Mersea Island Hash House Harriers Monday Night Outing

On On from The Berechurch Arms

An inauspicious start from the back of the pub

One of the endearing eccentricities of Hashing is the giving of nicknames (known as a handle) by Harriers to their fellow runners usually it reflects some misdemeanour such as getting lost.  However,  if a runner gives themselves a name then the group will soon change it for something rude or insulting. Hashing should never be taken seriously!

The walkers getting ready for the off from the front of the Pub
it was just beginning to rain

This evening though no misdemeanours and we were soon leaving the pub and heading towards the fields of the Gosbecks Archaeological Park an important Iron Age and Roman site. It is well worth a visit if you get the chance.

It was refreshing whilst it was raining
but so humid and warm afterwards

We were quite a big group of runners and walkers again this evening. It has been glorious this summer but the little bit of rain was quite welcome and it was soon clear that we can now expect the evenings to draw in more quickly too. So we were going to have to be quick about it and we certainly seemed to be eating up the route at a rate of knots.

That's Mum and Son enjoying a jog across the fields -
wait 'til they see what lies ahead!

We were joined by a couple of The Commando Runners this evening and I wondered what they would make of the Hash House Harriers which is also known as drinkers with a running problem! They did seem bemused at the shouting and excitement over small piles of sawdust.

'Oh yes, Mum - cows!!' - Callum is clearly unafraid.

What is it about running and cows? It seems that Becci and I are not alone in our distrust of the bovine character and there was a lot of muttering  when it became clear we would have to make a route through the centre of the small herd.

Please don't run

I was thinking it would be safer as there were a number of us but by the time I had finished trying to get pictures I realised I was fast becoming one of the last going past the cows.

Mmmm...Deborah tries to assess how safe she is!

My problem is the young males - heifers - as they seem like unruly teenagers ready to assert their strength using a nearby runner as an excuse. This evening though they were all too chilled out to bother with us, thankfully.

Despite the rain the ground remained dry and not slippery and the evening turned really beautiful as the sun started to set and a coppery glow spread over the fields.

One of the great things about hashing - there's always time
for a quick chat

Since hashing I realised how little I really know about the history of Colchester and the surrounding areas but each time we have a run I get back and learn a little bit more by researching the area we visited. 

Interesting - no digging! What about leaving piles of sawdust?

We had the usual false trails, stops for route checks and sweeties and I am fast realising that Jelly Babies are my preferred choice of refreshment. 

Across the fields and through the Lanes

We crossed the Maldon Road and found ourselves back in the fields after a short run up a pretty Lane. Then the sun really was getting low in the sky and the Hares were keen to get us on our way home but not before we had a stop for some of our usual fun.

Hashing is for all ages and abilities - if you see the chance for
a short cut across the corner then go for it!

And he did!

There's always an uphill at some point

And some wild flowers

One of the most enjoyable part of the hashing is seeing everyone hanging on to their youth by their fingernails and convincing themselves that there is nothing that age will do to weary them. 

The sun may be setting but not enough yet to stop these keen runners

These Hares know what we MIH3's like - some swinging!

All too soon it was time to head 'Home' and back for a drink at The Berechurch Arms

Heading Home

It was a memorable evening especially poignant as it was the World War I 'Lights Out' remembrance between ten and eleven. Many of us would, perhaps, be going home and lighting a candle although I felt that the amazing sunset was in itself symbolic of the lights going out.

A pub who once had an Innkeeper widow who revelled in the name of
Temperance Biggs
clearly not on duty this particular evening

Thanks to our capable Hares for another wonderful Hashing evening.

Well I never....

• It pointed left or right so I went straight on (how to get lost on a hash)
• In the end I didn't finish laying the trail (how to get others lost on a hash)
• They missed the sawdust (how to get others lost on a hash)
• The sawdust has gone missing (how to get others lost on a hash)
• "you used to do body building didn't you" - "well, weight training and I could flex my boobs!" (urm...)

The Stats

See you all soon on another Mersea Island Hash House Harriers run....