Within the Triangle

Three years have passed since the last time we ventured into the Vobster Triangle - surely it would now be safe to return to that mysterious zone that surrounds the village and Mells? It was way back in April 2006 that Jonathan set the last trail from the Talbot Inn; Geoff disappeared for over an hour and three new runners, who were there at the start, have not been seen since.

So it was with some trepidation that we made our way eastwards into the dark, to the ancient village of Mells. Our journey was not helped by the fact that the locals appeared to have removed all the road signs pointing to the village. But 32 brave hashers made it to the pub for the off.

Clare had laid the trail well up to her usual high standard. We ran past scenic river valleys, ancient iron mines, rolling hills and fascinating architecture - or so she said as it was too dark to see any of it.

Angela brought new runners Laura and Emma from the Shepton Mallet Running Sisters who in turn brought Tom and Ross. Emma and Tom sensibly stayed with the pack but Laura and Ross mixed it with the keenies from the start.

Young Ross was on sick-leave from county rugby so was well at home in the mud and confusion. He disappeared within the first mile though and was initially put down as another victim of The Triangle until he appeared with Mike and others who had a chosen a more scenic route through a couple of hedges.

But all were accounted for back in the pub where we enjoyed the high ceilinged tythe barn with its painted mural, chilli crisps and Butcombe beer.

On On

replay this hash

Blood sweat and beers

Martyn's inaugural speech as GM was followed swiftly by us being unceremoniously lead up the road and pointed across yonder field. "What no checks" we moaned but we need not have worried as our hares had set one of the most complicated and interconnected routes since Norman's Woodland Foray of 1853. We crossed and recrossed our trail, ran through two villages, five streams, numerous woods and were chased four times by the same horse.

Declan lived up to his likeness to a spaniel by squeezing through stile gates designed for small dogs and leapt gates designed for large horses. Mike upset the local kids by stealing their football and Jo upset us all by finding all the checks.

Colin lost his head-butt competition to the tree and was galantly carted off somewhere by Jane for repair. Initial rumours that they had gone to Glastonbury hospital were later dispelled by their rapid return. The state of Colin's head suggested that B&Q's aisle 5 (glues and solvents) was a more likely destination.

On On

replay hash

Matt excels in the wet

Only a hardy few braved the weather and fewer still braved Matt's reputation for setting interesting runs. So it was only very few who set off from the Waggon n Horses to explore the paddy fields of Glastonbury.

BUT Matt surprised us all by setting a near perfect hash! He had numerous twists and turns, devious checks, swamps, bogs and mud galore. Best of all he had us back to the pub before 8pm where frozen toes where thawed in front of a real fire and thirsts quenched with decent real ale.

The AGM was as ever short and sweet with Rick performing the last rites on himself and handing over the Grand Master job to Martyn within 2 minutes. Norman narrowly won the vote to become the next Centurion, Mike became Hash Haberdash and a last minute flurry of interest restocked the social committee with Aidan, Laurie, Jane & Martin. Elly and Tony were persuaded to stay on in their posts for another year.

On On

replay hash

Our hare for the night, Matt with his mat.