Run Details

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BH7 #2464 : The Bull Inn, Shermanbury - We assembled in front of the pub at 19:00 sharp and Prince Crashpian announced that there would be no circle as there were no RAs. Apparently, a quiz had been arranged instead! As it was May the 4th, Cockburns, Caught Short, and Dipstck wore fancy dress for the occasion. So, the pack set forth across the road led by Wildsthing. We continued straight across a couple of stiles before we reached the first check. I checked left as WT continued straight and he found the trail, so I cut across the field to join the pack. Shortly afterwards we reached the first of many fishhooks, this one labelled “4 x 2” and 8 of us went back. Immediately after the fish hook was a check in front of Shiprods Farm and the trail went left; the next check was at the Adur riverside. Mudlark found the trail and called us on down the river bank with another fish hook (marked “4”) part way down. There was a check at the next bridge, and I crossed it and checked but was called back by Bathe It Daily who wanted a photo of the group on the bridge. After the photo, PC announced that if anyone wanted a short cut to cross the bridge and follow the trail until you see marks. Dippy decided to take advantage. The rest of the pack continued on past Abbeylands Farm and another fishhook marked 4. We turned left down Wineham Lane and left again down Fryland Lane with a couple of checks and several fish hooks (all marked “4”). We eventually turned left down a wide track; several more fishhooks later we reached a regroup. Caught Short pulled out some port and we all had a shot. There was a field full of strange looking red flowers. Everyone was wondering what they were. I got my phone out, took a couple of pictures, and announced that they were Crimson Clovers. We then continued on until Brighton Road, turned left and found ourselves back at the pub.

When we returned there was no sign of Dippy. Checking my phone there was a message: “Don’t wait for me, I am walking around the lake.” Why the heck did he take the short cut and then add extra distance?! Inside the pub, people were talking about the lovely flowers and Local Knowledge told everyone they were Lucerne (alfalfa), not Crimson Clovers, and that I shouldn’t trust an app. (I have uploaded my photos to several AIs and they all say they were definitely Crimson Clovers as the leaves on a lucerne are different, so it appears Local Knowledge was wrong). After enjoying our (very small) pizzas and Harvey’s Best Bitter on tap, PC handed out scoring sheets to each table and proceeded with the quiz. Wildbush and I were sitting with Wildsthing who answered every question himself with the exception of one: when was Star Wars originally released? Wildbush insisted it was released in 1978, but the correct answer was 1977. Thanks to WT, our table won the prize of Starburst lollies and we shared them out to everyone. For information, the US release date was 25/05/77, UK on 27/12/77, and Australia on 31/03/78. Next week's hash was announced as The White Horse, Ditchling with Peter Pansy and Penguin Shagger as our hares. On On – Keeps It Up

*** PLUS BONUS WALKER'S RE-HASH ***
There we were, at this week’s venue – The Bull at Shermanbury. Despite it being a Bank Holiday Monday, there was a good turn-out for Prince Crashpian’s Trail. Without our most highly-tuned athletes in attendance, there wasn’t going to be a Report for the Runners [ED: Until there was!] , so I did one for the Walkers …. Wiggy, Cockburn, On On Don, Wild Bush & Local Knowledge.

Off we went, across the road from the pub, into the water meadows opposite – dry then, as there has been so little rain. The Runners ran off (there’s a surprise!) and we the halt and the lame strolled along through green meadows, eventually turning towards the river where there was a suggested crossing point. But - !! – just there greeting us was a Notice of Temporary Closure, due to a bridge collapse. No problem, because at this point CB produced some magical port, of which we all had a snifter. Emboldened, we pressed on, past the Notice, and crossed a very strong bridge. What was the fuss about? Then we came upon a further bridge, surrounded by temporary fencing. Undaunted, WB undid the string, and we passed through. The bridge was actually slightly damaged on one edge, but the remainder was about 8 feet wide and fine, so no problem – no danger. It makes one wonder about the mentality of the H&S Jobsworth’s involved... Moving slowly on, we crossed another larger path, with 2 energetic cyclists racing along it. Back to the peace and quiet of our route, it took us along a narrow footpath on a raised ridge between undergrowth and watery gloom each side. Suddenly, we noticed a beautiful rusty-red deer in the field nearby, large ears pricked up, fixed gaze upon us. Even CB and WB stopped chatting at this sight … on we pressed, emerging near Ewhurst Manor, and then skirting a lovely lake fringed by yellow water irises – so pretty! A bit further down the main drive, there was the field PC had mentioned, a deep red swathe of some crop – most likely a form of Lucerne or Giant Clover. At the end of the drive we turned South, and headed back down the main road, passing all kinds of large properties with fancy names, until we made it back to The Bull.

Later, after replenishing our energies, PC had set up a Quiz about Star Wars, as there was no RA available. Some people got high scores, maybe 8.5 or more, possibly due to their younger age. Yours truly got 0. OOD.