The Pluses of a European Amalgam
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Our Hares
Is it just coincidence, but two runs ‘back to back’ with Nordic hares? In this week’s run we had Benny the Swede who is almost a Noggin and possibly even Noggin the Nod’s estranged cousin? After all they speak virtually the same native language. (Swedish is mutually intelligible with the Noggins, the Norwegians or Old Norse, by virtue of its phonology).
And if that’s not enough the next cute hash coupling this week was Benny with Manfred (aka Lost Patrol or even the Red Baron). Now I should be quick to point out here that we were implored by our masterful MC for the evening, for fear of upsetting our beloved Manfred that “Whatever you do, just don’t mention the War”. Such has been the misunderstanding over the years as to the true origins of our Manfred. So for the record he doesn’t hail from Austria and is far from being related to one war instigating and battle mongering Nationalist Socialist.
Thankfully times have moved on and instead we enjoyed the company of a thoroughly modern Benny from land…you know the country of “Dancing Queen” and “Mama Mia” …..and a true traditionalist from the peaceful land of Cuckoo clocks, smooth quality chocolates, serene glacial lakes and rugged snow capped mountains.
Manfred’s dashboard Cuckoo Clock and the ever ready bar of chocolate in his glove box.
In fact the pluses (as per their national flags) and their common national neutrality resulted in a run of true détente, skill and bush tracking magnificence.
The Run
Many runs have been launched from the car park of the Aquatic Centre and although excellent country many have been very predictable. Fresh blood brought fresh thinking and lots of renewed energy. Instead of following the ubiquitous water line pipe eastwards, our hares took us immediately under the pipe and directly downhill, along unfamiliar tracks; until we arrived at the first main junction where short walkers peeled off to the east and the runners were funneled downhill further through a myriad of freshly hewn bush especially for this run. This was the august work of dedicated hashmen of golden machete acclaim. It twisted and turned forever keeping the boys on their toes and guarding their eyes; eventually
bursting out into the open green fairways of Manly golf course. And what a wonderful contrast,…. leading the pack gently down towards Manly Dam. But wait….there’s more. More dense tunnel like bush twisted its way beside the upper reaches of the dam and then uphill to the confluence of yet another trail option. Yep! There was something for everyone on this run, from the infirmed knee-moaniers and the social(ist?) gossip mongers to our elite and polished athletes. And we all know who they are.
But “lady light” was not on everyone’s side. Whereas most came jogging in across the playing field shortly before evening fell to darkness, the likes of Tic-Toc and not least Major Disaster came limping in swathed in sweat long after the bucket had all but dried out in the heat of the summer thirst. I’ll be buggered what they do out there and how they get lost so easily, almost every week!. Methinks that the Hash Handle of Lost Patrol should be annexed to Tic-Toc and/or Major D.
But to a hashman the verdict of the run was “Superb” ’T’riffik”, “You-Beaut”, & “Loved-it”. It’s not often that there is unanimous agreement of a run …most especially with high accolades.
So on with the On-On
Swiss Tucker is different. Perhaps just as well and this Alpine menu was welcome change. And for those who are unfamiliar with what they ate, here is the menu…if you can understand it. .
Main Course
Bratswursp (the long pink sausage) See Hah Trash
Weisswursp (the shorter pink sausage) See Hah Trash
Sauerkraut with speck (diced bacon) incorporated to give it a better flavour
Bean salad courtesy of the committee and
Of Course a choice of European breads.
Desserts :
Apple strudel with Alpine cream.
Actually the strudel was fresh from the frozen summit of the Matterhorn, complete with white snow squirted across the top from an air freshener aerosol can..”cool as a mountain top”. Dessert spoons were utterly redundant, or if used would have looked like a train crash afterwards. Toothfairy undoubtedly would have received a few calls the next morning for denture fixing and realignment.
Manfred’s mate Sigi, the accordion maestro, was on hand to “oompah” his way into our hearts and favourite songs. A great entertainer and we should have him at a few more On-On’s as he is now familiar with us all after several guest appearances.
Last Card or his alter ego, Elsie Elle, was sadly missing for the night. His/Her Alpine coiffeur and hat contribution would have (‘scuse the pun) ‘capped it off’ for the night.
Humour was rife both on the tables and from the usual orators. All up it was one of those magic nights that every self respecting hashman would kick themselves to miss. In fact even a couple of strangers turned up. At first they were told it was a ‘Members Only’ event but when they protested that they WERE members, their faces gradually became vaguely familiar to us. It turned out that they were Bunny Trapper and San Francisco
Your Hash Journo
