Another year over

"So this is Christmas. And what have you done?" For the second week in a row, our opening quote comes from the rather uninspired pen of Mr Lennon. Good question, but. And each year at this time we look back over the hashing year to try to answer it.

It's been a quiet year, with a lot of fairly small gatherings, despite the fact that we haven't had to restrict numbers by law or do the BYO-everything thing (remember that?) We're still having to look over our shoulders to see if Covid-19 is stalking us, and a number of our members have come down with it in 2022 (some more than once). The latest casualties were Eweshggr and Flaps Down, who had to miss our Christmas party last week. We haven't done much overseas travel this year, and some of us had to deal with the dreaded lurgy during our trips around Queensland....

So what have we done? Here's a reminder drawn from the archives:

We...

- farewelled Superhacker and Hopalong 

- enjoyed a weekend away at Imbil, at which we were joined by Shaggy and Cadbury

- experienced some seriously wet conditions in February

- enjoyed an Easter egg run at Fitzgibbon

- got wet again in May, while some of our members were away camping (and with Covid)

- awarded Idle Vice the title of 2022 Mother Superior

- held one of the smallest meets ever, where the local ghosts perhaps outnumbered the hash members present

- had a Christmas in July weekend in Killarney marred for some by an encounter with an all too non-ghostly local

- named Nipper at one of many Dayboro meets

- named Sweet and Sour at a virgin run in Keperra

- walked and ran the Bridge to Nowhere

- awarded the Tight Jocks to B&W

- came as our real selves to the 2022 Halloween Run

- headed to Fortitude Valley for the 2022 Red Dress Run

- celebrated the end of the year at our Hash Christmas party

This last Sunday - Christmas Day - saw Haughty, Culture, and two other hashers meeting at Cedar Creek. We had a great time, but if truth be told we exercised our jaws and drinking arms more than any other bits of our anatomies....

And we need hardly remind anyone that next Sunday is New Year's Day. Could you please bring along 4 things:

1. Some leftovers for Potluck (to share)

2. Your favourite Christmas cracker joke (to share)

3. Your favourite New Year's resolution (to share before you break it)

4. A chair (sharing voluntary)

Next run/walk details

When: Sunday 1st January, 2023, 5 pm.

Where: John Scott Park, Samford Village

Hares: M. Promptu will set the trail. Potluck will cater. (And please see above for items to bring.)

On, on!

Hashy Christmas 2022

"And so this is Christmas. I hope you have fun" - perhaps not the most inspired lyrics by Mr. Lennon, but thanks anyway for the good wishes, John. Yes, we did have fun on Saturday night, and this post is packed with photos that prove it.

The theme for this year's Hash Christmas party was Oz Film and TV, and this clearly provided a rich vein to mine for costume ideas, ranging from the simple (Paul Hogan as stand-up comic) to the most elaborate (Queens of the desert), from the historical (Ned Kelly in the 1906 classic movie) to the up-to-date (Bluey), and encompassing along the way some of the most "iconic" and recognisable characters to feature on the Australian screen.

It was hard to get Priscilla the bus up the driveway, but this stunningly exotic couple managed it, and wowed us all with their fabulous costumes and make-up. Mile High and Hugandkiss, you outdid yourselves this time! Amazing!

Kath and Kel showed off all the right moves - and there were plenty of delighted screams as the effluent couple were joined by Kim. The latter had brought along a lifesaver she'd picked up at Summer Bay.

Mick Dundee turned up as well. That's a knife!

As it was a lively Saturday night we should have expected Ossie Ostrich. And Hoges came along with the bird:

Crikey! The Irwins were there! Crocodile Hunter and Dino Hunter as well!

Effie from Acropolis Now provided a bit of class, as did the mysterious Miss Fisher, and (of course) the Dame herself, complete with gladioli:

Classic children's TV was represented by one of the Twists from Round the Twist, and modern TV by Bluey:

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie have starred in a filmed musical as well as the ballet:

Drinks and nibbles on the patio were followed by an incredible meal on the deck and patio. Thanks to everyone for their contributions, and to Hash Cash for keeping us well hydrated:

And then it was time for Secret Santa. Everyone seemed happy with their gifts - no ointments of any kind this year!

Surprisingly enough, fifteen of us turned up the next day for a recovery run from the Ferny Grove Sports Club. The traditional wait for the M----s:

And the usual great meal from Little Nyonya:

Next Sunday is Christmas Day, so...anyone who wishes to turn up for a post-prandial stroll or scamper, and to share some leftovers, is welcome. The New Year's Day run will be a chance to share more.

Next run/walk details (for anyone who turns up - we're not expecting many (or even any)!)

When: Sunday 25th December, 5 pm

Where: Andy Williams Park, Cedar Creek. A map!

Hares: Culture and Haughty

On, on!

Keep it simple, stupid

Ahhhh....At this time of year, when we're all having to make complicated arrangements around our busy social calendars, it's nice to relax with an uncomplicated and familiar stroll around our home ground. And this last Sunday afternoon provided some super weather for it, and some brilliant views around the beautiful Samford Valley. Despite the efforts of the local Rural Fire Brigades to cloud the area in smoke, the air was clean and clear...and the temperature just perfect.

Here's a selection of Snappy's views from the walk:

Potluck, as usual, provided a wonderfully varied and sumptuous feast, as Snappy's shots demonstrate:

We're all looking forward to the 2022 Hash Christmas party this coming Saturday at Culture and Haughty's. Arrival at any time from 4. Direct any questions about catering to Culture. Hash Cash provides drinks. Theme: Oz Film and TV. Secret Santa pressies to approx $10 - male buys for male, female for female - or make them unisex.

Next run/walk details

When: Sunday 18th December, 5 pm (Recovery run)

Where: Ferny Grove Sports Club, Tramway St, Ferny Grove.

Hares: Upstanding and Idle Vice will set the trail. Catering by Little Nyonya Malaysian Kitchen at the Sports Club. The menu!

On, on!