31 Mar 03

The pack gathered near the swings in the park. Was this some sort of indication of the mental age of the Hashers, or what?? Returning this week were Wayne and Elizabeth (who signed in as Elizabeth Mystery, which could bring about an undesired association) and, returning home to Albury Wodonga from warmer climes, was Gobbler, late of Sunshine Coast H3.

At the appropriate time, Kunoath gave the instructions (No Hills, Yadda Yadda, no Creeks, Yadda Yadda) and told the pack that trail commenced on the footpath (but no markings) and headed toward the creek. A two-way after the path junction had Bandit checking along the roadway and Bobcat checking along the creekside path. "Creekside" is a bit of a misnomer, for, as Bandit found when returning from his check, the Creek was well and truly dry. Another two-way at the path junction just over the "creek" had Bobcat checking back up the bank of Huon Creek and Bandit checking downstream alongside of House Creek. Bandit quickly came upon a 360 degree check at the path junction, so Bandit continued along the Creekline and Bobcat checked the path that led into Longford Crt.. Finding three arrows, Bandit called "On On" and had the pack following, and overtaking, him when, after about 800 mtrs, the dreaded false trail was found.

So it was back to the 360 degree check, with the pack being called into Longford Crt., this time by Bobcat, only to find, after a couple of hundred meters, the dreaded false trail and, again, having to return to the 360 degree check.

Bandit was eyeing off a non-existent trail into the undergrowth rather than heading up the dirt trail but was soon called "On" by the front runners. "On" to the dirt, "On" up the hill, up and up to another Two-way, with, of course, the pack being called "On Up" still higher. But it soon became apparent that this was another false trail and that the real trail led back into civilisation, leading through the houses and parklands, eventually winding up at an "On Home" in the grounds of the Murray Valley Private Hospital.

Nosh was more Snags in bread and Down Downs went to Wayne and Elizabeth (who missed DD's last time for their virgin runs), Gobbler for her virgin run with AWH3, Kunoath for the run and Bandit for there being no Ginger Beer for the DD's and for wearing New Shoes.