Bunya nuts

Our latest Hash Weekend Away saw 19 of us heading back up to the Bunya Mountains for the first time in a few years - and imbibing (amongst other things) a healthy dose of culture at the Jimbour Opera festival.

Jimbour Cool: What do you think? Is this more like a Country Road ad or an album cover?

On Friday evening Payback presided over one of his traditional cheap-wine-tasting competitions, which we took very seriously. Alas! Most of us had not put in enough practice, as our woeful scores indicated. Memories of school reports came back to us as Payback made his comments: "a disappointing effort"..."could do better"..."results indicate a lack of commitment". The starring performance was by Eweshggr, who scored a massive 5 out of 10! A lifetime of dedicated plonk-drinking clearly pays off!

On Saturday we headed off to Jimbour Homestead. Some were early enough to catch the orchestra and soloists in rehearsal, as well as having a wander around the manicured gardens.

A couple of hours of serious music appreciation followed, with both Superhacker and Shockjock getting into the spirit of things - each in their own way.

In a slightly truncated Christmas in July celebration Payback played Santa on Saturday evening.

And some of us did find time over the weekend to take to the national park trails:

Meanwhile, in Alaska, Charcoal sported a Samford Hash shirt in the foreground while Denali sported an ice costume on the horizon. He was later snapped wearing a Yaraka shirt (acquired during our 2016 excursion) on an Alaskan glacier. It's a long way from Yaraka!

Here's a great glacier shot by Strine:

And here's a view of an Alaskan beaver dam for those who didn't realise that beavers are also swimming animals:

Back in Samford, a hardy and jolly group of stay-at-homes staggered to the pub after a bit of a circuit.

Next run details
When: Sunday 4th August, 4 pm
Where: Mungarra Reserve, Affleck Avenue, Petrie. A map!
Hares: Budgie and Miss Behavin'

On, on!

Downhill all the way

"Downhill all the way," said the hare. "Story of my life," muttered Payback. Neither statement was true. On a typically crisp and clear Dayboro afternoon we enjoyed a circuit that went up and down and up and down and back and forth along false trails, ending up with an inspiring ascent of the hares' driveway. Was this the first time we'd had the route completed by both bike and horse as well as Shank's pony?

A beaut Thai curry - served out of one of the biggest pots you've ever seen - was followed up by apple crumble, ice cream and custard. Many, many thanks, hares, for the walk/run and your hospitality!

Miss Demeanour couldn't resist trying out her skills as an equestrienne:

Home on the range:

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world...

Hugandkiss and Mile High were drinking champagne on the platform at St Pancras Station:

Upstanding and Idle Vice were drinking in the music of the hills:

And Charcoal and Strine were beer-drinking and bear-watching in Alaska:

The culture vultures among us will be walking/running in the Bunyas next Sunday. The stayathomes will meet at John Scott Park and repair thereafter to a neighbouring hostelry.

Next run details
When: Sunday 28th July (4 pm for the stayathomes)
Where: The Bunyas for the Bunya crew. John Scott Park for those still in town.
Hares: M. Promptu. Those meeting in Samford will follow up with a pub meal.

On, on!