Ascension : Hash Thrash - Hash No: 1395
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Editors) 26.01.2012 (Article Archived on 09.02.2012)

Hashers met at devils Riding School carpark, Herr Taff missed the carpark and drove along way up the hill before finding anywhere to turn the van around, well that was his excuse for being last!

Hares:  Wood ‘n’ Pecker and Mucky Princess

Hounds:   Simply Indiscreet, Blade Runner, Over and Done With, Old Golly Waddler, Mucky Digger, Herr Taff, Sniffy, Winni the Poo and Louise.   

Hashers met at devils Riding School carpark, Herr Taff missed the carpark and drove along way up the hill before finding anywhere to turn the van around, well that was his excuse for being last!  Rather worryingly, Mucky Princess was not gracing us with her presence and Wood ‘n’ Pecker gave the brief from the comfort of his deck chair.  Two circle checks, a cliff edge viewpoint and keep your eyes open.  The on on was …rather obviously up the hill towards the riding school but wooden one remained in his deck chair.  Mucky Digger wanted to keep him company.  Something about having to collect the Princess from said party.  Hashers suspected a back arrow but set off merrily up the hill, until they lost the hash!

Trail relocated, following the track vaguely up to the riding school, taking in a windy ridge.  Simply Indiscreet felt a need for taking up paragliding, Blade Runner got out his vuvuzela to test the acoustics whilst others posed for photos.  Louise managed to photograph most rock formations, getting quite excited about the geology of the place.  On on, plenty reading of new names which have been written in rock, some ages old.

Hashers are chatterers and can easily loose the trail, especially if there is no hare to guide them.  Old golly Waddler knew we would be visiting the letterbox so headed for the hill.  Sniffy had his nose to the hash but was on the homeward trail.  All assembled to sign the book, Saturday had been a busy day at the riding school despite earlier rain.  And there it was, amongst stone names was a message in hash, so artistic, so clear, so obviously pointing out the route.  Once everyone was stamped and tattooed, hashers looked for the way down.  Blade Runner and Sniffy set off down the backside whilst other slipped (quite literally) the quick way down.  Photo shoot at the lettering, Sniffy confirmed they had found the correct route, we’d just done it on the wrong order.

Time to repair ‘Ellen’ (still looking good), and on on winding up and down along the valleys and craters which have been washed on the top of the sunken summit.  The effects of the rain in these last few years is quite scary, both evidence of plant colonisation and erosion.  Across the centre, keeping an eye out for those Devil’s Eyeballs.  Over the edge and heading down the hill.  Found an interesting stone on on watching us but by this time the men had thought of cold beer and were racing for home.  Only Herr Taff was left with the walkers and talkers entertained with stories of DIY incidents.  Over and Done With kept finding the easier way around the crevasses and cuttings Wood and Princess had found, Old golly Waddler faithfully followed the trail but scared the mice first with her screams. 

At last, just one more bush to tackle and they were all home.  Kegs open, chips spilt and cups filled with icy water for Caron’s naming.  She is known as ‘The water lady, fruit lady and part of her role on island is to sample the sewerage.  No end of suggestions, her strong Canadian accent (Winnipeg) has earned her the not so cuddly title of ‘Winni the Poo’, could have been much worse!  The fire was welcome warmth for drying off and cleared much of the deadwood around.  Hashers always leave the place tidier than they find it (apart from the occasional blob of white shredded paper you may have seen around island).  Shipwreck, a magic circle drawn in the ground preventing anyone from leaving before sunset and good company extended into the evening.

Thanks Wood ‘n’ Pecker and Mucky Princess for sharing your favourite place on island and for an entertaining hash, even if neither of you could make it!

Next week:  Babcock generator hut on way down North East Bay Road.

Hares:  Over and done with and Beaver Diva