A burial ground, a brewery, and a birthday

We met for Haughty's birthday run on land that was once part of the old Paddington cemetery - in the Baptist section (it was important not to be buried with the Catholics back then!) You'll find part of the history of the cemetery - in use from 1844 to 1875 - in this post from the Queensland Archives. Of course the cemetery extended beneath what became Lang Park. As the Archives post notes, "Many of the bodies remain on the site today, truly dwarfed by the massive structure above, and making Suncorp Stadium truly hallowed ground."

You can make out some of the territory we traversed in this old photo. In the back you can see Old Bishopsbourne, and in the centre left Christ Church, Milton. The brewery that we circled now occupies much of the ground between these points:

Enough of history. People had been spooked by getting parking tickets on our last venture into the city, but there weren't any events on at the stadium, and we're pretty certain that no-one was penalised this time in this quiet bit of the inner west. It's a hilly area in general, but our route avoided the truly punishing bits, ending up with an absolutely flat on-home past the stadium. And apart from the historical sites, there was plenty of upgraded real estate to gawp at en route.

Here are some pics, courtesy of Floater, Banger, Culture and Cash Converta.

Runners in front of the Old Bishopsbourne chapel:

 

 

Scenic views, and the back of the brewery:

 

 Hallowed ground:

 

 

 

A magnificent tree, and an artist at work:

  

Back home:

 

Next run/walk details

 
When: Sunday 31st August
Where: John Scott Park, Samford Village
Hares: M. Promptu will set the trail; Potluck will cater (please bring something to share).

On, on!

 

"Stunning! Superlatives fail!"

"Words simply can't capture the grandeur of the outlook from this architect-designed home! You'll be staggered by the unparalleled uninterrupted sweeping views over the whole of the northern part of Brisbane, to Moreton Island and beyond. As evening falls, the limpid distant blues and greens give way to a profusion of twinkling lights in the velvet darkness, and you can make out below and beyond the glow of Caboolture, Redcliffe, the port of Brisbane, the city...and trace in the far distance the planes circling in to land over Moreton Bay...." 

You: "Come on, it can't be that good, can it?" 

Me: "It can and is." 

You: "Can't be." 

Me (turning pompous): "For once, the RE-speak falls short. It's a knockout view." 

You (annoyingly literal): "So people really were out for the count?" 

Me: "Go boil your head."

It's been a while since we were on the deck at Trudi Fruti and B&W's Jolly's Lookout lookout and it was a beautifully clear crisp afternoon to enjoy it. While Warren the master pizza chef slaved in the kitchen, we were taken on a trail that led us down and down a ridge towards Camp Mountain...and of course every metre lost in elevation had to be gained on the return. Our hares had left the quad bike out of the shed in case it was needed to rescue anyone unable to make it back, but it wasn't called on. And Prattle, who has a bit of a reputation for getting lost at Jolly's Lookout, found enough flour to get home. 

Congratulations to B&W for his excellent fire trail maintenance, and for surviving the incident where a machine ran over his leg half-way down the track! 

Back on the deck we relished the views, the home-made pizza, the brisket and salad...and a birthday cake in honour of Prattle! Many, many thanks to our hares and ring-in Warren!

Here are some images from the occasion, courtesy of Make an Offer, Saucy Sous and Culture:

Some views:

 The walk:

 Runners coming through:

 Pizza!:

 And more views:

 Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, Payback and Cash Converta were attending the baptismal celebrations for a future hasher:

Next run/walk details
When: Sunday 24th August, 4 pm
Where: Neal Macrossan Park, Paddington. There's no game on at the stadium, so plenty of street parking should be available. A map!
Hares: Culture and Haughty

We suggest you bring chairs.
On, on!

Shedding the shackles

Our hare (and self-described Old Fokker) Upstanding celebrated his retirement from the paid workforce this Sunday with champagne all round. What is he going to do with his time now? - apart from playing tennis, hanging out round the men's shed, forming a therapy dog team with Gunther, tinkering with the Kombi, paddling, doing Pilates, forgetting all the defence secrets he's been party to, buying beer and washing up for the Hash...and setting runs? Congratulations! (Pics by Idle Vice and Snappy)

 

 

Occasional showers had not obliterated the blue chalk that led us through Wilston village, over Days Road and on to the Kedron Brook pathway (which was incredibly busy - haven't all those young people got screens to look at?). 

Points of interest along the way were the Hoarders' house, the Pilates studio, the Men's Shed, the rainbow, and the Yoga lawn at the library....(pics by Snappy and Culture)

The walk:

Somewhere over the rainbow:

 Six Proud runners:

 

Back at the hares' we formed a large circle around the back lawn. It was good to be joined by Miss Demeanour (who has been able to shed her wheelchair for short distances) and Shockjock. 

Next run/walk details
When: Sunday 17th August, 4 pm
Where: At B&W and Trudi Fruti's Jolly's Lookout eyrie
Hares: Trudi Fruti and B&W

Please bring chairs. And if you need directions for this run, please email us.

On, on!

Hardy Boys (and Girls)

A smallish but indomitable bunch of hashers braved the arctic conditions and gusty polar winds this last Sunday. We were all well wrapped-up and not even the hardier runners took their jumpers off. As promised by our hares, conditions were a bit more sheltered once we got into Bellbird Grove, but not much. It's been a while since we tackled the route, and we found the plantings had started to grow up significantly, and that council had been resurfacing the track. No cold and muddy shoes this time...or at least, no colder than anything else.

We headed back to the usual Upper Kedron playground to huddle under the shelter and enjoy some cold drinks and warm food. On this Four Dog Night the dogs themselves seemed very happy to be draped with the blankets that Culture had brought along....Many thanks to our hares Leave Pass and Racey!

Here are some pictures from the occasion, courtesy of Idle Vice, Culture and Snappy.

Walkers:

Back at the park:

On the previous evening, Culture and Haughty had celebrated 50 years of marriage, and several hashers were able to make it along (it was great to see the wheelchair-bound Miss Demeanour and her carer!). Despite a request for no gifts, a number of much-appreciated bottles made their appearance, plus this stunningly beautiful arrangement of proteas, banksias and leucadendrons, a gift from the Hash:

 

 

Haughty and Culture were quite overwhelmed and very grateful! Thank you! Payback took this saucy shot, though unfortunately it was a bit too chilly to fully replicate the sculptural pose he was hoping the pair would copy:

Next run/walk details
When: Sunday 10th August, 4 pm
Where: Idle Vice and Upstanding's Wilston mansion
Hares: Upstanding and Idle Vice

Please bring chairs. And if you need directions to this run, please email us.

On, on!