PMS has heritage that puts her in touch with all things French. On the French calendar, July 14 is celebrated as Bastille Day.
Bastille Day is the national day of France. If you live there, you might call it le 14 juillet , or even la fête nationale.
Remember back to 1789, the storming of the Bastille French National Day is the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille , bring an end to feudalism.
PMS declared this run at the French Tickler run, with a theme of all things French. The enormous dump of rain may have extinguished some of those thoughts, but an intrepid group of water resistance hard core hashers showed up to run the fantastic trail that Dastardly had set.
The group arrived and tried to secure dry parking in the parking lake.
Parking Lake
Puddles galoreA wet time to be here!
The circle formed and the volunteer Hashmaster, Skewbic Hair, ran the circle eloquently and efficiently.
HardlyStool StufferCamshaftTwistyVeggie WankerDaisy DukeHump the Shark with his French snackKing ShitMmm Lady Fingers and ShakesbeerSkewbic Hair – Substitute Hashmaster
The hare was called in to the circle, but took us to his marking pole to show us the marks that he had chosen for the run. Of special note, was the generous use oatmeal as a trail mark. Absorbs water nicely and looks like breakfast.
I will use this post to explain marksThese will all be washed away by now
With rain gear buttoned down, it was time to enjoy this soggy adventure.
Raincoat and umbrellaPorridgeClassy rain gear
The pack was released into the weather to find the remnants of any marks that might still be remaining.
The Trail
Marks were found and the pack headed north to where the old Esso refinery used to be. A check then took us up the wet pathway to the top of the hill.
A mark was foundHardly following the pointing baguetteThis is how everything gets wet quicklySkin is mostly waterproof
Thankfully, there were parks to play in, to take our mind off how wet everything was.
Playground spotted
Water slide
Water makes you go fasterMusical hashersBaguette banging more of thisOff we goMarks over hereWe found a markWeatherproof marksTop of the hillWatch for trainsGraffiti opportunityDry pathWet path
City view
River rolling along
Daisy pretending to runCampsite?You are hereBridge to more stairsRiver viewDaisy DukeBridge trafficThis is so much fun!View of the golf centreDistant city viewAnother playgroundPlaytimeYou can fall of thisWhen will I fall?Daisy aggressively jumpingDark passageLook stairs!Slippery when wet
Field of dreams
The end is near
The end is here!
A selection of beverages were enjoyed once we dried off. Hypothermia not too far away for the damp ones. Parking lot down down’s were in order as we had a small group.
The Down Down’s
Daisy Duke was the religious advisor (RA) for the evening. An abridged version of a “no frills” down down ceremony with self choiring.
I am the RAHare sporting stylish footwearHappy down down group!Skewbic Hair – Ready for winterMmmm Lady Fingers – walkers reportSpit transfer eventWhiskey goodBaguette doneHash shit?Most stable hashers of the eveningWalkers self indulgence
All was done and we were declared “on the piss” by the RA.
On the piss!
With the down down’s done, it was time to head off to a warm pub to celebrate the fact we were not dead from drowning of hypothermia.
Trail Summary
An epic trail with some achieving up to 7 km’s.
Hash Extra
Happy Bastille Day! Think French and do French things.
Thunder Tits is a fabled hasher who departed us 4 years ago. We have been honouring here existence with a memorial run which encompasses her former address in Riverbend SE, a sight of many good times for the hash community.
Carburn Park was the start point for what was being billed as a mini ball buster with options for lesser distance. Extensive pathways and intricate streets, sidewalks and alleys set the stage for an epic trail.
The pack gathered in the parking lot servicing the skating venue in Carburn Park. In the dark, headlights were on to figure out how to circle up.
Circle up
Tighty Whitey and Hump the SharkMucky DipKK, Twisty and Rashy BushHot Quickie, Beer in the Rear plus a dogSlippy Thong and King ShitHardlyLazy CummerStool Stuffer and Lying Sack of ShitHot Cheeks and Strap On CramponStrap On and DastardlyLiquor Lots and Mucky DipLSOS and Insane Bolt. Too much going on for night photography
PMS eventually called the circle to order and went through the formalities.
PMS addresses the circle
The hares were called into the circle to describe the outstanding trail that had been set for their running enjoyment.
Those are marksThese are marksThat is flagging
Of course there would be challenges on this trail. The darkness coupled with the high quality ice will make for some interesting hashing. The hares have premeditated a challenging trail that would be the subject of much discussion after the run was completed. The flagging tape colour was red! 10 playgrounds!
Marks like this will be difficult to find on trail
The pack was dispersed to find suitable marks. Not wanting the group to miss the fun bits of the trail, the hares were very helpful in pointing out the marks that would lead the pack to a good outcome.
Dark, icy conditions, poor footing, limited marks made finding and running the trail an opportunity to demonstrate the superior trail finding sense of some of the enthusiastic hashers.
Off we goLike lemmingsHoping to find the marksLet’s travel in a packTighten up the formationReturn from the false trailFinally, a parkWe are having so much fun!
Big moon, small hashers on ice
Lots of headlightsGlistening on the iceDaisy charges onPlaygroundWhere to start?Fun times here
Pathways, sidewalks and alleys offered some interesting challenges.
High quality ice to navigate
More pathways in the darkOPP with a backpack friendOPP testing the blue ball machineKK on small spring loaded ride on toy
Lazy demonstrates correct use of the blue ball play thing
Hardly finished playingProof of markingAnother ParkRashy ready to playSwarm the rope trap
Eventually, the run was done and suitable refreshments were available from the beverage stash in the vehicle.
Early regroup – where are the fast people?
Some arrived early, others arrived later depending on how much of the trail they chose to run. The group then headed over to the Station Pub in Riverbend for the closing ceremonies.
The Down Down’s
The group has a private section at the Station pub in the glow of the big screens with the football game provided for entertainment.
Tighty Whitey volunteered to be the Religious Advisor for the down down’s. He prepared his program as we got ready to celebrate the end of the run.
Watch me – not the footballDown Down fuel
Tighty Whitey went to work to call out a number of transgressions and crimes.
Choir chosenComplimentary nachosPMS pays homage to Thunder TitsThis food is fantastic!Look at this natural features!Liquor Lots for causing a commotionSomething happened hereHaresDog offencesNot sure what this one is forHump and On InMucky Dip – Lost the trail but found the regroupIntrepid hashers that did the bonus distance!Hash Shit exchangeInsane Bolt did something to deserve the onesie of shameStretchy is good!
Ready to go for next week
PMS – why her!All done – on the piss!
With the program delivered, Tighty Whitey declared us “on the piss”.
Scribed by Skewbic Hair.
Trail Summary
The keen Hashers covered something like 9.5 km. The abbreviated trail was something less that 6 km. All in all, an fine Thunder Tits Memorial run.
Hash Extra
Here is some bonus material for those that are artfully inclined. Tourist pictures showing lights and other nice things.
LightsKK all lit upHigh ladder requiredMoon or street light?
In a most conniving fashion, the Hash Mattress (PMS) used charm and persuasion to entrap potential hares weeks ago. With the line, “are you able to set trail for us in the future? ” The answer is “yes”, thinking it has been more than a few weeks since I last set trail. Then she delivers a date which is weeks or months ahead in the future. Foolishly I said “OK” and the trap was sprung.
Over the recent weeks the weather had changed from “nice fall” to “full on winter”. When it came to set the trail, it was frosty and snowy. Nevertheless, with the help of Dastardly, a trail was planned and delivered, much to the delight of the hashers that live for this.
The Lakeview neighbourhood has a network of walking pathways which are narrow and disorienting. Perfect for a hash run. In addition, the theme of “make them pay” was observed with many outstanding check backs which the hash discovered, once lead to the best marks to find them.
Surprisingly, the run day was blessed with chinook weather conditions. Warm winds blew in, a feature which we see in Calgary, and the temperatures were above freezing.
The pack assembled in the pub prior to the run. I am sure that they had no idea of what fun was in store for them.
Starting point for the run
Happy hashers minglingWaiting for PMS to get us going
PMS was keeping track of time, and announced that it was time to go out and circle up.
PMS getting the circle readyStoolie and Rashy BushHot Quickie, Mmmm Lady Fingers and CamshaftTwisty, wishing she was in MexicoSlow Clap, Hot Cheeks and Mucky DipPyro, ready to goDastardlyTighty Whitey and Lazy CummerBlue Balls and Roaring NancyHardly, wishing he was in MexicoMenage-a-t TroisKarate KlitPoppy with Liquor Lots
PMS went through the formalities. An archive, Hot Quickie, has rejoined the group after a long absence. Hares were called in and the marks were explained. As the scribe was a hare, he forgot to get photographic evidence of the marks. The flagging was yellow! The pack was released into the planned confusion to start the trail.
The Trail
An abundance of check backs were set at the beginning to destabilize the pack. It seemed that the true trail was elusive until they crossed the street and were rewarded by marks in the alley.
Not this waySuckers… a check backStill lookingYes…cross the street and it will be goodSo they did!
Through the alley to what seemed to be check backs in all directions. The cunning hares had now chosen “cross country” through the deep snow for the pack. There was not much rejoicing.
Orienteering sectionThe snow gets in my shoes
Some of the features of the Lakeview community include some major roads with associated pedestrian bridges. Sounds like a good plan to acquaint the pack with the sights, sounds and smells of urban exploration.
Under Glenmore TrailPedestrian bridge with a nice glazing
What every hash needs is an abundance of playgrounds. Thankfully, these were delivered for the group to exercise their playfullness.
SwingsClimbingNot too much pushingLiquor Lots climbing for the topSlow Clap and Hot Quickie figuring out this oneTime to move on
It was not time to find more checkbacks before we took the pedestrian bridge back to Lakeview over Glenmore Trail.
ViewpointWhere do we go?
Through Lakeview, pack was introduced to the maze of small walkways that go behind the houses.
Neighbourhood trailsExcessive lightingWatch out for cougarsHappy walkers
Apparently, there were hashers that were pressed into community service. Such a shame it was not a beer truck.
More marks, checks and playgrounds before the long alley section that lead back to the regroup.
Best regroup ever!
Through some sort of decision making process, it was decided to do the down down’s outside. It was warm enough and minimizes the use of expensive pub beer.
Down Down’s
Camshaft was pre-conscripted as the Religious Advisor by Hump the Shark. He got his act together as organized the ceremony. Rashy and Stoolie were nominated as choir and we were ready to go.
RA – CamshaftChoir – Rashy and Stoolie
The program unfolded with a series of acknowledgements, rewards and crimes.
Hot Quickie for remembering to come outMucky had her hair done for the groupPMS and LC, likely a sexual offenceOPP – Came late, but she came!Hot Cheeks – Ran so hard she blew out a strap on cramp on
The RA eventually came around to acknowledge the hares for their valiant effort at setting the best trail for those check back enthusiasts. Those that were looking for distance were not disappointed.
Hares! – Skewbic Hair and Dastardly
Eventually, the RA ran out of material and received a down down for a fine performance and declared the group “on the piss”.
The pack retreated to the Bella Roma to sample their beer and pizza. They looked after us well and we will come back!
Slow Clap and Karate Klit discuss the importance of having good chalk
Scribed by Skewbic Hair
Trail Summary
The true trail was 5.3 kms. For those that got sucked into the checkback vortex, the numbers were more like 8.5 km. I did not hear much complaining, but I was not really listening. First map is in miles…
A Drinking Club with a Running Problem — The Calgary Hash House Harriers
