English
As always, there were serious questions to be answered on the hash. Would the bus arrive at the Caravelle on time? Would the hares be there? Would the driver take another random route? Would we even get to the A point? Would there be enough beer? Would the rain make a mockery of the hares' best efforts? Well, all was revealed soon enough as we congregated at the Caravelle with an ontime bus and the hares already there. Whatever will they think of next?
We got to the A point more or less on time and in the correct place and set off in the usual high spirits with, quite literally, not a cloud in the sky. Well, Saigon hashes are either too wet or too hot, and we are fast approaching the too hot season. First off was a very pleasant route through shiggyish pathways interrupted only by a farmer and his herd of cattle. I've said this before, and I make no apology for repeating it again here.
When we pass livestock, you only have to do 2 things – walk slowly and be quiet. Sigh. We soon manouvered our way past the skittish beasts and onto a tarmac road for a little road running. Just past 2 km, we had the first beer stop. Of course, on the hash, the beer stops come either too soon or too late, but it was welcome just the same.
Back on to the road for a bit, and then we turned off into some country lanes. Very picturesque, mostly dry underfoot, and with some very pretty views. In short, excellent hash territory. Meanwhile, our running hare, Linda Lovelace, showed the cunning, Paddy Fag perfected, technique of suddenly appearing at the front of the runners seemingly without breaking sweat. A handy technique which, alas, I have yet to acquire.
We had a final section through some paddy fields with some very pleasant views as the sun dipped. It was pretty tricky running as the paths were quite narrow and recently topped up with vegetation, presumably from the farmers preparing for the dry season. A little bit more road running, yet more barking dogs, and we were back at the bus with a strava total of 8km. Not bad at all. A very well laid trail with only a few checks and lots of variety to please everyone. Or no one, depending on your point of view.
With Paddy Fag and Kathoey Boy officiating, the usual formalities were dispensed with and down-downs handed out and icings given for the more serious misdemeanors of which there were many.
A longish bus trip as we took the ferry route back to Saigon, where there was a welcome return to the post-hash on-on at The Place on Hai Ba Trung with plastic chairs on the pavement, great Vietnamese food, and lots of beer.
Many thanks to all who contributed to a great hash.
On-on,
Cock-a-Leaky