The Only Way is Essex

Or just about - Monday Evening Hash on Essex/Suffolk Border

The Lamarsh Lion Inn,  Near Bures

Most people will say, when asked about Essex, 'oh yes it's flat' but last night on the Monday evening Mersea Island Hash House Harriers run it was anything but. We were, of course, right on the border of Essex and Suffolk. It is such a beautiful part of the country and the views were well worth the effort of trying to run up the hillsides.

We set off from the pub on a quite cold evening and everyone was keen to get going to ward of the shivers. We were soon warm once we had descended into the valley where it was much more sheltered and then when we climbed again we were sufficiently warmed up by the effort to have forgotten all about being cold.

Becci by Matilda (my mini clubman) and the others waiting in the
cold for the off

• The off
• The hills are alive
• Beauty all around us
• We return triumphant and quotes of the evening
• Run recap

The off

Once everyone arrives were are given a few instructions and tonight we were told there would be the option in a couple of places for a less strenuous route. 

Despite the fact that we have not yet reached the longest day it was quite a dark evening.

Hashing is great for meeting new friends
as David was finding out

The hills are alive

One of the odd features of a hash is the idea that you run up a hill and reach a pile of sawdust which instructs you to run back down the hill to the back runners and then run back up again. Of course, this means that everyone is happy as the slower runners are never left behind and the fast ones are busy wearing themselves out.

It started innocuously enough with a flat road through a pretty village

It wasn't long before we were stopping to decide which of three directions our trail would be taking us and the game is to hang about a bit to see which one appeals to you most or whilst gaining clues from the Dead Hare (the HHH who laid the trail earlier). We thought he might have given us an idea of the direction we needed to go in when he chose to go with the easier route and we took the longer way.

And when we were up we were - not up as we had to turn
round and run back down but the view of the
church and half timbered house was worth it

A beautiful evening for HHHing

Beauty all around us

There is no doubt that we are as about as far removed from the "Towie" landscape in this part of Essex as you could possibly be. On the border of Essex and Suffolk with undulating hillsides and picture box thatched cottages in idyllic villages being out on a hash fills you with such a sense of wellbeing.

The Friends of Holy Innocence Round Tower Church in Lamarsh
one of 6 in Essex

The camera never does it justice but the view across
to the far hillside was delightful

Traffic free lanes

An Essex Bed & Breakfast painted in a traditional ochre colour

Everything is flourishing this year in perfect growing conditions

There is nothing so romantic as a traditional thatched cottage
nestled on the edge of the village green

A Hasher disappears
down the lane between two beautiful cottages

As well as the beauty of the English countryside on a summer evening we were also treated to the wonderful experience of running through wildflower meadows being careful not to tread on the fauna of course.

A rare sight
(no not Becci tiptoeing through the tulips)
a wildflower meadow in summer

We return triumphant and quotes of the evening

Once again I found nothing spurs you on like the call "on home" when you have had the most marvellous evening run and a cool drink awaits.

As well as the funny signs you find especially at the pubs there is always something said that makes you glad to be part of the human race and tonight was no exception:

• "NETTLES .... arghhhhh!!!"
• "Man goes to the Doctor and prods various parts of himself with his finger and saying that it really hurts - Doctor's diagnosis 'broken finger'" (tonight as well as sharing sweets we had joke time - a welcome distraction)

How cute is that to say all the eggs were sold!

There was also time for making more friends as we followed our route:

No Becci really I don't think you can hitch a ride!

Run recap

Oh boy did I find it hard to get going  but Becci said how often do you start a run with a huge uphill? That made me feel a bit better but I am finding it very difficult this summer to get into a rhythm and settle into my favourite pace.

The hashes can be quite fast and it is easy to get a bit carried away and not pace yourself as you do not know what is round the corner - literally. Last night was no exception and there were some almighty hills which I did not manage to photograph as I was too busy trying to get up them!

Overall this has to be one of the most fun things you can do in your running life and it makes me so happy that Becci introduced me to H3.