Long journeys, a long innings and a long table

To kick off our Christmas in July 2021 celebrations, our hares took us on a well-marked and pleasant ramble around the Ferny Grove and Upper Kedron area. Strava and Google disagreed about the length of the walk, and Tatty accordingly called for a down, down for the hares....But there was no debate about the length of the table which accommodated 30 of us plus a baby (and there were a couple of other tables of young'uns elsewhere as well.)

Shaggy and his random number generator presided over the distribution of Secret Santa gifts, and in the absence of Le W*mk it seemed everyone was pretty happy with what they received.

We feasted on traditional turkey and trimmings followed by Christmas pud...or at least on some tastier Malaysian substitutes:

Banger tackles his second helping of chocolate rice pudding:

Many thanks to our hares for the walk and run, and for organising the festivities!

We welcomed Shockjock and Miss Demeanour, back from a very long journey into the red centre - made longer by a border closures as they were about to enter South Australia. They took some spectacular shots...and here's a selection of views from The Territory:

Elsewhere (in the UK), Thursday 29th July marks 60 years since B-Flat and Malpractice were featured in this picture -

What an impressive innings! And congratulations to them both!

Superhacker notes that there are some other members of Hash who'll be achieving a Diamond award shortly as well. She also passed on a Dad joke from Malpractice, which goes like this:

"After the recent protests in London the Met Police reported that all the Portaloos were stolen. When asked by the BBC if they had any leads, the Chief inspector said they had "nothing to go on""

Boom, boom!

Finally, another milestone - yet another Hash mum finds herself outstripped by a stripling:

Next run/walk details

When: Sunday 1st August, 4 pm

Where: Upstanding and Idle Vice's Wilston hideaway

Hares: Idle Vice and Upstanding

Please, please bring chairs! Our hares have gone minimalist and now sit on the floor!

(and if you need directions to this run, please email us)

On, on!

Call that a river?

Many who go over the big long high bridge that spans the South Pine at Cash's Crossing would be amazed to find that a couple of km downstream the river is a trickle going through a few little pipes in the middle of a horse paddock. But so it is. And when it really floods, then a lot of the turf farm and sports fields we passed this last Sunday must be a spectacular sight - a broad stretch of shining water.

Our hares took us on a flat riparian walk and run along not just a stretch of the South Pine, but also a pretty section of Albany Creek. The runners added a diversion upstream to Turtle Cove - but the turtles were feeling too cold to swim up and say hello.

Back at the new picnic area beside the horse paddock Cash Converta treated us to a huge and tasty feast of pasta, salad, a gluten-free option, a vege option -and dessert! What a spread!...as the B said to the A.... Many thanks to our hares for a well-marked run/walk, and a great meal!

Everyone well wrapped up:

And Culture's sunset shot:

Next week - on the 25th July - we're celebrating Christmas in July! As discussed in the circle, we're doing Secret Santa ($10 limit - either unisex, or male for male, female for female), a Christmas tree, and a traditional Malaysian Christmas meal. Thanks to Shaggy and Cadbury for making the arrangements....

Next run/walk details

When: Sunday 25th July, 4 pm

Where: Ferny Grove Sports Club, corner Tramway St and Samford Road, Ferny Grove. A map!

Hares: Shaggy and Cadbury. Top quality Malaysian meals at the Sports Club.

(If you haven't let us know you're coming, please email us.)

On, on!

Hooray! A drink stop! And (hooray!) a brazier!

As wrapped-up hashers were called in for the Chalk Talk, we were cheered by the sight of the firewood piled on Dingo's truck:

Locals Snappy,  Escargot and Dingo took us on some Mt Nebo trails we had no idea were there. And very scenic they were, as well as being (as the hares assured us) really, really flat....

We very rarely have a drink stop...and the sight of Snappy set up with port-and-lemon at the top of one of the slight inclines provided a very special moment on the trail:

Leave Pass sprinted to get to the grog...

while these runners slowed down as they approached, so as not to blur the shot:

Here are a few more images of scenic walkers on the scenic trail (which incidentally included part of the Brisbane Trail Ultra route from earlier in the weekend):

Back home, we were treated to a heart-warming 3-course meal featuring soup, crumble and ice cream. And were enjoyed a memorable circle around a blazing fire:

Many, many thanks to our mountain hares!

[Photo credits: Snappy (as always), Banger and Cash Converta]

Next run/walk details

When: Sunday 18th July, 4 pm

Where: John Leitch Memorial Park, Leitch's Road South, Albany Creek. A map!

Hares: Payback and Cash Converta

Please bring chairs!

On, on!