When things go way wrong

Not your usual recce. For a start, it's 22km long. (And please don't use this to guide you on Saturday's run or you too will end up at the Big Tree, if you're lucky.)

Out on recce yesterday I mistakenly went down the back side of the main hill where we'll be running on Saturday. It's not very nice back there -- lots of impassible country, little rubber and no people, and only a few trails. The only one I could find took me farther and farther from the runsite, till I came out at a village I thought must be near Route 43. So when I hit a decent dirt road (upper right above), I turned right on it, thinking it would take me back parallel to 43.

That's when I happened upon the only person I'd seen all day, a young guy jogging. I asked him if the road came out near Wat Noen Phijit. He didn't even seem to know the name, which wasn't a good sign. And he said the road didn't go anywhere but just disappeared into the hills.

I was tempted to try it anyway but it was getting late and for once I took the advice. I turned around, heading even further away from the site. Only when I came out, after 10km of walking, did I realize that I was all the way up at the Big Tree. Heading any further down that road into the setting sun would have been a bad choice.

Suddenly the guy reappears, this time on a motorbike insisting he take me back to my bike. And so he did, a good 12km -- 24km roundtrip for him -- and then refused even the gas money I offered. Oh, and Mr. Trump, he was Muslim. Just like the guy who saved me from the wasps.

We all know it but it's worth noting again now and then: in addition to some of the best hashing country anywhere, we also have some of the most friendly, helpful locals we could ever hope for. And it's just as well, because after all these years it seems I'm still doing moronic things out there. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one.

Several good reasons to remember the 30th December

Ok, so Perky didn't like the Karaoke, but apart from that, last New Year's Eve Eve was a memorable evening if for no other reason than it was announced that Beaver and Handjob had tied the noose, err... knot (strange Freudian slip there, ed).

So the question is, what dramatic developments will be revealed at this year's event. Will Stick Insect finally accept the inevitable and announce his nuptuals? If so with whom? Will Egghead finally come out of the closet as a boring old fart on state pension? No surprise there, then!

Only one way to find out - be there! Same place same time same date: Buk Toy's yard (Gold Star), 6:00 p.m., 30th December (a Wednesday this year as it 'appens). Fancy dress is optional and freestyle, contributions of food would probably be well received and the alcohol advice is to bring a little of what you fancy!

Christmas Full Moon

First things first; here's the run - possibly the most recce'd run in hash history as this was, more or less, the hares bread-and-butter training run for most of the first 7 months of this year  - 5.5k, pretty much flat and very predictable so that the pack were mostly back within 45 minutes apart from Buk Toy and Gan Yao who are beginning to show signs that they may not actually exist permanently in our part of the multiverse since they have both suffered a number of recent unexplained absences from the trail.
The earlier than expected arrival of the pack caused some consternation in the kitchen as the catering team struggled to coax enough heat out of the oven to get stuff cooked and Temp fought a largely unavailing battle with Softcock who was in charge of carving but seemed more interested in just eating the whole turkey!

But eventually the food was served and rather more quickly than it had arrived, it was consumed - down to the last leg bone which Ma Mick was seen consuming. All that remained for the late arrivals were a few vegetables and some Christmas pudding.

Traditional Christmas dinner - NOT!

Then it was on on to the serious business of the evening as the mountain of cases of beer just had to be tackled. Jim and most of the Vernacular wing departed at about 10 as some of them were seriously intending to do another run at midnight in Hatyai, but the Saffers and the "old guys" stuck it out, manfully doing their duty aided and abetted by Softcock's drinks cabinet just in case the beer wasn't hitting all the high notes.

By 2:00 p.m. the pressure was beginning to show and the  Saffers left on Kiiling's motorcycle followed shortly by Stick Insect and All Black, leaving just Yardo, Beaver and Egg to carry the flag. We shall draw a veil over the final fall of the curtain but Yardo couldn't have got to bed much before 4!

Palm Job feeling the pressure

Kiiling about to go for the jugular

The day after the night before

Sore head? Tired aching limbs?  Here's the answer!
Songkhla Hash House Harriers' run #1801, Saturday 26th December 2015, 4:30 p.m.
Hare: Sex Sprinter
Misdirections: From the Ko Yo intersection take the old Hatyai road for 8.5k and turn left for a little over 1k then turn left into Soi Soun Prek and follow the track to the runsite near the waterfall.
Hatyai H3 on Sunday is in Poonakan at the football field at Tungnai. Hares believed to be the same or similar to last week.
Now, where did I put that headache?

Christmas; Running: Buffet

Friday's Christmas Full Moon H3 run should occur roughly in that order with the missing ingredient being alcohol which not to put too fine a point on it, should be contributed in approximately equal proportions and varieties to that which you think it likely you will consume!

Food-wise, Softcock and Temp are sorting out the turkey and cranberry sauce, and the Egg family are already engaged in producing both a sumptuous range of seasonal veggies as well as the odd plum pudding, and there will even be a curry or two just in case you  aren't into traditional Christmas grub.  But further contributions are always welcome and the HH3 girls have already indicated that they will be adding to the pile. Booze-wise, we will be polishing off the remains of the beer and wine from last Saturday and as usual there have been pledges of cases of beer from our vernacular wing as well as the ever-present danger that Softcock's store of fine liqueurs and cognacs may not yet have been exhausted. But we are definitely going to need some more beer so don't come empty handed, as for once, Full Moon Special brew will NOT be on sale!

The run itself will be fairly modest and intended to do nothing more than work up an appetite without getting your feet wet. There will also be a short run if those of modest athletic appetites express the wish for one, which can either be done on the night or preferably by adding a comment to this post. And don't forget, if you do intend to run bring a hand/head light as the moon is unreliable at this time of year!

Details are:
Hatyai Full Moon Hash House Harriers run #124, Friday, 25th December 2015, 6:30 for 7:00 p.m.
Hare: Egghead
Misdirections:From the Ko Yo intersection take the old Hatyai road for 4k and turn left then go 5.2k (don't go straight ahead at 4k but follow the road as it bends round to the right) and turn right through the temple arch at Wat Borogam, then follow the road for 200m and turn right, keeping the temple wall on your left for about 300m. Turn left at the T junction and then after less than 100m turn right to the car parking area.

No news yet of the location of Saturday's SH3 run which will be set by Sex Sprinter who will no doubt reveal all on Friday evening - yet another good reason to come along and enjoy another running Christmas!

1800 thrambling

Saturday's 1800th run in all it's 5.5k glory - a bit more with all the falsies and the checkback but still quite short by long run standards. The short run in contrast starting only about 1.5k into the long run was quite long, but the head start of about 10 minutes was enough to get everybody to the beer stop pretty much together, except for the late-arriving Sperminator, who opted for the short short run and the errant Gan Yao who disappeared into another dimension,

Despite it's billing as the run that contained nothing new, the first section was terra incognita causing Sex Sprinter to have to ask directions from a passing local, Not that they did him any good, as, way-off paper, he went around the beer stop, discovering the in trail close to home, but then at least had the decency (or the thirst) to turn round and head backwards to the beer stop.

A raucous circle followed at which there was a special award for  Ru Man Kap in his capacity as GM of HH3 who have supported us unflaggingly this year, and Leigh was christened BarBIE - not sure how we're going to get that on a T-shirt! An equally raucous party ensued enervated by some large cans of 16% 'beer' donated as prizes by the returning Softcock who was also responsible for organising most of the games although the award for the best of the evening undoubtedly went to Temporary Relief for the traditional musical chairs which produced three winners as All Black managed to end up with Sex of the Man on her lap with BarBIE topping off the trio.

Late evening entertainment included In-u-endo attempting to mount his bike which showed every indication of not wanting to be mounted, and Yardstick dancing in the rubbish bin which also seemed to have developed female tendencies as it caused him to fall on his face in the mud, allegedly on 3 occasions. But full marks to Yardo for perseverance!

So it's On! On! to Christmas Day and the full moon 11th anniversary run of which more here anon; but gird your loins for 7:00 p.m. at the Eggylum!

Christmas comes early

A few shots from Saturday's Christmas-themed run at Thung Jaeng. On-on and ho-ho-ho!

Lucky sez: I'll wear mine if you'll wear yours.

Lucky look-alike Bozo (no relation
to Donald Trump) shows off this
week's suggested running accessory

This weekend' sees the  celebration of SH3's run #1800 and falling as it does in the week before Yuletide, the run will be Christmas themed with all runners being asked to wear a silly festive hat as well as any other items of Xmas kitch they fancy running in. There will probably also be a prize for the most appropriately Christmassy fancy dress during the evening which will follow.

The whole event takes place at Thung Jaeng and for a measly 100 Baht (50 Baht for kids, 200 Baht for previously unregistered guests) you'll get beer, food, karaoke and entertainment. There will also be a T shirt sponsored by the Egg family: active runners will get their usual size T shirt automatically and we are also donating some shirts to the staff at Thung Jaeng who have looked after us so well on too many occasions to recall, this past year. Returning runners and guests will have to take pot-luck, but everybody should get a T shirt eventually, even if they have to wait a couple of weeks for SS to print some more.

The run itself will be an A-B with 3 or 4 different length options to suit  everyone except Gan Yao who will no doubt make his own one up as he goes along! The whole thing will revolve around a beer stop sponsored by Pee Wee and Olive Oyle (who sadly won't be joining us as they are currently in the US making sure they get registered to vote for Bozo next year!). There is a slight clash with Jappong's funeral at 4:00 p.m., but anyone who can't make it to Thung Jaeng for the departure of the fleet of trucks to the A site at 4:30 p.m. will be picked up about 20 minutes later and taken to the start of one of the shorter run options, so everybody who wants to join in should be able to. 

Formal details are:
Songkhla Hash House Harriers' run #1800, Saturday December 19th 2015. Circle called at 4:20 p.m.. Transport to A site leaves sharp at 4:30 p.m. but any late arrivals will be picked up at 4:50 and taken to the start of one of the short runs.
Hares: Egghead, Only a Yolk, Peppered Pussy and Harram 
Misdirections: From The Kao Seng intersection take the old Yala road for 11k and turn right at the Ang Thong intersection into the new Yala road for 1.4k to the Tung Jaeng restaurant on the left (07 05 12.07 N 100 37 25.04 E). If you are coming from the Ko Yo intersection take the the new Yala road towards the Ang Thong intersection and take the final U turn (just before Ang Thong) and go back westwards for about 1.3k.

Hatyai H3's run on Sunday is at Thungnai opposite the school: misdirections are something like: From the Ko Yo intersection take the old Hatyai road for 4.6k and turn left for 8k then right (at Wat Keow Kloy into Poonakan) for about 5.8k then turn right and go about 600 meters to the run site on the left . The hare is Sex Si and probably Sex of the Man to name but two.

Jap Pong's funeral

 

Jap Pong's funeral will be at Wat Saket this Saturday at 4:00 p.m. She is currently lying in Sala 3 at Wat Saket and those of us who can are going to go along this evening (Tuesday) to pay our respects from about 6:30 p.m. 

Depending on how many people can make it this evening we will probably discuss the implications for Saturday's run as it probably wouldn't be impossible to delay the start by 30 minutes to allow those who would like to go to the funeral and to run to be accommodated. If you can't make it tonight but have a view on that one, your comments would be appreciated.

1799 - the run before the rest of them!

It's always nice to know where you've been, particularly as quite a lot of people  didn't seem to know where they were on Saturday, despite the fact that this is not exactly terra incognita! So full marks to the hares who recce'd and laid the run in relays. for confusing so many half minds.
The 5.8k trail, including all the falsies and the one check-back, which as Sticky points out was not found, did not unduly delay the pack who were home in about 40 minutes with some short runners taking a little longer. Modest praise ensued at a raucous circle which consisted mostly of advertisements for  the rest of the runs this year; of which more later...

Jap Pong

For those who haven't heard,Ad, known to hashers in Songkhla as Jap Pong, tragically took her own life yesterday. Details of her funeral etc. will be posted here when know.
RIP Ad

Coney explains the secret of his success

Conebrain, stuck in the perma-night of a Siberian winter has things on his mind he would like to get off his chest, like explaining why Erector currently looks like a member of a lady's darts team (he said it first Elle!). The following link will explain all:Better sex

The view from here

It's that time of year again when we contemplate the year almost finished and look ahead towards that which is still left to come. And as we  gaze towards the misty future, there laid out for our enjoyment we see...

Well, to begin with, on Saturday there is a run from Stick Insect aided and abetted by some or all of Pee Wee and Raccoon Ass. Details are:

Songkhla Hash House Harriers' run #1799, Saturday 12th December 2015, 4:30 p.m.
Hares from: Stick Insect Pee Wee and Raccoon Ass
Misdirections: From the Kao Seng intersection take the old Yala road for 8.8k and do a U-turn (immediately after the mosque). Go back 200m and turn left into the Soi at 7-11, then follow the road for 1.7k and turn right (or to be more precise, don't turn left) at Koh Teaw Layer Farm. Follow the road for 0.5k then turn right before the crematorium and park outside on the track (coordinates: 7.06.01.80 N, 100.37.09.04E)  From Hat Yai (or the outer reaches of Kao Roop Chang), turn right (or left if coming from KRP) at the Ko Yo Intersection into the new Yala road for 7.7k and turn left for 1.3k. Turn left (really left!) at Koh Teaw Layer Farm ...etc. 

Sunday's HH3 run will apparently again be set by Robocop, so expect no mercy! Details of where will be announced later to avoid shocking the weak-hearted.

Then, looking beyond this weekend, next Saturday (19th December) will be the SH3 1800th run which will be Xmas themed and celebrated in traditional style at Thung Jaeng with food, beer and games, and karaoke for the strong of stomach (or hard of hearing). Watch out for a special freebie and a run which is guaranteed to contain absolutely no new tracks and no previously un-run countryside! A modicum of fancy dress is strongly advised. 

Further into the future, the next full moon run will be held on Christmas Day (25th December) at Egg Towers and there will be traditional Christmas fare after the run with traditional full moon special brew liberally provided. There will also be the usual runs on Saturday and Sunday (26th and 27th December) as long as someone can be prevailed upon to set them after all that food and booze! 

Then finally before we slide gracefully into 2016, on 30th December there will be a New Year's party thrown by HH3 at Buk Toy's yard, details of which have only been announced in Thai so I have no idea what will be happening except that it will undoubtedly include everything listed above for the other events squared. There is also a T shirt available to mark the event, but times are hard (as old Scrooge would have said) and if you want one you will have to pay 200 Baht and pre-order it from Sex Sprinter before next weekend!

1798 - an artist's impression

More or less what the long run hares set, and exactly what the short run hare set. Horizontally a mere 5.2 k (2.9 for the short run) but vertically a total ascent of 235m to get to a maximum height of 241m, with the short run keeping their feet well and truly on the ground. So no points for subtlety nor for outwitting the short-cutting tendency who managed to cut between the 6th and 8th 360's by just ploughing down the hill, thus avoiding the nice gentle track that the hares had selected for them. Sex Sprinter was iced as the ring-leader with returnee, Short Screw, Palm Job and Stick Insect as more or less willing accomplices.
A democratic decision about the 1800th run followed, as did a predictable decision about the next full moon run which will fall on Christmas Day. More details later. However don't expect any surprises or innovation! But, Hell! we're a Hash!

Nice view!

Hatyai from ... well, you'll find out tomorrow - turn 180 degrees and there is Songkhla. Not too many places you can do that!
Details are:
Songkhla Hash House Harriers run# 1798, Saturday 5th December 2015, 4:30 p.m.
Hares: Egghead Only a Yolk and Swings & Roundabouts.
Misdirections: from the Ko Yo Intersection take the old Hatyai road for 6.5k and do a U turn then come back about 100m and turn left just before the CP Foods factory. Follow the road for 1.4k to a T junction (about 300 meters past the community center where HH3 have been wont to have their runsites) and turn left for 250m then turn left into the run site (N7.05.06.30. E100 32 30 76) on the left.

HH3 on Sunday is now scrutable: From the intersection at Wat Keow Kloy take Poonakan road West for 7.5k and turn left, then go 1.5k and turn right into the quarry. The runsite is up on the second layer! The hare is rumored to be Robocop, but we've heard that one before!