually she gave the green light just before a complete mutiny occurred, but then John arrived, and all was well on the trail laying front.

    This area does not have a huge choice of lanes and footpaths, so there weren't as many checks as at the nature reserve. Apparently, Nicky and John had had some 'discussions' as to how far out the markers were to be placed. Apparently, some were quite some way from the checks.

    That wasn't a problem for me and my minder, as we designed our own slightly shortened version of the trail, which enabled us to return to the pub with the front-runners. Excellent timing!! Since I was last in the Black Swan (7th September 1993) it's been done up. All trendy and foody, but the staff were very welcoming. Perhaps Tuesday isn't their busiest night. None the less it was a significant evening for the Cheshire Hash, as Tony Ellis finally slipped past the ever-holidaying Nick Thistleton, to become the Cheshire Hasher who has run the most on his 1,100th appearance. Well-done Tony.

    However, Mr Ellis can't afford to rest on his trainers, as the other Tony (Higgins) is only 10 behind. Despite having been into Macclesfield Hospital for a 3-hour wrestle with the carvery team back in February, Mr Higgins has contrived to only miss 2 hashes! How does he do it?

    And so to Rob's escapade from Macclesfield Forest!!
    Where to begin? I think that was one of Rob's problems. He seemed to want to keep the novelty factor away from the pack until the very last second. There was a degree of confusion before the off. Cat and I agreed we'd have a map detailing the 'short' route. Others were puzzled as to what on earth was going on, but eventually off we all went. At speed, and uphill!!

    Now even when fit, I'm not great going uphill, and much worse coming down! So after about 10 minutes there were only a few hashers left in sight, and with there being no checks, there was no noise to help the lame and afflicted at the rear. So we were back to our map reading skills. Rob had provided a route on a photocopied 1:25,000 map, but not only is my motor not working well, neither do my headlights. I usually try and have a blown up map of the area for a Tuesday night with me, so that at least I can have a rough idea of where I am without resort to my glasses. Tonight, I was a 4-eyed runner. Eventually, Cat and I very slowly overhauled Tony Higgins and Peter Rose. Then we almost caught John Seymour, who then deliberately ran quickly enough to keep a 10-yard gap between him and us. Eventually, he steadily plodded over the horizon. Psychological hashing warfare!

    At the top of Macclesfield Forest where the medium and fast routes guided the rest of the pack up Shutlingsloe, Cat, myself and Alison kept in the wood. No heroics tonight! We then came upon the walkers, and of course, had to run at a good pace past them, just to convince them how much fitter we were. Once out of their sight, we stopped for a long breather! Eventually, we emerged round the very top of Macclesfield Forest, and so had a very downhill finish. Back at the car park at 5 past 9, there is a smiling Rob.

    It appeared that he and one or two others had careered off on his long route, and without stopping had done nigh on 7 miles, quicker than Alison, Cat and I could manage 4 and 3/4. Still at least we got back at a proper time! Dave Arthur had a mild case of that Hashing favourite 'navigational dysfunction!' He' d gone over the top of Shutlingsloe, down the other side, then briefly lost sight of the 2 speedsters in front of him. He got to a road, and turned right, which of course was wrong.

    The good news was he arrived at the Hanging Gate, our pub for the après Hash, about 25 minutes before anyone else. The bad news was, he was over 2 miles south of the cars, and shouldn't have been anywhere ANY pub, let alone the Hanging Gate. There was some concern back at base at his non-arrival, with people looking back up into Macclesfield Forest hoping to catch a glimpse of him. In view of his cartographic inexactitude he actually returned to his wheels from completely the other direction! So, eventually, all were safely gathered in, and Dave Lever has confirmed with this week's trail layer, that there will be checks!!

    Ashley

    Walton

    29-04-2008 Black Swan

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-04-30 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    I was unwell and absent from Nicky,John and Allan's hash from the Black Swan -
    so a report would be welcome from one who was there

    22-04-2008 Walton Arms

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-04-23 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Allan setup the trail from The Walton Arms - helped out by David L ..aka Uncle Albert .. Now Allan was back again - permitted to run - and on a fine evening he set us off onto the Bridgewater Canal before bringing us up again round the car park for Walton Gardens. So many ways...

    However we were paralleling the canal. After a little loop Allan brought us out beside the Stag by the Ship Canal and then across and into the country park. This was not a place to lose track as there were no short cuts out. After this it was quite interesting as we appeared on a road I did not recognise in the slightest. We checked left and down the hill and crossed a bridge and then it became apparent - we were in Moore near the Red Lion.

    A couple more checks brought us back onto the Bridgewater and then off again a small loop and we were back at the canal again for the run in to the pub. And all without starting my torch.
    Good trail peeps!

    15-04-2008 Greyhound

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-04-16 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Having managed to miss last week's trail due to a twisted knee I was out tonight from the Greyhound at Ashley with an Australian in tow.

    It was actually Brooke , back from Oz but with a newly acquired Aussie citizenship. Bloody aussies coming over here running through our mud .... but it was a bright and sunny evening about 10degC and a pack of 51 runners and walkers with 4 dogs in attendance. Allan was out with us running again since his last op..etc and was kept company on the way round by Cat.

    The trail was nominally Adam Hydes but as he had a strained fetlock Nigel T set with the help of Martin B. Although a certain amount was on dry land - a large part was ankle deep - Martin H would have loved it - but was occupied with parental duties - especially as it was particularly squelchy and rather a tough smelly at the last field by the cricket club.

    The run in was firm from there and we managed to eliminate a keg of Jennings as a method of recovery. - a not-unenjoyable trail enhance by the fact that I did not need to use my torch until 8:45..

    01-04-2008 Star

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-04-02 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Not from the Fools Nook but from the Star at Lymm - the trail was set by Derek and Roy on Saturday in the sleet and rain before Derek went off with others on Sunday to run the Wilmslow Half Marathon. Well done to all those hashers who did it - the results should be here
    Wilmslow

    The Tuesday itself had been breezy and dampish but resolved into a clear night at about 8deg. In fact the only issue was with parking. However the trail got off along the Trans Pennine and then looped us down towards Pool Lane and round to the Statham Lodge. Then it was off down the footpath between the Rabbit farm and the Nursery and round the back of the stables into Thelwall. A quick trundle off then took us though Massey Brook and then the back of Lymm to the Avenue - then down through the lower dam and the trans pennine to home.

    Sandwiches were on hand and although the real ale was off - only Boddies and John Smith - the welcome was good.
    Good trail chaps

    25-03-2008 Chetwode Arms

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-03-26 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Sid set his first trail tonight aided by the experience of Brian G. The pub of choice was the Chetwode Arms just down the A49 from J10 of the M56. The night was damp after a wettish weekend so there was a little bit of suffering on the markers but the trail held up well.

    Sid had claimed to have spend a sleepless night on Monday worrying about the trail but all turned out well for the 40 odd hashers and the 3 dogs. We returned to the pub in good order damp and slightly muddy to some excellent beer and the pleasure of chips and some spicy chicken wings provided kindly by our Hosts in the pub. The wings were spicy indeed and probably led to some increased consumption amongst the non-drivers.

    A good trail and pub.

    18-03-2008 Raven

  • Report by :- Ken C on 2008-03-19 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    I was away so await a report from anyone who wishes to send it in

    Ken C has volunteered with this tale
    A browse of the Ordnance Survey for this area would show this to be not prime hashing country, and it is many a long year since Martin dragged us round here. Roger and Adrian did well then to come up with and interesting and varied trail using what few paths and lanes were available. There was also the added tag of a quiz to ponder on the way round
    What national news item had a connection with the area, and what does MA stand for??? Well, I work for MA, but we were miles from Ringway. Many ASBOs? No! - The pub was advertising a 'Field for Hire', so if you ever need a field at short notice, then this is your place.

    Off we trotted, soon turning into the fields above Winsford Flashes. Onward then to the charming St Chad's Church, picturesquely and unusually set in a hollow. Less charming was the housing estate we emerged into where every home seemed to own at least 3 dogs. Breaking out into open country where planks were already installed to help us over a stream, we were led out to the hamlet of Darnhall and up a farm track. - I remembered from my Wettenhall trail that this lead to a radio telescope dish, (part of the Jodrell Bank network).

    Following the recent news that the government's popular Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has decided to pretty well destroy UK radio astronomy, we're saddened to note that Jodrell Bank observatory is up for sale on eBay: Potential buyers among you are advised that you'll have to collect Jodrell Bank in person, but that once you've got it shifted and reassembled at home you'll discover that it 'works via the car's 12v cigarette lighter adaptor', gets 'great Sky TV reception - no need for any dodgy cards' and doesn't require a licence. So here was our news item. Roger did tell me what MA stood for, but I can't remember what it was (was it Merlin something?).{Array}

    The dish did look impressive lit up by those fancy torches that some people have adopted. The pub however was a dismal affair as I remembered from our previous visit. The smell of paint didn't help the insipid beer. With pubs closing at a rate of 4 a day, the Raven looked to be on it's last legs, and those of us with discerning palettes opted for an early night. Good trail though.

    11-03-2008 Bears Paw

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-03-12 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Martin was originally going to set local to himself at the Holly Bush but decided against and went over to Frodsham to the Bears Paw. His main thought was the area of land to the North of the M56 - a fairly flat Moss that I remember having been part of the 4 Villages once upon a time.

    He really wanted to make use of the many motorway bridges but had the added bonus as far as the pack was concerned in that they only had eyes for the top of the hill above Castle Park and at the slightest excuse were running up towards it.

    So off we went to start with towards the Castle Park but then doubled across the road and towards the first of the bridges as it got dark. Across once and then off alongside the big area where dredgings from the Manchester ship and the Mersey were dropped. Then we went through a field and across the motorway again. After another field we cam up a road and a trip across the smelliest field ever - Though Martin said it was better than when he had set it.

    The trail recrossed the motorway and by much devious motions worked its way back to the previous bridge for the last crossing of the night. The trail now worked it's way up towards the hill but turned away at the footings. We dropped down towards the station and moved on before Martin missed out the final little loop to give everyone a gentle run in back to the pub.

    04-03-2008 Salt Barge

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-03-05 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Paul was the architect of this trail, assisted in the setting by Cliff, and run out from the Salt Barge at Marston near the Old Lion Salt Works. I got off to a good start this week by arriving before everyone left. It was good to see Tony H back on trail walking after his recent spell under the surgeons knife. The night was cool about 4° and clear sky at the start and although the temperature dropped a little it remained calm.

    Paul announced that, unusually for him it was
    (a) Flat and
    (b) shortish (5.6 miles)
    and off we went down towards Northwich before turning sharply up a path between the houses followed by a trip into the Flashes. After some meandering around we hit the canl - crossed it and were in Marbury country park where we happily hacked about chasing trails. After much of this we returned to the canal where it was announced that the run in was at hand

    It turned out to be about ¾ of a mile straight down the canal and the a brisk right turn into the pub. -

    Much Black Sheep was drunk by all. A good trail.

    26-02-2008 Maypole

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-02-27 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    David L was accompanied by Rob Baddeley in setting this hash of a reputed 6 miles and 29 checks, starting from the Maypole at Acton Bridge, on a fresh night warmer than of late but with a brisk wind. The walkers, comprising 6 in number, were guided by Jenny L.

    We were whipped away promptly tonight and went off towards the Hazel Pear and then right dwn the road with a following wind. A couple of checks later it was off across the fields and over a railway footbridge for further off road efforts. About this time Bridget and Carol managed to catch us up - a brave effort considering their treck in from Macc.

    From then on the trail teased us with checks that included bridges back across the railway - all denied until the majority false checked up towards the River Weaver. Round we went and then approached one of the railway bridged from a different direction and so we went across before coming to the last check, halfway up the hill that leads from the A49 up to Acton.

    After that we caught the scent of the barmaid's apron and the run in. The beer was in fine fettle (Thank you Maggie for driving back at short notice) and the Landlord and Wife kindly donated a bottle of wine towards the Charity Quiz night on April 18th - please support.. Nicky was doing brisk business distributing the new running vests to those who had ordered and brought their £15.00

    19-02-2008 Railway

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-02-20 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    I remember saying to Peter (tonight's Hare) that what usually happened to me at the Railway, Mobberley, was I came tanking up to the pub just as the hash was disappearing and when I get sorted out of the car can see the hash off across the railway line and the gates coming down as the Chester Train comes into the station. And guess what - this year was no different... I will manage it one day.

    However tonight was one of those magical wintry nights - the sky was clear - the moon was two days short of full and there were masses of stars visible. The air was cold but there was no wind and the fields gave this satisfying crunch (hot chocolate drinking chocolate) noise as you ran across them.

    The Hack-man and I studied the map with Mike Murray and we decided to catch them via the road and cut them off - which we successfully did at Wood Lane. From then on it was a matter of keeping up, keeping the eyes peeled for trains on the two crossings of the railway lines from footpaths, and seeing the occasional plane take off from Manchester airport. The trail seemed to run longer than the stated 6 miles and we eventually got back to the pub at about 9:25 with a quick sprint against Ray and his young daughter - she moves quickly for a little un but what do you expect form a junior Humph...?

    However it was a good trail thoroughly enjoyed. Looking back on the report of the 5th about the two new hashers - tonight they were up to trail #3.. Must be hooked.. And Adrian L was back out with us trying to get himself back onto the statistics

    12-02-2008 Three Greyhounds

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-02-13 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Nick C was the hare for this one from the Three Greyhounds by Shakerly Mere with the assistance of Colin B.

    I surprised myself by arriving 5 minutes early and being prepared for the cool but bright conditions - lots of stars. Before we started Allan gave us a brief update on Tony Higgins who had been whipped into Macc hospital to have part of his bowel removed. The news is that he is gradually improving.
    Then off we went

    After a trundle up the road we made an early dive to the trails around Shakeley Mere doing a big loop before emerging onto the road towards Peover. At this point I checked across the foot bridge over the motorway. After coming back all but those hardy souls who were in front of me (Ray and Cliff) had vanished so after checking all the other ways with no luck we headed back to the pub to see the map.

    At this point we met Steve A and after a brief discussion R and C decided to power on towards Byley and catch the pack and Steve and I decided to run up towards Lach Dennis
    Having gone there and returned we joined the pack coming in.

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-02-13 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    And Allan give a trail runners view
    :-Three Greyhounds, Allostock - 12.02.08
    A notable absentee tonight was Mr Reliable Tony Higgins. As most of you will now know he is going to be away for some time. He went to the Doctor back in November, and Dave Arthur referred him to Macclesfield Hospital, who decided to invite him to a residential course involving practical anatomic dicing and slicing. The good news is so far he's fine, although it's going to be some time before he's Hashing. Tony being Tony, on discovering he'd need an op, told no-one other than Brian Burgess and of course Dave Arthur knew the position. Tony doesn't do 'fuss' so kept everyone else in the dark until a couple of days before he started his residency. Brian kept Tony's confidence, and Dave being a Doctor has of course taken a vow of celibacy, and isn't allowed to say anything to anyone. Anyway, Higgo progresses, and has every intention of returning to Hashing in the future.

    So, in the event there was a Hash on Tuesday night, with Nick Carter doing the steering, and Colin Bodimeade acting as tail gunner. Colin looked even more cheerful than usual, perhaps due to the imminent rise in his accounting workload at the financial year end, but more likely he was thinking of the increased billed hours he can charge for. Sorry Colin, poor joke. And so after Nick's instructions, he reckoned the trail was about 6 miles, he had no idea how many checks, and we weren't to cross the main A50, off we went. Oh and finally he said, 'The run in may be a bit long!' With Mr Higgins now being on injured reserve, I'd managed to persuade Cat to keep an eye on my creaking frame, as I hoped I'd worked up enough fitness to at least struggle round at the back of ehe pack. She did an excellent job, and I'm hoping it's going to be a case of 'same time next Tuesday!' although a dodgy right knee is not leaving me feeling optimistic.

    So off round Shackerley Mere we went, and then right over the M6 to the 4th check, where one or three Hashers at the front thought it was a 3 way check, when in fact it's 4. Ray Humphries and Steve Argles diligently explored the 3 routes they could see, and 3 times found one piece of bog roll, but not the required second. By the time they returned to the check for the 3rd time, Nick and Colin had steered the pack down the fourth alternative and inevitably correct route, so Ray and Steve found themselves on their own, with the pack apparently abducted by aliens. They tried shouting for directions, but all they heard was the constant bellow of the M6 a couple of hundred yards away, which unknown to them was the direction they should have gone.

    Meanwhile the remaining Hashers were padding quietly through the old now water filled sand quarry right next to the motorway, and then on to the static caravan park by the A50. The one great asset of running round Allostock, is that even if it's the weather's been soaking wet, the ground is almost always dry. God bless the Old Red Sandstone. And so round in a corkscrew clockwise route we went, until we came to the entrance of Woodside Golf Club. Now a few Hashers were rightly suspicious of this two-way check, as the road to the Golf Club is private, so off down the A50 to Holmes Chapel they went. Wrong!

    A quick sprint up towards the Golf Club brought us to a Public Bridleway post, where Nick had drawn two arrows pointing right back towards the pub. Effectively, this was 'On On ' home. I measured the run in afterwards at 1.67 miles!! The whole trail was exactly 6 miles, so the run in from the last check made up over a quarter of the total run! There are no detailed Hash records of length of run ins, (and I'm not starting now), but Nick's effort would most certainly be a contender!
    Mapmyrun

    05-02-2008 Heath Farm

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-02-06 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    The day started out wet and , in Manchester at least, got worse with quite stong rain in the afternoon. However when the car set off from Lymm to pick up Martin the weather improved and the sky was clear at one point.

    After getting past the comments of the other hashers as a result of arriving at the pub (Heath Farm, Congleton) before quarter to 8 I decided that the two layers on top were enough and off we went with the trail. An immediate turn up a footpath was the order of the day from Nick and Heather. This was quite waterlogged and rapidly became wetter before we came out back onto the A534.

    It became apparent at the check here that the hash again comprised three entities. Following on from last week's trail where Allan and Tony H did a shortened version of the main trail - tonight there was a repeat but with an extended cast list. So there we were with 6 walkers and a dog - Maggie, Jo & Bob, Helen j, Jenny L, and Adrian and Dot L, four mini-hashers comprising Allan, Tony H, Pam and Peter R all in varying degrees of recuperation, and the hash proper with everyone else.

    The way it turned out the main hash did the stated 5 miles and 7 furlongs, the mini-hash did less and came in second and the walkers followed an interesting path which fizzled out in a wood and when they recovered their trail at about 8:45 were half an hours walk from the pub.

    It was an interesting trail which ran well - though in one place the wet came over the top of my shoes - but the sky stayed dry. Two newcomers gave all the signs that they were enjoying themselves and we hope they will appear again and not join the list of one nighters. After the beer and announcements in the pub - three birthdays this week Dave A, Carthief and the OnOn Sec all featuring in the lists - it was time to go. It was thrashing it down so we luckily we had had the hash god back from their holiday.

    And also...

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-02-06 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    And from El Presidente - an ode :-
    Heath Farm, Congleton
    Having decided last week to increase my exercise level from the walking group to padding around with Mr Higgins, a similar ploy seemed sensible for the On Sec's latest effort from a new pub on the outskirts of Congleton. I was surprised to find that last week's duo, was this week's quartet, with Peter Rose and Pam Eden joining Tony and myself. Pam has apparently tweaked something in the bovine department, a calf or something, and is very gently reintroducing it to the thought of effort. Apparently, she did it playing golf!! Pam & Mike took up the sport that Mark Twain called 'a good walk spoiled' 3 or 4 years ago, and now spend so much time bashing the little white pillock round, that they're winning tournaments and stuff. Well done them!

    Anyway, to return to tonight's Hash, where for the first time in 5 weeks the rain didn't, Nick gave the usual ignored instructions before the 'off', including a reference to not getting too far off the front when the housing estates were reached. Apparently, they were a bit of a maze and there was the danger of lost Hashers.

    Well, so it proved!!! Our quartet of happy campers chattered their way round the beginnings of their shortened version of the Hash proper, and got to the first housing estate, whereupon El Presidente missed the first right turn that he wanted! I was looking for the first road on the right, and took the four of us past two concrete bollards, that have recently been cemented in to block an old road entrance into this housing estate. So we actually turned right at what is currently the first right turn, but USED to be the second. Oops! Within a few hundred yards, I was doing that 'making the map fit what I could actually see around me' thing. That's always means trouble for me when I'm map reading. Eventually Pam breezily said, 'Should we have a school on our left?' 'Ah & & & & & & .no!' says I.

    I worked out what we had done. Namely, succeed in running for some distance at 90 degrees to the proper trail. Anyway, our position was at least known, and remedial measures were taken. 10 minutes later we're trundling down the A54 back into Congleton, and this time we really are trying to find a school on the left. Can we? Can we buggery! The map said that we should turn right just after we came to the school's playing fields on our left. So straight on down the main drag we padded, so we could pick up the A34, and work our way back to the trail. Later it became apparent, that where the On Sec had laid a wiggly, but relatively straight route through suburbia, I had led the four of us on a huge S bend folly!

    The correct route is at:
    Mapmyrun

    Note this is 5.54 miles long. El Presidente's effort is at: -
    Alternate
    This folly turns out to be nearly as long as the proper trail at 5.23 miles!

    Our misadventures meant that when we eventually came down to the beach at Astbury Lake, we could see the pack's headlights up on the hill in front of us. They had overtaken us! At this point, Tony announced he wouldn't be letting me have the map in future! But, there was nothing to be done, but plod wearily on, and because we had one future planned short cut that we executed without mishap, we met the pack again two checks from the end. So after all our adventures, we ran back in one large group. Apparently, the walkers were very late back to the pub, but no details were forthcoming, as people were far more concerned about the Bass running out before the second round could be ordered.

    On telling Heather in the pub of our misfortunes with the schools, where we found the one we didn't want, but couldn't locate the one we did, she airily said 'Oh, that second school's now a housing estate!' Someone should tell the Ordnance survey. (though it is probably ok on the Cheshire Co Council web site which will be a newer map -max)

    29-01-2008 Dog & Partridge

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-01-30 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Tonight I assisted Brian (Grutel) Glover with his trail through Padgate - in the North West of Warrington.
    Several hashers will have a vague recollection of the territory if they have run the Woolston 10k organised by Warrington Road Runners - a two lap run through parks and road and with a grass finish.

    Brian chose the pub with care - the Dog and Partridge on the A57 - an area known as Paddington. He had also made arrangements for there to be chips and bread for hungry hashers - so a distinct incentive not to get lost. Although the weather forcast had been poor and it had rained a bit it was distictly drier than when we first set it a week previously. Brian had been out again and refreshed the chalk check points and those few paper markers that people had kindly tidied up.

    So we started off with 44 people and 4 dogs. About 8 walkers went off with Carol, Allan - who has only just started running again after his op - went off with the senior Tone and a laminated copy of the map (see link below) to do the Readers Digest version of the trail. The rest went off to the first check at Woolston Linear Park. There was a good mix of surfaces - from the hard packed park paths followed by grassy ways and gravel paths before we crossed over the railway and went to a long muddyish path which led towards Padgate Station. Along the way at the youth club two lads - who happened to have torches - picked up with us and continued for the next 4 and a 1/2 miles back round to the pub. As we trolled down Bruche Lane Tony W pulled up with a strained calf. Quite handy really as he was about 150metres from his house.

    Then into the park where Brian had put in a tester. The trail ran down the side of a brook and he had the trail crossing it to the next check point. After Dave A went ankle deep in squelchy smelly ooze the others felt that the wimp route offered a lot of promise. Then to a muster to check we had all got across the A57 OK and then off and down the side of the Warrington Cemetery and towards Kingsway Bridge. However there was a jog right before we got there and the trail took us through the Twiggeries, a boardwalked nature sanctuary where Dave A paused to wash off his legs and shoes.

    Now it was down to the Mersey and a run over the footbridge to the edge of Victoria Park and then along the river bank back to Kingsway Bridge where we changed sides of the river for some more off road round a loop of the river before the run in to the pub.

    Mapmyrun

    Back at the pub the two lads asked if we would be running from the Dog and Partidge again soon but we had to tell them to keep an eye on the web site. Allan added them into the hash stats as is his wont. As it happened the father of one of the lads was at the pub - so what he made of the fact that they had just trailed 5 miles in the dark through mud and track with a bunch of strangers I don't know!

    A good trail from Brian and the chips were excellent as was the Jennings after we had finished off the Bombardier.

    22-01-2008 Queens Hotel

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-01-23 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    This is a mini report on Bridget and Carol's trail in Macc as Max was driving - cocked up and we arrived late. Maggie settled for a brief walk round Macc followed by going into the Nags Head (as at this time we didn't know which pub) Martin and I found the car with the map copies and after some head scratching Martin - wisely - persuaded me that we would not catch them and my idea of a short cut to intercept might prove problematic.

    It was decided that we would run it backwards until we met them and then come back with. This nearly worked in that we misinterpreted the start point - missed the return route and hacked our way up to Tytherington school. Martin then navigated us back to a footpath at the bottom of the hill we had climbed and we pick up the reverse checks. After losing it at one point we finally came to the canal where we could hear cries of the front runners - so we waited while discussing the well wrapped tarp on the bench beside the canl - eventually deciding that - it not being an egyptian mummy - it was possibly someone sleeping rough. - The hash appeared and greeted us with the usual 'Didn't know you were here' and the 'How come you aren't covered in mud like the rest of us' we joine up for the 3k run back home. So 66% of the trail distance and 0% of the mud. Sounds good to me.

    After changing the smell of the chip shop I was parked next to became too much (no tea) so a quick bag and then to the Queens Hotel where the Holts was on excellent form and being Holts was an exellent price.

    Good choice and from what I saw of it Good trail B & C

    15-01-2008 Axe & Cleaver

  • Report by :- Heather on 2008-01-16 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Having had a most horrendous sore throat since the previous hash I stayed wrapped up at home for this week - even though it was relatively local

    Heather sends a little report
    Have the weather gods abandoned us? Don't they remember that Tuesday evening is supposed to be dry i.e NO RAIN. As always when the weather is at it's most inclement we get some of our bigger turnouts - even a goodly number of walkers this week. Better prepared this week for the rain after last week when most were driven back to the pub by the hail.

    The running trail was set by Tony H. and Brian B. both long serving trail layers. The old timers amongst us thinking that after all these years they would have decided to lay a nice short trail. Wrong! at 8.45 we were still heading away from the Axe and Cleaver, Brian was a little concerned that he hadn't seen Tony for some time. A car suddenly appeared in the lane and stopped, the lady inside asked us not to spook her cows. We were just about to head into the muddiest field of the evening so far, no sign of any cows anywhere they must have sunk into the mud or possibly fallen into the Bollin.

    Anyway after this bit of excitement Tony H. had reappeared and we were on the high ground - the disused railway line. - At this point several hashers realised where they were and headed off acrosss the next muddy field with the scent of home beckoning. Back at the Axe and Cleaver, Rob was busy marketing his designer fleece tops, Nicky had some samples of the new running vests, I was busy trying to tick the register and get the Hash Bash details sorted.

    Dave A. was seen to give Tuppy a packet of crisps (not his usual Tuesday task) we found out afterwards that this was to celebrate her birthday.
    Happy Birthday for Tuesday Tuppy. Make sure you get more than a packet of crisps next year.

    08-01-2008 Blue Bell

  • Report by :- Allan J on 2008-01-09 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    First a Walkers report from Allan
    Since my venture onto the slab in Wythenshawe's Cardiac Ward at the end of September, my Hash appearances have been purely as a walker. Somehow I've got out of the habit of writing a report, but Paul and Cliff's effort from the Blue Bell, deserves some comment.

    The weather forecast had had gloomy prognostications for this evening for the 48 hours beforehand. However, with half an hour to go before the tapes went up, the sky was dry, the wind firm, and enough enthusiasm was raised for a late decision to go for a walk. Another decision was made as well - take foul weather gear on the ' just in case' principle. So out came the Berghaus, on went the (new) Karrimor walking shoes, and into the haversack went my wife 's waterproof and breathable over trousers. I'm not quite sure how Christine came to own such an item on clothing, as her enthusiasm for being out in the rain, is less than mine is for going back to work!

    Anyway, a goodly crew of walkers assembled, including Mr Ellis, he like me suffering from a lingering sniffle that won't go away. Also present was a lady called Victoria, who was introduced to everyone by the returning Jenny Lever. Victoria announced she only lived just round the corner from the pub, so in the case of navigational failure, there was hope for us! As often occurs with the walkers, there was a minor delay in getting started. This week, the Lymm bus was late, but Max eventually steered it into the pub car park just as the runners disappeared off up a muddy lane. A sign of things to come!

    The Lymm bus disgorged only Max and Martin, so our wait for Maggie was not necessary. So away we went - at speed! Nearly all the walkers actually walk much faster than me. My insistence on providing the route is purely self-preservation. Without everyone else having to stop at junctions to check the right way, I'd get hopelessly left behind. Even Adrian and Dot with their Wellington boots disappeared away into the gloaming. Only sudden flashes of orange light were occasionally lighting the gloaming. 'Could be the electric trains on the main railway line arcing on the overhead power cables,' I suggested. Wrong! It was lightning.

    Within 3 or 4 minutes of setting off, the rain started to rain. Not badly enough to stop and put the waterproof pants on, but enough to be annoying. 'I hope this doesn't get worse,' said Tuppy, 'I've not worn my waterproof jacket!' At that moment, Mr Ellis decided that over trousers would be good, and promptly popped them on. Reluctantly, a minute or so later, I thought 'The man's right!' So, I tried to get Christine's waterproofs over my trousers. Now, Christine is somewhat slimmer than me, and her waterproofs, whilst excellent, are a pain in the rs to put on, as they are really a touch small for me, and have a breathable lining, that gets caught on my shoes as I try to haul them up. Eventually, much to Tony's huge amusement, he's helping by shining his torch on me, as I end up sitting on my rs on the road, whilst desperately trying to haul the recalcitrant waterproofs over my shoes.

    Finally, success is achieved, I return to the vertical, and the hail arrives horizontally! For a few minutes we all tried to shelter, but the hail continued to batter us, and there was a general agreement that surrender was the only sensible option, as Tony and I were the only ones with bombproof gear on.

    And so 8 walkers retreated to the pub, whilst Tony and I continued. The hail stopped, the rain steadily eased off, and finally stopped, at about the time we came upon two highly reflective souls seemingly stooping over in the gutter. Turned out to be Bridget and Carol, who were busily trying to get hold of and secure a chocolate coloured Labrador, that was paying court to Bridget's dog Danny, and had apparently been cheerfully following the ladies for some time. Now this chocolate Lab was of the dark not milk complexion, and was virtually invisible in these inclement conditions, and gave Mr Ellis quite a shock, when it amorously and enthusiastically pounced on his left leg, as a change from harassing Danny. - At this exciting moment Paul J, one of the trail layers appeared querying the health and safety of the two ladies. No interest in Tony and me of course. Bridget & Carol assured him they were fine, and knew where they and the pub were. So Paul rapidly faded back into the night to continue digging the surviving runners out of the mud. Survivors because when the hail had hit the runners, there was a similar mutiny to that which had afflicted the walkers, and a number of them had returned early to the pub, which featured a choice of real ales and a roaring log fire. Given the conditions it's a surprise more Hashers didn't opt for the early pint. One of those supping early was Nick, who had said in the car park before the start, that as the weather was dry, he'd decided to run. He did, but without taking his battle gear with him. He's suffering from the same cough and splutter as Mr Ellis and me, and really shouldn't have been running.

    Anyway, all eventually returned to the open fire, except that it was invisible behind a solid wall of flesh made up of the earlier finishers. Richard Goulding was one who did the full trip, who maintained he was so frozen; he was having trouble making his hands work. He was managing to down a pint though! - The link below shows the route.
    Blue Bell
    P.S. I wonder what Victoria thought of her first Hash?

    And also...

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-01-09 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    As to a runners report - mine will be well brief - Martin and I turned up as the hash was disappearing up the lane

    My fault as the piece of string stuff that ties the waist of my tracksters had come out in the wash and it took me a while to thread it back though - However we arrived as I said as they disappeared up the lane in the rain.

    Off we legged in the direction but then we cam to a check and got this one right. We could see torches in the distance - vanishing - well it was raining. We took the next check point - this looks about right we said and wenft off - The field was squelch - over the gate through another gate and we were on some kind of boardwalk - not the usual kind of footpath but what the heck. - after a short while we realised that any sounds had vanished.Back to the pub to see if there was a map by which we could intercept the hash or would it be like Bridgets the previous year from the Fools Nook where it was basically a square trail with no way of shortcutting - just following. As we set off back the wind - which had been brisk opened up loaded with sleet - quite painful and very wetting

    Back at the pub we saw Jenny L had abandoned the walk and even more there were Mike Murray, Nick and Heather had dropped out of the trail. We found a map and spent a few minutes working out that we could cut across and then Martin convincing me I had the map wrong and off we went. Another three quarters of a mile we realised we had passed the turn and while Martin bravely went off to intercept I trotted back to the pub in the driving rain with the start of a sore throat for my minimal amount of drinking as I was the driver of the night.

    02-01-2008 Railway

  • Report by :- Max R on 2008-01-03 13:00:01
  • Detail :-

    Well - First of the year and set by me from the Railway in Lymm. The pub we had thought had died but in it's present incarnation is more undead. The to let signs are still up so I assume that there is a temp manager in at the moment. I have however had a lot worse Boddingtons than came out of the hand pumps .
    I volunteered to set this as there had been no other takers and I was feeling slightly poorly when Nick approached me. As a result I set a simple trail - fractionally over 5 miles
    Railway Lymm
    Although it was cool the run out was freezing due to the wind chill. Once we got sheltered it was better. Up to the canal and then through Spud Wood and up to Grammar School road - where Helen S caught up with us. -
    It was then onto the paths around the Dam and then round and down the lower Dam into the middle of Lymm. Through the small park to Sowbrook and down the trans-pennine and home

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