Category: Uncategorized

  • Run no 2052-24 July 2025 -Isleworth

    Hare Airhead.

    This week’s run will be from The Woodlands Tavern, 29 St John’s Road, Isleworth. TW7 6NY Map Link

    The nearest station is Isleworth and there will be a P trail from there to the pub, The run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours and they usually provide somewhere for us to store our bags for its duration.

  • Run no 2045-5 June 2025 -Fulwell

    Hares: Cocaine Charlie and Cock Doctor.

    Pub: The Roebuck

    Station: Fulwell.

    This week’s run will be from The Roebuck, 72 Hampton Rd, Teddington, Hampton TW12 1JN Map Link . The nearest station is Fulwell, on the mainline from Waterloo, and there will be a trail of chalk P arrows from there to help you find this pub. the run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours and there will be somewhere to store bags for its duration..

  • Run no 2038 -17 April 2025 -West Ealing

    Hare: Kenny

    This week’s run will be from The Foresters, 2 Leighton Rd., London W13 9EP  Map Link. the nearest station is West Ealing, on the Elizabeth Line, and there will be a trail of chalk P arrows from there to help you find this pub, which is also accessible from Northfields Tube station. The run will start from the pub at our usual time of of 19.15 hours and they will store our bags behind the bar for its duration.

  • Run 2032 – 06 March 2025 – Hammersmith

    Hare – Bhopal

    This weeks run will be from The Chancellors, 25 Crisp Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 9RL Map Link. There will be a P-trail from the Hammersmith & City, Piccadily and District Line Stations. The run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours . World-famous pizzas may be ordered before the run. Hashers are advised to bring torches and cups. There will be a drink stop so bring your collapsible cups, if you have one.

  • Run 2024 – 09 January 2025 – Twickenham

    Hare – Sir Humpsalot

    This week’s trail will be from The Royal Oak, 13 Richmond Rd, Twickenham TW1 3AB (Map Link). The nearest station is Twickenham and there will be a trail of P arrows from there to help you find this pub. The run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours and there will be bag storage for its duration, but as always, please leave valuables at home. Torches will be required, and bring your collapsible cups as well, for a drink stop!

  • Run 2017 – 21 November 2024 – Stamford Brook

    Hare – On Your Back

    This week’s run will be from The Duchess, 320 Goldhawk Rd, London W6 0XF (Map Link). The run will start at the usual time of 7:15, and the pub will store our bags (Possibly secure, but unconfirmed: as usual, please do not bring valuables) for the duration. It is unlikely that the hare will take the trail through any parks without lighting, as most will be shut due to the time of year, however torches likely still be useful. There will be a P trail from nearby Stamford Brook District Line station.

  • Run 2003 – 15 August 2024 – Gunnersbury/Chiswick

    Hare – On Your Back

    This week’s run will be from The Pilot, 56 Wellesley Road, Chiswick W4 4BZ Map Link . There will be a trail of chalk p-arrows from the nearest station, Gunnersbury (District Line, and Overground between Richmond and Stratford). The run will start rom the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours and the pub will store our bags for its durations.

    This run number celebrates the year of the Hare’s birth. Unless we recruit some very young hashers in the very near future, this will be the last time this ever happens.

    There will be a drink stop, so please bring your collapsible cups.

  • Urbane Foxes at the Brentford Canal Festival

    Loads of live music throughout the day all over Brentford, with plenty of street food stalls and a plethora of good pubs. Join the Urbane Foxes at the Six Bells from 8:30pm to round off your evening with a selection of rock and pop favourites from 60’s to the present day.

  • Run 1947, 10 August 2023 – Chiswick

    Hares – Cock Doctor and Cocaine Charlie

    The run this week will be from The Pilot, 56 Wellesley Road, Map Link. The nearest station is Gunnersbury, on the Richmond branch of the District Line. Leave by the back entrance of the station (turning right after the barriers) and turn right at the exit from the station to follow the footpath to where it meets Wellesley Road, then turn right; the pub is less than 150 metres on the left. There will be a trail of chalk P arrows from the station to help you find this pub. The run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours and the pub will provide bags storage for it duration.

    There will be seasonal drink stop, so you should bring your collapsible cups.

  • Run 1928 – 30 March 2023 – Northfields

    Hare – Pope

    This week’s run will be from Ryan’s, 282 Northfields Avenue, W5 4UB Map Link . The nearest station is Northfields tube, on the Piccadilly Line and there will be a trail of chalk P arrows from there to help you find this pub. The run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours and the pub will store our bags for its duration.

  • Run 1922 – Thursday 16 February 2023 – Bermondsey

    Hare – Love Deuce

    This week’s run will be from The Gregorian, 96 Jamaica Road, SE16 4SQ Map Link. There nearest station is Bermondsey tube station on the Jubilee Line and there will be a trail of P arrows from that station to help you find the pub, which is just two minutes walk away. The run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours and the Hare has booked a room for us where we can safely store bags for its duration.

  • Run 1921 – Thursday 9 February – Richmond

    Hare -KMA

    This week’s run will be from the The Dukes Head, 42 The Vineyard, Richmond TW10 6AN Map Link. The nearest station is Richmond and there will be a trail of chalk P arrows from the back exit of this station, onto Lower Church Road, to help you find the pub. the run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours and the pub will store our bags for its duration. Bring a torch, and a collapsible plastic cup if you have one, because there will be a drink stop.

  • Run 1918 – Thursday 19 January – Kenny

    Hare – Kenny

    This week’s run will be from the Rack and Tenter, 45 Moorfields, Moorgate, London EC2Y 9AE. Map Link. The nearest station is Moorgate, on the Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, and Northern lines. There wil be a trail of chalk P’s from the station to the pub. The run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours. There will be a drink stop so please bring a collapsible cup. Please contact the hare if you would be prepared to act as a bag sitter in the pub.

  • Run 1917 – Thursday 12 January – Richmond

    Hare – Mop

    This week’s run will be from the Dukes Head, The Vineyard, Richmond, TW10 6AZ Map Link.  The nearest station is Richmond, tube and mainline, and there will be a trail of chalk P arrows from the back exit from this station ,onto Lower Church Road, to help you find the pub. The run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours and the pub will provide an area for us to leave our bags for its duration. Bring a torch, it will be essential, and a collapsible cup, if you have one, because there will be a drink stop.

  • Run 1914 – 22 December – Clapham Junction (Battersea)

    Hare – No Fore Play

    Our last run before Christmas will be from The Candlemaker pub,136 Battersea High Street, SW11 3JR Map Link. The nearest station is Clapham Junction. When leaving the station do so via the Grant road exit, this can only be accessed using the underpass and is on the North side of the station. There will be a trail of chalk P arrows from there to help you find this pub. The run will start from the pub at our usual 19.15 hours. The pub will provide bag storage.  There will be a drink stop on trail.

    On On and a Merry Christmas to you all.

    P.F.

  • Run 1913 – Thursday 15 December – Northfields

    Hare – Rambo

    This run will be from Ryan’s 282 Northfield Avenue W5 4UB Map Link. The nearest station is Northfields Tube on the Piccadilly line and there will be a trail of chalk P arrows from there to help you find this pub. The run will start from the pub at our usual time of 19.15 hours and the pub will store our bags for its duration. The run will end back at the pub, the Hare having decided that it is too cold for an A to B. Rambo’s trails tend to be “adventurous” so bring a torch, also a cup as there will be a drink stop.

  • Run 1847 – Thursday Sept 16th ~ Ladbroke Grove

    Hares – Smart Arse & Charlatan

    The run will be from The Eagle, 250 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5LP map link. The nearest station is Ladbroke Grove Tube on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines and there will be trail of chalk P arrows from there to help you find this pub. Buses 23, 52, 70, 228 and 295 stop at St. Charles Square very close to the pub. The run will start from the pub at our usual 19.15 Hours. The Hares have arranged bag storage at the pub and a reserved area for the Hash to enjoy the selection of three real ales that the manager has promised will be available, and there will be a drink stop towards the end of the trail. Bring a torch as some of the trail will be off road.

    With the lifting of many Covid restrictions registration for West London runs is no longer mandatory but is still encouraged as it gives the Hare an indicative pack size in advance to advise the pub and registration has been useful to the Hash Cash as an aid to keeping stats and collecting subs so if you plan to come on this run please register by clicking on This Link.

  • Run 1837 – Thursday 8th July ~ Northfields

    Hare – Ryde

    Registration is required for all participants in West London runs during the current pandemic. If you plan to come on this run please register ASAP by using This link 

    This week’s run will start from The Forester, 2 Leighton Road, Ealing, London W13 9EP map link. The nearest station is Northfields Tube on the Piccadilly Line and there will be a trail of chalk P arrows from that station to help you find the pub. It will be a staggered start, runners should start between 18.45 and 19.00 hours, walkers can start any time after 18.30. Runners starting after 18.50 should mark through checks when they are called. The Pub will provide bag storage, speak to the staff about this if the Hare is not available. Please do not start any earlier than the above times as the Hare will be setting the trail alone and it would put her under undue pressure.

    There will be drink stop on trail which will not be open before 19.30 hours and the Hare has booked tables for at least 24 Hashers in the public bar of the Foresters for after run drinks. Hashers who would prefer to drink in the open air are free to make their own arrangements with the pub to book a table in their Garden.

  • Run 1831 – Thursday 27th May ~ Teddington

    Hare – Dunny Penny

    Registration is required for all participants in West London runs during the current pandemic. If you plan to come on this run please register ASAP by using This Link.

    The trail will start from Teddington Lock, near The Anglers pub, Map Link and there will be a trail of chalk P arrows from Teddington station to guide you to the start point. Start on trail any time after 18.30 hours, the faster you run the later you should start. The trail will be 9 km long with shortcuts. Duration: 50 – 60 mins for runners and about the same for SCBs. There will be a drink stop on trail which will be open from 19:20 hours. The Hare has booked a large number of tables for us in the garden of the Anglers from 20:00 hours, this will be about 5 mins walk from the drink drink stop. Entry to the pub will be via top secret password to be revealed in confidence at the drink stop. 

    Tips from the Hare: The trail uses a small area, and is will be very tightly marked to take us through some great terrain. There will be few checks to keep you on the best bits of the area. FOLLOW THE TRAIL MARKINGS – especially important in the first 5km / 30 minutes, if you try to be clever and/or use local knowledge to jump across to runners you see in the distance you will not only miss out on some lovely territory but could end up getting very confused and running round in ever decreasing circle until you disappear up your own bum.

     The drink stop is not the main event, please support our local hospitality industry by attending the pub after the run. The Hare may need to adjust our booking according to how many register, so please register ASAP using the above link, we have re-introduced the field on the registration form to indicate whether or not you plan to come to the pub after the run, please use this.

    The Hare will be available on the WLH3 runners on trail Whatsapp group from 18:30 to 20:30 to help out the challenged.

  • Thursday 9 April

    We cannot of course hold any real Hash runs at the moment, but we will hold another virtual circle this Thursday evening at 20.30 hours . Click on This Link to join in the circle. The meeting will be open from 20.15 hours.

    Our hare for the evening will be KMA.

    Those of you who have not already installed the Zoom app on your device may wish to Install Zoom in advance, not strictly necessary but might save time on the night. Please observe the following points of etiquette for our Zoom circles.
    • Keep your microphone muted until you wish to speak, otherwise the call will be drowned out by a mush of background noise.
    • If an RA is in evidence, please wait until you are called on to respond before unmuting your mic.
    • If you wish to attract the RA’s attention use the ‘raise hand’ button in Zoom to indicate that you want to speak  (similar to placing your glass on your head in the Circle).
    • If you wish to make a particular point of order to the RA, use the chat feature in Zoom.
    • Seek permission from the RA or session administrator before sharing your screen with the group.
  • 12 July 2018 – Barnes Bridge

    Run nr 1713 – Coach & Horses, 27 Barnes High Street, London, SW13 9LW

    Map

    A bagsitter may be needed

    Hare: Roll Back

    P-trail from Barnes Bridge Station (National Rail)

  • WLH Run Hashtory 2016

    Here is a map showing locations of some of the WLH runs during 2016.  Clicking on a run location will allow you to view the trail for that run.

    Hopefully this will be helpful if you are a hare trying to decide where to set your next trail.

  • 26 February 2015 – Mortlake

    Run Nr 1536 – Ship, 10 Thames Bank, London SW14 7QR.
    Map
    Hare: Hobo

    P-trail from Mortlake national rail station

  • 20th February 2014 – Putney

    Hare: Eric the Red, aka the Viking, the scot and a few other names to numerous to list.

    I arrived at Putney tube station, knowing where the pub was, but I did look around for a “P” trail for confirmation.  No “P” sign was visible, it must have been erased by the worthy burghers of Putney, but there again I may be half blind.  However, when walking to the pub a “P” was spotted on an intermittent basis.  Was this an ominous sign of things to come?  Was this an omen?  The “P” frequency and the geographic location of the “P”’s would best be described as sporadic and random.  Does this account for the thin turnout? I do not think so, it was dangerously close to half term.  Moreover, hashers are made of sterner stuff. A challenging “P” trail is not a problem. 

    The Hare guaranteed a degree of shiggy.  He was not wrong, in fact very accurate.  But there were a few blind alleys, where the trail was alleged to go, but the trail petered out.  It was noted that KC was always on the trail, so to start with we followed him.  Questions were asked if on occasions if the trail had been laid?  There were a number of occasions when it became a live hare, the trail being made up as we went along.  This is an acceptable form of hashing, but we need to be told.  Was this by design?  Probably when there were trail failures we needed plan B – the hare was in the lead. 

    It was on one of the live hare incidents that there had been some hashers had been rechristened by the Madrid hash.  It is alleged that roll-up had been rechristened “roll-over” or was it “leg-over”.  Nutsucker had been rechristened “Mutt – Sucker”, dangerous – you are liable to have the RSPCA after you; but it could be worse – being rechristened “Butt Sucker”, well – kiss my arse.  You may have numerous amorous southern European running behind you. 

    But to speculate, I do not know if Dingo was running on the Madrid hash.  What would happen if Dingo was rechristened, what would happen then?  We could have pingo (Hydro laccolith – a mound of earth covered ice found in the arctic or sub-arctic regions) or worse still to “Pongo” to which the word “pygmaeus” could be added: a person of the forest who lives close to Australia.  This is dangerous territory, I will desist.  But clearly prior to the Madrid trip, there needs to be a mass christening, where everyone’s hash name is changed to be Madrid compliant – where is our religious adviser. 

    No sinners and other people guilty of misdemeanour have been included. 

    Yours

    Hobo

  • Ceroc – Friday 4 April – South Kensington

    Following on from the success of last years social event, WLH3 head back to the dancefloor for another night of Ceroc.  For those of you that have never heard of it before, its a partner dance best described as a fusion of salsa and jive but without the complicated footwork, making it more accessible for beginners.

    No need to book, simply show up on the night!

    Meet for drinks at the Hereford Arms (nr Gloucester Rd tube) from 6.30pm before we head to the venue.

    Venue:  Casbah, Baden Powell House, Kensington, SW7 5JS

    Cost: £9 Time: 19.30 to 23.00

    Never heard of Ceroc before?  Well here’s what you can expect from the evening…….. http://www.ceroclondon.com/info

    Or refresh yourself on the basic moves before you go…… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VhavJlI1Yo

    Contact Love Deuce if you’re interested

  • 13 February 2014, Richmond – Valentine ‘Tudor’ Run

    Maybe it’s because I am Dutch, but Dingo’s concept of romance is clearly different from mine.  Fat Ba*tard as the Ultimate Romantic?  We will forgive her, though, as she had ordered a silvery moon to bathe the Park in lovely light.

    A strong team of athletic whares, dressed as Tudor wenches (except Love Deuce, who forgot!), chased us around in the moonlight, with the hot breath of the park wardens in our necks.  The run was cleverly designed, with a bit of a figure-of-eight idea.  It worked out even better than planned, as the wenches managed to lose not only Eric, but also Mad Cow, Pope and Charlatan…  We had entered the park through Bog Gate (very apt), and were veering towards Ham, under the enthusiastic guidance of Dingo.  But those unfortunate four, actually together with quite a few other hashers, bumped into the wardens, who told them to get out through Richmond Gate or get culled. 

    Whilst the renegades were drowning their sorrows in the Roebuck, (see attached) Those of us on the not-so-straight and narrow curved back towards Richmond, and got a treat from FB: Naked Ladies, chicken nuggets and ½-sausages.  Boy Blunder, always happy to please, played the court photographer.

    Back to the downs-downs, which were many (West London has long since lost its mean reputation), and funny.  I have to be selective, but I definitely need to mention For*skin.  He saved us all from salmonella poisoning by cooking the chicken nuggets that Roll Back had picked up from the supermarket, in the innocent belief that they were ready to serve.  Bravo, and thank you Sir!  Nut Su*ker was accused of signing up for a Madrid Hash event in the name of Mutt Su*ker.  It defies the imagination, but Butt Plug’s telling of the tale was pretty suggestive.  Do we need to mention that Nut Su*ker did/did not forget her ticket for the QPR match, and that FB dropped the Naked Ladies on a zebra crossing?  I take it you get the gist.

    Honourable mentions go to Thunderthighs, who loves an opportunity to show off her silky red dress, and Skaraoke, who does, too.  Except his dress was called a Spanish spy outfit.  I need to read up on my Hilary Mantel to understand it all, but as I said before, I am Dutch.

    On On, Martian Matron

  • Gin Distillery Tour – Friday 14 March – Hammersmith

    Gin – its not just for grannies!
      
    WLH3 will receive a private tour of the Sipsmith distillery – the first copper-pot distillery to open within London’s city limits in nearly two centuries
    The night includes welcome drinks, tour and history of the distillery, followed by tutored tastings of all their products.
     
    Cost: £24
    Date: Friday 14 March
    Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm
    Venue: Sipsmith distillery, Hammersmith
    Contact Love Deuce to reserve yourself a place!
    After the tour we’ll go on on to the The Raven, Stamford Brook.
  • 6th February – Westbourne Park

    A few hardy souls made the journey to Westbourne Park in the face of the tube strike and lashing rain. Unlike the Richmond Clique, for whom it was just not sufficiently gentrified (where would one buy a mocha latte double caf decaf half caf Frappuccino en route?) and far too difficult in terms of transport (even just looking at something as vulgar as the tube map darling would make me want to lie down with an asprin and a hot towel), these were tough guys.

    Not only were we without the presence of the Richmond Clique but certain tough guys in the Ealing Massiv also did not brave the elements and were noted by their absence. It would be unfair to single anyone out but bouncing on the ground apparently was not a good transport substitute and crazy bovines were worried their hooves might slip on the rain soaked pavements.

    In fact we were so tough that we formed a gang innit, henceforth me and my bro’s bruv we will be known as the Westbourne Park Crew innit, this is what am sayin bruv.

    The trail had been washed away by the rain, so our hare Mudgee Smuggler had to run on ahead to re set it, innit. This works well bruv, dya know what I mean? Innit. We woz finking why we don’t do that awl the tame bruv, innit. Mudgee had also smuggled some drink stop onto his boat, for a drink stop, innit.

    The drink stop went down the hatch (not his boat hatch bruv), and afterwards the pub were hospitable and generous, innit. The Hare Raiser should take note for future, innit, cos it’s lak a great venue bruv. The haberdash awarded the Westbourne Park Crew with a free oyster card holder, innit, which was useful for getting the tube home bruv (err..).

    Wot am sayin bruv is that, lak, we didn’t have any stories for the circle, so we decided to pretend to be hhh from the Richmond Clique and Ealing Massiv, iniit. We did this bruv, cos it was funny at the time (ya know what I’m sayin bruv), cos we’d all had a few on Mudgee’s boat, (ya know what I’m sayin bruv).  It might lak not be as funny a week later, innit bruv, but in the photos [Insert Link to photos] you might see a Nutsu*ker, a Dingo, a Mad Cow, a moron Rolling Back his jersey, a B Plug, a Pope (interesting steve wif me up his jumper bruv), a Mad Cow, a Man Magnet, a DOA we picked up on trail (cos that’s how we roll bruv in the Park Crew), and a pic of us all togeva. (see pics here)

    Stayover

     

  • 30th January 2014 – Onesie Run

    Seeing as Clark Kent seemed to be capable of meeting his deadlines as well as saving the planet it is incumbent upon me to file this report promptly.

    The area around Gloucester Rd were treated to a strange menagerie of hhh comprising Giraffes, Crocodiles, black & white creatures which could have been, Dalmatians, Gloucester Old Spots, or as it turned out strangely asexual cows a tiger, mix in the two hares in matching something indefinable, a couple of white boiler suits, batman, superman and finally Thunderthighs who seemed to be impersonating Helen Mirren dressed  as Olivia Newton John in her role as Sandy in Grease. I suppose 2am’s dressing as a Dalek can be justified on the grounds that it was a one piece costume though perhaps not quite in the generally accepted description of a onesie.

    Despite threats of having to wear someone’s pre-worn and quite possibly unwashed spare onesie there were a number of hhh who refused to succumb and were not penalised, perhaps the block of ice next time?.

    The trail made a change from others I have done from this pub in setting out in a northerly direction. Unfortunately Foreskin and I lost trail relatively early on and to compound our problems neither of our costumes invested us with any superpowers or any gadgets which may have eased our plight. Local knowledge however, allowed the pair of us to predict with some accuracy where we would pickup the trail having engineered ourselves a monumental shortcut and caused the population of High St Kensington some amusement as we ambled through.

    Despite being for a hhh a shy and retiring soul I enjoyed the comments and attention that my costume attracted and found it strangely comfortable. Oh dear, I fancy that any pretence at sartorial elegance I may once have had has finally evaporated.

    The pub was heaving as usual, it was a shame that the manager could not have provided somewhere for our bags, I got the feeling he was not desperate for our trade

    The circle held outside on the pavement. As with last week I have few details of who received Down Downs, beyond the usual for the hares, visitors (well done Carrot Fungus for having a onesie with him despite being in transit from Tokyo to Belfast) and myself for not having filed my report for the previous weeks Australia Day run

    All in all very good fun – Freeloader

     

  • THE SPORGY – Social Event

    Sport is something men have instead of emotions – Bridget Jones (allegedly)

    This assertion was disproved yesterday in some style. A motley crew of assorted Bridget Joness and Mark Darcys gathered at a crumbling Edwardian pile in Shepherds Bush for an invigorating infusion of Scandinavian mulled wine and posh biscuits. All tickets distributed and accounted for with the organising Darcy – a noted QPR fan, we set off to Loftus Road for The QPR v Burnley footy match. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25891765 for a report on a very exciting match. Half way to the ground one of the Bridgets couldn’t find her ticket. This particular Bridget has previous form where losing tickets is concerned so no surprise there. With cunning use of technology and hacking Organising Darcy’s email account the missing ticket was reprinted and a return to Loftus Road in time to see the last four goals.

    A spirited yomp through the back streets of W12 deposited us at the Duchess of Cambridge on Goldhawk Road where a table was reserved for us to watch the first matches in the 6 Nation’s Rugger Tournament, first Wales v Italy followed by France v England. By this time our uber-Darcy, keeper of lustrous and famous harems joined us for an afternoon and evening of quaffing splendid ales, ingestion of fine victuals whilst being taken to emotional heights and despondent lows by the furious battling at the Stade de France. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25971746. The game over & done and the day’s sporgy finished, which goes to show that women have sport too (though I’ve no idea about the emotions bit), the group separated and headed home.

    Two postscripts are noteworthy. The first was ‘lost ticket’ Bridget finding her lost ticket and sportingly confessing it to all. The second was an on-after for about half the group at The Tabard where a trio of bands performed some righteous r n’b, in particular Son Maxwells Unruly Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLayGAf-d0s. A fab end to a fab day.

    FYI this is Bo Diddley’s original http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x117qxs_bo-diddley-pretty-thing-1955-digitally-remastered_music of one of Son Maxwell’s cover versions. Very alike eh?

    THE CAST – Bridget Jones’s: Dingo, Love Deuce, Nutsucker, Rollback Mark Darcy’s: Butt Plug, Charlatan, Eagermount, Mad Cow, The Optimist, The Pope

    Eagermount

  • 23rd January – Pimlico – Australia Day/Burns Run

    “Holden Wrecks and rusting diesels boil in 45 Degrees,” so sung Midnight Oil. We ran, sang and froze in 40 Degrees farenheit.

    Despite London Undergrounds best attempts to sabotage MM’s Australia day/ Burns night run by flooding a switch room at Victoria with a sea of flooring screed a respectably sized pack assembled at the Grosvenor in Pimlico. It was a bit of a shock to find ourselves sharing the place with a darts competition and the regular jazz night.

    In best hash tradition the trail was a beguiling mix of the familiar and the where the **** are we? Before heading south over Lambeth Bridge where if this  north Londoner was confused on his own side of the river, he was now totally disorientated, it’s different world down south. Exotic and almost mythical places such as Old Paradise St, and Lambeth Walk were passed through until by some mysterious means we arrived at Vauxhall Bridge and once safely back on the north bank treated to a drinks stop on the spot where convicts were embarked for a future in Botany Bay

    As promised this was not what might have expected, consisting as it did of haggis and oatcake canapés accompanied by Scotch and shortbread. Full marks to Mike for manning it. The man’s a legend, most of us only meet him once a year in the cold and damp somewhere on the banks of the Thames where he cheerfully dispenses refreshments to the rest of us whatever the weather.

    Back at the pub it was apparent that such was the hares skill in shepherding the pack (flock?) it had expanded greatly since the start, indeed one such confided that he had come because it was within cycling distance of home, promised a barbeque and the clincher was he had no food in the house!

    The après run barbie was well up to the Grosvenor’s usual standard and with plenty of snags and chook, chips, pasta etc, most of us consumed more calories than we had used!

    The Circle was held outside on the pavement thus lowering the tone of the district, down downs were awarded for the usual, often spurious reasons, to whom and for what I have no idea.

    THE ENDPS. By way of linking Burns night and Australia day, that emotive and supremely Australian song “And the band played waltzing Matilda” was written /composed by a Scotsman, Eric Bogle. He is now an Australian citizen.

    Freeloader