Write Up of Recent Runs

Run No. 301 

Sunday 9th November 2025 

Location: O’Donohue Picnic Ground, Sherbrooke 

Hares: John “Kokup” and Judy “Punch” Leckie 

The day was overcast with showers, but this did not deter about 15 hashers from turning up for a most enjoyable run through the forest. The run site had a toilet but no shelter. Fortunately, the rain held off for the run and barbecue. Originally this was to be Nonstop’s run but due to injury he was unable to do it, so Kokup and Punch took over. 

At the start of the run the hare warned us of the need to be careful because of the muddy, slippery tracks. He especially warned us about slipping sideways on a section where the track traversed a steep slope. Although I did the whole run (minus on backs), I found the track muddy but not unduly slippery. The run went downhill through tall eucalyptus forest before climbing uphill to a wide grassed section running between the trees and the boundary of the park. A number of checks and on-backs meant that the pack was together at this point. The run then proceeded along an undulating track by the boundary before plunging downhill back into the forest to a small stream. This section of good running meant the pack split between the fit and the not so fit. Just before crossing the stream the runners and walkers trails split leaving the runners to a steep and muddy climb up from the stream to a section of level running beside Sherbrooke Road with at one stage a very small deviation around an ANZAC memorial. Finally, the trail left this track to go back into the forest for some downhill running to the drink stop. Just before the drink stop where Hackett Track (in trail) joined Edgebrooke Track (out trail) the hare had done some good work in obliterating the out trail markings and replacing them with in trail markings in the other direction. 

The drink stop was just off the track, on the other side of a small stream, reached by crossing on a narrow dam wall. After this we all made a small deviation to see the waterfall (actually a series of cataracts rather than a waterfall). It was then uphill returning on the out trail to the picnic ground. All in all, a very enjoyable run through a wet eucalyptus forest with plenty of checks and on-backs including one off Hackett track into the trackless forest. Maggot and 4 Pack were the only runners to find it, running through the bush and over fallen trees to a dead end in a magnificent fern grove, but it had the desired effect of reducing the gap to following runners. 

E&B and Pol Pot were enjoying the walk through the forest and they managed to follow the correct trail over a runners On-Back and Check. Addon had the walk map, but somehow ended up well behind them. They were first to the Drink Stop across a narrow weir wall and despite E&B’s misgivings, she managed to get across with encouragement from Pol Pot to find the drinks stash hidden behind some ferns. The wall offered a built-in sobriety check – either you walked back across it sober or fell 2m into the Creek below. The hares supplied drinks at the drink stop plus salads and cake, but someone forgot to pack the condiments, so there was no Tomato sauce!. (See Charges) 

Run report by NickelB & walk report by E&B. Thanks to Dripping Wet for contributing photos. More on the FM WhatsApp site. 

Charges

•  Returnees: Add On 

• Hares: Kokup & Punch 

• Moppy Attended Run 300 five weeks ago, but sadly departed on 2 November. RIP Moppy 

• Maggot, Dripping Wet Late arrivals 

• Panty Leaver & Diplomatic Cucumber Ultra late arrivals 

• Tangles Rushed out & left his lunch behind 

• Pol Pot Rushed out & left his red wine behind 

• Kokup Packed too much beer & forgot to pack the condiments

•  NickelB Long, long, long run report and has not lost his memory

•  NickelB, Lotsafun & Dripping Wet Shortcutting past the ANZAC memorial 

• Tangles Manufacturing charges 

• Addon Had the map, but was behind the other walkers instead of leading the way

•  Leave a Tip Passed the ANZAC monument onto Monument track and he was on a monumental run and didn’t get Klingon’s joke 

• E&B, Panty Leaver & Diplomatic Cucumber Private party in the circle 

• 4 Pack Found a big log to hide his little member - a stick would have been enough 

• Leave a Tip Walked 100m to a WC when there were multiple alternatives nearby 

• Maggot Perving on 4 Pack’s little member 

• Punch Cooking a cake and slice for the hashers 

• Panty Leaver & Diplomatic Cucumber Walked past the Drink Stop & did not return 

Run No 300 

Sunday 5 October, 2025 at 4.00 pm

Woolrich Lookout Picnic Area, Chalet Road, Olinda,  Melway 122 B9 . 

The hares for this run are Nick (NickelB) & Lai Fun (Lotsafun) Leicester. 

There are toilets, shelter and BBQ’s in the Picnic area.  The hares will supply bread, salads & condiments.  As usual, bring your own drinks and meat to cook on the BBQ after the run.

Directions –  Drive to Olinda via the Mountain Highway or/and Mt Dandenong Tourist Road and turn right onto the Olinda – Monbulk Road.  After about 800m, turn left onto Chalet Road and the picnic area is about 1km on the left. 

Run Report

It was great to see the 32 hashers who came to celebrate this 300 run milestone, including all five of the remaining active/semi active hashers who ran at Run #1 on 18 June 2000. 

Klingon was on Run #1, has completed the most runs and gave the run report.  Before setting off, someone asked how long the run was and the hare included the vertical distance also, while noting it was actually 

flat.  Runners went down, down, down & more down, until the trail finally did become a little f lat.  Some of the early checks and on backs did not hold up the front runners and the pack spread out, with those 

walking the run trail left well behind.  Some slower runners lost trail, but managed to find it again and eventually caught up with the pack after some brutal on backs near the bottom of the hill followed by long up hill trails and more on backs.  Sperm Off Ice ran up the hills with Whippet trying to keep up with an injured leg.  Despite getting caught on the on backs, he still managed to leave the Watermelon Stop before most other runners arrived. The run setting was magnificent, but best left to photographs to show it off. Score 269/300. 

Walk Report

Morals was on Run #1, a co-founder of Full Moon Howlers and gave the walk report. The hare told the walkers that trail was through a gap in the trees, but it was a different gap that was eventually found.  

Walkers then followed the runners in-trail backwards along a meandering path down onto a road that led to a WS (watermelon stop), but there was no-one there.  After the hares arrived with the watermelon, nibblies etc, the walkers then wandered back home, but as it was a bit short a few followed the runners out trail for a while and returned the same way.  Score 160/300 because it was not long enough.   

Dinner was an extended affair with only one BBQ working and light rain that forced everyone under the rotunda for most of the meal and circle.  The hares provided plenty of salad and bread sticks to accompany the BBQ and Punch baked a delicious carrot cake, to help celebrate our 300 runs milestone.  

Charges 

• Visitors: Sperm Off Ice, Sperm Bank, Raf

• Returnees: Dr Dementia, Robyn Red Breast, Morals, Firecracker, Canny, 3 Speed, Whippet, Gerbils, Ricochet, Moppy, Law & Order, Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Mo, Panty Leaver, And And and Diplomatic Cucumber. 

• Hares: NickelB & Lotsafun 

• Presentation by Canny to Kokup “the keeper of all things MFMHH3” with the original Howlers sign in book 

• Morals, Firecracker, Whippet, Gerbils & Klingon Ran on Run #1 with MHFMH3 25 years ago 

• Klingon Double Centurion on 241 runs 

• NickelB Double Centurion on 227 runs 

• Lotsafun Double Centurion on 223 runs

• NickelB, Lotsafun, Canny, Morals, Firecracker, Moppy and Law & Order Petaling H3 hashers that FM is descended from 

• Pol Pot Ended his running career at the last FM run at the Arboretum in August 2013 when he “took a daring leap off the log and crashed in a heap”, rupturing his ACL 

• Firecracker Birthday tomorrow and congratulated according to H3 tradition 

• Raf New Shoes (First time runner so no shoey, but lookout next time)  

• Kokup Conned Point Post into driving on in the car park, then dropping wheelies and leaving crippled Punch behind to fend for herself, just to get a park close to the BBQ 

• Kokup & Maggot Trumped up charge for not marking the checks 

• Maggot Dummy Spit 

• Firecracker Short cutting, got lost and came in half an hour late

• Ricochet Assisting in the rescue of a boatie who ran out of fuel on the Bay, thereby lowering the collective IQ  

• Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Mo, And And and Diplomatic Cucumber Have not been to FM for so long they are all 6” taller 

Run No. 299 

Sunday 31st August 2025

 Location: Stanley Park, Mt Macedon

 Hares: John “Kokup” and Judy “Punch” Leckie 

Directions from CBD – Take the Calder Highway out of Melbourne and exit left to Mt Macedon, about 2km past the second Gisborne exit. Turn right onto Mt Macedon Road and drive about 7km towards Mt Macedon township.  Just before Mt Macedon township, turn left onto Bingarra Lane and follow about 300m to the end, then turn left into Salisbury Road, drive about 200m and turn left into Stanley Park.  Toilets are located in the Park on the corner of Bingarra Lane and Salisbury Road. 

The slopes of Mt Macedon were warmer than expected, there was no rain, plenty of blue sky, the waterfall in Stanley Park was flowing and we had the picnic area and BBQ’s to ourselves and the birds. 

Maggot gave the run report noting that when he arrived, Leave a Tip was the only hasher. Maggot & Dripping Wet arrived about 2:50, - now there were three runners. (Who’s going to eat all the salad?) Then Point Post and E&B with Juliana arrived at about 2:55, so now there were enough for a run / walk. At 3:01 a strange ute flew into the car park almost sideways and out hopped Phantom, Tangles, Pol Pot & Happy almost doubling the numbers. 

The run set off down a gravel road and then into the lower slopes of Mt Macedon. Leave a Tip disappeared at the second check, not to be seen again until near the end - or was it a carefully planned plot to get to the Drink Stop early? There were hills, some steep, others even steeper, creek crossings, plenty of slippery slopes and only four false trails. Maggot managed to find them all. He saw his first ever Koala Check on a run and the Koala had obligingly waited about four hours for the runners to turn up. Finally, there was a long steep climb just before the drinkstop and when the runners arrived, Punch was waiting and asked three questions “Would you like a Vodka shot?”, “Would you like some chips?”, “Would you like a beer?”. Yes! Yes! Yes! What else? From there it was all downhill, past some of the Mount Macedon mansions with their acres of manicured gardens and on home to Stanley Park. 

The walk was on the same run out trail and joined the in trail with a 100m long connection to arrive at the drinkstop. Punch had prepared plenty of salad to accompany the BBQ and also baked a delicious banana cake, which disappeared quickly. The only downside at dinner was for Tangles when a magpie stole one half of his bread roll from inside his lunch box and only a metre from the BBQ. 

Charges

• Returnees: Tangles, Maggot, Dripping Wet, Happy 

• Visitor: Juliana 

• Hares: Punch & Kokup 

• Dripping Wet, E&B, Point Post Following Mr Google and came in the back way instead of the direct route, with signs to the site 

• Leave a Tip Wanted to pass Maggot, which he did by cutting out about 3km and ending up at the Drink Stop via the walkers trail 

• E&B Drove past the BBQ site to the Stanley Park toilet block and wondered where all the hashers were Juliana On the phone constantly checking up on the kids

• Happy Making a racket and disturbing the peace 

• Phantom He brought Happy so he must be responsible 

• Kokup Sent the runners along walkers trail three times, past the clearly marked signs “Management vehicles and walkers only” 

• Phantom Got Tangles, Pol Pot & Happy lost after detouring around roadworks. Did not know where Bell St was and talked for the two hours it eventually took to get to the run 

• Leave a Tip Point Post and Dripping Wet had to break a check for him 

• Phantom Got lost on the home straight and started doing the run again. Of course he was on trail the whole t ime – right past Stanley Park! 

• Punch Ate half the cake after taking 2 1/2 hours to make it. 

Run No. 298 

Sunday 10th August 2025 

Location: Sapling Gully, Brisbane Ranges National Park 

Hares: John “Klingon” and Alice “Add On” Perkins 

What a magnificent day for a Winter hash run, with barely a cloud in the sky, no wind and a temperature of about 18oC - all as forecast. The picnic area was in tip top condition and the hares had a fire going in the BBQ. 

POG gave the run report. It started across the track and followed a Creek bed upstream to a check. Klingon’s arrows pointed in all directions, but generally followed a barely discernible ‘gully’ roughly parallel to the access road, crossing the road and up a feeder gully to an on back. It was then back down to the gully, with hashers bashing through scrub, jumping over logs, crawling under fallen trees and again up to the access road. This time, the road embankment was 6 to 7m high with a loose surface, presenting a bit of a challenge. POG managed to get up first, finishing the ascent with a combat roll manoeuvre he remembered from his military training, rolling onto his back at the top and then helping other hashers up. Young Sam just stood at the bottom looking up a little bemused and then ran up the slope like it was flat. A long run along the shoulder of Reid Road followed with 4 Pack & POG running past an obscure turnoff back into the scrub. Trail then followed overgrown animal tracks along a rocky ridge and down a very steep track to home. 

Somehow, 4 Pack and the walking hashers managed to wander off the ridge trail, finding trail in the adjacent gully which was part of the walk trail and actually ended up running about half a km further than the runners. Score 98/298 (Too much bush bashing & shiggy). 

Klingon and Addon set the walk trail twice, but the only bit walked was the final gully home. Ricochet gave a walk report, noting the beautiful day, lots of ups and downs and very much enjoyed the run/walk trail through the bush, despite the natural hurdles and obstructions. At some point she went AoT, with a very fast recovery that the other hashers did not notice. Score 200/298 (evener up for a lovely walk). 

The hares provided lots of delicious and generous salads including a fresh green salad made by Add On earlier in the day, bread and lots of condiments. 

Charges

Returnees & Visitors POG,, Where’s Wally & Ricochet 

Sam 

Hares Klingon & Addon 

POG Conducting military manoeuvres on a hash run 

Sam Running up the steep embankment like an antelope 

E&B Missed the turnoff to Sapling Gully Picnic area 

Ricochet Must have been distracting E&B 

4 Pack FRB except for the last part where he led the walkers off the running trail into the next gully and discovered the walk trail

Where’s Wally & Sam Prodigy of two hashers who rarely attend FM hash 

Sam Gold spelt backwards and a bright spark on the run 

Klingon & Addon Setting a trail which was what hashing should be 

Run No. 297 

Sunday 13th July 2025 

Location: Churchill National Park, Lysterfield South 

Hares: Jack “Phantom” Walker and Mike “Pol Pot” Hodgson 

Directions from CBD – Drive along the Monash Freeway, take the Heatherton Road exit and turn left into Heatherton Road. After about 500m turn left at the lights into Power Road.  Follow Power Road about 2.5km to the end and turn right into Churchill Park Drive.  Entry to the Park is about 500m ln the left.

Hashers gathered on a typical Melbourne winter’s day with a cold gusty wind blowing through the park, but at least it was not raining.  The hares had secured the BBQ in the pavilion - forcing a little kid’s party up the hill and out in the open - and had a roaring fire going to keep hashers warm. 

The run started downhill for a short distance and then proceeded up a familiar forest track.  A native rodent (Bush Rat) was found eating the trail flour markers, but it did not have enough time to eat the whole trail.  The run was in familiar territory, but it was innovative in using different tracks and turns and incorporating some new territory to prevent runners anticipating the trail.  Klingon’s only complaint was that he got caught behind a cyclone wire fence (and instead of the planned short cut, he had to backtrack and long track around the fence).  It stayed windy on the exposed tracks, but trail was well protected after passing the high point.  DeBra seemed to be very interested in the wild mushrooms growing at several locations, photographing them & getting GPS co-ordinates.  Overall the run was a pleasant 6.2km and there were enough checks to hold the pack together for most of the run. Score 6.9/10. 

Tangles gave the walk report and remembered that it went up, up, up… then there was a bend and the trail went up, up, up …. then another bend and it went up, up, up …. .  Finally, trail started going down to the run/walk split where he met a woman who was a little disoriented and told her how to get back to the picnic area, ambling after the runners.  Score 7/10. 

Well done to the hares who continued the Full Moon tradition of providing delicious and generous salads, bread andwhat seemed like most condiments known in the modern world. 

Charges 

• Tangles & Lotsafun Too busy gas bagging to hear that Circle had been called several times and delaying proceedings as it got darker 

• Returnees Tangles, DeBra and 4 Pack 

• Hares  Phantom & Pol Pot 

• Phantom Feeding native animals on the trail 

• 4 Pack  Turning up to hash with a hangover and could only walk the trail 

• Punch Despite a leg injury, decided to start on the walk and re-injured her leg 

• Add On  Abandoning Tangles on the walk 

• De Bra Used the trail to recce for wild mushrooms for her next dinner party (and graciously invited all hashers to attend) 

• Pol Pot Letting Phantom’s chair blow into the fire pit, melting the seat 

• Phantom and Pol Pot Too many hills and too much up, up, up ……. 

• Phantom & Pol Pot Nice city views from the top, but did not knock over enough cyclone fence to let hashers through 

• Klingon Stand in RA and managed to hold off the rain until after the run 

Run No. 296 AGPU 

Sunday 15th June 2025 

Location: “The Cross”, Mt Macedon 

Hares: John “Kokup” and Judy “Punch” Leckie

 Mt Macedon lived up to it’s changeable nature, with the top being completely enveloped in cloud, visibility down to about 50m before the run and it felt like a scene from Picnic at Hanging Rock. However, the cloud later lifted providing some magnificent smog free views of the city and a run and walk where trail could actually be seen. A few locals came out to greet us before and after the run and were happy to have their photo’s taken. 

Maggot gave the run report and it was definitely a shit run. It started from the Cross and led onto a walking track on the west side of the ridge, then to the first On Back, a downhill track known locally as “The Beast”. Hashers only ran the first 100m, but maybe next time... Trail then crossed over the ridge to the East where runners were surprised to see the hare running towards them to tell them to ignore any walk arrows they may find, regardless of direction. Apparently it did not help and after some confusion at the next check, the runners eventually found the run trail and met the walkers coming the other way. Somehow Maggot found himself at the back of the pack on several occasions and he ran three of the five On Backs, including one marked twice, that Klingon and Leave a Tip both ran through. This caused Maggot much angst as he also had to run them, call the On Back and find trail again. Leave a Tip actually found the last On Back, but kept on running up hill, despite Klingon waiting and calling On On the other way. Leave a Tip ended up at the Cross and ran back in early, while Maggot and Klingon, now separated, followed trail along the bush obstacle course to home. 

E&B thought it was lovely walk through the forest, but the walkers did get lost temporarily near the ridge road crossing. They managed to cross paths with the runners and found some ‘spaceship’ views of the city. Add On found the last hill to home a bit steep and Mutha Trukka stayed back to help her. There was a drinkstop on return and the hares provided hot soup, which everyone seemed to enjoy with some snacks before circle with Add On ably filling in for the Grogmaster. The song was sung and the pack then adjourned to the Mt Macedon hotel for a bit of warmth and dinner. 

Charges 

• Returnees Cheesecake, Mutha Trukka and Blood Sukka 

• Hares Kokup and Punch 

• Klingon Arrived late (aversion to Crosses?) causing Addon to run to the Cross, but still missed the photo 

• Leave a Tip Did not follow trail at the last On Back & ran home via the Cross leaving Klingon waiting in the bush 

• Mutha Trucka Stuffing around on the walk trail (getting lost) 

• Leave a Tip Not ‘on backing’ despite Klingon’s calls and waiting for him 

• Add On & Mutha Trucka The last hill home was a bit much for Add On & Mutha Trucka stayed back to help her 

• Klingon & Leave a Tip Ran past at least three On Backs including one that was marked twice 

• Maggot Taking a photo of the ‘Emerald City’ with his new home in it 

• E&B Managing to achieve 50 Full Moon Runs (actually 51) 

• Dripping Wet Helping Punch pack up before dark (& Circle) 

Run No. 295 Sunday 11th May 2025 

Location: Hillview Community Reserve 

Hares: Phil “Morals” and Annie “Firecracker” Vertue 

Somewhere the hash gods were smiling, because it was a warm and sunny day in the low 20’s at the Reserve next to Arthurs Seat. It started sounding ominous when Morals gave his BOS, noting it would be a traditional run, meaning long, steep and with back checks in unlikely places. There was also a warning about the crazy kids on trail bikes racing around and down the hill. 

Whippet gave the run report and led the pack out and up the recently constructed Pump track, past a locked gate and along a fence-line to the first check. This was the first back check and by the time it was cracked, the walkers had caught up and passed most of the runners through the gate. Trail then followed dirt tracks through the bush, going up & up & up (with Whippet disappearing in the distance, not to be seen again) to the OT dam. The run continued up further, then down, then up, then down through “RS country” with views across the Bay, through a deep and steep sided gully and into some cleared areas at the back of houses. Trail kept going up and down before getting back into the bush and back home. It was a top run. 

Pol Pot gave the walk report, but no-one was quite sure where he went. Walkers were supposed to follow the run trail up to the OT dam where there was a large arrow pointing back with a big W. Pol Pot could not find the marked return trail (mainly because there wasn’t one) and managed to find his way back on another track. Several walkers managed to come back along the out trail. 

The hares provided potato salad, garden salad mix, bread and condiments to compliment the BBQ and finished with a tasty lime flavoured cake. The almost Full Moon was out, so what do Full Moon Howlers do? See below for the answer. 

Charges 

• Visitors Pussy from RPH3 (taken by Point Post) 

• Returnees Morals, Firecracker, Whippet, Gerbils and Lethal (taken by Morals) 

• Hares Morals and Firecracker 

• Whippet Joined the hares for giving such a complimentary run report 

• Pol Pot Also joined the hares for his walk report 

• Whippet Ran so fast, he missed at least one section of trail with a back check, but paid for it with extra checking

• Pol Pot, Gerbils, Point Post, Add On For piking out and not crossing the ditch

• Kokup Got to a back check first and chose the level bush track, leaving Klingon to check up a really, really steep and slippery track 

• Pol Pot Could not find trail marks, so turned back at the dam

• E&B Feeling sorry for the poor hashers and providing hot tea & coffee from a thermos 

• 4 Pack Coming 10 minutes late and taking 5km to catch up to Kokup & Klingon 

• Morals Could not wait to hear NickelB’s reputably excellent howling at the moon 

Run No. 294 Sunday 13th April 2025 

Location: Greenvale Reserve 

Hares: Lorraine “E&B” Gierck and Chris “Backbeard” Leighton 

The hares for this run are Lorraine (E&B) Gierck & Lou (Ricochet) Taylor.  Greenvale Reserve is a sports ground and has a toilet, electric BBQ, picnic tables and for those so inclined, a playground.  The hare will supply bread and salads.  As usual, bring your own drinks and meat to cook on the BBQ.

Directions from CBD - Take the M2 tollway (or other freeway to the airport) to the Mickleham Road exit; turn right onto Mickleham Road and proceed north for 5.9km.  At Greenvale Garden Supplies and Plants, turn left onto Providence Road, continue 800 meters and then turn right onto Section Road.  Drive 1.5km along Section Road to the Greenvale Recreation Reserve entrance on the left.  Enter the park from Section Road, turn immediately right and park by the playground

E&B was the primary hare and Backbeard assisted by carrying the white stuff and providing ‘protection’ against those that normally carry the white stuff in this area. E&B gave her BOS and said there were Easter Eggs hidden at the checks. In a normal year that would be OK, but when the temperature is in the low 30’s, they tended to melt, although some were found and consumed on the run. 

The run was generally a ‘reverse’ of last year’s run with a few changes and it was not quite as long. The trail markings were hard to find at the beginning, especially from a check in the middle of a large grassy paddock with no obvious tracks. This proved to be late comer Klingons downfall and he found the IN trail back to his stash of WA beer. Trail was well marked along tracks, narrow trails through the bush and across open areas where it was easily found by Maggot, the exception being one X (on back) located in the trees, which all the runners ran past. A few well placed on backs kept the runners and Point Post, who was walking the run, fairly close together. Overall it was a pleasant run of about 8km. 

Walkers followed the run trail with the option to split for walks of approximately 4km or 7km. The usual mobs of kangaroos were found at several locations and it was a pleasant walk through the bush. E&B provided savoury crisps with home made hommus dips, green salad, coleslaw, bean salad, a whole range of condiments, breads, rolls and a sweet bun to finish. 

Charges 

• Visitors Karin, Bhovan & Lifer 

• Returnee Leave a Tip

• Hares E&B and Backbeard

• RS/RS1/RFSWon’t be coming back. One of the original FM hashers. RS & Betty set Run #2 & 6 runs until Betty’s health declined. RS was also involved in assisting other hashers set a further 22 runs. RIP RS 

• E&B and Backbeard Trail markings a bit erratic. Some arrows 3m apart, some 30m and some 300m 

• E&B Had Backbeard carrying 3.5kg white powder like a mule in an area where it’s dangerous to carry white powder 

• Backbeard The mule 

• Point Post Moving so slowly, one of the arrows got him in the neck 

• Kokup Half deaf, half blind and could not understand Dripping Wet or her sign language 

• Dripping Wet Could not understand why Kokup did not understand her Circle sign three times 

• Bhovan Could not understand why empties should not be left in the bush 

• Lifer Joins Bhovan cos they’re mates 

• De Bra About to demonstrate spontaneous combustion in the circle 

• Klingon Flat tyre, came late, fluffing around, got lost in the first half km and had to drink instead of run 

• Kokup Not drinking enough at the Freo Delinquents run, forcing Klingon to haul left over beer across the Nullabor 

• Cooch Got his 5 toes the wrong way around & sometimes it’s 5 toes across and 5 toes together 

• Addon Sat on ice for the first time in Freo care of Hammersley H3 

Run 293

16 March 2025 at 4.00 pm  

 Hares - Kevin ‘Deeper’ Seerup & Heather ‘Prickly Bush’ King.

 Location - Langwarrin Flora & Fauna Reserve, McClelland Drive, Langwarrin (near corner of Robinsons Road) – Melway 103 C10.  

Meet at the Langwarrin Flora & Fauna Reserve car park. https://maps.app.goo.gl/pxQZFvNcPKicZnyKA

After the run, BBQ facilities, salads, toilet and a small lemon tree will be available at 3 Kalmia St, Frankston which is 4.4 kms (7 mins drive) from the reserve car park.

After a Saturday in the 30’s, rain bucketed down all Sunday morning and the temperature plunged. Driving to Langwarrin, the Monash was reduced to 60kph and you were lucky to see the car in front at times. By 4:00pm there were only a few die-hard hashers at the run site and then the number was nearly doubled when a car load of visitors turned up. In the absence of our RA, the GM invoked his rarely used powers to ensure there was only a light drizzle for a few minutes at the start of the run and there was no more than one shower for a few minutes during the run, even permitting some sun towards the end. Deeper was outside the GM’s range of influence, so he had to lay trail in the rain, but the flour arrows largely survived and the pack was easily able to follow trail.

The visitors were actual athletes who had to be taught what checks and on backs were, but they picked it up fairly quickly. However, Trent bolted before he could be warned to turn back if he ran out of trail. At about half way and well in front, he managed to run past an on back, lose trail, get lost and had to find his own way home. Suzy and Monique picked up the checks, managing to find trail at most of them and Monique became the ‘On On’ caller, helping the other runners. De Bra gave the trail report, noting it had lots of nice little sandy tracks through the bush with overhanging trees, great views, lots of puddles from the earlier rain and some historical remnants from when the area was an army training camp (1886-1980). The run was a pleasant 8km in ideal running conditions, all within the Reserve.

Walkers Pol Pot and Punch stayed on the same trail for the first half, appreciative of the lack of hills and the bright green foliage after the rain. The walk then followed one of the main fire breaks back, even though there was no split marked.

Hashers adjourned to the hares’ house for circle and a very generous spread of snacks, salads, hot spuds and condiments with a warm fire and real cutlery and crockery for dinner. Prickly Bush gave everyone an ‘Orgasm’, which was well received. A big thank you to the hares for the run, walk, salads, nibbles, ‘Orgasm’ (Irish Cream with Cointreau) and their first class hospitality.

 Charges

·         Visitors Hares Kokup Trent Monique Suzy, Trent and Monique (taken by Quicklay & Garn Get as the visitors arrived after Circle)

·         Deeper and Prickly Bush Too much rain before the run

·         Young, fit and fast, but got lost Learned how to shout ‘On On’ and enjoyed it too much

·         Deeper & Prickly Bush Despite the earlier rain, managed to set an excellent trail

·         Ultra Late Comers Kokup Quicklay and Garn Get

·         Could not think of any more charges

Run No. 292 

Sunday 16 th February 2025 at 4.00 pm 

Location: Kurth Kiln via Gembrook 

Hares: Alan “Canny” and Joan “3 Speed” McCann 

Drive to Gembrook, which is about 55 km east of Melbourne. From Gembrook, drive north on the C424 Gembrook- Launching Place Road on bitumen for about 8.5 kms then turn left onto Soldiers Road, which is unsealed but good surface, for about 2 kms until you arrive at the Kirth Kiln Picnic Ground, on the left just past the Kiln. The picnic ground has toilet facilities, tables, benches and several wood-fired BBQs.The terrain is undulating bush country with tall shady trees and dogs are allowed on a leash.

It’s not often that a hare is blessed with almost perfect conditions for a Full Moon run. Despite an ominous looking day in Melbourne, the afternoon presented with a temperature in the mid teens, soft, but not slippery ground from some earlier localised rain, the nearby Creek running, no wind and a partly cloudy sky. 

The run set off along a bush path near the Creek and through fern groves, but needing an eye on the ground to avoid the horse dung. Trail went over the Creek and along to a check, down the gravel road, past a recently deceased wombat, before plunging back into the bush. Most of the checks had three options and the rain before the run had faded the flour trail so you almost had to step on an arrow to see it for the first half of the run. This allowed the walkers to keep up with the FRB’s and break some of the checks. One 360 degree check sent the pack back and onto a narrow trail where the FRB’s became the catchers up. Trail passed through a bush fire re-growth area with native orchids and wildflowers in bloom and enough hills to add some variety. The second half of the run was not affected by the earlier very localised rain, trail arrows were easy to see and it resulted in a faster pace with the pack separating a bit to home. Klingon arrived late and ran catch up, but still managed to arrive home within a few minutes of the pack. 

The walk was a sensory loop following the run track downhill through the fern glades beside the Creek, crossed the Creek and back up the other side over and around rocky outcrops. There were several gurgling rapids, some good swimming holes and the scents of the bush following the earlier rain.

 Thank you to the hares for the run, walk, salads, nibbles and ginger date cake - all in a lovely peaceful setting. Charges

• Returnees De Bra (10 yrs), Blood Sucker (2 yrs), Non Stop (7 mths) 

• Late Comers Klingon, Addon, Blood Sucker 

• Hares Canny & 3 Speed 

• Happy & Non Stop Attempting to corrupt Addon 

• De Bra Had to have two small seats, including one with a dragon

• Happy Actually walked the whole run without an injury or even a scratch to show for it 

• Phantom SCB kept disappearing on the run 

• Klingon, 3 Speed, Canny, Addon, De Bra, Lotsafun All have run with the KL Harriettes Phantom

• Complaining his down down drink was terrible – so have another 

• Blood Sucker Every time he comes to Full Moon Hash, he has had another baby 

• Lotsafun, Point Post Talking non-stop on trail and upsetting the ambience of the occasion 

• Kokup, Blood Sucker Supposed to be runners and in front, but walked the first part of the run 

Run No 291

Sunday 12 January 2025 at 4.00 pm

Location Private Property at 140 Monument Road, Kilmore.

Hares  John “Maggot” Stanlake and Wa Beh “Dripping Wet” Hsia.

Directions  - Melway 910 L9  - From Melbourne, take the Ring Road (M80), turn onto the Hume Highway (M31) and then exit left onto the Northern Highway (B75) approximately 3km past Beveridge.  Follow the Northern Highway approximately 15km to Kilmore and turn right into Rutledge Street at the traffic lights.  Follow the street down to the golf course where it changes name to Anderson Road and continue.  Just pass the golf course turn left onto Monument Road (there is a sign saying Monument Hill Reserve).  Follow this gravel road up a hill until the road forks 3 ways.  Take the right fork and drive through the gate.  Park just past the gate either side of the track where the Hares’ white car will be parked 

There was thunder and lighting and heavy rain when we departed home for the run. It was not until we reached Beveridge that the rain ceased. A little before four a small group of hashers (Kokup, Punch, Bandung Barry, Pointy, 

Nickel B and Lotsa Fun, plus the hares and our hosts) gathered under a threatening sky ready for the start. Maggot cast a worried look over the bunch and you could read his thoughts. “How will this decrepit bunch break my checks? It will be dark before they finish the run”. However just in the nick of time Backbeard drove up in his Land Cruiser. The doors opened and to the hare’s great relief not one but five fast runners and one walker emerged. The day was saved!

Before starting our GM told us that Cameron was on only his second hash run and being English had never seen a kangaroo or a snake and if we saw either we should point them out to him. The run set off down Monument Road to a check at a three-way fork. This was broken by Cameron uphill towards the monument. Just before the crest the run turned and followed a small track down hill. Like all the tracks this was rough and had plenty of tree roots, sticks and 

holes waiting to trip the unwary. The check at the bottom took a long time to break allowing all to catch up. Finally, it was found winding up the hill back to the road at the top. Here we met the walkers returning from their walk. However, we went on past the monument before turning to proceed downhill again. (I suspect there was on “On Back” or what the hare insists on calling a “T Check”). The trail wound downhill again to a 4WD road where the run turned right before doubling back on itself to come back on a small trail a few feet from where we met the 4WD track. This trail 

continued on flattish ground curving to right to meet a gravel road. The trail continued along this to an “On 

Back”. I had taken a hint from the hare and had managed to miss the doubled back section so was near the front 

at this stage so went some way before On Back was called which put me back towards the end again.

The route followed back along the road before veering left to circle round the base of the hill to a kangaroo and 

echidna stop. Here both animals were to be seen. This allowed all runners to gather together before a steep 

ascent of the hill back to beer and barbecue.

The walk was conducted by Caroline and according to the walk report by Punch was not only scenic but also 

educational as they were told the names of all the hills and mountains and plants even if Punch appeared to 

have forgotten the name of the biggest mountain.

A very nice run and walk with only a very light drizzle to cool you down when running. By the time we returned the sun was actually shining and the rain clouds had disappeared so we could enjoy ourselves. Our host had fired 

up his barbecue and was supervising the cooking. My steak was cooked to perfection.

A big thank you to our hosts David and Carolyn for allowing us to use their land and supplying barbecue, shelter and even an old fashioned dunny. Also thank you to the hares for a good run and for the salads and nibbles. I think 

all enjoyed themselves and those that took notice of the weather forecasts of thunder and rain and didn’t come missed out on an enjoyable time.

Run report by previous hare NickelB

Thanks to Dripping Wet for the photographs (more on WhatsApp)

Charges

• Visitor Cameron from Kenilworth, England

• Returnee Chicken Dicken

• Hares Maggot & Dripping Wet

• Hosts David & Carolyn for making their property available and for their hospitality

• Cameron Second hash run and saw his first Kangaroos, Echidna, Kookaburra, Magpie and Troll

• Leave a Tip Saw his first genuine Aussie Dunny complete with resident Huntsman spider

• Point Post Honorary Kiwi who scared the sheep away just by being there

• Chicken Dicken, Backbeard, Klingon They have been breaking checks since Captain Arthur Phillips arrived in 1788. But they managed to stuff up all the initial checks on the run, allowing the first check to be broken by a new runner and the next check by the oldest runner

• NickelB Received some inside information about the trail, but still manage to get caught on a long ‘on back’

• Backbeard It must have been raining because his nipples were sticking out

• Lotsafun Lotsafun was confused when advised the markings would always be on the left side of the trail. This tradition is from Malaysia, she has never heard of it. So Maggot sang her left left, right right, up up and down down …… for not knowing that Malaysians always mark on the left

• Kokup Hare clearly stated that trail was on the left, but he was running with trail on the right

• NickelB Claiming he reached an On Back when he got only half way to it.

• Backbeard & Klingon Displayed their superior hash powers of observation, noticing that the wood shaving markers were dark brown about 200m from home, but they actually started about 2km back

Run No 290

Sunday 15th December, 2024 at 4.00 pm

Wattle Park, Riversdale Road, Burwood.  Melway 60 J3.  

Hares  Nick "NickelB" & Lai Fun “Lotsafun” Leicester.  

The forecast is for a warm sunny day in the high 20’s, so it will be perfect for hashing in a bush setting.  All hashers are encouraged to wear something ‘Christmassy’ on the run/walk to celebrate the festive season. 

There are toilets, BBQ’s and shelter at the Park.  Salads, condiments and some finger food will be provided by the hares, but hashers need to bring their own meat for the BBQ and any drinks.

Directions. Wattle Park entry is located on the South side of Riversdale Road, about 400m East of Warrigal Road. Meet at the Picnic area past the Chalet and Golf Club. 

For those without cars, or who prefer to travel by Public Transport, take Tram 70 to Stop 58 to entrance to Wattle Park and walk approx. 400 metres to run site.

Run 290 Report – 15 Dec 2024

It was a fitting end to 2024 for Full Moon Hash with 25 hashers turning up on a warm Summer’s day for the last run of the year. By special arrangement, the Tramways Brass Band was on hand to entertain the pack with Christmas Carols until the hares arrived. NickelB gave his BOS, the important points being the run was 7km, thus scaring a few hashers into the 3km walk, there was a drinkstop and then pointing the pack to a track across the car park.

Dr Dementia gave the walk report saying he started with 100% enthusiasm with his old body. Trail went in a clockwise direction, entirely within Wattle Park past the Golf Course, up to the gated

entrance and then back towards Elgar Road. It wasn’t long before he was trailing behind the experienced walkers and on arrival at the Run/Walk split, decided on the walk. Punch was in front of

him so he started to run and then found Happy was also in front of him. Many previous runs and marathons did not help and eventually the drink-stop was found near the creek in Wattle Park.

Maggot gave the run report and noted a dedicated Groundswoman shouted at the passing hashers to keep off the Golf Course, even though trail was along the perimeter and not through it. Runners & walkers were kept together with on backs and short cut opportunities initially. The same bridge was used twice midway through the Park, with trail in both directions (the second lot added later by the hare). It was unique and confused a few runners. After leaving the NE corner of the park, the run proceeded onto a suburban street and some alleyways before emerging at the Gardiners Creek

Reserve. The hare had promised a pseudo drink stop (hydration only) on the run, but runners had to gate crash a family BBQ and fight a little kid to get a drink. Gardiners Creek was again crossed and the run proceeded to the real and very welcome drink stop in the SE corner of the Park.

Charges

•  Backbeard Lost his shirt 

• Returnees Bandung Barry, Canny, 3 Speed, Backbeard & Ricochet

•  Hares NickelB & Lotsafun

• NickelB & Lotsafun Arranging a brass band to entertain hashers because they were going to be late

•  NickelB Trail laid too close to the Golf Course and a very irate groundswoman shouted abuse and threats at the innocent hashers following trail

•  Happy Attempting to renounce his hash name and claim another hasher’s. Quote from Happy on the warm and humid trail; “I am Dripping Wet and NOT Happy …”

• Maggot Astonished, astounded, surprised etc that he had run past a check and not seen it (It was off trail 2 or 3m)

•  Klingon, 4 Pack, Backbeard, Leave a Tip, E&B, Ricochet & Point Post Self handicapped by attending the ’12 Pubs of Christmas’ run yesterday and thinking NickelB & Lotsafun’s trail would be an easy recovery run

• Leave a Tip Pot was not big enough and he had a schooner at each pub

• NickelB Remarkable how many different types of track were used including, gravel, earth, concrete, a little bitumen (at road crossings) and timber decks over the Creek

• 3 Speed, Redbreast & Bandung Barry Giving wayward walkers the wrong directions (all different) to the Drink Stop

• NickelB Setting up the Drink Stop ‘10 feet from a Bee hive’ and Moppy was attacked

•  E&B Upper class snobbery, refusing to eat Cole’s shortbread cookies and did not like the fruit Dripping Wet put in a drink

•  Moppy, Law & Order Best Christmas outfits with Law & Order imitating a reindeer & Moppy as a Christmassy cowboy

• 4 Pack Too helpful

Run 289  

17th November 2024  at 4.00 pm

Karkarook Park, Fairchild Street, Moorabbin   Melways 78 D8

Hare Mike (Pol Pot) Hodgson

Directions. Karkarook Park is located on the SE corner of Warrigal Road and South Road. Fairchild Street is on the south side of the Park (opposite Cochranes Road).  If travelling south on Warrigal Road, turn left into Fairchild Street at the Park boundary and then left into the Park. There are toilets, BBQ’s and shelter at the Park.

The day started with thunderheads gathering and threatening to wash out the run, but it all fizzled out and turned into a warm and sunny afternoon, by special request of the hare. Hashers gathered at a BBQ & shelter on top of the hill where the hare pointed to the lake area and said “it’s that way, but you will need to look for trail”.

Walkers and runners set off towards the lake in search of trail amidst the day trippers enjoying the park. Runners veered off to the South and outside the park area to a gravel track traversing a securely fenced off water storages area. A false trail did not slow them down much and the runners quickly spread out with a small pack of three leading the charge. Trail continued around the security fencing to a couple of checks that were easily broken before re-entering the park area at the NE corner near a large pedestrian underpass. Trail then followed the northern outer track around the park back home, where 4 Pack, Leave a Tip & Whippet decided the run was too short and continued to run the walk trail around the lake. Walkers apparently missed the split for the walk trail around the lake and instead followed the run trail outside the lake area, past the Bamboo nursery and Dan’s plants. They appear to have missed a check and found a hole in the fence back into the park area before returning home on the out trail around the lake.

The hare provided salads with home-made dressing, condiments and a variety of bread and bread rolls to accompany the BBQ.

Circle was a rousing affair with Leave a Tip becoming a little boisterous, Law & Order giving an animated charge fit for a prosecution lawyer and Punch berating Point Post for singing rude songs.

Charges

• E&B & Moppy Sitting down in the circle

• Returnees Colours - (Other returnees, Whippet & Meenie had disappeared)

• Hare Pol Pot Phantom Representing MH3 who did not nominate a GM at their recent AGPU

• RS Feeling sorry for FM hashers and providing chicken for dinner from the old people’s home

•  Lotsafun Handicapped and sitting on the sidelines

•  NickelB Doesn’t do the housework fast enough & forgot to peel the mushrooms for the BBQ

• Pol Pot Not putting goods in the charity bag and using them for rubbish

• E&B Recent operation on her strapped up leg

• Kokup Trying to get Dripping Wet or E&B to do the walk report when they were walking the run

• E&B Flirting and asking for it

• Point Post Singing the rudest down down song Punch has heard him sing since 2003

• Maggot & Dripping Wet Colour co-ordinated shirts for the run AND the fresh shirts after the run

• Moppy Too picky about the runs that the hares set

• Pol Pot Arranging perfect weather after the earlier storms, except for too many flies

•  Lotsafun Did not run and sat in the car because there were too many flies

Run No. 288

Sunday 20th October 2024 at 4.00 pm

Location: Finns Reserve, Templestowe Lower

Hares: Brian “Dr Dementia” & Robyn “Redbreast” Walsh 

Directions. The most convenient route is probably along the Eastern Freeway out of Melbourne, exit at Bulleen Road and continue on Thompsons Road (42). At the end of Thompsons Road, cross Templestowe Road into Union Street, left into Riverwood Lane and then left again into Duncan Street

Dr Dementia gave his BOS grinning widely – so as usual, no one believed him.  The run was simple, he laid the trail in less than an hour, Redbreast walked it with him, there was only one hill, it went over the suspension bridge and round Odyssey House so watch out for odd people, etc ……………….

The pack set off and duly arrived at the suspension bridge to a two way check with trail directions marked, but not over the bridge.  The pack, eventually including walkers, duly checked every track, trail and bent piece of grass in both marked directions, until that contrarian Happy found trail on the bridge.  Backbeard described the run as ‘What run’ and that he was confused, but it was a fine run and he would come back and do it again next week. 

The confusion arose from a check where Backbeard found what he thought was the In trail at the top of the hill.  Maggot had actually found trail heading out and then turning off onto a bush trail where the expectation was that it would eventually lead back up the hill.  However, trail led to a walking track right back to the suspension bridge and home.  Ignoring (or forgetting the BOS), several hashers back tracked to find “the loop we must have missed on Backbeard’s lost trail”, but it was not to be.  

Dripping ‘Hoppity Kick’ Wet gave the walk report.  It was the same as the run, but as the walkers were talking they missed the trail and got a bit lost.  The walkers liked the walk and the salads were good, so thanks to the hares.

Circle

• Returnees: Ray Smith, Moppy, Law & Order & Miney

• Absentee Attendees: E&B, Leave a Tip

• Hares: Dr Dementia & Redbreast

Charges

• Dr Dementia: Deceptive and misleading check at the swing bridge only showing two incorrect options

• Miney: ‘Rubbing it in’ by wearing a back-pack on the run and zig zagging across trail to increase the length

• Dr Dementia: Could not remember where he left his drink

• Dr Dementia: Too much pavement for a Full Moon run

• Backbeard: Claimed to have found the In Trail near Odyssey House, but it was a Phantom Trail

• Phantom: Mentioned in despatches

• Klingon: First time in Maggot’s 14 months hashing in Melbourne that Klingon has worn a hash shirt that was not from the 70’s or 80’s

• Leave a Tip: Has gone from no Hash shirts to now having a hash tee shirt collection

• Punch, Dripping Wet & Addon: Talking too much and missed the trail

• Phantom, Pol Pot, E&B, Happy & Point Post: Did not attend the specially convened morning bike hash before coming to Full Moon hash

• Klingon: He kept on running

Run No 287 

Sunday 15 September, 2024 at 3.00 pm

Tony Clarke Recreation Reserve, Macedon township, Melway 657 F8. 

Hares John "Kokup" & Judy "Punch" Leckie.  

 Directions.  Drive along the Calder Freeway and take the Mt Macedon turnoff past Gisborne.  At the bottom of the off ramp, turn right and follow the signs to Mt Macedon along Mt Macedon Road for about 4km, then turn left onto Honour Avenue.  Drive about 600m and turn right onto Waterfalls Road then left after about 400m at the second entry to Tony Clarke Recreation Reserve to the oval.

The Run 

Before we set off, the hare announced that there were no hills because all the hills were over there, pointing to Mt Macedon. A likely story. He also said we would find arrows going in different directions. We could go either way. What?

This mystery was resolved soon after. When we got to a ditch we could ether take a jump or walk the plank. Most chose not to jump.

The run had a few hills and meandered through native forest and the occasional pine plantation. The odd on-back and check kept the pack together well. 

The walkers had a separate trail. We got to the drink stop and had a nice beer. The walkers had already departed, following instructions on how to get home. Or not.

Circle

• Announcement: 3 Speed has had a hip replacement - best wishes to her.

• Returnees, newcomers: Leave a tip, Bandung Barry, Dr Dementia, Robin Red Breast

• Polpot, Happy: Going the wrong way after the drink stop, according to Kokup.

• (Sir) Maggot: Helping Madame Dripping Wet across the creek.

• Phantom: Not picking up hasher on way to run (Leave a tip)

• Leave a Tip: Not limping and so not needing being picked up.

Run reports

Walk. Happy gave a colourful run report, something about a gate that the hare said was there but wasn't but was yesterday, had a good drink stop. Score 3/20.

Run. Leave a Tip said that at the optional trail split, two people jumped the creek. There were several steep hill on-backs. Well marked trail. 8/10.

More Charges

• Maggot & Klingon: Creek jumpers.

• Kokup: Dr Dementia had BBQ technical charge.

• Robin Redbreast: Charge from Happy for smoking ceremony.

• Dripping Wet: Charged by Happy for being Shower not Dripping Wet

• Point Post: Low profile.

Run report by Klingon.

Run No. 286

Sunday 18 August 2024 at 3.00 pm

Location: Car Park ‘A’, Brimbank Park, Keilor

Hares: John ‘Klingon’ and Alice ‘Addon’ Perkins

Klingon explained that trail was marked in flour and arrows depending on which hare had laid that section of the trail.  There were two walk run splits, the first being at the start and after the second split, walkers would re-join the run trail home.  Former Full Moon hasher, RS emailed a suggestion that runners look out for the ‘Lions Head’ in a rock formation, but the run went out towards Green Gully, and it was not seen.  

Maggot saw most of both trails and gave the run report describing himself as the idiot who took the walkers trail at the split and then had a near vertical climb to rejoin the pack.  He even had a little old lady pointing out the runners on the trail up the hill saying ‘you know it’s very steep’.  After crossing the ford, trail gradually meandered along the north side of the river to the walk run split.  Runners then went up to the top of the hill and into Green Gully with several false trails reversing the running order, keeping the pack together and allowing Phantom, who was walking the run trail, to lead the pack for a while.   

Trail then followed the original road down to the bottom of Green Gully and along the Creek.  It looked like the pack was heading toward the E J Whitten bridge about 2 km away, before an ‘on back’ re-directed us over a low level crossing, back into the park area and to the last check.  Kokup found the unlikely trail home for a relatively short run, but Maggot had checked along the river flats and kept on going, turning up 15 minutes later after adding another couple of kilometres. 

Punch gave the walk report. The walkers started in the opposite direction, then joined the run trail and met the pack before the ford.  The walk followed the same trail to the split.  Happy led the walkers along the river path, rejoining the run trail near the last check and then on home past the children’s playground.  

The hares provided a good spread of salads, sauces etc for the BBQ, 

Lotsafun had made a delicious carrot cake and hashers enjoyed a convivial dinner before heading home.

Charges

Hares Klingon and Addon 

Maggot Despite the hare’s advice, the Walk / Run split clearly marked, the advice of a little old lady and ‘On On’ being called from the pack, Maggot took the Walker’s trail, then instead of turning back, climbed a steep hillside that kept getting steeper, through the scotch thistles and nettle to re-join the runners.

Backbeard Getting stuck short cutting between a gate and fence post (pedestrian access was 3m further to run)

Klingon Left his mark on the ceiling joists last time he was here

Kokup Must have got instructions from King (from the Burke & Wills expedition) on how to get to the run 

Backbeard Inattention

Maggot Likes to do long runs, but even when he could see trail he still took a short cut

Happy Has so much Jim Beam he likes to give it to the young lady next door and to Addon

Lotsafun Started cooking dinner before circle was finished

Addon A non-charge from Dripping Wet

Happy Wanted to know what PIN meant

Dripping Wet, Backbeard and Addon Using technology in the circle

Dripping Wet Insatiable demand for lemons for her G&T

]The song was sung, the moon was howled at and hashers adjourned until the next full moon.

Run 285

July 21 2024

Hares - Jack "Phantom" Walker & Bill "Happy" Cross

The Picnic Area, Churchill National Park, Churchill Park Drive, Lysterfield South. Melway 82 C10. 

Directions -  Follow the Monash Freeway about 17km from the CBD, take the Heatherton Road exit, turn left onto Heatherton Road and then left at the lights into Power Street. Follow Power St for about 2.5km, then turn right at the Tee intersection onto Churchill Park Drive.  The Park entrance is about 500m further on the left.

Present: Phantom, Happy, Klingon, Addon, Pop Pot, NickleB, Lotsa Fun, Maggot, Dripping Wet, Shiny Dick, 4 Pack, Backbeard.

The run went up the hill to the water race and turned right. Several on-backs departed from the main path, keeping most of the runners together. Half way round there was a R/W split, with the runners going right and the walkers retuning to base camp. The run continued up to the top of the hill for a Hash Halt where there is a magnificent view of the city in the distance.

Then with a few diversions, it was on down the hill and left back to the car park. On return were greeted with Happy's enormous tub of soup and Pol Pot's raging fire in the tub. Addon having done the walk, was the last to return

It being 4pm, and not being yet hungry, after canvassing the issue, amazingly, it was unanimously decided that we should have the circle first and the food later.

Circle

• Returnees: 4Pack, Shiny Dick, Maggot and Dripping Wet. Latecomer: Backbeard.

• Run report: Shiny Dick. Walk report (not): Pol Pot. Walk Report. Addon.

Charges arising:

• Shiny Dick: kangaroos come in mobs, not flocks or herds

• Pol Pot: Taking the run spilt, but then short cutting back, claiming the checks wer not marked.

• Addon: complaining about being a walker.

Other charges:

• Phantom: for a trail of toilet paper that appeared to be a phantom trail.

• Dripping Wet and Maggot: One year anniversary of their first run in Melbourne, also in Churchill Park

• Klingon: staggering up a hill like a drunkard.

• Front runners were charged for not halting (long enough) at the hash halt.

• Addon for trying to get rid of the last beer.

• NickelB for drinking the last beer.

We finished with a limp rendition of the hash song.

Then we leisurely cooked food on the barbie and adjourned for a convivial discussion around the campfire.

Run No 284 on Sunday 23 June, 2024 at 3.00 pm

Bullengarook Recreation Reserve, 683 Bacchus Marsh Road, Bullengarook. 

Melway Page 7 D1 or X909 G11 (just outside Map 677).  

Hares are John (Kokup) & Judy (Punch) Leckie.  

There are toilets and shelter at the Reserve. 

Circle will be held at the Reserve after the run and snacks provided by the hares.

Dinner at Costello’s Victorian Tavern, 22 Aitken Street, Gisborne (corner of Robertson Street).

Directions - Follow the Calder Highway M79 towards Gisborne and take the Gisborne (Melbourne Road) exit.  Follow Melbourne Road to the second roundabout (with fountain) in the middle of Gisborne, then turn right into Aitken Street and left into Robertson Street at the next roundabout.  Robertson Street becomes the Bacchus Marsh Road.  Follow towards Bacchus Marsh for about 7.5km to the Bullengarook Recreation Reserve on the left.   

A dozen hashers assembled on a sunny but cold afternoon at Bullengarook oval just before 3.00 pm. Hare Kokup explained that there was really only one trail for both runners and walkers, but with a short cut for walkers to reduce the length for them from 6 km to 5 km.  Trail markings would be flour on the flat as usual, plus a combination of yellow and pink ribbon in steep bush areas, and disclosed that he had plenty of flour left but had almost run out of ribbon. We had been warned. He also promised a drink stop.

Then we were off, just as Klingon and Addon arrived.  Trail led through a small section of bush and then along a track to an on-back, which kept everyone together. Then it was off trail into untracked bush and down, down, down, a steep gully and then up, up, up, the other side to a check. This split the hashers into a group of runners, a group of fast walkers, and a group of slower walkers. Back on flour, the trail went along a relatively flat ridge, through two checks, and then turned 180 degrees lower down and back along the same gully we had been on.

We were pleased to see Kokup’s car sitting nicely parked in the late sunshine, but no sign of the drink stop. Trail continued onwards and flat, then suddenly turned sharply downhill into a deeply shaded untracked gully and on down to a log across the creek with a thin rope handrail. To reach the drink stop, we had to cross the log for our welcome refreshment provided by Kokup and Addon. However we were on an island, and the only way out was to retrace our steps back across the log, up the gully, and then back along the road to a new walking track and down to a proper road back to the Reserve.

Waiting for us was Punch, with a large pot of hot soup and lots of fresh bread, and E&B, who had arrived fashionably late as usual.

As the sun set and darkness descended, Kokup called the circle.

On downs were given to returnees Dumb Bastard and Non Stop, and Hares Kokup and Punch were thanked for an adventurous and memorable day.

Canny gave a run report, naming it “a walkers run without any running”.

Charges from the floor were

·         Happy for falling down after holding on to a small bush

·         Lotsafun for losing her scarf, with Nickleby accepting in her place as she went looking for it.

·         Point Post for falling down

·         Backbeard for complaining about the run

·         Dumb Bastard for breaking a branch

·         Canny and Pol Pot for not being able to find the walkers shortcut on the map given by the hare

·         E&B rebound

·         E&B and Klingon for arriving late

·         Past GMs being Canny, Nickelby, Kokup, Pol Pot, Klingon

·         The retiring committee of Kokup, Klingon, Pol Pot, Add On and Canny were thanked

·         The committee for July 2024 to June 2025 announced as Kokup, Klingon, Pol Pot, Add On and Canny

The song was sung, the moon was sighted, and we all retired to Costellos restaurant in Gisborne for dinner.

RUN 283 – 26th May, 2024

Run Site:    Greenvale Reserve

Hare:         E&B

Full Moon H3 may have missed a run in April, but it was worth the wait until E&B set this run from Greenvale Reserve.  The pack gathered to a clear, blue, sunny sky and a balmy, warm afternoon.  E&B used her organising skills to recruit the mysterious “Ian” to help recce the run and Ricochet to help lay some of the trail.  Flour trail markings were demonstrated with a nifty squeeze bottle before the pack set off.

The run started with trail heading north around the football field before branching off past a reflective pond and then through grassed paddocks into the park proper.  Runners and walkers passed through a large stand of trees and then onto tracks through large grassy tracts and more open treed areas, literally crawling with kangaroos.  There were several mobs of 100+ and many other smaller groups who bounded off when hashers got too close.

Trail meandered along the park tracks, around boulders, over the hill and eventually led past the homestead and yards with very friendly, retired racehorses who looked like they wanted to join us.  Some of the trail had been wiped out by park visitors near the homestead, causing the pack to bunch up.  Trail then came up to the biggest rabbit proof fence anyone had seen (it was topped with razor wire), forcing a deviation through a heavily wooded area and a check, which took some breaking, again bunching up the pack.  Running and walking trails then re-joined for the run home.

The walkers followed the running trail most of the way, with a shortcut after the homestead, which cut out a large loop.  Unfortunately, some of the walkers did not make it as far as the homestead, but walkers and runners all arrived back within a few minutes of each other after a very enjoyable 8km run.

Maggot got the electric BBQ’s going and E&B laid out salads, bread, several dips a “supermarket range” of sauces and some homemade cake.  The circle was then held with the backdrop of a magnificent sunset over the parklands.  

Charges

• Returnees:   Prickly Bush and Deeper

• Visitor:        Ricochet

• Hare:           E&B

• Lotsafun:     Not listening to the Beema Navigator “because she talks too much”

• Klingon:      Did not follow E&B’s clear instructions and did a lap around the football field first

• Dripping Wet & Maggot:    Biking around the park before the run, forgot which way trail went after the first check

• Cooch:         Rode his bike from Richmond and was then too buggered to run and had to walk

• Backbeard:  By his own admission, did not see a kangaroo (or a horse) on the run

• Klingon:      Only saw a kangaroo after Prickly Bush pointed out a mob of about 100 grazing in the next paddock

• Kokup:        Running off trail to take pictures of rocks (Easter Island wannabees)

• Cooch:         E&B gave Cooch a map, but he got lost because he was holding it upside down

• Addon:        Tried to drown herself in the only puddle on trail

• Backbeard:  Too hot, but had to put his shirt back on so he did not scare the kids in the playground

• Prickly Bush:  For thinking the kangaroos might attack the runners

• Deeper:        Chasing kangaroos

• Deeper:        Helping Punch down a steep embankment

• NickelB:      Identified a noxious weed as Paterson’s curse (aka Salvation Jane, Riverina Bluebell and many more)

After circle, the song was sung against a brilliant red sunset followed by the customary howling at the moon.

Run 282 

24 March 2024 at 4.00 pm

Mortimer Picnic Ground, Bunyip State Park, past Gembrook

Melways Page 14 R12

Suggested route is via Gembrook, initially along the M1 and then Wellington Road to Emerald, or along the Burwood Highway to Emerald. From Gembrook, drive straight on along Beenak East Road and the Gembrook-Tominbuk Road for about 5 km into Bunyip State Park, and Mortimer Picnic Ground is on the left. This road is all bitumen and the total distance from Glen Iris is about 60 kms and should take about an hour and a quarter.

Mortimer Reserve is a very picturesque location, as is the surrounding area. The picnic ground has a toilet, wood fired BBQ fireplaces, and a picnic table. Please bring your own tables and chairs. The hares will supply bread and salad but bring your own meat to cook on the BBQ.

Camping is allowed but dogs are not allowed.

The run will be about 6 kms and the walk about 2 kms.

It was a perfect day for hashing with some scattered cloud when the pack gathered at Mortimer picnic ground in the Bunyip State Forest and the hare gave the BOS.  Examples of the flour trail markings that were used and reinforced with sticks were shown and the pack sent off.

The run started up the hill and proceeded for about 1km to a three way check, where trail was found and quickly called in all three directions, causing some confusion.  Each hasher was adamant they were on trail, but after a long time, two hashers found on backs and it was Blood Sucker who was actually on.  Trail then continued a further 1km up the hill to a second check and despite trail being called down a gully by Blood Sucker, the other two options were also checked.  Maggot found trail still going uphill off to the left.  Backbeard lucked out at both checks and had to play catchup.  

A false trail at the top of the hill closed up the pack a bit and then it was a long, long run downhill, crossing the creek twice on a ferny track and then home.

The walkers proceeded in the opposite direction along the ferny Creek track and up the hill a bit until they met a bunch of hairy bikers and turned back.

The wood fired  BBQ was a welcome change and the hares provided garden salad and a huge range of sauces, followed by ginger cake to round off the day.  

Charges

Returnee:     Blood Sucker

Hares:          Canny & 3 Speed

Blood Sucker: Not sucking hard enough and still driving his Audi

Klingon:      His car is a lot older, damaged and held together with fencing wire

Lotsafun:     Burning plastic in the BBQ fire which was probably a hangover from 2016 when Malaysia used to import Australian rubbish and burn it

NickelB:      Happy 84th Birthday charge

Bandung Barry:       Also a Happy 84th Birthday charge and when one Octogenarian drinks …..

Lotsafun:     False charge on Pol Pot for burping like a hippo on the run

Backbeard:  The real burper

Backbeard:  Having a coffee making machine in his car

Addon & Punch:     Addon could not read Punch’s charges from a previous run - written on the back of a songsheet – and Punch for her unintelligible handwriting

Pol Pot:        Harassing another hasher in the circle

Maggot:       2nd or 3rd youngest here (actually 4th), but running slowly downhill to watch his knees

Dripping Wet: Wearing two knee pads and watching both knees

Maggot & Dripping Wet:    Wearing different hash clothes for a change

Canny & 3 Speed:   False trails at the checks without any indication of how far to check before the on back

Bandung Barry:       Slinging off at Blood Sucker

Blood Sucker:         Inside knowledge of how the on backs were set at checks

Run 281

25 February, 2024 at 4.00 pm 

Queens Park BBQ area, 150D Queens Park Rd, Highton, Geelong VIC 3216.  Melway 451 C3. 

The hares for this run are Full Moon virgins, Wayne (Dumb Bastard) & Linda (Lipstick) Bickerdike. 

The hares will provide salads and condiments and there is a BBQ and shelter.  

Bring your own drinks and meat for the BBQ.

From Melbourne, take the Princes Highway to Geelong, stay on the Geelong By Pass and exit left at Hamilton Highway B140. 

Follow B140 approx. 1.5km to the roundabout then turn right staying on B140. 

After the roundabout B140 is also called Deviation Road (becoming Aberdeen Street) and follow approx. 2.5km. 

Turn right onto Minerva Road (becoming Layton Cres, then Melville Ave) and follow approx. 0.5km to the tee intersection.  

Turn right onto Queens Park Road, cross the Barwon River and turn right to the Queens Park BBQ area, located past the Golf and Football Clubs. 

Run 281 

25th Feb 2024 

Location Queens Park, Geelong 

Hares Dumb Bastard and Lipstick 

Chargee Charged Charge

GM - Kokup Nucchi & Stuart Welcome to our virgin visitors GM - Kokup Hares 

The GM calls in the hares and asks Esra for a run report Esra Dumb Bastard & Lipstick The initial marking was -99 out of 100. Full moon is supposed to run on dirt and little of bitumen and footpaths. Redeeming features were lots of bridges, the drink was fantastic. Upon the GM asking about the salads, cake and lamingtons and the drink stop the rating went from minus to plus. (Shows hashers are easily bribed) The trail set out of the park into the Baron River Trail. After a t-check the pack went back under the one lane steel bridge and between the golf course and the river. There was a big fence to stop the hashers guessing and running straight despite a lack of markings. An extra loop for runner and then the pack headed to a great drink stop with a good view. After that we all headed back on the other side of the river and back over the old bridge to on-home. The Pack Hares Thanks for the run, drinks and food at the end Kokup Esra This will be Esra last Full Moon run before heading to Canberra. She advised she was sad to go (was that sad because she is going to Canberra?). She then received from Maggot the appropriate send of song Side Note - At this point our guest Nucchi was wondering if the language could get any worse. Maggot Hares Things are simpler down here in Geelong compared to the big smoke up the road. They only needed 60 markings for 7.4km run. E & B Back Beard Caught Back Beard short cutting (while she was short cutting) The Pack E & B One short cutter drinks all short cutters drink Happy E & B Well organised, brought wine, tea, milk, hot water but forgot her food Kokup E&B and Esra Forgetting to check in after the run Dumb Bastard Kokup Discussed our GM's weather forecasting process. The blurb said 23 degrees and well it was a tad hotter E & B Pointy and Lots of Fun When walking the running trail they passed the walkers and refused to acknowledge the walkers (they weren't really sure what run they were on also) Dripping Wet Lots of Fun The nice drink was 20 minutes or so. At the 19 minute mark she decided she wanted to try the zero alcohol beer and then asked everyone to help her finish it Maggot Deciding Lots of Fun shouldn’t drink alone she charged her long suffering husband (guess who is typing this?) for hand balling (hospital pass?) the taking of notes to his native Chinese speaking wife. Happy Pol Pot Calling Dripping Wet by the name of Wet Pussy Punch Hares Thanks for providing zero alcohol drinks at the drink stop. She was tired of alcohol being served at a drink stop (not sure this was a fair charge?) The Pack Cooch Obvious one here, for turning up at the end of the run. Punch Maggot For singing the same song (does your dick hang down) on DIFFERENT hashes. Typist note - where is Punch when most hashers here sing the SAME song at the SAME run on the SAME day Kokup Maggot and Dripping Wet For wearing the same t-shirt. DW pointed out made washing easier. Kokup Esra Thanks for being a great flash, but who is next ….... 

Thanks Hares and On-on Scribed by Dripping Wet and Maggot

Run 280 - 21 January, 2024 at 4.00 pm 

Run Site -140 Monument Road, Kilmore, Vic 3764

Hares - John “Maggot” Stanlake and Beh “Dripping Wet” Hsia Wa 

Scribes - Dr Dementia and Robin Redbreast

Directions 

From Melbourne take the Hume Highway (M31) and then exit left onto the Northern Highway (B75) approximately 3km past Beveridge.

Follow the Northern Highway approximately 15km to Kilmore and turn right into Rutledge Street at the traffic lights.

Follow the street down to golf course (it changes name to Anderson Road) and continue just pass the golf course then turn left onto Monument Road 

Follow this gravel road up a hill till the road forks 3 ways. Take the right fork and go thru the gate. Park just past the gate either side of the track

The Run

It’s not very often that the Full Moon Hash is able to run on private property and even less often when the facilities are so good and with million dollar views in a bush setting.  The hares did some hard negotiating to make the last run before Australia Day memorable (family helps) and Carolyn and Dave not only went out of their way with their hospitality, but also participated in the run, dinner and circle. 

The hare demonstrated the wood shavings/sawdust used to mark trail and described the marks used.  However, he did forget that before a run, hashers have the attention span of a gnat so no-one remembered what a T-check was. He also advised the walk was about 4km and the run about 7km.

The 6 walkers had no trouble as they hired the local guide Dave who gave them a running commentary of the salient features of the landscape.  There was some discussion with Dripping Wet as to the correct trail as she was working from memory (where was the sawdust?).

The 7 runners set off down the hill or was it up the hill.... it was all hills and this pattern was to continue until Maggot works out they wouldn’t make it back - a hard 7km.  The first kilometre was on narrow sheep trails in the side of the hills, zig zagging across the property and complete with a dead kangaroo.  Outside the gate, trail was down, down on 4WD and trailbike tracks, past a large dam and around the golf course.  Somewhere here, the FRB’s came across the first T-check and could not work out if it was a two way check or an on back.  The problem was solved to the sounds of Lotsafun hooting, hollering and actually running, having broken a check and found the trail, with Point Post close behind.    

After the golf course came a path around the race track, complete with a troll hiding under a timber bridge.  Some well placed on backs (T-checks) kept the pack together as we all trudged up the hill to the Hume and Hovell monument.  At the top, Klingon tried to throw out some wood shavings, only to have it all blow back in his face.  Then it was only a short trot home, past where a local wag had added to fallen trees to caricature a crocodile and a horse.

This was a great spot just outside Kilmore on the route that Hume & Hovell took in 1834. 

The Circle

The hares provided fresh salads and condiments.  Everyone was impressed by the rather large BBQ and fridge on wheels.  The brownies and gin & tonic were well received and even Dragon managed to sneak some G&T when Klingon was not looking.

The circle was held with a magnificent view over the valley, the howlers anthem was sung rather poorly as someone forgot to bring the song sheets!!!!!!!  and even though we were a week ahead of the Full Moon, the obligatory howling at the non-existent moon wrapped up a successful hash run and a very enjoyable day.  

Charges

Returnees NickelB, Lotsafun, Bandung Barry, Backbeard

Visitors & Hosts Carolyn, Dave and Sarah

Hares Maggot & Dripping Wet

Charges from the floor

 E & B      Arriving late & missing the run

 ESRA      Talking too much

 KOKUP   On back 100m not 200m

 MAGGOT   Poor runner

 KLINGON   Saw dust flinging

 LOTSAFUN  Breaking check and looking at the view

 NICKELB   Not helping Lotsafun up after she fell

 BANDUNG BARRY Back from a body rebuild

Run report prepared by Dr Dementia & Robin Redbreast 

17 December 2023            Run cancelled due to no Hare available  

RUN 279 – 26th November, 2023 at 4.00 pm

Run Site: Currawong Bush Park, Doncaster East

Hares: Dr Dementia & Redbreast

After the usual welcome by GM, the hare told the assembled hashers what we were in for.  The walk was about 5km and there was new territory for the runners who could expect to run up to 8km.  Runners were also warned they would be out for up to an hour and a half.  However, Dr Dementia was living up to his name and the run was only about 6km, except for 4 Pack, who did run about 8km and was the only hasher out for over an hour. 

4 Pack was very effusive in his run report at circle and thought it was a fantastic run.  The pack started out down the hill and went in, out, up, down, around, over, under, in and out again (or at least 4 Pack did).  The first check did not go up the steep powerline easement, but continued along a narrow, overgrown track through the bush.  The second check also did not go up the steep hill, but turned into a narrow track, straight up to an On Back.

Runners and Walkers then crossed a small creek and split, with the runners now going up the steep hill and the walkers straight ahead.  At the top of the hill the run crossed Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road where FRB 4 Pack missed the left arrow and was heading east towards Warrandyte when Kokup and Point Post found trail on a new path.  The main beneficiary was Maggot who had turned up late, saw the runners coming back and managed to cut out the cunning loop and get to the front of the pack.

Trail then crossed Mullum Mullum Creek near the Crystal Brook Tourist Park, where the walkers re-joined and it followed along the west side of the Creek, over the bridge and back home – except for some recalcitrants walking the wrong way.  Meanwhile, back across the Creek, the hare had connected the IN trail to the OUT trail without an arrow to home and this was where the deserving FRB 4 Pack started going around the trail again, before noticing familiar territory and trail after about a kilometre.

The hares provided fresh salads and some unusual, but delicious condiments.  After a very satisfying dinner and a few drinks, one of the liveliest circles for some time was held, with all hashers participating with gusto.

Charges

Returnees Pol Pot, Phantom, Redbreast & Dr Dementia

Hares Dr Dementia & Redbreast

Charges

• 4 Pack You can see him, feel him and hear him, but he is not here – officially anyway.  Full Moon hashers have to sign in and out and the hare almost had to go looking for him to prove he really was here.

• Maggot Did 10 flights in 24 days instead of last month’s run

• Dripping Wet Only did 9 flights in 24 days, but just as guilty

• 4 Pack Always on the lookout for a pussy, but tried to pick up the scrawniest looking cat ever seen

• Canny, 3 Speed Leading Bloodsucker (and future hasher Chiara) astray, backwards around the trail

• 4 Pack For giving too good a run report, especially when he missed the last bit of the IN trail

• Kokup Asking 4 Pack to take the hares away, when he was already charged

• 4 Pack Starting to run the trail twice before recognising familiar country and checks already broken

• Canny Trying to light the BBQ without matches

• Dr Dementia Forgot which was the outside of his tee shirt and has been wearing it inside out all day

• Kokup Also wears his tee shirts inside out if they are hanging that way

• Phantom Mentioning Morals.  We don’t have any! 

Run 278 - 29 October, 2023 at 4.00 pm 

Parking area on Hobbs Road, off Melton-Gisborne Road. near Gisborne in the Lerderderg State Park, Melways 909 G11, hares John (Kokup) and Judy (Punch) Leckie  

The hares for this run are John “Kokup” and Judy “Punch” Leckie. A gas BBQ will be available and the hares will provide salads, bread and condiments.  Hashers should bring their own meat and drinks.  The forecast is for a dry day with a maximum temperature of 250C. 

Directions. Hobbs Road runs between the Gisborne – Bacchus Marsh Road and the Gisborne - Melton Road about 5km west of Gisborne.  From Melbourne, you can either take the Calder Freeway or Western Freeway -:

Calder Freeway -              Follow the Calder Freeway approximately 13km past Diggers Rest and exit left (west) to Couangalt Road.  Drive about 6km to the end of Couangalt Road and turn right (north) onto Gisborne - Melton Road.  Follow Gisborne - Melton Road about 2km and turn left into Hobbs Road (north) after about 2km.  The run site is the second car park about 1.5km along Hobbs Road on the left side.  Both the Hobbs Road turn off and the run site will be signed MHH3.

Western Freeway -          Follow the Western Freeway and exit left to Melton / Gisborne.  Turn right at the lights, drive over the freeway and straight through the first roundabout (Bunnings on right).  Drive about 600m to the second roundabout (Caltex servo opposite) and turn left onto Federation Drive.  Follow Federation Drive about 1.3km to a third roundabout and take the second exit (north) onto Gisborne - Melton Road.  Follow the Gisborne - Melton Road 10km to Toolern Vale, continue straight ahead and up Breakneck Pass approximately 12km and turn left into Hobbs Road (north).  The run site is the second car park about 1.5km along Hobbs Road on the left side.  Both the Hobbs Road turn off and the run site will be signed MHH3

RUN REPORT – RUN NUMBER 278 – 5th November, 2023

On a beautiful warm day we went up the Calder and found the run site with the help of a few HHH signs. The hare was telling us that there was a runner’s trail and a walkers trail. For some reason he was urging non-runners not to do the runner’s trail. Strange, as he said there were no hills. But there was a drink stop for all and later and other drink stopfor the runners. So we set off.

For some unknown reason we crossed back and forth over Hobbs Road several times.

Then we got on to a bike path that went back to where we started from, and then on to the first drink stop.

At this point some more late-comers arrived wanting to do the run but were given an alternative plan by the hare. After that the refreshed runners set off. There was a divergence to a car-wreck filled mine shaft, then down into a gully. Then more down into a gully.

The ever-alert 4Pack suggested there was something we should look out for on the trail.

What a nice welcome from the local wildlife.

Apparently there were no hills but going up the other side of the gully was a steep, steep slog.

But the reward was a beautiful visa.

The on-home was a welcome sight.

On return the late comers were already back.

Klingon gave the run report.

The hares were charged.

There were charges in the circle.

Charges

• Returnees - Canny and 3 Speed.

• Hares - Kokup & Punch

Charges from the Floor

• Klingon - Choosing a parking space by a puddle.

• 4 Pack - Late comer

• Pantyleaver, And And, Diplomatic Cumber - Extra late comers and returnees

• Esra - Checking on trail

• Diplomatic Cumber - Making bird calls that sound like a bird

• 4Pack - Flying in from Darwin do the run before flying out to Morocco the next day

Scribe : Klingon

Run 277 8 October, 2023 at 4.00 pm      

Run Site:    Quarry Picnic Area, Werribee Gorge State Park

Hares:         Klingon & Addon

Werribee Gorge State Park, starting from the Quarry Picnic Area car park, Melway 911, E2. 

The hares for this run are John “Klingon” and Alice “Addon” Perkins.  This is the second run set by Klingon and Addon since July (and the third since April).  It will be followed by the hash Circle in the Quarry Car Park after which we will adjourn to Flanagan’s Border Inn Hotel in Main Street, Bacchus Marsh for dinner.  Hashers will only need to bring any drinks for after the run and circle.  The forecast is for a dry day with a maximum temperature of 170C. 

Directions. From Melbourne, take the Western Highway / Freeway towards Ballarat and exit at the Pentland Hills turnoff, approximately 4.5km past the second Bacchus Marsh (& Gisborne) exit.  Turn right onto Mortons Road at the end of the ramp, pass under the freeway and then turn left into Pentland Hills Road.  Follow Pentland Hills Road for about 3km, passing under the Freeway again and then turn left onto Myers Road.  Drive along Myers Road about 2.5km to the Quarry Car Park

In spite of the sunny weather, it was only a small crowd that gathered in the Quarry Car Park in The Werribee Gorge State Park at 4.00 pm to see what treat Klingon as the hare had set us. About 10 minutes before the start a rather sweaty Klingon appeared and informed us that the run was long.

At four the GM did an inspection of the carpark to check no one else was coming. He then welcomed the returnees Maggot and Dripping Wet before handing over to the hare Klingon. Addon having denied all responsibility for the run saying her job was only to look after Barkon (dogs are not allowed in the park). The hare said there was a short and a long walk and a run which he described as long. He recommended everyone do at least the long walk as it has some spectacular views of the gorge. He then warned us not to fall off the cliff.

The run started following a small stream before heading up hill and down dale over trackless terrain composed of rocks and more rocks with the odd tree and some low shrub. These combined to make running virtually impossible. The arrows pointed every which way making navigation difficult. At one point we crossed over The Short Circuit Walk where the short walk went. However, the whole pack pressed on over the trackless terrain anxious to see the promised views. In several places we lost trail, but someone (usually Maggot) always managed to find it.

At last, we arrived at a fence which we crossed over to the first of three spectacular views over the Werribee Gorge. We could see across to Falcons Lookout and the ridge where we had descended to the river on the run set by Sooty and RS many years ago.

We then pressed on to where we met the Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk. Here the long walk went to the right and the run to the left along the route to the bottom of the gorge. We soon came to a WL with arrows pointing into the bush. What did WL stand for. I suggested Long Walk. No further arrows were found on the track so after much searching, we followed WL which turned out to stand for Western Lookout. Here there were fewer rocks and more trees. We skirted a low cliff and up into the bush to a track which took us to the Western Lookout. This looked over the Myrniong Valley with good views of the surrounding country. Here there was a signboard naming all the features you could see. It was here that Pointy showed up with Punch and Addon which like a gentleman he had stayed behind to shepherd them on the long walk.

We now rejoined the Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk until it joined the Short Circuit Walk at the Eastern Lookout. After a short pause here to see the view and the Quarry car park we followed the SCW back to the On On. Beer, but no barby. After the down downs and howling at the moon those that wished could adjourn to Flanagan’s Border Inn Hotel in Main Street, Bacchus Marsh for dinner.

More a walk than a run but I enjoyed it and in spite of the hares warning, not over long. Plenty of rocks and spectacular scenery and a beautiful day. Well worth the journey. Thank you hare. (Report by NickelB)

Charges

Returnees   Maggot, Dripping Wet

Hares          Klingon & Addon  

Charges from the Floor

Lotsafun, NickelB, Dripping Wet & Esra   Blindly following the FRB down into a gully and up the other side, when they could have stayed on level ground around the head of the gully with a 5m detour.

Addon              Crocheting in the circle (Essendon scarf won’t be required for a few years)

Point Post    For being a gentleman on hash and walking with the slower walkers

Punch          Following trail despite Dripping Wet calling a shortcut

Dripping Wet  Calling ‘Head’ to warn hashers to ‘duck’ for low branches

Esra             Turning up early and having a nice picnic, reading her book

GM              Turned up late. (GM should arrive more than 15 minutes before the run starts)

Maggot        Being a consistent FRB

Point Post        Standing in a sunny spot before circle and nearly blinding other hashers with the sun reflecting off his pale legs

NickelB           Interpreting WL as Walkers Long, but did not go back to last arrow

 Run 276 

3-Sep-23 at 3.00 pm

Hares:   Nick (Nickel B) & Lai Fun (Lotsa Fun) Leicester   

Location:  Lysterfield Park, Melways page 108 D2

 What happens when you get a cloudless Spring day with a temperature of 20oC, combined with a great run site and hares who have a reputation for setting good runs?  You get 24 hashers turning up and all looking to have an enjoyable day, a challenging run / walk amidst a bush setting with Lake Lysterfield for the backdrop.  The hares had laid the trail in flour and said the run was about 7km and the walk about 4km, both of which suggested that trail would likely be around the lake with a bit of extra trail in the bush for the runners.    

Shiny Dick gave the run report.  Runners and walkers set off toward the Park entrance to a check just before the car park.  Trail veered to the right along a barely visible bush track and continued through the bush near the upper boundary of the Park.  A check was found just before the end of the back car park and proved a little confusing and difficult to break.  Eventually, trail was found along the bottom of the dam embankment and the delay allowed late comers and walkers to catch up.  However, a generally level trail allowed the FRB’s to get ahead, particularly as they kept running uphill on the right abutment of the dam – and straight into an on-back, which again closed up the pack.     

Trail followed a wide gravel track until the runners branched off to the right onto a narrow track amongst the Ti Tree and generally running parallel to the lake.  A check at the end of the narrow track again proved difficult to break and eventually trail was found leading to an on-back up the hill.  At this stage the intuitive direction was to follow a cross track to the top end of the lake, but the hare fooled everyone with trail in the opposite direction in a loop back to the dam wall and not around the lake. 

Again, the delay allowed hashers ‘walking the run’, and walkers who had re-joined the trail, to catch up.  Point Post found trail, which meandered through scrub and bush before climbing ‘about 1,000m’ up to the western boundary of the Park.  It was here that hashers encountered several of the ‘locals’ observing proceedings in a bemused manner.

Trail then followed the boundary track back towards the dam wall, passing at least six (or more) houses where it appeared the neighbours did not talk to each other, because every house had a tennis court in the back yard.

Hashers re-joined the Out trail at a check that still had the Out trail marked and despite the hare coming along and clearly marking trail back towards the dam, the FRB’s started re-running out.  The In trail then diverted over the top of the dam embankment, along the lake foreshore and back to the BBQ site. 

It was deemed to be an excellent run and although Full Moon H3 does not normally score runs, it was given 999/1,000 with one point deducted because there was no drink stop.  

Walkers followed the run trail before getting back onto the main walking track and heading for home when the runners diverted up the hill and around the West boundary of the Park.  However, there are occasionally those who don’t follow trail and walkers Happy, Esra and Phantom ‘short cutted’ around the lake, coming back home from the opposite direction.

The hares supplied salads, bread and condiments for dinner before circle and as always, hashers managed to cook themselves a feast on the nearby BBQ.  This was followed by lots of Lotsafun’s delicious carrot cake.

 Charges

Returnees       Incredible Gobby Tart 2, Bandung Barry, Lipstick, Moppy, Law & Order, Miney, Shiny Dick and Su Ann

Late Comers   Esra, Moppy, Law & Order, Miney, E&B, 4 Pack, and Su Ann

Hares                NickelB & Lotsafun     

Charges from the Floor

Lotsafun          Worried there would only be about six hashers and she would have to eat left over salad for the next two weeks

Pol Pot              His son had to drive all the way to Lysterfield to borrow some tools

Shiny Dick        Only going ‘800m’ up the ‘1,000m’ climb and did not find trail

4 Pack               Checking down a bike trail that was clearly signed no pedestrians – including hashers

Phantom 2      Shortcutting with Happy and Esra???

Robin Red Breast & Lipstick      Drinking from crystal glasses

Dr Dementia & Robin Red Breast           Short cutted the already short walk to prevent over exhaustion

Shiny Dick        Something about being the only dick

IGT2                   Long winded charge about a 4m penis quoted from a Sam Neill book she was reading

Punch, Lotsafun & Bandung Barry         Sitting in the Circle

NickelB              For not setting the run around the Lake as Hashers had a right to expect

Klingon             Rebound.  Hashers have no rights and NickleB did not go around the lake with his last run at Lysterfield Park either      

Phantom 2      Representing the hash cyclists about to leave for their Vietnam sojourn

Run 275

6 August 2023 at 3.00 pm

Hares: Jack (Phantom) Walker & Mike (Pol Pot) Hodgson  

Location: Picnic Area, Churchill National Park, Churchill Park Drive, Lysterfield South. Melway 82 C10. Shelter, Toilets, BBQs. No dogs.

The run will start at 3:00pm.   There are several ways to get to the run site.  From the city it’s probably best to travel along the Monash Freeway, turn off to the left at either Heatherton Road or Belgrave – Hallam Road and make your way to Churchill Park Drive.  After entering the Park, follow the track to the Picnic Shelter on the right. There have been some great runs from this site featuring native bushland, wildlife and some interesting hills.

We gathered on a mild winter's day under the big shelter at the lower car park. Newcomers Maggot and Dripping Wet were in attendance, as well as returnees, Icy and Flashon.

The runners and walkers both set off up the hill. At the water race, we turned right. After some checks we came to the runners/walkers split. At this time the runners were Maggot, Icy, Flashon and Klingon. Of these, it was the front running Maggot who broke almost all the checks.  

We did not get to the hilltop lookout but did get a glimpse of the city skyline between the kangaroos. We came to a gate, one side of which was locked, the other side was passable for pedestrians.  Then it was down the hill, under the power lines, around the water race and back to the start. 

The front runners were back in 35 minutes, so decided to go round again, this time on the walkers trail. After the split, this trail joined the runners trail at the aforementioned gate. 

By the time we were back, the other runners were all back including, Nickleb, as well as E&B, Ezra, Lotsafun. Point Post and Dripping Wet who all decided to walk the run.

The other walkers were Canny, Dr Dementia and Addon, who decided to walk by herself to avoid the conversation Dr Dementia was having with Canny. By the time the runners were back, the walkers were all busy cooking their evening meals at 4pm. How civilised! As the circle was delayed, Icy and Flashon bid their farewells at this time. 

 Circle

The hares were charged: Phantom and Pol Pot as a stand-in for Happy. 

Maggot gave the run report, saying it was the best run he had ever done at Churchill NP (and the worst). 

Canny gave the walkers report, which was a report about all the things Dr Dementia was talking about on the walk. 

Maggot and Dripping Wet were welcomed to the Hash, and were acquainted with friends many of the hashers have in KL and JB.
E&B charged Phantom with having a nice fire (in an old washing machine tub) but not providing marshmallows. 

Phantom charged Dr Dementia for a car parking mistake. 

E&B charged Phantom for the over-provision of condiments - there was every conceivable type.

Klingon charged Icy (in absentia) for confusion over the locked gate.

In memoriam: we all charged our glasses in remembrance of Go Lucky.

 At the on-after around the campfire, those remaining were entertained by Dr Dementia, raconteur extraordinaire.

Run 274

2 July 2023  

Hares: John (Klingon) & Alice (Addon) Perkins  

Location: Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve, Long Forest Road, Merrimu.    Melway 335 E3. No Fires or dogs. Gas BBQ will be provided.

As 15 hashers gathered, Klingon said the run would take about 1 1/2 hours and that it was set in ‘invisible’ flour with some toilet paper and several fencing wire trip hazards.  He also warned there were two Creek crossings, but runners should not get their feet wet (optional).  This time the hare actually told the truth.  Off white flour on light coloured soils and rock, scattered with quartz pebbles, was pretty hard to see.  

NickelB gave the run report.  Runners had an easy start along Happy Valley Track, but then branched off for a circuit of the fire dam, before resuming on the track.  There were two adventurous deviations off the track and through the bush, both returning to the same track.  Some hashers lost trail and were in the bush looking longer than necessary because they ‘did not go back to the last trail mark’ and look again.    

There was a Run / Walk split with the runners heading west and downhill until trail again deviated off track to a ridge with a very steep side, but then followed the ridge down to the Coimadai (Pyrites) Creek.  The hare had laid a false trail crossing the Creek, with the real trail found going further downstream and crossing the Creek over some slippery rocks.  Trail markings then changed to toilet paper, some about the size of a postage stamp and it went across a river flat scattered with box thorn bushes, up a steep hill, down another ridge and along to the second Creek crossing over a fallen log.  The hare had kindly placed a rope ‘handrail’ to prevent falls into the large pool below.  

After crossing the Creek again, trail went up a small hill and passed through the stone footings of an old house, before coming to an intersection where, lo and behold, there was a check – the only check – at the bottom of two steep uphill options.  Having found trail up Gravelly Track, the steepest, runners were treated to a long downhill section, before trekking uphill again and on home along formed and bush tracks.

3 Speed told of the walkers adventures.  They followed the out trail to a junction where they were then instructed to proceed ahead to the next track.  The instructions were to turn right to see the old house, but they had seen it before and turned left instead with another left turn to return home.

When the runners returned, the gas BBQ had been started by Pol Pot ready for everyone to cook their meals.  The hares supplied several salads, bread and condiments etc for dinner before circle.  

Charges

• Returnees Esra, Dumb Bastard

• Hares Addon & Klingon

• Klingon Hitting two kangaroos on the way home from last month’s run

• E&B, Esra Holding up the keen runners for three minutes

Charges from the Floor

• NickelB For suggesting that Klingon was doing the last run in reverse (and don’t let the truth get in the way of a good charge)

• Dumb Bastard Depressing conversation about the elderly

• 3 Speed For wanting to know where all the new songs came from

• Canny For advising hashers not to travel over the West Gate Bridge

• Punch For not seeing Addon, the assistant Grog Master, helping Pol Pot with the drinks

• Klingon Too many of the same hash songs

• Kokup Brought back a new song from Katherine H3, but where is it?

(Binod & Nibesh had to leave after the run and avoided charges)

After the circle, Dumb Bastard and Klingon were last seen in the fading light singing that enigmatic Yorkshire song “On Ilkley Moor Baht ‘At” and looking like they were staying the night.

Run No 273

Sunday 4th June 2023 at 3.00 pm

Run Site: The Cross’ Mount Macedon, Melways 509 H10

Hares: Punch and Kokup

Directions.  Travel along the Calder Highway and take the Mt Macedon off ramp just past Gisborne.  Follow Mount Macedon Road ~7km to the township of Mt Macedon and continue ~3km up to the top, then turn left onto Cameron Drive and drive ~3km to “The Cross” as signposted.  Overflow car parking is available if the main car park is full.  We will walk from the car park to “The Cross” for the start of the run / walk. 

The weather was a balmy 15 degrees as promised, without a cloud in the sky and little wind.  The pack gathered at 3:00pm at Point A “The Cross”, but was delayed a few minutes by a flustered hare who had just finished laying trail for the walk, a short run and a long run.  Before setting off a group photograph was taken at “The Cross”.

Klingon gave the run report, modified slightly.  Runners set off down the familiar Macedon Ranges Walking Track (MRWT) heading towards the bottom of the mountain in rocky, wet and slippery conditions from rain the previous day, just as they did 20 years ago.  They quickly found a horrible downhill on back, giving the visitors an early lesson in Full Moon hashing.  Back to a narrow bush track to the left which crossed the ridge and led to an old logging track and the first check, which was broken back to the north.  Considering the complaints of 20 years ago, the hares made sure the trail started gently downhill, which is probably why no-one was sucked into the second false trail which was a very steep, downhill and overgrown branch track.  However, hashers did have to scramble through some fallen trees further along the logging track before reaching a check at the junction with the walker’s trail.  Runners and walkers then shared trail down a gravel road where there was a split, with the walkers following a greasy contour track and where the runners found an on back, but then continued on to a four way check further down the hill.  

Trail followed formed tracks between cleared pine forest and stands of native bush where the short run then branched off and only two hashers chose to take it.  After all, the short run was going uphill and the long run was continuing flat, so why would you take it, especially as the long run was only 1 km longer?  Little did the long runners know what was coming.  The long run continued reasonably flat through native forest to a management track.  It then turned left and downhill with a false trail at the bottom going even further downhill.  Having sorted that out, hashers resumed on the now uphill trail on a steeper grade that softened them up a bit, before reaching a ridge where trail resumed up a very steep uphill track to the left. There was no way out of the very steep uphill slog, and it was very steep.  At the top, the runners found the MRWT, heading back towards the Cross, joining the walkers and short runners trail below Cameron picnic area and finishing at Point B at the Harbison Picnic Area. 

3 Speed gave the walk report.  The walkers started on the run trail, were re-directed to the walk and admitted they would have short cut if they knew where Point B was before also heading downhill at the start.  Parts of the walk were slippery, had some shiggy and a few smaller hills before joining the run trail home.

Punch had a pot of hot pumpkin soup to warm everyone with nibbles and drinks before the circle.  

Charges

Visitors Brian, Dinod and Nibesh

Hares Punch & Kokup

Regular hashers - Klingon 218, NickelB 207, Lotsafun 203 - More than 200 Full Moon runs

  Canny 166, 3 Speed 161, Pol Pot 156     - More than 150 Full Moon runs

4 Pack Yelling abuse at the hare who was diligently laying trail

Happy Did not go A over T this run

E&B Making a delicious cake for hashers

Addon Getting her shoe stuck in the mud

Phantom Just for being a good bloke

Kokup Telling the walkers there was only one on back, but there were two

Point Post Suffered the indignity of his Porsche being attacked by a ute, which had bounced off a Mercedes, while travelling to Mt Macedon 

The pack then adjourned to the Mt Macedon Hotel for dinner, getting a panoramic view of the full moon in all it’s glory in a clear sky along the way.  

During dinner there was a quasi-democratic declaration of the Committee for 2023/24

Grand Master Kokup

On Sec Klingon

Grog Master Pol Pot

Asst. Grogmaster Addon

Webmaster Canny

Footnote. Klingon tried some one-upmanship with Point Post, hitting not one, but two kangaroos in separate incidents on the way home.

Run No 272

Sunday 7 May at 3.00 pm 

Run Site:    Currawong Bush Park, Doncaster East. Melways 34 H6

Hares:         Brian ‘Dr Dementia’ and Robyn ‘Red Breast’ Walsh.

 It was a not-to-far- away location, especially for those who live nearby. It had been raining and rain was forecast but in the end hash came out dry and unscathed.  The run set off slightly late. When Canny and 3 Speed, were almost there, they got a call that could not be refused. RS rang and said he wanted a lift to the Hash.

The hare said that the runners trail had steep sections, so to avoid that, it would be better to  take the walkers trail at the runners/walkers split. He said go down to the toilet block and find trail after that. So off we set.

The runners consisted of Su Ann, E&B, Syndrome, Point Post, Klingon and the four-legged Drag On. After going downhill, at the first check it was left, right or straight. We went straight. A few ups and downs but basically following the eastern side of the Mullum Mullum Creek. Then we got to the runners/walkers split. The walkers turned right up a hill and we runners went straight.  After following beside the creek the runners turned right. There were some steep sections, then we came to the powerline track and a check. Was it up or down?

Klingon and Point Post went down. Others looked around. Eventually the call was up the hill following the powerline. At the top of the hill there was a steep down under the powerline. This was followed by a steep hill up. At the top of this hill the trail went right. There were three emphatic arrows telling us to go down another steep long hill.

Going down this hill there were blobs of flour marking the trail. After a long downhill we were confused to find our selves back at the runners/walkers split. Did we miss something? Did the walkers go all the way up that hill, about 500m along and 200m up, to find those emphatic three arrows sending them back? As it turned out, yes they did.

The runners decided to follow the out-trail back in. Despite all the hills, when we got back to the first check, we had only been out for 45 minutes and decided to follow the path to the right and go back to the start via an extra loop. When we got back just after 4pm the walkers were well into cooking their dinners

When the circle got underway, Addon was appointed the stand in GM.

Charges:

• Returnees  RS, Syndrome and Non-stop.

• RS was welcomed back as a founder of the Melbourne Full Moon Hash

• Hares Dr Dementia and Redbreast.

Klingon gave the run report and said it was well marked with distinct arrows but the run was too short and we did an extra loop. Canny gave the walk report and mentioned the “longest on-back in hash history”. Dr Dementia tried to say there was an issue with crossing private land, but there was no right of reply.

• More returnees Dr Dementia, Point Post and E&B.

• Redbreast        Charged by E&B for using a butter knife for the dips. 

• E&B for making a dumb charge

• Hares               Charged again for the walkers long on-back

• Addon              Charged by RS for being too big to carry on his shoulders anymore.

• Su Ann             A naming was proposed but no name decide upon.

• The song was sung, there was howling at the moon

Run No 271  

Sunday 2 April, 2023 

O’Briens Crossing in the Lerderderg Gorge State Park. 

From Melbourne, drive along Ballarat Road to the Greendale turnoff about 12 to 13km past Bacchus Marsh (just before Pykes Creek Reservoir).  Follow C318 (Greendale – Myrniong Road) about 6km to Greendale, then turn right at the tee intersection to continue on C318 (now Greendale-Trentham Road). O’Briens Road is about 6 to 7km on the right and O’Briens Crossing is about a further 6 to 7km on the Lerderderg River.

Hashers started gathering at O’Briens crossing around 2:30 in near perfect hashing conditions at a beautiful location in the magnificent Lerderderg Gorge.  It was all blue sky and sunshine with a temperature of 16o beside the trickling Lerderderg River.  But where were the hares? 

There they were on the other side of the river crossing, unfortunately testing positive for COVID19 earlier in the day.  To their credit, Klingon and Addon ensured the trail was laid before we arrived and then maintained ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ type separation across the bridge, with much shouting of instructions about the run.

The pack set off up the hill and after a gruelling climb was very happy to see trail branch off onto a contour track.  Like all things that seem too good to be true, it was a false trail and so we backed up and continued further up & up before the track eventually levelled out.  Trail was marked on the next cross track, which was steeply downhill and approached with a bit of trepidation, but it was On On and into the shiggy, past mullock heaps in a gully, through the middle of the bottom of an old miners hut, down a deep gully and back to the river. 

Once on the river, hashers had two choices.  The first was to get wet feet (& possibly a bit more).  The second was to follow trail and display their tightrope walking skills along a fallen log, utilise long forgotten contortionist skills getting through a log jam and then become mountain climbers to get up above the diversion tunnel, hand excavated by miners to dry up about 400m of river bed in the search for gold.  Getting through this part of the trail was not bad for a bunch of mostly 70 somethings.

After the tunnel, the faster hashers got a bit ahead on the steep uphill track, which turned out to be a nasty false trail, made even more nasty by them not seeing the on back and continuing further up the hill.  This allowed the walkers to get within shouting distance before turning onto a narrow contour track bound for home.  The contour track afforded magnificent views of the gorge, fern valleys below and the steep sides of the gorge.

The last section of trail was a steep descent back down to O’Briens crossing for a cold drink and snacks after almost two hours.  Top marks to the hares.

The hares had departed earlier, so circle was held in absentia.  The pack then departed for the country hospitality and warmth of the open fire at the Greendale Hotel for dinner.

 Charges:

Klingon & Addon     Hares           Charge taken by Bandung Barry

Kokup                      Left his hash bag at Ballarat

3 Speed                   Self incrimination, stating she was more like one speed, but probably slow speed

Canny & Kokup        Silly enough to assist walkers through the acrobatic sections of trail

Phantom 2              Talking and missing the on back on the steep uphill trail (must have forgotten he was a FRB)

Sue Ann                   Worried about driving through the bush in the dark if circle kept going

Bandung Barry                Disturbing the tranquillity of the site by watching the Grand Prix

 The song was sung, there was howling at the moon and we departed for the Greendale pub just as daylight was starting to fade.

Run 270 

Sunday 5 March 2023 at 4.00 pm

Kirth Kiln Picnic Area, Kirth Kiln Regional Park, past Gembrook

Melways Page 14 R10

Hares - Alan “Canny” and Joan “3 Speed” McCann

Drive to Gembrook, which is about 55 km east of Melbourne. From Gembrook, drive north on the C424 Gembrook- Launching Place Road on bitumen for 2.4 kms then veer left onto Beenak Road, which is unsealed, for 4.6 kms until you arrive at the Kirth Kiln Picnic Ground, beside Tomahawk Creek. The picnic ground has toilet facilities and several wood fired BBQs. Dogs are allowed on a leash.

The terrain is scenic shady undulating bush country, and the run will be about 5 kms long (plus checks), generally on walking trails, while the walkers can walk the run or choose a short walk of about 2.5 km length.

There we all were, all 35 of us, gathered under the shady Eucalyptus Regnans and Stringybark canopy that is Kurth Kiln Picnic Area, with a comfortable temperature of 26C.  The mercury had conveniently dropped from a stinging 32C so all praise to the Hares for their thoughtfulness.  Hare Canny reckoned it was because we were in an elevated position out back of Gembrook.  A very quiet spot with our own car park, wood fired BBQ, tables with benches and a toilet.

Our GM Kokup called us to attention in a timely manner as he said he feared the rain may spoil our parade if we dawdled!  Hares were introduced and spokesman Canny told us about the run/walk.

And so we all dutifully set off like ‘Browns Cows’ each at a pace we hoped to continue for the duration of the run.  Down to the road, right and along past the Kiln on Thornton Walk.

The pack had not gone very far, the front runners were putting some distance between themselves and the rest, when Happy decided to put on a spurt and do a bit of a catch-up.  The ‘Happy Hapless One’ did an almighty head, neck and knee plant on the footbridge and certainly caught the attention of all!  A bruised and bleeding Hap finally made his way back to the venue with the aid of Nurse Nonstop. More about the Happy acrobatics later!

On-On went the pack up a slight hill and down on Thornton to the check at Scout Loop Track. Here the runners and the walkers parted company as the check took the walkers back home along Scout Loop Track and the runners further out along Water Channel Track. This is the old aqueduct which supplied water to the Kiln in days of yore. 

Rough in places but navigable it had the runners in serious concentration. Somewhere along this part of the trail two of the “brat pack”, Eini and Meeney, little legs pumping like pistons were in their stride and travelling fast, so fast that, as they were slowly disappearing from sight, E & B decided to ask the question “Are you on trail?” A firm response “Yes” – but the seeds of doubt were sown!  “Well maybe not”! Some frantic back-tracking and then On On! All back on trail!

Then followed Toms Track, a check at Woodduck Track and ‘On Home’!

A sure sign of a really well set trail, but sometimes difficult to achieve, is to have the runners all back together. And that is what occurred. Tru Grip, Klingon, Icy, Bloodsucker, Nickel B, Kokup, Lotsafun, E&B and Jack Off all arrived at once followed by all the rest within the space of one minute! Too many for me to record places!  Not that it’s a race!  A testament to the Hares.

As the Hares had the BBQ prepared, we all soon had our meat sizzling and with lots of fresh salads, bread, condiments and all manner of sauces, the party began in earnest. Lots of cool drinks and the odd bottle of wine made for a great gathering of the clan. Poor Happy sat looking rather lost, sore and forlorn, dabbing at his wounds.

The first few tiny spots of rain and the distant roar of a serious wind in the trees soon had our GM calling for a circle!  “Let’s get it done before we all get drowned”!

 The GM welcomed visitors:

“Stray Pussy” – Danielle, Sandra – “Point Posts” sister visiting from Yorkshire,

and “Mini Chaperon Rouge” – Christine.

A welcome back to “Bloodsucker” and Su Ann.

Phantom was called upon to give a run report.  Highlights were Happy’s frolic, which he portrayed as the funniest stunt he had seen since whenever, well marked trail, great territory, lots of on-backs.  And a mark of 9.5/10

Punch provide a summary of the walkers trail, short, well marked and great territory with the added bonus of a sighting of a Tiger snake across the walkers path!  And great nosh!

Charges, diminished now due to the increasing rain:

Hares Three Speed and Canny (taken away by Point Post showing off in front of his sister).

Stray Pussy, Jack Off and Addon, charged by E&B for putting more wood on the fire when Canny was trying his best to put it out! 

Eini and Meeney, charged by E&B for trying to lose half the pack with a diversionary tactic – just running and running and running…….

A charge for the Hare Canny – setting a ‘trip hazard’ for Happy and one for Happy for not being Happy.

Klingon promoted the next run to follow the festivities at Ballarat starting at 3:00pm on Sunday 2 April.  Full Moon Run No: 271 will be at O’Brien’s Crossing in the Wombat State Forest (Lerderderg River).

We sang the sacred song, bayed at the moon and departed as the rain came in.

A very enjoyable Sunday sojourn in the bush!

Run 269

Sunday 5 February 2023 at 4.00 pm

Location: Jumping Creek Reserve, Warrandyte

Hare: Barry “Bandung” Gannon

Scribe: Alan “Canny” McCann

The weather was dry and cool for February, perfect for hashing. About 18 hashers arrived at the run-site, which surprisingly was a new location for the Full Moon hash, to find the car parking area almost full of walkers and fishers. However Bandung had managed to reserve a suitable area for the hashers to assemble.

Bandung explained the trail markings with the aid of photos on his mobile phone, and advised us that there was a run and a walk, which separated and then combined then separated again.

Then we were all off together, uphill to a back check, which saw Canny and 3 Speed very briefly leading the pack. The trail then followed a circuitous route along a pleasant track until a clearly marked W and R separated the two roughly equal groups. While the runners went off uphill, the walkers went downhill to the river which they followed back to the run-site, arriving after a rather short 30 minutes. All of the runners except one returned after about 50 minutes, and both walkers and runners proceeded to queue to cook their food on the BBQ. As they finished eating, the final runner, Dr Dementia returned, having walked the run in about 1 hour 15 minutes.

 The circle commenced with quiet reflection followed by an on-down in memory of “Father” Mike Lyons, one of the founders of the Full Moon Hash, who passed away last week aged over 90.

Visitor Colin and Returnees Bloodsukka, TJ, Shiny Dick, Moth Ball, Tiger Moth and Jack Off were welcomed.

The run report was given by Colin from KL, who stated that the countryside was fantastic and not running on concrete was good. He commented that the run was well set, the pack was kept together well, the signage was interesting and the weather was kind.

The walk report was given by Robin Red Breast, who stated the trail was out and up and up and then down to the river with a pleasant walk back.

Charges

·         Shiny Dick and ESRA for putting their names at the end of the sheet again as well as having them typed in the list.

·         Nickel B for copying Kokup and falling over

·         Bloodsukka, Dr Dementia, Robin Red Breast ESRA, Moth Ball and Tiger Moth who were the only attendees who did not commence running in Asia

·         Robin Red Breast and Dr Denentia for one upmanship in arriving in a flashy new red Alpha Romeo car

RUN 268

Sunday 8th January 2023 

Run Site: Nobelius Siding Park, Emerald

Hares: Pol Pot & Phantom 2

What a glorious day! Warm and sunny in the Dandenong’s.

What a great pack!  The best Full Moon turnout for some time with 32 hashers arriving for the run.

What a spectacular run!  Pol Pot & Phantom 2 excelled, setting a great trail and arranging for Puffing Billy to chug past the pack, not once, but twice amid the undulating countryside of Emerald.

Klingon gave the run report.  The run got off to a shaky start following the hares’ instructions to run up the hill and turn left. What they meant was turn left and run up the hill. The runners found the railway line and crossed it, then ran down the hill - except for some who tried unsuccessfully to out-run Puffing Billy shunting up the hill. Trail followed a gravel track in a big loop and back up the hill where it crossed the railway line again, passing through trail bike tracks, bushland and along road reserves. Once again it crossed the railway line, with more bush tracks and road reserves before a dicky crossing of the Belgrave – Gembrook Road and you guessed it, the railway line.  Runners were now heading back towards Emerald and passed the second Puffing Billy right alongside the track, travelling in the opposite direction with passengers hanging out the windows.  There was a little confusion around the Emerald Station, but trail was found across the track, back towards Nobelius siding where it again crossed the railway line – a total of six crossings. There was not much bush bashing, with most of the trail on tracks and it was a good run.

Moppy gave the walk report. The walkers initially followed the same trail out as the runners.  Being a little behind, the walkers were able to stop at the railway line as Puffing Billy shunted by up the hill. The walkers then had some trouble finding trail markers, but eventually found them and made it to the Run / Walk split near Emerald Station. Some walkers chose to walk the run and the rest returned home on trail alongside the railway line, also seeing the second Puffing Billy going past.

Charges

Visitors                    ESRA, New Mo

Returnees                Dr Dementia, Robin Red Breast, Go Lucky, Deeper, Prickly Bush, Icy, Tru Grip, Moppy, Law & Order, Adalia, Eeney, Meeney, Miney & Tangles

Pol Pot & Phantom 2  Hares

Pol Pot & Phantom 2  Dedication to MHH3 for setting and testing a trial run in July.

Bandung Barry        Recce’d the next run backwards only to find the track was closed after walking 8km uphill.  Then told the GM his sad story – big mistake.

Klingon                   Foraging in bramble bushes this month

NickelB                   Distracting Kokup on the run resulting in him getting rooted (& some gravel rash for good measure)

Kokup                     Either a rebound or some charge about paying attention to protruding tree roots

Dr Dementia           Not paying attention and got the names of the miscreants for DD’s wrong

Robin Red Breast    Also not paying attention and got the names of the miscreants for DD’s wrong

Klingon                   A first in Full Moon history. Arrived early and had to go to Cockatoo for a drink

Tangles                    Kissed the bitumen and had the marks to prove it

Miney                      Front running hasher with Prickly Bush, finding most of the trail

Pol Pot & Phantom Crap directions for the meeting point which was not next to Nobelius Siding

Robin Red Breast    Wearing dirty slacks to the circle

Kokup                     Went off trail to try and race Puffing Billy uphill (without much success)

Dr Dementia           Actually ran against Puffing Billy many year ago and won with a time of around 50 minutes

RUN No 267 

11 DECEMBER 2022 at 4.00 pm

Run Site: Day’s Picnic Ground, Mount Macedon Regional Park

Hares: Kokup and Punch

Scribe : NickelB

The forecast was for 27 degrees but rain later in the day. On arrival at site it was therefore good to see that the hare had set up a large carport like tent so we would be protected should it rain. On getting out of the car one discovered that it was in fact very cold. However one soon warmed up when the run started and at the finish changed into warmer clothes so it was no problem.

The run started off across the picnic area to a track leading back to the Mt Macedon Road. Here the trail turned downhill following the bitumen to an onback. I thought the route might have crossed the road and gone along the track to the Camels hump. However this is wrong as Happy called on on from the Barringo Road. The trail proceeded down this to another onback. Once again Happy led the pack along a muddy track to the right which led us back to the start. With false information supplied by one of the hares we searched along the Lions Head Road. Once again it was Happy who found the trail which led to left off the road past some people gathering firewood along a wide dirt track. After a short while following this it veered to the left through the bush steeply down into a valley another onback. Most of the pack came at least some way into the bush so it was a scramble uphill back to the track which then took us up into an open area covered in Mothers Shield and Fishbone ferns. These were thriving in the wet weather we have had this year and made attractive running. The trail entered the forested area again and it was downhill to a lake. Here we found a check with a sign for the walkers to proceed across a little footbridge. We followed I think three trails to onbacks and at least one to nothing. Finally we proceeded in the same direction as the walkers and some pleasant running through the bush to a two way branch. Klingon said straight ahead would be a short cut so we dutifully went left downhill through the forest eventually coming out into the open past a large rhododendron (still some flowers but well past its best) and the Sanatorium Picnic ground where Kokup waited with drinks.

The sanatorium was opened in 1899 in what used to be a private hospital as it was thought that the cool mountain ait would help the TB patients. It closed in 1910 but the lake was made to supply water to a new bigger sanatorium which never got built

It was then along towards Barringo Road for a short distance before going right for an uphill run/walk  to a high point and then slightly downhill past where one could glimpse home through the trees. For a short time it looked as if the track would continue past but fortunately it turned right to the road and a very short walk “back to beer and barby” as the Full Moon hash song goes.

The hares had supplied ample quantities of very nice salad for all to enjoy. Finally Kokup called the circle but I must have been too content with life to bother to remember any of the charges.

Thank you hares for your effort in providing shelter, a fire and salads and stollen. It was a very enjoyable afternoon with a good run, good food and shelter when the weather decided to drizzle. You could not have asked for more.

Charges:

Punch & Kokup      Hares

NickelB                   Gave the run report

Lubang Oz              Gave the walk report

Klingon                   Only Full Moon Hasher who could afford to travel to Interhash in Goa

Klingon                   Only Full Moon Hasher who could afford to travel on to London to run Hash

Klingon                   Fossicking around and picking up rubbish on the Calder Freeway

Happy                     Was very keen to find the drinkstop, but was the only hasher to miss it

NickelB, Lotsafun, Lubeoil and Point Post Umbrella brigade in the circle. Too much sun?

Happy                     Appearing out of the bush, but when you gotta go, you gotta go

Klingon                   Falsely accusing the hares of incorrect signs for Melbourne Howlers H3

Non Stop                 Salting the down down esky with zero alcohol ‘beer’

Bandung Barry        Hitching a ride to the drinkstop with the hare

Run No. 266

Sunday 6 November 2022 at 4.00 pm

Location: ‘The Briars’, Mount Martha

Hares: David ‘Udder Idjit’ Cheeseman & Cheryl ‘Gargoyle’ Brown and Phil ‘Morals’ Vertue & Annie ‘Firecracker’ Vertue

After the extended wet and cold winter, it was a delight to have a run at “The Briar’s” on a balmy sunny afternoon with the temperature at 25oC with a light breeze.

The joint hares each set half of the run and gave their BoS, but without giving too much away.

Udder Idjit set the run up the hill, around ‘The Briars’ homestead, including along the verandahs and  according to Astro, up past some old convict buildings.  The convict buildings reminded Astro of his Great Great Grandfather who was transported to Tasmania and had a hard time, culminating in his murder after gaining his freedom.  So, Astro is planning to start a class action against the British Government to right some wrongs.

A counter intuitive check at the top of the hill led to a steep downhill descent to the small Creek where the runners had to cross a fence and charge through some long grass back onto a bush track.  It was here that Astro tried to swan dive into 300mm of water, but did a bum whacker into the grass instead.  Trail climbed up & down, in and out through the bush with on backs everywhere, keeping the pack together until two things happened –:

1                     Astro noticed a swampy area on trail and decided he needed to jump in bum first, losing his phone and sunglasses in the process; and

2                     Point Post chatted up a lady bushwalking with her family, whose father was a runner with H3 in NZ.

This left NickelB as FRB with Pythagorarse not far behind - and when NickelB gets his nose in front, don’t get in his way. Trail wound up to a gate at the boundary fence and then along the wide road reserve track, eventually meeting up with the boardwalk at Balcombe Creek.  Now everyone knows the run always goes under the highway bridge, so that’s where NickelB went.  Unfortunately, he did not take account of the lack of communication between the joint hares and Morals took the run the other way, back towards ‘The Briars’ and along the boardwalk.

Runners and walkers then split, with runners crossing a footbridge into parts unknown, to where Morals had set one of his trademark Singapore back checks on a narrow, overgrown track, confusing the FRB’s and allowing the laggards to catch up.  He then set a ‘hash trap’ with trail alongside an electric fence, until the track narrowed so much it was becoming hard to avoid the fence.  A strange mark that none of the runners recognised then appeared on trail near the fence.  While mulling over the mark, Kokup managed to reach behind and touch one of the electric fence wires.  This must have set off a brainwave – the strange mark is ‘X’, and it means On back!  And then it was on home re-joining the walkers trail at the bridge.

Meanwhile the walkers had followed a shortened trail, avoiding the bush section and all the action, but it included the road reserve and boardwalk.  They were back at the picnic area enjoying a leisurely drink and BBQ dinner when the runners arrived.   

A special surprise was the birthday cake that Firecracker had cooked for Morals together with a gusty rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ to get everyone into ‘Circle’ mode.  Happy Birthday Morals.

Charges

Visitors             Pythagorarse, Tiger Moth, Mothball, Mutha Trucka, Blood Sucka, Lethal

Returnees       Gargoyle, Udder Idjit, Astro, Non Stop, Morals, Firecracker, Lubang Oz, Lube Oil

Hares                Udder Idjit & Morals laid the trail

Charges against the guilty included :

Astro Attempting a swan dive in 300 mm of water and missing, then squatting in a swamp

Astro Whingeing and sounding more like Mothball

Kokup   Deliberately and wantonly smearing butter in Lotsafun’s bag

Mothball & Tiger Moth. - At the LH3 Halloween run on Wednesday, they had a mummy that crawled around the floor. Tiger moth removed the bandages and brought him along to FM, Voila Mothball!

E&B    Late for the run, found an on back that no-one else did and quickly ended up back at the start to be sent off again by Udder

Phantom       Too slow with the beer

Point Post     Spreading his seed.  Started up Palmerston North H3 in NZ and today met a lady whose father ran with him in NZ

Phantom         Overworked and deserves another beer

NickleB           Got his nose in front and bolted like a 21yo until he was caught at the boardwalk

Lubang Oz       Very quiet at the back of the circle and thinks no-one is noticing him

Morals            Setting up a ‘hash trap’ at the electric fence & getting perverse pleasure from it

Firecracker and Gargoyle          Preparing salads and a cake for Morals birthday

The song was sung, the moon was howled at and it was on home

Run No. 265

Sunday 9 October 2022 at 3.00 pm

Location: Maroondah Reservoir Park, Healesville

Hares: Rowan (Cooch) Campagnoni & Lorraine (E&B) Gierck

 What an absolutely perfect day for a full moon hash run; with a few scattered clouds, cool conditions and warm sun.  The 3:00pm start was a once off in DST, but it ensured that no-one was locked in after the run.  It was great to see a large pack of 21 arrive to enjoy a hash run that was right up there amongst the best we have had.

 Water was cascading down the dam spillway after the recent rains and it was a fitting backdrop to the start of the run.  Trail then traversed the base of the dam and onto the winding track, through the gardens up to the top.  Somewhere near the bottom of the dam wall POG, Wet Pussy and young Alice short-cutted to the top of the dam, not to be seen again until the spongy paddock (more about that later). The remaining pack followed the marked scenic route through the gardens with various bends and switchbacks offering plenty of opportunities for slower runners to shortcut and reduce the lead of Whippet and Cheaper at Kroger.

 After about 2km uphill, the horizontal top of the dam was a welcome relief, extending across the spillway to where the bush commenced and three tricky on backs, the last being a nasty downhill that caught more than FRB’s and left NickelB, (who was caught on the second) leading the pack. Trail was generally uphill again on formed tracks with a diversion through a dump site and shiggy before re-joining the track further along.  This was also the site of a nefarious attack on the GM by NickelB and at this stage, hashers walking the run had managed to keep up with the runners.

 Trail was then downhill, crossing a creek and running adjacent to the aqueduct, which was flowing full.  The pack was starting to spread out, but another well placed on back pulled Klingon and NickelB back.  It was then downhill to a fiord across the creek.  No bridges this time and the water was bloody cold!  A bit further on, trail diverted off to the left through shiggy again and up to a check near a green paddock and it was here that all of the runners and walkers met up again, mainly because no-one checked, in one of the indicated directions, across the paddock.  The check was broken by Phantom who briefly led the pack across the paddock to another on back.  The paddock looked firm and dry, apart from a few low spots containing water, but it was actually like a huge wet sponge, so we all got wet feet again, no matter where you ran / plodded.  Point Post and Lotsafun avoided the Creek crossing by an earlier shortcut, but they couldn’t avoid the wet spongy paddock.

 Then we hit the ‘stairway to heaven’, a sodden, muddy, slippery, steep slope with occasional steps and several large fallen trees requiring some dexterity to get past.  Anyone who thought that was hard then found the hares ‘about 200m’ of shiggy up an even steeper slope.  Fortunately, this led to a narrow downhill track, again slippery and partly obstructed with fallen trees, but more importantly, it led to the western end of the park and the drinkstop, where E&B, Gerbils, Punch and Add On were waiting.

 Meanwhile, the walkers followed the same trail as the runners to the top of the dam wall, over the spillway and then to the lookout.  From there it was a downhill trek, through a runners on back to the park and over to the drinkstop.

 The hares provided beer and softies, chips and a very tasty home made ginger cake, before we all proceeded home to dinner and the circle.  Dinner is usually a quiet affair, but there was a bit of a ruckus when a Kookaburra swooped down and ‘yanked’ Cheaper at Kroger’s hamburger from her.

 Well done to E&B and Cooch.

 Charges

Visitors        Sue Anne

Returnees    Bandung Barry, Happy, Tangles, Phantom, Punch & Kokup

                     (The other six returnees had disappeared)

Hares           Cooch, E&B.    NickelB gave the run report which was similar to the above, followed by Pol Pot who gave the walk report which was ‘half of the above’.

Charges from the Floor

NickelB       Attempting a Coup de Tat, by hitting the GM over the head with a 2m branch

NickelB       3 pairs of shoes.  One for running, one for circle and another to get into the new car

E&B            For spoiling hashers with a yummy ginger cake at the drink stop

Kokup         Clearly an unfair charge because I can’t remember the indiscretion

Tangles        Brought his partner to the run (four legged and furry)

Happy         Took a charge for Cheaper at Kroger for feeding the wildlife

Klingon       For being ‘yanked’ off

 On on

Kokup & Punch

Run 264

Sunday 11 September 2022 at 3.00 pm

Location: Ferndale Park, Glen iris

Hare: David “Point Post” Sheam

Scribes: Alan “Canny” McCann and John “Klingon” Perkins

The weather was cloudy, with possible rain showers forecast, as 14 hashers assembled with time to spare in Ferndale Park, Glen Iris, in almost the demographic centre of Melbourne. GM Kokup was absent in Katherine NT, so On Sec Klingon welcomed two virgin guests, Spanish?? from Fairbanks Alaska and Shiny Dick from Lakeside.

Hare Point Post explained that although this was an urban setting, the run would follow the traditions of the Full Moon Hash and would be almost all on dirt tracks apart from a couple of road crossings. He also stated that the run and the walk would start together, and they would eventually split with a clear marking.

So off we went, heading east along the walking and cycling trail, across Summerhill Road, to a check with an on back at Prosper Parade. From here the well-marked trail went north, crossed the railway line at a bridge, followed the railway line on the other side, and then crossed back over the rail line on a pedestrian level crossing. Just before Toorak Road, the arrows pointed west through a car park, across Summerhill Road, and down a lane beside Leo’s Supermarket. The trail continued along a dirt track to Back Creek, then along the top of an embankment to a check. Trail was found along the pavement in Elizabeth Street, turned into Dent Street, then down the Back Creek Reserve to Ferndale Park, within sight of the BBQ, to which a W welcomed the walkers to follow home, after about one hour.

The runners, however, were directed away from the BBQ and across Glen Iris Road towards Nettleton Park. Only four runners ? actually followed this – Klingon, Shiny Dick, Lotsa Fun, E&B ? Please add details Klingon.

The last runner (E&B) returned just as Klingon was commencing the Circle.

On Downs were given to

·         Guests Spanish??? and Shiny Dick

·         Returnees (everyone except Klingon, Addon, 3 Speed and Canny)

·         The Hare Point Post

A report on the walk was given by Gargoyle

A report on the run was given by Shiny Dick – well marked but no shiggy

Charges from the floor for Shiny Dick, E&B, Spanish.

Nickel B was awarded a certificate for 200 runs

Everyone then cooked their food on the BBQ, just as it started to rain heavily. Fortunately the BBQ had a cover, and there was a large structure over the tables which sheltered all of the hashers while we ate our dinner.

Finally we sang the Full Moon song and howled at the moon, which was hidden above the rain clouds.

Run 263

Sunday 14 August 2022 at 3.00 pm

Location: Lower Stony Creek Picnic Area, Brisbane Ranges National Park.

Hares: Punch & Kokup

The forecast was a little grim, but on theway, the weather was fine. The hares reported a heavy shower around midday, but there were only a few very light showers during the afternoon.  With typical engineering prowess, Kokup had erected a portable carport for shelter offering protection from the elements, including the wind coming down the valley. A BBQ was burning for warmth.

Runners started arriving from around 2:30pm, but some managed to get lost in the new outer suburbs of Melbourne and the back blocks leading to Anakie.  GM,  Kokup welcomed the pack of nine runners, including visitors / new runners 4 Pack and Go Stop.  There was an ominous warning from the hare for runners not to slip on the carnivorous plants that grow along the trail. He was not sure how long it would take to devour a hasher, he said.  Hmm. Runners were then set off on the trail with some trepidation, but with the promise of a drink stop on the run.  

Walkers were driven to the drinkstop by the hare for a B to A walk, so the walk was predominantly downhill rather than uphill.  The walk followed a meandering sandy track through the bush to a lookout, but low clouds and strong winds at the top of the hills prevented good views or a long stay at the lookout.  It then followed an established walking trail down some steep rocky ground, across a staggered boardwalk and up to a ridge, where the runners would be coming in the opposite direction.  From the ridge a steep track led back down to the picnic area.

The runners had crossed Stony Creek several times and followed an on back up to the dam wall. 

This dam, built in 1874, provided the first water supply for Geelong.

 After a three way check, the trail went along the banks of the reservoir before re-joining the uphill, original gravel access road to the dam.  Go Stop led the way up a false trail along an even steeper and overgrown creek bed, but mistook the eventual on-back for a check and kept on going, before 4 Pack called him back.  Continuing up the access road, runners found another on-back, before getting back on trail up an overgrown ridge track to the top of the hill.  Trail then went off track for about 500m through the grass trees and bush to a check at the main walking trail. 

It was then that the runners and walkers passed each other in opposite directions. Runners continued on up to the lookout.  Trail then followed a different track to a downhill on-back.  Eventually, the runners found the drinkstop at Point B and enjoyed a welcome rest and a more welcome beer.  

Even though the uphill running was tough, the runners all turned down the hare’s offer of a ride back home and finished with a 2km run downhill to the warm fire and cup of hot pumpkin soup

The hares provided bread, potato and green salad and a selection of condiments.  Sausages and chops were cooked and consumed with plenty of beer to cap off another enjoyable Full Moon hash.

On on

Klingon

Run 262

Sunday 17 July 2022 at 3.00 pm

Location: Nobelius Siding, Emerald

Hares: Pol Pot and Phantom 2

Melways: 127 G4

Scribe: Alan “Canny” McCann

The weather was cold and windy, and rain showers threatened, when 3 Speed and I arrived at Nobelius Siding in Emerald at about 2.55 pm.

Hares Pol Pot and Phantom 2 were sitting inside the shelter in front of a brazier wood fire sipping beer, and there was not another person in sight. At exactly 3.00 pm Happy arrived, which increased the number of hashers by 50% to a total of three walkers but still no runners. Pol Pot advised that apologies had been received from Kokup as he had COVID, Klingon as he was attending a memorial service, and Nickel B as he was still in Malaysia.

Phantom explained that the hares had set the walk and run trails in the dry, but then it rained quite heavily, which may have washed away the chalk marks, so he handed a map to the walkers. 

The walk went along the south side of the narrow gauge railway, past Emerald Station, across the railway line, and back through the township to the shelter. During the walk, the Puffing Billy train came along, with many young people waving their bare legs over the side in the cold wind.

Back at the shelter, Phantom 2 had set up a portable BBQ, and also provided bread and salad and a selection of condiments, so we all cooked our sausages and chops and enjoyed an early dinner before leaving for home.

Thank you hares for all your efforts to recce and set a walk and a run, and to provide a warm and convivial run-site.

On on

Canny

Run 261 

Sunday 19 June 2022 at 3.00 pm 

Hare - John "Kilngon" Perkins 

Ironbark Gorge Track car park, Werribee Gorge 

Take the Western Highway to Bacchus Marsh. Take second exit, C704. Drive South through Bacchus Marsh past main roundabout and then at second roundabout turn right into Griffith Street  (just before railway line). Drive about two kilometres and turn right into McCormack St (before the golf course). Drive up the hill and turn right just over the railway line into Iron Bark Rd. Go about 6 kilometres. The run site is a small car park about 600 metres past the level crossing.

Allow approx 70 minutes from city.

The morning had started clear and sunny, but by the afternoon when the hares greeted all nine hashers as they arrived at Ironbark Gorge it had become overcast and colder. Fifteen minutes before the start, the hares announced that they would be setting a “live” run, with a split for runners and walkers, and immediately dived off down a steep slope to lay the trail.

At 3.00 pm, the runners (Kokup and Point Post) led the seven walkers (Phantom 2, Happy, Add on, 3 Speed, Canny, Punch and Rigby) down the same track, which descended quite steeply down to the bottom of the gully, with a short back check to the right down Ironbark Gorge. Trail was quickly found on the gully to the left, and led up a narrow rocky, slippery, quite steep gully for quite some distance. Eventually the trail became less steep, and finally almost levelled out as we followed a ridge to where the run split left and the walk split right. The two runners found it hard to locate their route, as there was no clear trail to follow, but eventually they met up again with the remaining five walkers and all arrived together at Falcons Lookout where the hares were proudly waiting to show us an outstanding view over Werribee Gorge and the Pentland Hills.

Rock climbers were in action below us, and the hare challenged the runners to find a route on down, which they were unable to do. After spending some time exploring the cliffs and admiring the views, the hares advised that the return route was actually the reverse of the outward route, which we then duly followed back to the run site, where we were joined by Panty Leaver and her two kids, who had arrived late.

The GM called a circle in cold fading light.

Returnees Panty Leaver, Cucumber, Lucy, Rigby and Where’s Wally were welcomed and on downed.

Hares Klingon and Where’s Wally were thanked and on downed

Kokup and Point Post gave a run report – down a gully, up a gully, along a ridge to a great view, and return

Phantom and Happy gave a walk report – straight down, straight up and along a cliff.

Charges to Kokup, Point Post, Where’s Wally (battery in his phone flat so no photo at the lookout) Phantom (could not find the button to take a photo on his new phone), Canny (rubbing hands to keep warm), Ad On (for turning 21 years), Panty Leaver (for arriving in a new car since the last time).

Run 260

Saturday 14 May 2022 at 1.00 pm

Location: Warburton. Barbecue at corner Dammans Road and St John’s Road

Hares: Wet Pussy and Cheaper at Krogers

Melways: Page 290 A4

Scribe: Nick “Nickel B” Leicester

Disclaimer: I am writing this from memory in the hot humid Malaysian climate and apologise to the hares for any omissions or errors.

This was a joint run with Lakeside HHH and was held on the Saturday with a theoretical start time of 1:30pm. The weather forecast was not the best but the actual weather was near perfect. Not too hot for running and not too cold for relaxing at drink stops and the On On.

The run was helped by three new young participants, by our hash standards (2 lasses and one lad). The two girls evidently did a lot of trial running. Fortunately, the hares had set a number of checks which caught them out every time.

The run set off along the Yarra River walk before crossing on the swing bridge. I think there was a check before we crossed the Warburton Highway by Station Street. There was a check by the Warburton bike trial. I had expected the run to follow this but watched Klingon disappear along it before a call showing the run was along Station Road. We proceeded along this before swinging left up Scotsman Creek Road. I think there was a on back but the route left the road on the right and followed a faint mossy track across the creek and headed up before meeting the Backstairs trail. Here the walkers left the runners who proceeded steeply up and I mean steeply up. Finally arriving at a drink stop were the trail met the Old Warburton Highway. Here we enjoyed a long recovery spell and a cool drink so everyone including Pointy and Lotsafun, who were walking, could catch up before proceeding along the Mt. Little Joe trail which followed an undulating route running more less parallel to the main Warburton Hwy but at a much higher level. Several very steep and slippery looking tails down were ignored (I don’t think the hares wanted any broken legs). However, the trail branched steeply up at several points which are young runners attacked with enthusiasm while older wiser hands waited for ON Back to be called. Finally, we arrived at a three-way split. One up, one straight and one diagonally downhill. The actual route took the diagonally down for a short distance before it once again split. Once again, the trail took the right-hand track which headed steeply down requiring care not to avoid slipping. We then proceeded along the Yarra Valley Conduit track until we reached a check at the bottom of a dip. Kokup proceeded along the track which climbed very steeply. The correct route was at right angles to the left and civilisation. A short downhill along a bitumen road brought us to the bike trail. By an unspoken general agreement everyone proceeded to stroll along this until the trail branched right about opposite the trout farm and proceeded a short distance uphill to a welcome drink stop amongst some very nice houses provided there was no bushfire. After this it was another stroll along the bike trail, down on the right and under before crossing the highway over Mayo bridge and back to the start where there were more drinks plus bread and sausages.

The walk followed the run to the backstairs track were they walkers proceeded down to the bike trail and along this to the drink stop. This must have been well provisioned as they were still there when the runners arrived.

The circle was held as a combined circle with lots of charges. I got several down downs so the only thing I can recall clearly is receiving one for having done 200 Full Moon Hash Runs.

Thank you hares for a very enjoyable run. I am sure everyone enjoyed the run or walk. Also a thank you for whoever helped organise all the drink stops.

Run 259

Sunday 10 April 2022 at 3.00 pm

Location: One Tree Hill Picnic Ground, Dandenong Ranges National Park

Hares: “Lotsa Fun” and “Nickel B” Leicester

Melways: Page 65 H12

Scribe: Alan “Canny” McCann

Access is via Burwood Highway to Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Churchill Drive and at the top turn left onto One Tree Hill Road. There are good shelters (if needed) and a working barbecue. Runners and walkers should bring their own food and drink. The run contains only one hill.

Although it was a warm sunny afternoon perfect for hashing, there was competing action from the Formula 1 Grand Prix, several AFL football matches and the Bike Hash, so only 13 hashers made it to the top of One Tree Hill.  The hares promised only one hill on the run, but more than one tree, with a run and both a longer and a shorter walk, all starting together before splitting up.

Then we were off, downhill of course, and round left to an on-back. Trail was found on downhill by front runners Klingon, Kokup and Phantom while tail end walkers Punch and Lubeoil reached the left fork and called On Back, which confused the rest of the walkers. The trail went on downhill and eventually went right along Link Track to where the run turned left and the walk turned sharply right. Walkers Add-On, Canny and Pol Pot then followed Ramu Track, Outlook Track and Tyson Track in a big half circle past a large black wallaby and back to the Picnic Ground. Meanwhile, the three runners carried on downhill on Belview Track then right onto Boulevard and up Stony Rise, where they were unable to find any trail, so they continued up the out trail and back to the Picnic Ground.

By about 4.30 pm everyone was back, so the circle was held, and on downs were given to

·         Tangles, welcomed as a returnee, although his last run with Full Moon was 13 years ago.

·         Add-on for being in a pram when Tangles last attended the Full Moon.

The hares were thanked for all their efforts and given an on down. A report on the run was given by Klingon, who confirmed that it was half downhill and half uphill. A report on the walk was given by Tangles.

Charges from the floor and on downs were given to

·         Lotsa Fun for criticising the walkers

·         Punch and Lubeoil for calling on back on a false trail

·         Klingon for taking the wrong trail

·         Nickel B for wearing out Phantom

·         Phantom for being worn out, who made amends by giving a spirited rendition of the Dandenong Ranges song

Then the convenient electric BBQ was heated up and we enjoyed an outdoor meal in a pleasant bush location with good company as the sun sank lower in the sky.

Finally, we sang the Full Moon Hash Song, howling at the moon, were given information about next month’s run, and set off home before the sun set! 

258 - Sunday 20 March 2022 at 4.00 pm - Alan "Canny" and Joan "3 Speed" McCann 

Location - Kirth Kiln Regional Park, past Gembrook. Melways page 14 R10. From Gembrook, drive north on the C424 Gembrook- Launching Place Road on bitumen for 2.4 kms then veer left onto Beenak Road, which is unsealed, for 4.6 kms until you arrive at the Kirth Kiln Picnic Ground, beside Tomahawk Creek. The picnic ground has toilet facilities and several wood fired BBQs. Please bring all your own food to BBQ and eat. Also please bring your own table and chairs if you have them. Dogs are allowed on a leash.

Scribe  - John "Klingon" Perkins

We have been to the Kirth Kiln Picnic ground before but not for a run such as this. The recent rains and warm weather have given our bushland an extra lushness and greenness. So this was a picturesque run indeed.

The runners set off in the direction of trail along the Thornton Track, eventually finding it after a false start. It went along a gully track and past a big wombat hole with a Private Property sign in front of it. The trail was found on back and uphill, and following that, we came across a small dirt road with an incongruous Stop sign and a red light.

The hare had informed us that at a check, the trail could resume anywhere within 360 degrees, and this was indeed the case. It often went back from where we had come from, sometimes a long way back. The third check was quite hard to find.

The trail meandered through forested gullies and ridges with a few on-backs. Some of the trees were particularly tall. (FYI, at a check, Klingon used a triangle pace-out method to estimate their height at 50-60m.)

We were getting used to most of the checks being on-backs, but at the last check, confusion reigned as NickleB disappeared without marking the check. The trail continued home alongside the magnificent gurgling Tomahawk Creek, with lots of rapids and waterfalls, back to the wood BBQ at the Picnic Ground.

The walkers were also treated to the Tomahawk Creek Track, with the option of continuing on along the Thornton Track, which some walkers took.

 Charges

·         Returnees were charged: Happy, Bloodsucker and NonStop.

·         The hares, Canny and 3 Speed were charged, and generally complimented.

·         NickelB was charged for falling over and spilling blood just after the start but carrying on anyway.

·         NickelB was charged for not marking a check

·         Klingon was also charged for failing to realise that if trail did not go back, then is must go on.

·         Kokup was charged for misreading the directions to the run, but arriving on time anyway.

·         Addon was charged for shouting on the run about her phone in the creek, when really it was just the foam in the creek.

The on-after was accompanied by a friendly kookaburra.

Run 257

Sunday 20 February 2022 at 4.00 pm

Location: Sapling Gully, Brisbane Ranges

Hares; John “Klingon” Perkings with help from “Addon” and “Where’s Wally”

Melways: Page 7 A7

Scribe: Alan “Canny” McCann

Directions:

Follow the Western Highway to Bacchus Marsh, take exit C704. Proceed south through Bacchus Marsh. At the roundabout just before the railway line, turn right into Griffith St. Follow this as it becomes Bacchus Marsh - Balliang Road. Proceed under railway bridge and at the roundabout, turn right into Glenmore Road. Soon after, turn left into Reids Road (signpost Brisbane Ranges). Continue about 6k to a vertical signpost, Aeroplane Road. Follow this gravel road about 1k to the Picnic Area. No facilities except wood BBQ.

It was quite a long drive of one and a half hours from Melbourne on a warm day, which was overcast and not too hot, for the 15 keen hashers who assembled at Sapling Gully in the Brisbane Ranges, about 85 kms west of Melbourne.

The hare advised us about the topography (hilly and rocky) and vegetation (dry woodland) of the area, and how it differed from the wetter forests east of Melbourne. He then explained that there would be a run and a walk, starting together but splitting “somewhere up there”.

Then we were off uphill, led by Kokup and Nickel B, with both runners and walkers forced to walk due to the uneven rocky ground and the many tripping hazards from dry dead timber.

The trail was frequently marked, but a bit difficult to follow as there was no clear path or track. After three checks uphill, the trail reached a more level area along a ridge. Runners and walkers were still together, as Lotsafun searched in vain to the left for a big W walkers shortcut. 

The trail finally almost reached Reids Road, which the hare declined to follow but instead led us through quite dense scrub and back slightly uphill to the left. Then sharply left and a big drop down a narrow gully past the rock formation which he had earlier described, past the gold digging also mentioned earlier, and eventually down to the dry creek bed, where the runners were finally able to run ahead of the walkers and return back to the runsite in about one hour.

While the embers in the cooking fire were maturing, the circle was called by Canny. Newcomers Where’s Wally and Jerico were welcomed and given an on down along with returnee Dumb Bastard. The hare Klingon and assistants Where’s Wally and Jerico were thanked and given an on down. A run report was given by Icy and another by Nickel B and a walkers report was given by 3 Speed, all of which sounded very similar – short and steep.

Charges included

·         Jerico and Add On for playing computer games while the hashers were exerting themselves

·         Potential Walkers for not finding the walkers trail

·         Nickel B, who does not even have a phone, for bringing his new GPS to the run

After 15 runs with the Full Moon, Jun was awarded the hash name of Tru Grip.

Finally, a rendition of the Hash Anthem, howling at the moon, directions for next month’s run, and on home! 

Run 256

Sunday 16 January 2022 at 4.00 pm

Location: Churchill National Park (no dogs)

Hares; Jack “Phantom 2” Walker and Bill “Happy” Cross

Melways: 82 C10

Scribe: Barry “Bandung” Gannon

There we were all hardy souls gathered at Churchill Park on a steamy summer day anxiously waiting for the off!  Hares Phantom and Happy gave us a brief outline of the trail ahead promising an interesting run with no hills and sent us all off down hill to the start of a memorable Howlers run. 

Trail with a flour stamper was found and the eager pack surged up the gravel Army Track that looked deceptive as it soon became steeper as we climbed. Soon the trail took a sharp turn right and, still quite steep, progressed to what was later found to be the western end of the Channel Track.  A sharp left along this track until the front runners called ‘On back’, without ever reaching a check!  So the logical conclusion was to seek the re-start along the Channel Track!  And that is what we all did for about 200 metres before realising that ‘logic’ had not a chance in the minds of the hares!  So all runners backwards into reverse desperately searching for the elusive flour.

I found a very narrow kangaroo track, steep yet again, it suited me as I guessed the trail would go up, and up, and up!  I had the power lines in focus and off I confidently went.  After 100 metres I realised I had fallen for the old ‘suck in the suckers’ routine!  At that point I heard a distant cry – maybe it was ‘On On” - not sure as it was quite feeble.  Turns out that CJ had found trail - but not his voice!  Lots of grumbling in the ranks with that one as the pack reckoned the trail should not be set back over old territory!  A minor hiccup in an otherwise very well-set trail.

Up under the powerlines on North Boundary Track to a check and the most tremendous views of the surrounding terrain, Mt Waverley and the distant Mount Macedon beyond to the right, across Clayton to the bay at Sandringham straight ahead and over Dandenong and the Peninsular to the left!  We paused briefly to take in one of the most spectacular lookouts around Melbourne.  The hares have an appreciation of grandeur!  Thanks fellas!

A check with three options soon became only two possibilities as the hounds realised the north option would lead to nowhere.  One option was even further up and up, so I chose the easy route down, down, down to Link Track.  This deaf old codger missed the call yet again (maybe we need a horn) and so continued along Channel Track and eventually found ‘home’ trail. 

The ever more stalwart runners and walkers continued along North Boundary Track, the Grand Master missing his faithful dog, Nickel B charging ahead and turning back just metres before finding the trail, Dr. Dementia well, just looking confused, Canny keeping the pack leaders in sight without actually running!   Briefly along Ridge and Bellbird Tracks and finally Channel Track, and the run home.

Great territory, excellent though challenging trails, well-marked, that kept us guessing.  All the elements of an enjoyable gallop through the bush on a sunny Sunday!

Then the circle, before the meal as decreed by our esteemed GM, Klingon who kicked off the circle welcoming returnees Bloodsucker and CJ who were also charged, CJ for lack of a serious calling voice and Bloodsucker for not instructing him in the venerable art of calling!

Law-and-Order and Mopsy were charged for arriving late with the tribe (Eini, Meany, Miney and Mo).

Robin Red Breast was charged for selling off Brians beloved Falcon! (That may have been a repeat charge from the previous run but was considered so serious it was re-instated!)

Charge from the floor, Law-and-Order and Mopsy for inadvertently handing over the family heirlooms in a bundle of ‘rags’ at last month’s run!

Time to eat, cooked on a portable BBQ thoughtfully provided by Phantom as he had found the park facilities BBQ did not function, and also provide excellent salads and condiments.

A lusty rendition of the Hash Anthem, howling at the moon, instructions for next month’s run, and home you go hashers! 

Run 255

Sunday 19 December 2021 at 4.00 pm

Location: 25 Glasgow Road, Kilsyth

Hares; Barry “Bandung” Gannon

Melways: 65 K1 

Scribes: Alan (Canny) McCann and Nick (Nickel B) Leicester

The weather

19 Hashers braved the inclement weather conditions, with heavy rain (and a few trees) falling as we left our homes in Melbourne an hour before the start of the run. By the time we arrived at Kilsyth it had stopped raining but we found the hare completely soaked.

The run

The instructions to the runners were straightforward. The trail was all marked in flour and the hare apologised for the run coming out onto a bitumen road as the proposed return was through storm damaged trees and unsafe (at least when the hare was setting the run in the midst of a violent storm).

The run set off heading along a horse track beside Glasgow Road towards the Dandenong Ranges National Park. A steep climb towards Mt. Dandenong was expected. Instead, we came to an on-back. The trail was found heading back the other way along the horse track which we duly followed to another on-back.  The trail was then discovered heading north down a gravel road. After a few twists, and I think one gate, we found ourselves running along the top of a very high embankment which ended in a rock spillway with a wooded hill in front and a check. (I found out later this area is a Melbourne Water Retarding Basin Reserve). The actual trail was found by heading left and around a gate and up the afore mentioned hill. We proceeded uphill to another on-back. The trail was found on the right leading downhill, still in bush country. We crossed a stream on wooden bridge, a fact Kling-On felt compelled to announce for some reason. Finally, the trail came out onto a gravel road with a very nice white house on the right. This soon came to a bitumen road (Stradbroke Road?) and another check. Here the trail was found to the right leading uphill along the footpath by the road to Sheffield Road. This was a very broad road with a high standard concrete footpath on the uphill side.

Until this point, the trail markings had been very good, but now they became very difficult, if not impossible, to detect. We followed this until we reached a school (Billanook Primary School), where we crossed to the other side of the road. Soon after this we found chalk arrows heading the other way. Having been told our run was all on flour we ignored these and proceeded to the junction with Glasgow Road from where it was a short jog to the hare’s house.

Top marks for the first part of the run. Having experienced the ferocity of the storm when driving along Canterbury Road, I think all runners appreciated Bandung Barry’s reason for settling on the 1.4 km return along Sheffield Road.

The Walk

The hare advised that, due to the very heavy rain, he had not been able to set a walk, but suggested that the walkers go left and downhill.  However, the walkers, being contrary, decided to turn right and go uphill, where, led by Pol Pot, they came across the runners home trail, which they then followed backwards. Walk leader Pol Pot confused everyone by adding an occasional chalk arrow pointing in the opposite direction to the wet flour markings, (for which he was later charged, twice, by the runners and also by the walkers).

After walking for half an hour, the walkers decided to return following the trail on the opposite side of the road.

The Circle

The circle was held as soon as the runners returned, and prior to eating. On downs were given to

·         The Returnees – Flash On, Jun, Icy, Bandung Barry

·         The Hare – Bandung Barry

A run report was given by Dr Dementia, and, although he said it was the same route as the last time, awarded it 9 out of 10.

A walk report was given by Punch, who advised that it was half an hour out and the same back.

Charges were then given to

·         Pol Pot for falsifying the trail markings with the wrong arrows going in the wrong direction.

·         Klingon for forgetting Dr Dementia’s name

·         Add-On for cleaning horse shit off her shoes onto Bandung’s carpet

·         Bandung for allowing the snails to eat the flour marking the trail

·         Jun (in absentia look-alike Bi) for avoiding a naming ceremony

·         Icy, Jun and Flash-on for arriving late

Canny showed the original first Melbourne Full Moon Hash sign in book (kindly donated by Ray Smith) from the first 30 Full Moon runs.

·         Klingon was rewarded with an on down for attending the first run

·         Nickel B and Lotsa Fun were rewarded with an on down for attending the second run.

The Full Moon Hash Song was sung and, in full mid-summer sunshine, the invisible moon was howled at.

Run No. 254 – 21 November 2021

Hare: Wet Pussy & Cheaper at Krogers

Dammans Road, Warburton, Melway Map 290 A4

Who Came? 15 Ever Hardy Runners

A return to an idyllic run spot besides the Yarra River in Warburton. We were last here only a few runs ago in January this year but Covid has robbed us of so many runs this year. Warburton is now the new home of a couple of returnees Wet Pussy and Cheaper at Krogers after their sojourn to the States. Perhaps a few more runs out this way will be on the cards. Our hash photographer Yogi was missing so Lube Oil took the honour of capturing us readying at the starting line (stop talking to the dog Phantom).

4 o’clock came and we were off heading upstream along the northern bank of the Yarra. Over the first footbridge brought us to the start of Warburton township but it was back down along the river for us until the next river crossing brought us back to continue along the northern side. Following the river through town and past the old Weetbix site brought us to the final footbridge (closed for repair on our last run) before Warburton Highway and the site of the first runners and walkers split. Short walkers crossed the footbridge and returned home. The rest continued along a bush track that wandered through soggy and uneven ground to a site where the hare proposed to have a drink stop. Others had commandeered the spot so it was on a bit further through the slush and blunder until a suitable site was found. The hare’s backpack contained a fine liqueur refreshment to keep the gang going. Proceeding onto Warburton Highway where another split provided marked trails for more walkers to short cut home and the rest to head for the hills and complete an anticlockwise circle to head back to home. The walkers trail found the Warburton Bike Trail past a Buddhist Temple (?) for a quick run home.

With Klingon still out on the run, the council barby was kicked into action and the snags thrown on. Finally, the runners returned home completing a 6km run in little over a hour. Well done to the runners and hares. Sergeant Bandung was missing in action so it was up to the GM Klingon to get the circle underway. First Canny produced a 200 run certificate to acknowledge Klingon for his many runs – the most by any Full Moon hasher. A celebratory beer was given and duly sculled.

Next the hares Wet Pussy & Cheaper at Krogers, with assistance from daughter Alice, were given well deserved drinks.

Circle finished with a stirring rendition of the Howlers’ Hash Anthem.

And then some more drinks and food.

Pol Pot

Run 253

Sunday 24 October 2021 at 4.00 pm

 Location - Braeside Park, Braeside.

Entrance and parking off Governor Road Braeside. Melways Page 93 F2. Hare: Pol Pot

We were out of lockdown the day before and the word was out: the Hash was back. Full Moon was the first Melbourne hash group to officially resume, post-pandemic. Thirty one turned up. They came from far and wide. They came from Melbourne HHH, from Lakeside HHH, from D&E, from Bike Hash, from New Moon Hash, from Delinquents HHH. Apart from that, there was even a couple of people who had not run with Full Moon before.

Before the run we were deliberating, comparing lockdown stories, vaccinations etc. But when the circle to start the run was called, the Sergeant settled it. "Hands up anyone who has not been vaccinated", he said. No-one did. After that, the pack set happily off, feeling good to be running again, although perhaps carrying an extra burden of a few COVID kilos.

After a few on-backs we settled in for what was basically a run around the perimeter of Braeside Park. No-one minded that, we were just grateful to the hare for coming up with a such a convenient run site at short notice. The walkers had a good walk and came back after the runners.

The Charges

• 4 Pack was charged with arriving late but still getting back earlier than some of the runners.

• Udder Idjit, Gargoyle and 4 Pack were charged for going to the wrong park entrance.

• The hare Pol Pot was charged for the setting the run and enabling the hash rabble to have a joyous post-pandemic reunion.

• New Mooners, SuezAnne and Adam were welcomed for attending their first ever Full Moon run. 

• Klingon was charged for getting his moons mixed up.

• Returnees who had not been to the couple of inter-lockdown runs, and whose last run was the 20 Year run, including the hares of that run, Morals and Firecracker.

• Whippet and Jock were charged with not marking the checks, which apparently they did not see.

• 4 Pack was charged again for avoiding the park exit spikes on entry, but still needing to have a tyre change at the park entrance.

• E&B was charged for bartering Lakeside hash goods.

Yogi donated packets of Indian multi-grain flour, and Mopsy left a box of KL hash T shirts, which surprisingly, were pounced on by some of the hashers.

We sang the Hash song and howled to the moon. Some stayed for a post run BBQ, cooker kindly provided by Pol Pot.

On On

Klingon

Attendees: Gargoyle, Udder Udjit, Bandung Barry, E&B, Pol Pot, Prickly Bush, Shiny Dick, Adam, Firecracker, Morals, LostaFun, NickelBum, Canny, 3 Speed, Flopsy, Ellia, Eeenie, Meenie, Miney, MoJock, Addon, Klingon, Deeper, Redbreast, Dr Dementia, Whippet, 4 Pack, China Boy, Yogi Bear, SuezAnne. 

Sunday 19 September 2021 - Run cancelled due to COVID restrictions

Sunday 22 August 2021 - Run cancelled due to COVID restrictions.

Sunday 25 July 2021 - Run cancelled due to COVID restrictions.

Run 252 - Sunday 27 June 2021 at 3.00 pm - Location Long Forest, past Melton  - Hare GM John "Klingon" Perkins - AGM and Dinner at Macs Hotel in Melton. 

Melways Page 335 E3 - Take the Western Freeway past Melton and at Hopetown Park Road take exit to Lake Merrimu. Then at Old Western Highway go left and then immediately right onto Long Forest Road. Proceed to car 2 km park on the left .

The happy throng gathered in lockdown free Melbourne, while our Sydney cousins were just getting started with their first lockdown. Little did we know...

The Run

The trail was basically the reverse of the trail that the same hare laid at the same venue in November 2020. There were no complaints because only two people who did that inter-lockdown run were present at this one.

The run went down the Old House track, and believe it or not, went to the ruins of the said Old House. The walkers were to take a short cut down the Gravel Track and end up at the same place. The hare was on hand to sweep up the laggers. This was fruitful because Lubang Oz had inadvertently taken the runners trail to the Old House, leaving Addon and LubeOil who were on the walkers trail concerned about his whereabouts. After they were reunited, they and Floppy were instructed that the walkers trail went back up the hill to the Loop Track and then home along the Happy Valley Track.

Following the Old House, the runners trail went up the hill where a magnificent view could be obtained from among the cactuses. After that it went down towards the Coimadai Creek. At this point Ellie and the minor Murrells (aka Eenie Meenie, Minee, Mo) decided do the run instead of the walk. Good choice. Other walkers, Happy, Yogi and BooBoo, decided to abandon trail and bush bash home. This turned out to be superior hashing because they did somehow find their way to the Loop Track and then back.

Those who continued on the run were rewarded by the ability to maintain dry feet (mostly) at the creek by means of a magnificently constructed log bridge with a rope handrail. Over the creek, the pack of runners and walkers were kept reasonably together by the false trails and on-backs. The second creek crossing involved some rock hopping and tree holding which again. most managed to negotiate with dry shoes.

Following that, at another up-hill on-back, another runner decided to abandon trail and short cut home: Kokup. The rest all made it back up and home, taking full advantage of the natural surroundings.

The Circle

• The first charge was for Phantom. Shortest run in history. 100m into the run he came a cropper and returned the start bloodied and sore. Later, after a few beers, he was all right.

• Returnees: Elanor Rigby and briefly Alistair. later, Happy and Addon.

• Short cutting bastard: Kokup.

• Klingon for misleading the walkers, Happy, Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, and the same, for bush bashing home trail.

• Two minor Murrells: Dylan for superior trail finding and Adalia for negotiating wet obstacles.

• Happy for memorialising a tree with his cap.

• Flash On for allowing Red to fall, all legs up, into the creek.

• Naming - Peter, of Lube descent, was considered to be named Lubricated, but in the wisdom of Hash shall henceforth be known as Rusty. He was suitably doused and heralded.

AGM business

• All ex-GMs present were charged: Lubang Oz, Pol Pot, Kokup (& Klingon).

• Floppy - Ex GM of Mother Hash. Ellia - Ex GM of KL Full Moon Hash.

• New GM - There were a huge number of volunteers to replace Klingon, but due to his pandemic interrupted tenure, it was decided to put up with him for another year.

Then we adjourned to Macs Hotel in Melton to further enjoy the Hash and our good fortune to actually secure a pub booking during these pub-deprived times.

On On

Klingon

Run 251

Sunday 2 May 2021 at 3.00 pm

Location: Currawong Bush Park, Warrandyte

Hares; Brian “Dr Dementia” and Robin "Red Breast" Walsh

Melways: 34 H6

Scribe: Alan (Canny) McCann

 The weather was  unusually warm  and sunny for early May and perfect for hashing. A group of about 20 hashers assembled at Currawong Park in Warrandyte. The hare Dr Dementia explained that the run and the walk started together, with the walkers free to choose how far they walked before turning round and returning by the same route. 

The trail started downhill east to a check, and trail was found off to the left, and then swung round on an interesting path to head north along the east side of the Mullum Mullum Creek. The walkers followed this picturesque path as far as the transmission lines before turning back. Several large kangaroos were seen along this track. The runners continued on north until eventually they were able to cross the Creek at a bridge. The trail then headed south along the more formal path on the west side of the creek back to Reynolds Road and across the creek to home.  

As the GM was absent, the group decided to eat before the circle, and enjoyed either prepared cold food or cooked their meat on the BBQ.   

The circle was then called by acting GM Pol Pot who welcomed visitors Moppy and Lauren Orda plus Eenie, Meenie , Minee and Mo, and thanked the hare for his efforts and give them all an on-down

Canny gave a walkers report, including sighting Yogi and Bo Boo wandering around after the first check.

Nickelby gave a report on the run, including around the hill to a shut gate, on to a car park, then back along the bicycle trail and across a bridge to home.

Charges and on-downs were given by Sergeant Bandung Barry to

·         Hare Dr Dementia and Robin Redbreast for lack of instruction re location

·         Hare Dr Dem for good sweeping for kids Eenie, Meenie , Minee and Mo

·         Phantom and Pol Pot for not having clean COVID correct tables

·         Moppy for bringing only potato chips, not proper food, for the kids

·         Boo-Boo for using a 30 year old camera selfie stick

·         Bandung Barry for not giving Boo-Boo an on-down drink

Elli was christened Lauren Orda

An announcement about future runs was made by Canny

30 May – Hare Non Stop – Doongalla Estate, Mount Dandenong – opens at 9:00 am and closes at 4:00 pm. The hare has suggested that the run start in the late morning. The gathering agreed that this was a good idea and that Non Stop should proceed on this basis. Final details of time and location to be advised.

27 June - Hare Klingon. AGM run in Long Forest with the on-after at Macs Hotel in Melton. Final details to be advised.

Canny noted that the present committee time tenure expires on 27 June and a call was made for volunteers for all committee positions.

Canny advised that the Full Moon Website has been updated on Google Sites to

https://sites.google.com/view/melbournefullmoonhash/Home

The Full Moon Hash song was sung.

Finally, the invisible moon was howled at.

Run 250

28 March 2021 at 4.00 pm

Hares Alan "Canny" and Joan "3 Speed" McCann

Mortimer Picnic Ground, Bunyip State Park, past Gembrook

Melways Page 14 R12

The western part of Bunyip State Park has now been reopened, following the bush fires two years ago (the central area is still closed). The area around Mortimer Reserve was not affected by the fire, and it is a very picturesque location. The picnic ground has a toilet, a wood fired BBQ fireplace, and a picnic table, so please bring your own tables and chairs.

Go via Gembrook. A suggested route is initially along the M1 and then Wellington Road to Emerald, or along the Burwood Highway. From Gembrook, drive straight on along Beenak East Road and the Gembrook-Tominbuk Road for about 5 km into Bunyip State Park, and Mortimer Picnic Ground is on the left. This road is now all bitumen and the total distance from Glen Iris is about 60 kms and should take just over an hour. 

The run will be about 8 kms, the walk about 4 kms, and there will also be a short walk of about 2 kms, so something for everyone.

Run Report (by Kokup)

A pack of about 2 dozen gathered at the Mortimer Picnic Ground to celebrate milestone Run No 250, including first timers Doona and Kirstin.  GM Klingon led the celebratory cheer and then Canny explained the trail markings, noting that all checks were 360o checks without the usual possible trails marked, with the exception of the first check which was a run/walk split.  Clearly, this was too much information for the average hasher to understand and digest and there must have been an old hasher related to ‘Murphy’, because occasionally he comes back to haunt us. 

On On was up the forest road and about a half kilometre in, ‘Murphy’ intervened, in the form of a disgruntled walker coming down, who objected strongly to the flour trail markings desecrating the pristine bush tracks - apparently the horse shit didn’t bother him.  Our newly pugnacious GM took exception and was shaping up to go a few rounds until the pack convinced him to keep running.  At the crossroads at the top of the hill, ‘Murphy’ had apparently rubbed out the R-W split markers and the FRB’s thought it was a normal check.  After the initial confusion and checking - allowing the slower runners to catch up - trail was found straight ahead with a brief respite downhill, before continuing uphill again to Tree Fern track which crossed in a dog leg fashion.

Trail was clearly marked to the left and was duly followed by the pack, through a magnificent fern gully, and up to a check.  The FRB’s checked all possibilities before Doona found a faint marker up the hill and called On On.  No other trail was found - perhaps ‘Murphy’ was at it again – or was the pack starting to remember something the hare said about 360o checks.  After a long delay, Bloodsucker had back-tracked and found the real trail downhill to the right, which is where NickelB thought it was all along.  During this saga the FRB’s heard lyre birds, but the rest of the pack only heard ‘On On’ – perhaps the lyre birds caught on quickly.

The real trail was downhill and then levelled out and was a welcome relief, but it did spread the pack and the later checks were broken fairly quickly.  There were some short steep uphill sections until trail settled in and followed a pleasant bush trail back along the Creek to Mortimer Picnic Ground.

Overall a good run in the bush with a mix of management tracks, bush trails, narrow tracks and well marked trail.

Score 249/250. Lost a point for the phantom arrow on a track the GM claimed not to have used.

Walk Report (by Dr Dementia)

The walkers set off after the runners, but the hill slowed a few down and separated the pack. If you are walking and hang back a bit, it’s amazing the gossip you hear, but it can’t be repeated here.  Non Stop and Punch strode ahead and at the top of the hill, found the R-W split marked by the runners.  From there it was all downhill and back home with a pleasant walk along the Creek trail well ahead of the runners.

Score 9/10. 

Charges

Visitors                 Doona, Kirstin

Returnees           Blood Sucker, Addon

Hares                    Canny, 3 Speed

Charges from the floor

Canny                   Harassing a wallaby in the picnic ground

Klingon                 Harassing a walker complaining about flour trail markers

NickleB & Lotsafun   Trying to upset the hash by staging a “We are lost in the bush”

Yogi & Boo Boo         Arrived in a taxi, but it seems to have transformed or disappeared           

Bandung Barry, NickleB and Lubang Oz   OBE’s all now 81 and still hashing             

Add On                 Special presentation badge for 20 years (even though she admitted to only being 19)

Kokup                   Disrespect to the GM by talking in the circle

Doona                   Calling ‘On On’ on a trail that did not exist

Klingon, Addon, Icy, Juon, Flashon, Bandung Barry  Had not eaten yet and in need of a drink

Run 249

Sunday 28 February 2021 at 4.00 pm

Location: Stanley Park, Mount Macedon

Hares; John “Kokup” Leckie & Judy “Punch” Leckie

Melways: 657 H5

Scribe: Mike ”Pol Pot” Hodgson

 A return to the dreaded site at the foothills of the Mount Macedon ranges that is one of Kokup’s favourites.  Those who came here a few years ago will recall Kokup setting an A to B run up to the top of Mount Macedon. (and earlier a run from the top of Mount Macedon down to the bottom). Would Kokup repeat that torture run on this coolish last day of summer; we were about to find out.

 4 o’clock came and went with no sign of the GM Klingon to get us going, nor our Sargent Bandung  Barry who was holidaying in Tasmania and couldn’t care less.  Yogi Bear and Boo Boo had already started their walk whilst the remainder of the pack waited restlessly for Klingon to arrive or Kokup or anybody to send us out.  It all happened finally.  Klingon arrived as Kokup gave out the run instructions.  It wasn’t to be an A to B trail (thank god), there was a drink stop not to be missed, a run of 6.5kms and a walk of either 3.5kms or 4.5kms depending on which route was taken.  But the best bit of advice was that the walk was marked only once at the point where it deviated from the run and that somehow Kokup would provide further directions to the walkers during the walk or if not – “just keep going straight”.  Kokup living up to his name had taken 2 stampers (1 for the runners and 1 for the walkers) with him when setting the trails but hid the walker’s stamper at the split point to save him carrying it around the run.  Trouble was he forgot where he hid the walker’s stamper and didn’t want to confuse the runners with additional arrows on the walk.  So off we went.

Most of the pack bounded off and left the remaining walkers behind.  The 4.5km walk sounded about right for me (and NonStop) leaving the slower walkers behind.  After about 1.5kms of gentle up and down terrain and just before the split point we came across Yogi and Boo Boo coming in the opposite direction not at all happy.  They had spent a long time looking for more walk arrows after the split and finally gave up and were heading home.  Kokup hadn’t given them the missing “just keep going straight” advice.  So the four of us kept going until we got lucky and found a multi choice check, obviously set for the runners.  NonStop called on up ahead and the check was left as found.  Next another multi choice check that I found and called on.  This time NonStop altered the check.  After explaining that I thought we were on the run and all further checks should be left as found.  Must have worked as at one stage the runners closed in but we shot away down dales and up hills to the welcoming sight of the drink stop.  Finished beers and headed home as the running pack arrived for their turn cursing that we didn’t mark trail.

Back at the park the short walkers and non-walkers were busy getting their Covid-19 meals ready, in defiance of the GM’s previous decree that we should have the circle before eating so that those who wished to leave after the circle could.  As the runners came in and the wishes of the GM’s being known, plates and food were quickly put aside (hidden), grog donations collected, and the circle commenced.

 Leaverlugs gave a run report and Bo Bo gave a brief walker report.

The hares Kokup and Punch were duly punished for loosing the walker’s stamper, causing distress to Yogi and Boo Boo for thinking they were lost, but overall Klingon thanked them for setting enjoyable run in new hash territory.

Welcome back drinks were given to Kangaroot, Flash On, Peter Wreford, Bob Holland (Bandung), and Slippery Sachs and a welcome first run drink to Wildrider (alias Sarah) from New Moon Hash, hope you enjoyed it.

Charges and On downs were given to

• ·         Kokup for laying an E&B trail (is this an inside Lakeside Hash joke?)

• ·         Bo Bo and Non Stop for not responding to calls of “ARE YOU”? (on).

• ·         Flash On for overdressing

• ·         GM for eating before the circle

• ·         Bo Bo for playing with himself in the circle

• ·         Kokup for not laying an A to B trail from the top of Mount Macedon (like he did in 2003 – may have something to do with age)

• ·         Over 80s – Lubang oz, Nickleby, and an RS lookalike (Dr Dementure)

 The Full Moon Hash song was sung.

Finally, the invisible moon was howled at.

Run 248

Sunday 31 January 2021 at 4.00 pm

Location: Warburton

Hares; Jack “Phantom2” Walker and Mike “Pol Pot” Hodgson

Melways: Page 290 A4

Scribe: Alan (Canny) McCann

Go to Dammans Road, between St Johns Road and Martyr Road, Warburton. Next to the Senior Citizens Club. There is a BBQ, shelter and toilets.

The weather was perfect for hashing, being sunny and pleasantly warm, as a group of 27 hashers assembled beside the picturesque River Yarra at Warburton with high hills on all around. The GM being late, Bandung Barry welcomed half a dozen ex Bandung hash visitors and Pol Pot explained that the run and the walk started together and finished together but deviated in the middle, with the run being under 6 kms and the walk half of that. 

Both trails started together heading west along Damman Road and uphill north to a check. Trail was found south and over a bridge, then along the south bank of the Yarra past several groups of picknickers and bathers to the oval. Then past the former Sanitarium Wheetbix Cereal Factory and on and under the Donna Buang Road to an on-back under the bridge. The marked trail then followed the north bank of the river and back to the run site. However visitor Neil Bandung thought he heard on-on called from far up the hill so he led tail enders Helen, 3 Speed and Canny up and along Blackwood Avenue for a longer run home. All other walkers and runners were back and had time to eat their prepared food before the tail enders returned. 

The circle was then called and the six ex Bandung Hashers plus returnees Slippery Sax and Kangaroot were welcomed and given an on down. 

The hares Pol Pot and Phantom 2 were thanked for their efforts and given an on down, and Neil and Canny gave a run report.

Charges and On downs were given by Bandung Barry to 

• Klingon and Icy for Dogs covering trail – Jun to accept on down as a dog look alike

• Point Post and Pol Pot for unknown demeanor.

• Point Post for talking continually to Lotsa Fun and not allowing her to get a word in edgeways

• Front runner Kangaroot for not marking checks

• Visitors ex Bandung for having look alike cars

• Bandung Barry who was known as the Walrus when he lived in Bandung

The Full Moon Hash song was sung, and the ex Bandung visitors gave us a fine rendition of their song. 

Finally, although the sun was still shining, the invisible moon was howled at.

Run 246

Sunday 29 November 2020 at 4.00 pm

Location: Long Forest Reserve, between Melton and Bacchus Marsh

 Hare: John “Klingon” Perkins

Melways: Page 335 E3

Scribe: Alan (Canny) McCann

There were some light rain showers in the morning, but the afternoon was dry and cool, perfect weather for the first Full Moon Hash since June due to COVID 19 lockdown restrictions. A small group of 13 assembled, including hare Klingon assisted by Icy and Jun. The hare announced that the run would be 8 to 9 kms with some quite steep sections and the walk would be 4 to 5 kms, so the majority chose the walk with the only runners being IME and LML.

Both trails started together along Happy Valley Track, with at least three plausible side offshoots which were all on backs, so the group was close together when the runners and walkers tracks diverged.

The runners carried on along Happy Valley Track down to Coimadai Creek, which they crossed three times, the final crossing requiring the assistance of a rope kindly provided by the hare. At the Old House, the runners then joined with the walkers trail.

Meanwhile, the walkers followed Link Track and Gravelly Track down to the Old House, which is a ruin with only the base of the stone walls and some timber stumps remaining. The trail then led uphill along Old House Track to Mallee Track and back to the car park.

The walkers were back in just under an hour, while the runners took half an hour longer.

Sitting around the picnic table, we ate the picnic food we had all brought, and then held a casual circle.

The hare was thanked for his efforts and given an on down.

IME and LML were given an on down as they will be relocating to Queensland in three weeks.

Canny announced that the next run would be set on 3 January 2021 by hares Morals and Firecracker, and it would commemorate 20 years of the Full Moon Hash and celebrate the founders, many of whom are expected to attend. It will be set at Grants Picnic Ground in the Dandenongs, the site of the first Hash.

Catering will be to bring your own picnic to the Picnic Ground, or possibly BBQ if COVID regulations allow.

The song was sung, the moon howled at, and all went home happy to have recommenced hashing.

 Canny

On Sec

Run 245

Sunday 14 June 2020 at 3.00 pm

Location: Whipstick Gully Road, Warrandyte

 Hare: Barry (Bandung) Gannon

Melways: Page 23 E12

Scribe: Alan (Canny) McCann

After the April and May runs being cancelled due to COVID 19 lockdown restrictions, the Full Moon Hash resumed with a larger than expected turnout of over 30. In compliance with current COVID 19 restrictions of a maximum of 20 in a group, four separate groups participated, being early starters Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, the Runners, about a dozen, the Walkers, about a dozen and the late arrivals, being Panty Leaver plus kids. Due to short daylight and to avoid concerns about shared facilities, no cooking facilities were arranged, with attendees going elsewhere for dinner. Showers were forecast, but did not eventuate until close to the end of the run.

 The GM welcomed all attendees and introduced new runners Gary, Ellia, Morgan and Jack plus returnees Ray (RS) and Danita (Driver) Smith.

 The hare Bandung Barry explained his trail markings, told the usual lie about no hills, and sent us off up one of the steepest tracks ever seen. At the ridge on top, the walk went straight on down the other side to the site of the first gold mine in Victoria, while the run went left for quite a distance to an on-back. Trail was found higher up to the right and then wound round circuitously until eventually going downhill and back to Whipstick Gully Road. Front runner IME returned to the large shelter in over an hour with the rest of the pack close behind.

 There was plenty of space to form a circle while keeping a social distance apart.

The GM gave the new runners and returnees an on-down and thanked the hare for setting the run.

IME gave the run report and commented that in the USA he was usually the eldest but not so here.

Redbreast gave the walkers report on behalf of the elders.

Charges

•         Pol Pot was charged for not offering to pick up Happy

•          Phantom tried to charge 2 or 3 people, but each charge rebounded on him.

•          3 Speed and Canny were charged for having sons who had developed COVID 19 symptoms

•          Pany Leaver plus kids was charged for arriving late (as usual)

•          Jock and Klingon charged each other concerning marking of an on-back

•          Non Stop was charged unsuccessfully by Phantom

 The GM announced that the next run would be on 5 July. Location, to be advised, would depend on locating a suitable pub to comply with whatever COVID 19 restrictions were at that date.

 The song was sung, the moon howled at, and all went home happy to have been able to recommence hashing.

Run 244

Sunday 15 March 2020 at 4.00 pm

Location: Ship Rock Falls Picnic Area, Kirth Kiln Regional Park

 Hares: Alan (Canny) and Joan (3 Speed) McCann

Melways: Page 14 R10

Scribe: Nick (Nickel B) Leicester

Twenty-two runners and walkers assembled on a fine autumn afternoon at this new run site location. With a good weather forecast and hares with a reputation for setting a good run and a new area a good crowd was expected. Those that came were not disappointed unless they did not like rough barely discernible trails and territory that undulated between short up and down hills to longer ones. There was some grumbling about the instructions but I thought they were fine although E&B managed to get lost on the way and took a lift to join the run about a quarter of the way through. I had hoped to see a rock that resembled a ship and falls but it was not to be. It was only a short stroll away and those that came early could have looked at them. The site itself was off the main road with ample parking and had a toilet and wood fired barbecue and one table all set amongst the trees. A very pleasant spot indeed.

 At the start the hare said the run was 6 km if you didn’t do any On Backs and the terrain was just gently undulating with no real hills. Encouraged by this we set off on a track over where someone had been digging holes perhaps to deter motor bikes. We then proceeded along a very rough trail through the bush marked with lime arrows, pink ribbon and even a few single sheets of toilet paper. Due to the shortage of toilet paper caused by panic buying Kling On must have instructed Add On to collect same for him to use because she ended up with a large handful. This trail zigged downhill and zagged uphill until it nearly reach the top where it turn downhill again. After about four zig zags we came onto a dirt track (Water Fall Track) and a check. I checked left uphill but was overtaken by Flash On who found trail. We then proceeded gradually uphill past where the walkers trail branched off until we reached Beenak Road and a check. The trail was found along Beenak Road to the right. This took a long time to break as there were a lot of more tempting bush trails. This allowed Kok Up and E&B who had both arrived late to catch up. Kok Up by running the trail and E&B by getting a lift in the hare’s chariot (shame). The run proceeded along Beenak Road until it reached a check at the junction with Old Beenak Road, which Klingon followed for some distance. However the trail continued along Beenak Road to another check where Aukland Drive joined but the actual run proceeded along Beenak Road which took a half right at this point. Finally another check and we turned right onto Manna Gum track and proceeded downhill to a back check. The trail turned right uphill along Possum Track. The uphill section was reasonably short before a long downhill. Here I was overtaken by Kok Up who made rude remarks about my downhill pace. (Wait until he is over eighty and his balance not as good as it once was so caution is the order of the day). At the bottom we met Monkhouse Track, a very scenic pond and a number of On Backs. The first was to the left and uphill. The second was uphill in the opposite direction up a side track off the main track. The third was on up the main track and the fourth was back and up another track. It should be emphasised that all these On Backs were up steep hills. Finally the real trail was found up Monks Track. By up I mean up. It was a very steep climb and long for a run which only had undulations. The hare waited with a very welcome drink stop at the top where we were back on Beenak Road. Since we had been there the hare had marked our return trail (This is the problem with setting figure of eight runs). We crossed over the road and proceeded back along the verge before turning right and running on good tracks finally emerging back at the check point where E&B had joined us earlier. Here we proceed back along the out trail to where the walkers branched off and proceed back along the walkers home trail. This was a pleasant run on a small trail across undulating terrain which allowed for a gentle jog home.

The trail was well marked, the drink stop welcome and the scenery rewarding. The less said about the hares’ comments on length and hills at the start the better. People with GPS’s registered more than 9 km for length and I would classify coming up Monks Track to the drink stop as a hill. At any rate everybody seemed to enjoy the run and the walk. So thank you hares for your effort in finding a new run site and setting such an excellent run and for the salads.

Run no 243

Sunday 9 February 2020 at 4.00 pm

Location –  Tirhatuan Park, Kriegel Way, Dandenong North

Hare: Jack (Phantom2) Walker and Bill (Happy) Cross

Melways: 81 F8

Scribe: Alan (Canny) McCann

A select group of a dozen hashers assembled on a warm afternoon, although several regulars were absent due to Chinese New Year. Unfortunately, the original hare Pol Pot was in hospital for observation, so Happy helped Phantom set the run.

The hare explained that they had set a run and a walk, and that the run was only about 5 km, and the walk quite short, so runners and walkers set off together to tackle the run at different speeds. The first check was a difficult on back under Stud Road, which held up Cooch, who was the only runner, until trail was found by walker E&B over the road bridge and down beside the Dandenong Creek. The trail led alongside the Creek for some distance up to a check near the golf course. Lead walker E&B checked a long way back, and become the last walker as trail was found on along the creek which led  to a spillway, which we crossed over. A back check caught out Non-Stop, who now brought up the rear. A couple more side checks did not persuade anyone to deviate from following the bike track, and after almost an hour of walking we arrived back at the BBQ area.

Canny called a circle and

·         Welcomed new runner Syndrome, recently arrived from Brisbane.

·         Welcomed returnees Irish and Talia

·         Thanked the hares Phantom2 and Happy.

Cooch gave a report on the run

Charges

·         Yogi Bear, Boo Boo, Bloodsucker and Bandung Barry were charged for starting almost an hour before the official start time.

·         E&B tried to charge 3 Speed, Canny and Non-Stop for not following the markings of the check at the golf course but this rebounded.  

·         Bandung Barry tried to charge the hares for laying trail on concrete but this rebounded as concrete was not deemed to be bitumen.

·         Happy, Phantom and E&B for something

·         Non-Stop for being nondescript but thirsty.

The Full Moon Hash anthem was sung, E&B sang an amusing ditty, and the invisible moon was howled at. 

Run no 242

Sunday 12 January 2020 at 4.00 pm

Hare – John (Klingon) Perkins

Location: Sapling Gully Picnic Area, Aeroplane Road, Brisbane Ranges (beyond Bacchus Marsh). 

Hare: John (Klingon) Perkins

Melways: Page 7 square A7

Scribe: Alan (Canny) McCann

Directions:

Follow the Western Highway to Bacchus Marsh, take exit C704. Proceed south through Bacchus Marsh. At the roundabout just before the railway line, turn right into Griffith St. Follow this as it becomes Bacchus Marsh - Balliang Road. Proceed under railway bridge and at the roundabout, turn right into Glenmore Road. Soon after, turn left into Reids Road (signpost Brisbane Ranges). Continue about 6km to a vertical signpost, Aeroplane Road. Follow this gravel road about 1km to the Picnic Area. No facilities except wood BBQ.

A select group of about 15 hashers assembled to enjoy a perfect afternoon for a run in the bush, the weather being clear and sunny, but not too hot, and without any bushfires or smoke in the Brisbane Ranges.

The hare Klingon introduced his co-hare IME and explained that they had set a run and a walk, with the walk being a shorter version of the run with some overlapping of the trails.

So off we went, the runners uphill along a path to the west and the walkers uphill to the south along Aeroplane Road. After several checks, the runners arrived back at the start only to be told to follow the walkers up the long hill to an on-back. Meanwhile the walkers had advanced along a management track to a spot marked by the hare with HV. This unknown marking caused much confusion until Add-on deciphered that it stood for Hash View, so we followed a short trail to a view over the lower farmland. Back to the track and on downhill until the trail suddenly turned left, marked by toilet paper, down a steep section of virgin bush and finally onto an old overgrown track. This led on down to a peaceful small creek, where the runners finally caught up with the walkers. However the hare had cunningly set another uphill diversion for the runners, while the walkers followed the flatter rocky creek bed. After about an hour, runners and walkers all arrived back at the run-site almost together.      

The wood fired BBQ offered a choice of hot plate or grill for cooking and was large enough to accommodate all food for everyone.  

The GM called for a circle and

• • Welcomed two new runners being his co-hare IME and also Jock.

  • Welcomed returnees E&B and Cooch

  • Thanked the hares Klingon (himself), IME and Alice (Add-on).

Kokup gave a report on the run and Punch gave a report on the walk

Charges were

• • Punch for declaring she got her leg over in the bushes without Kokup.

  • Klingon for using the area he had designated as a ladies loo for himself

  • Jock for waiting at the checks and not checking himself

  • IME for Robert the Beast or Bruce?

  • Klingon for not stopping the runners trail at the heritage swing

  • Couch for being held up waiting at the KL Ballbreaker which IME and Jock attended

  • E&B for not keeping food for Cooch

  • Jock for fear of mobile phones

  • Pol Pot for forgetting the sign-in book and spilling red wine on the replacement book

  • 3 Speed and Canny for not stopping to help a koala

  • E&B for forgetting the name of the Lakeside GM

E&B and IME each sang a song

The Full Moon Hash song was sung (from memory) and moon was howled at (although it was not visible

Run no 241

Sunday 15 December 2019 at 4.00 pm

Hare – Brian (Dr Dementia) Walsh

Location –  Westerfolds Park, Templestowe

Melway - 33 F1

Enter Westerfolds Park via Fitsimmons Lane

Change of BBQ location.....Due to lots of Xmas Functions.... suggest the 

3 tables under the trees 100metrs from entry on Fitsimons Lane.

LOOK FOR HHH Sign.

BBQ will be supplied by the Hare.

Here we were with only two weeks until Christmas, all 18 members assembled in a delightful shady spot just off the edge of the access road to the main rotunda and a cast of thousands attending a private party.  We had our own BBQ, tables and benches and our hare had pre-empted the noisy multitude and kept us in our exclusive zone away from the din!  Thanks Dr. D.

Your scribe headed off early with the usual suspects, Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, for a leisurely stroll following the walkers trail. We travelled at a steady pace, not too vigorous, stopped for the obligatory photo shoot, took in the wonderous scenery, river and trees and lots of birds.  We looked for the pack as we crossed the main road bridge heading for home but they must have started at a furious pace as we did not sight any runners or walkers.  We had lots of time to discuss the over abundance of bitumen! 

The trail sent us in a long loop around the park, down to a long on-back, then up stream along the river, under the bridge and on upward through the bush. Left along the ridge and eventually down to the river again and the footbridge crossing.  Then through the bottom of Lenister Farm, up a steep rise and back home along Fitsimmons Lane.  Great terrain, great use of the hills and dales, good safe tracks with gravel or grass and lots of bitumen!

Dr. D. and Red Breast welcomed us back and had the BBQ operating.  First runners, led by fleet-of-foot Slippery Sacks, were home in about one hour and the rest of the pack followed in close contact. Lots of soothing beers and drinks, a hearty meal with the requisite salads and bread supplied by the dutiful Robin Red Breast. Thanks RRB!

Our GM Klingon welcomed the returnees, Slippery Sacks (ex Bandung), Icy, Jun and Flash On.

GM called on yours truly as Sargent to present the charges, but copped a down-down himself as he had forgotten to call forward the Hare! Slippery Sacks gave the run the thumbs up, he obviously enjoyed the run. Walkers report was presented by Canny who liked the first loooong check as it re-united runners and walkers. He commended the good use of territory, checks and on backs but also mentioned the dreaded bitumen!

Penalties were handed out to

• • Dr. D., for setting the run

  • Our GM Klingon for forgetting,

  • Yogi for leaving his home and car keys at last month’s run site,

  • Dr. Dementia for having us cross ‘shiggy’ within 20 metres of the start of the run,

  • Canny for his ‘char grilled’ sausages,

  • Dr. D. for an excess of bitumen on the run,

  • Icy charged some-one for providing a live snake on the run,

  • Icy took a charge for excessive screaming (because of a live snake) on the run,

  • Robin Red Breast for her dominance of the local bowls Club competition!

  • Late comers, Panty Leaver and son, Diplomatic Cucumber.

Feeling up-lifted by the Christmas Spirit we all belted out the Howlers Anthem in fine voice and no semblance of tune (Founding Fathers, Father and Morales would hardly recognize that effort!)  We howled at the moon in a great discordant manner no doubt upsetting the neighbours.

Notice was given of next month’s run on 12 January 2020 at Sapling Gully in the Brisbane Ranges and the “Tribute To Founding Fathers – 20 Years On On ” run on 5 April 2020 from the original first run site, Grants Picnic Ground, Kallista.

All departed in a happy state of mind.

P.S.  Did I mention the bitumen?

Your Scribe:  Bandung Barry.

Full Moon Hash Run no 240

Sunday 10 November 2019 at 4.00 pm

Hares – Barry (Bandung) Gannon

Location – Mount Eliza Regional Park

Scribe - Alan (Canny) McCann

Melway - Map 105 K9

The run-site was a new location for the Full Moon Hash which was well signposted by the hare adjacent to the Mooraduc Highway. A very small group of 2 premature starters, 2 runners, 5 walkers and 4 late arrivals assembled in overcast weather.

The Run

Bandung demonstrated his dexterity with the plumber’s stamper and announced that there would be a Hash Halt next to a stretch of water where the runners and walkers would meet.

The two runners headed off south while the walkers headed off north.

The runners followed a loop around the southern edge of the Park before heading north and then up a very steep hill to a high trail around the edge of a quarry. Eventually the trail descended to a scenic spot beside the quarry lake, and the Hash Halt, but without the walkers. 

The runners waited some time (they claim) but then followed the trail winding back through bushland back to the BBQ Area, where they arrived about 5.20 pm.

The Walk

The hare led the walkers north along some interesting trails to the lake in the quarry, where the walkers waited for some time for the runners to arrive. The hare remained at the lake to meet the runners, and the walkers followed the meandering track through the bush land to arrive at the BBQ Area where they arrived just before 5.00 pm.   

The Circle

The GM (Klingon) was censured for being absent and not appointing a replacement. The group decided to appoint Bandung to act as GM.

• • Ilya, Panti Leaver and two kids were welcomed as returnees.

  • The run report was given by Dr Dementia who awarded it 9 out of 10

  • The walk report was given by Robin Redbreast who awarded it 9 out of 10

  • Bandung was charged for damaging the plumber’s stamper by using it so forcefully

  • Bandung was charged for taking the runners to a dead end trail with silver wrappers

  • Dr Dementia was charged for some minor offence.

  • Kokup was charged for impersonating Dr Dementia by being forgetful.

  • Canny and 3 Speed were charged by Punch for deserting to Europe for 7 weeks.

  • Punch’s charge rebounded because she did not notice that them on the run last month.

  • Boo Boo was charged for not remembering names to take the charges away

  • Pol Pot charged himself with a minor offence so that he could finish his wine. 

The song was sung, the moon was sighted, and all started for home ahead of a shower of rain.

Thanks to the hare for selecting a new run-site location with a well set run and walk.

Canny

Run no 239

Sunday 13 October 2019 at 4.00 pm

Hare – Nick (Nickel B) and Lai Fan (Lotsafun) Leicester

Location –  Lysterfield Park

Melway - 108 D2

Scribe Kokup and Bloodsukka

The run will start by the car park next to Horswood drive and the On On will be held at the picnic tables nearest to Horswood Drive and the toilet.

Nick suggests go along the Monash and come off onto Heatherton Road and go for approx. 6 km before turning left into Belgrave Hallam Road for about 1.5 km before turning left into Horswood Drive.

The good weather brought out a few extra hashers and about 21 gathered at the BBQ’s near the lower park at Lake Lysterfield.  The GM tried to get some order before NickelB led us all on a merry jaunt to the information board just inside the gates to explain his markings.  It didn’t seem important at the time, but he made a point of telling the walkers there was a Run/Walk split and to follow the walk direction and then take the next track to the left.  Then it was on out towards Logan Park Road to be greeted by the first check about 20m away.  The IN trail was found on Logan Park Road, which shifted attention to the cleared area at the perimeter track where On On was soon called.  Trail turned into the Echidna track through the bush, where a lot of animal tracks crossed, but were not used.  A couple of checks allowed the pack to close up a bit before re-entering Logan Park Road. 

Trail then diverted left into the bush again and eventually arrived at the Walk Run split at a tee intersection of tracks.  The walk trail pointed left, so naturally the runners went right, but could not find trail, allowing everyone to catch up.  Then the hare’s words were remembered and the running trail was found on the Boy’s Farm track going right off the walker’s trail.  A foot track led off into the old Boy’s Farm, past a donkey engine and water well to a check at the old dairy site.  There was a bit of confusion here until Cooch found trail on paper in the scrub which led back to the main track and up to an On Back at the top of the hill.

A long and fairly steep downhill run quickened the pace of the run a bit, before turning into a loooong flat straight.  At least it was long for Kangaroo, Slippery Sack, Cooch and CJ who all ran about 300 to 400m past an On Back.  This allowed Klingon and Kokup to get near the front of the pack for a short while.  After a few more On Back’s trail led along a long bike track through the bush, to a main track.  A couple of checks in close proximity again closed up the pack until trail joined the loop track around the Lake.  At this point, we met old ladies with scarves on their heads and parents pushing prams, so it was obviously On Home.  The svelte visitors bolted, followed closely by Cooch and CJ, not to be seen again. 

The run had some longer stretches and allowed for a fast pace, but the On Backs and Checks allowed the slower runners to catch up, except for the last 1.5km.  The weather was perfect and that, Klingon, is how you set a run at Lysterfield Lake without running around the Lake (or for that matter, even seeing the Lake). 

Score 9/10. Lost a point because we found the IN trail at the first check.

Kokup 

Charges - Boo Bo found a golf ball at a check and tried to save Yogi Bear from falling. Yogi accused Boo Bo from stealing the ball.

Panty Leaver & E&B for coming back after a break

Visitors                 Slippery Sack, Kangaroo

Returnees           Cooch, E&B, Tahlia, Canny, 3 Speed, Panty leaver Diplomatic Cucumber

Virgin Runner    Ilya

Hares                    NickelB, Lotsafun

NickelB                 Proved you can set a run without running around the Lake

Bandung Barry  Did not get a run or walk report before charging the hares

Klingon                 GM did not remind Bandung Barry to call for run and walk reports

Lotsafun              Plenty of really good salad

Slippery Sack, Kangaroo, Cooch, CJ Running a loooong way past an On Back

Run no 238

Sunday 15 September 2019 at 3.00 pm

Hares – Bloodsukka, Bo Boo, Yogi Bear

Location – Take Wellington Rod / State Road 18 and turn right into Stud Road towards Dandenong and 200 metres later turn left into Bergins Road / Churchill Drive|Road to Runsite

It was a good collection of hashers who turned up for our sojourn in Churchill Park. And what a surprise it was. A completely different trail for this location. The hares cunningly took us out the gate and across Churchill Park Drive, and down the road for a series of checks and on-backs before re-entering the park on the eastern side. Coming up the hill the trail diverted through a fence into an open space with magnificent views. Nice, but we eventually found that there was no trail in there, and we came out through the fence again to resume. It did not rain on the trail but as soon as we got back it came down in buckets, when we were all nicely under the shelter, where Yogi Bear and Boo Boo had kindly prepared some horderves of spicy chickens, roti and dahl.

When the circle was called there was some confusion, as apart from the three named hares, Bloodsukka, Yogi Bear, Boo Boo, it seemed that it may have actually been Pol Pot who laid the stamp arrows. One charge was for NickleB who it was said gave rise for a car on the road to slow down, unnecessarily according to him. CJ was welcomed back as a returnee after several years. A final charge was for Dr Dementia who has signed up for his umpteenth marathon. Apart from that, others who may or may not have been charged were: Add On, Klingon, Readbreast, Bundung Barry, Kokup, Punch and LotsaFun.

On On

Klingon

Run no 237

Sunday 18 August 2019 at 3.00 pm

Hares – John (Klingon) Perkins

Location – Koomba Park, Wantirna

Melway - 63 D5

After a glorious morning of sunshine and warmth and with the weather threatening to break at any moment our new GM Klingon had us meeting in a forsaken, potholed and dreary carpark at the wrong end of Koomba Park.

Your scribe arrived a few minutes before the representatives of the Taxi Drivers contingent, Yogi and Boo Boo, to find Addon valiantly trying to erect a rather pathetically tiny tarpaulin, raging against a stiff nor-westerly, in water up to her ankles and close to tossing in the towel. Klingon of course was still out setting the run/walk! Our (pathetic) ‘tent city’ did evolve with help from arriving Hashers but lacked the sophistication of a modern form of ‘glamping’! The fact that it was all in a “No Standing Anytime”,  “24 Hour Access”, emergency gate with seven padlocks attached was perhaps overlooked by our Hare!

With no hint of a start point the two stalwart ‘cabbies’ and I set off to find trail for an early-start walk. We soon found trail and headed south towards Burwood Hwy. A pleasant stroll through the “wet” wetlands replete with birds calling and frogs answering and along the longest boardwalk in history to a cunningly disguised on back and trail under the two highway road bridges. Lots of thick black Dandenong Creek mud, (a note to VicRoads – spray the bloody blackberries) and the detritus of a modern metropolis, rubbish a-plenty!  It was at this point we found the rapidly deteriorating chalk marks (owing to the steady rain) that Klingon designed to separate walkers from runners.

I have it on good authority from several runners that their trail took them further south through the bush and a makeshift campsite set up by the lower socio-economic riff-raff, alternative lifestyle yobbos who did not believe in rubbish bins or recycling or indeed preservation of mankind! Klingon’s little excursion into ‘educational tours’?

Back to the intrepid walkers three!  The rain set in with a vengeance as we found our way to the pedestrian walkway that saw us safely over the busy highway and back into the ‘nice’ end of Koomba Park. Then it was a matter of heads down against the driving rain, (try not to see the two pavilions at the ‘right’ end of the park, with nice wide verandahs and a buffer against the wind and rain) to our start point and, thankfully, a roaring tub fire, a rudimentary shelter, a smiling Klingon and a beer.

The inclement weather prompted a circle before the Barby to allow some to make an early getaway. Returning athletes Kokup and Punch were welcomed by our GM, a very generous run report was provided by Kokup who gave a brief description, lamented the extreme weather and gave it a score of  8/10.  A walkers report from an anonymous plodder (sorry – my second glass of red at that point!)  gave a thumbs up -  all in all a good result with trail marking surviving the rain and nobody lost!   Then followed a number of charges where the misdemeanors of many were aired and the appropriate penalties dispensed!  All of this revelry was interrupted by a surprise visit from the Police which saw Klingon producing identification to prove we were not terrorists, (did he just claim we were all homeless or helpless or legless?) agreeing to extinguish our bonfire, stand up straight and behave ourselves! Fortunately a real emergency saw the constabulary rapidly take off before we could incriminate ourselves!

A blood curdling rendition of the Hash Sacred Song and all departed for home and a hot shower. Many thanks to Klingon for his great effort in extenuating circumstances, an apology to Addon for not acknowledging her important and valiant role in establishing our ‘tent city’, fire raising and supporting us generally on an otherwise difficult day.

Your wet and muddied Scribe,  Bandung Barry.

Run no 236

 Sunday 14 July 2019 at 3.00 pm

 Hares – Lee (Big Ears) Hazelwood and Mike (Bandung) Barry

 Location – Grants Picnic Ground, Kallista

 Melway - Map Page 75 J4

 Introduction 

A rather small group of about 16 runners and walkers gathered on a cold and wet winter afternoon in a large shed shelter, which the hares had commandeered, next to the car park. Visitors were welcomed and the hares announced that the walk and run would start separately but finish together, which turned out to be correct. Rain fell during most of the run, mostly light but occasionally heavy, and it was wet and slippery and muddy underfoot.

The Run

The Hash notice said the weather would be cloudy with no rain and a temperature of 14 degrees. This turned out to be what President Trump would label fake news. It was raining (not heavily but continuously) and I suspect the temperature was less than 14 degrees. The GM called us to attention, introduced some visitors and then passed it to Bandung Barry to tell us about the run. His report was not encouraging. His description was rough, tough steep and long. No wonder when the runners set off there were only four! Klingon, Nickel B, Slippery Socks and Bugsy Byes. Apologies if the last two names are not quite correct.

The run set off on Bleakley track which follows the road downhill. The trail was covered in bark and twigs blown off from the surrounding gumtrees. Down we went to the inevitable on back. Klingon found the trail which followed Tregallas Track uphill to Coles Ridge track and a check. For some reason everyone checked in the direction of home leaving Nickel B to find the trail. For a short while this was reasonably level before going downhill again to where the trail branched off to the right and even steeper down. Sensing an on back Nickel B sent Slippery Socks (followed as always by Bugsy Byes who seemed determined not to lose sight of him) down to check. When they disappeared down and around a corner it looked as if it was the actual trail so we all set off but it turned out to be a rather long on back. So back and downhill again.

 Past the level of the Micawber Tavern where we would later have our meal to where the Old Monbulk Road ended. Here our visitors checked down the road. Nickel B checked down Welch Track but found nothing and returned. However when the visitors came back without finding anything he tried again and further down found trail. This trail descended very steeply to Monbulk Creek where it joined Paddy Track. It turned out that this was named after a relation of Bandung Barry who stayed somewhere along this track and got his living from making wooden spokes for wagon wheels. He must have been fit because the track was very steep. At first it started off gently uphill and the two new runners passed me running. However it soon got very steep and forced them to slow to a walk.

Up and up we went until the slope slackened off a bit but still up. It was here near the top we met two walkers who asked why we were going the wrong way. I explained that we were doing the run and following the way the arrows were pointing and they must have got onto the runners trail where it joined the walkers. They seemed to have a certain difficulty with arrows but did turn round and retrace their steps.

It was about here just before Paddy Track met Neumanns Track that we found a mysterious H carefully marked out in flour arrows. Was this a supposed to be a Hash Halt? Did it mark the site of Paddy’s house? Was it some special sign the hare forgot to tell us about? After some head scratching we ignored the sign and carried on.

The rest of the run was fairly uneventful as the Park had supplied signs which showed the way to Grants Picnic Ground which made finding trail easy. This was quite pleasant running although rather muddy but by this time ones shoes were saturated so one could splash along without caring. The last part had its ups and downs but nothing too bad. It was on this stretch that we began passing the walkers who were strung out like Brown’s cows. Each trudging along through the rain by themselves. The walk had gone down Lyrebird walk and I suspect circled round to join Neumanns Track and return back with the runners back along the first section of Lyrebird Walk. The walkers gave it a good report.

When we arrived back at the start we were greeted by Three Beers with hot soup and nibbles.

Although it rained throughout the run the trail arrows remained clearly visible. This was a credit to Big Ears stamper which he made from pieces of pipe and fittings left over from installing toilets. One never knows when plumbing skills will come in handy.

Some statistics: Height at start 380 m, lowest point 240 m highest point 400 m. Both runners and walkers saw lyrebirds which were out in abundance searching for mates according to Bandung Barry.

This being the AGM we had a circle and learnt that Kling On will be the new GM. The circle was short with few charges, a welcome for the new GM and a farewell to the old as we were all keen to get to the warmth of the Micawber Tavern.

I would like to thank the outgoing GM Big Ears for doing a sterling job in ensuring a good run every full moon and welcome the new GM Kling On and wish him well.

On On

Nickel B

 The Walk 

The walkers started off down Lyrebird Walk, which would have been very picturesque with many large tree ferns had it not been raining. We followed this on down and then up to the junction with Hall Track, which roughly followed Grantulla Road. Then on down the Nueman Track, which was quite muddy, where the runners passed us. Finally, after almost an hour and a half, the last walkers arrived back at the run site, where Free Beers served some very welcome hot soup to warm us up. 

 The Circle

• • Visitors Bugsy and Slippery Sacks were welcomed

  • The hares Big Ears and Bandung Barry were thanked

  • Bugsy gave the run report and awarded it 9 out of 10.

  • CJ gave the walkers report.

  • Bandung was given an on-down for not providing leaches like he normally did.

  • Bugsy was charged for saying he had not run for 6 months

  • CJ and Bloodsucker were charged for not realising that they had to follow the arrows.

  • There were several other charges, but it was too dark to read my writing.

  • Canny reminded hashers that the first Full Moon run was set from this spot 19 years ago. 

The AGM

• • Big Ears announced his resignation as GM

  • Klingon was announced and accepted as the new GM

  • All other committee members were confirmed to continue

 The song was sung, we attempted to sight the moon, and at about 5.15 pm we drove down Monbulk Road to the Micawber Tavern for dinner. (Footnote: At 5.30 pm a large tree fell on a car on Monbulk Road and killed two persons, so we were fortunate).

 Meals at the Micawber were generous as usual, and we all left for home happy with the day.

Thank you Big Ears and Bandung Barry for an excellent day (in spite of the inclement weather).

 Canny

Run no 235

Sunday 16 June 2019 at 3.00 pm

 Hares – Mike (Pol Pot) Hodgson and Jack (Phantom 2) Walker

Location – Norton Park, Norton Lane, Wantirna South

Melway - Map Page 72 A2

The Run

A rather small group of about 16 runners and walkers gathered for this midwinter run, which started in bright mid-winter sunshine and finished in a light shower of rain. The hares announced that the walk and run would follow the same route but the walkers would have the opportunity to shortcut, which indeed turned out to be the case.

The trail started by meandering off to the north, which immediately allowing the walkers to short cut and keep up or even get in front of the runners.  Trail then led down to the Dandenong Creek, where a false trail went left, allowing the walkers to catch up. Across the Creek the trail turned south and then around the back of the baseball club. The walkers kept the runners in sight while taking the more direct path along the Creek to Shepherds Bush, where all arrived about the same time.

The trail then took us through the marshy area along the side of the Creek and around the back of the Glen Waverley Golf Course.  Here the trail passed back across the Creek and headed north back to the BBQ Area, where all arrived almost together in under an hour.

Thanks to the hares for selecting an appropriate location for a well set run on almost the shortest day of the year.

The circle

• • Visitors Chicken Dicken and returnee (Bloodsukka 3) were welcomed

  • The hares Pol Pot and Phantom were thanked

  • Big Ears gave the run report.

  • Robin Redbreast gave the walkers report.

  • Dr Dementia have a run/walk report

  • Boo Boo and Yogi Bear were charged for always being first back (due to starting an hour early)

  • Canny was charged for forgetting to include Dr Dementia

  • Big Ears was charged for purchasing a new car, a Peugeot 207 sports convertible.

  • Bandung Barry was charged for adding an additional vehicle, a Porsche, to increase his fleet of vehicles to five.

 The song was sung, the moon was sighted, and all started for home before it got too dark.

 Canny

Run no 234

Sunday 19 May 2019 at 3.00 pm

Hares – Lee (Big Ears) Hazelwood & Leanne (Freebeers) Holland

Location – Birds Land Reserve, Mount Morton Road, Belgrave Heights

Melway - 84 A2

It was a hardy lot that turned up at Birds Land, as many of the regulars were away. The weather was pleasantly balmy for May, as winter had not yet startled to bite. The hare was Big Ears, who set a trail pleasantly different from others at the site. It took us right to the top of the hill to the south, from which magnificent views west towards the city and suburbs were perceived.

There was confusion about the yellow ribbons. We were following flour and thought they were not hash trail. But somehow they seemed to lead to more flour when we followed them. When the flour led us to complete dead ends, somehow the yellow ribbons seemed to be helpful.

The pack was led by Jun, Icy and Flashon, who made up almost half the pack. The trail then resumed a somewhat familiar route, going clockwise around the perimeter of the reserve and back via the lake. Phantom and Free Beers were short cutters. The pack got well and truly spread out, but a long on-back before the lake brought us back into contact. The trail was a long one but a good one.

Pol Pot stoically followed the whole trail, arriving back well after our BBQs were cooked and mostly consumed. The front walkers Yogi Bear and BooBoo were first sighted at the On In as usual. The mystery of the yellow ribbons was solved. Big Ears informed us that he had put them there.

We had a circle appropriately and managed a partial and disjointed rendition of the hash song to end the evening just in time before the gate was due to be shut.

On On

Klingon

Run no 233

Sunday 14 April 2019 at 3.00 pm (note earlier time)

Hares – Joan (3-Speed) and Alan (Canny) McCann 

Location – Lawson Falls Picnic Ground, Bunyip State Park (north east section)

Melway - Map Page X912 square T5 (south of Gentle Annie)

This is a new run-site, which is about 90 km by road from the demographic centre of Melbourne at Gardiner Rail Station in Glen Iris, so allow at least an hour and a half to drive to the run-site. The road is all bitumen apart from the final 7 km which is unsealed but is good quality graded gravel. From Melbourne, take the M1 Princes Highway past Packenham and take exit signposted Labertouche and Longwarry. After roundabout, follow signs for Labertouche along Sand Road. After 500 metres, turn right at T junction and after a further 300 metres turn left, following Labertouche sign along Labertouche Road for 2.8 km, then veer left (still on Labertouche Road) for a further 1.5 km. to the Labertouche Hall. Take the minor road to the right of the Hall which is signposted Forest Road and Labertouche Primary School. Follow Forest Road for about 12 km to the run-site, the last 7 km of which are on a good quality unsealed road.

This run was set in the north east section of Bunyip State Park, where the country side was miraculously saved from the recent bush fires which burnt out a large portion of the park.

The weather was superb as about 20 eager Hashers arrived at the picturesque Lawson Falls Picnic Ground. Canny’s lads Alastair and Blood Sucker were joining the clan to be on hand for any CPR. We took off in a northerly direction and ran through virgin territory. After about 2 kms Canny with his great sense of humour took us in an embarrassing circular check, whereby we were looking like chooks with heads cut off looking for trail. After this came the torture. We climbed the mountain, a series of hills described by Icy in the run report as a w. I liken it to an Elmer Fudd w, i.e. wwww!

Anyhow we trudged to the top of the mountain where there was a bush seat. As Blood Sucker and Alastair were checking I decided to rest, and wait for the next runner. Icy arrived and being of poor hearing I did not hear the on-on. From here on it was pleasant recuperating running in totally different topography and very enjoyable going downhill on picturesque tracks.

Part of the run took us on a steep decline to see the Lawson Falls. I think Mr Lawson was a dwarf! Some of the runners decided not to check down to the falls as they were so tired, but those that did were rewarded with a lovely view.  

The on home was as good as it gets through high tree ferns with a cute little seat carved out of a tree stump. Front runners were back at the picnic ground in an hour and five minutes, where a roaring fire was there to greet us.

The wood fired BBQ worked well, although the cooking surface was rather small. 3-Speed put on salads with a kaleidoscope of colour and plenty of other offerings.

The circle

• • Visitors (Alastair plus the GM and family from Riyadh Hash) and returnees (Bloodsucker, Firecracker, Morals) were welcomed

  • Icy gave the run report and awarded it 8.5 out of 10.

  • Happy gave the walk report and awarded it 9.5 out of 10.

  • The hares 3 Speed and Canny were given an on down for the malicious circular check

  • Bloodsucker was charged for finding the run to be too short and going up an extra hill

  • Icy for a misdemeanour

  • Big Ears and Non Stop for a misdemeanour

The song was sung and the moon was sighted.

All in all a very pleasant outing at a new run-site location.

 Big Ears.

Run 232

17 March 2019 at 12 noon

Hare:  Melbourne Hash Run 2700 - Adolf and Gonzo

Location:  Tirhatuan Park, Kreiegel Way, Dandenong North

Melway: Map 81 square F8

Time changed to combine with Melbourne Hash 2700 Run Celebration

2700 runs. Where did they go? Admittedly, I missed 1900 of them. We’ll have to ask Quasi who’s batting at about .666666. We have been blessed lately with our RA’s occasional absences and had perfect weather for a family day to celebrate this latest milestone. And we have The Almighty to thank that Klingon’s 19yo daughter turned up to legitimise that tag. I reckon we got about 60 judging by how quickly the free snags and skewers went, most of them visitors who had something going on at home from which they felt compelled to escape

With due regard for stragglers, Farkin held off the welcome for those who’d made the effort. Gonzo was the designated Hare but had enlisted Adolf’s help because he somehow knew he’d be wagging the event. Flour and some chalk, walkers and short cutters catered for, so off you go. And we did. It was quite a leisurely pace with an on-back or two and some crossed out trail till we got to the spill way. Over that to a check and that’s where the run turned pear shape. Most got sucked in to following short cutting walkers in the distance and only four actually found the real trail and ‘honoured the Hare’. Most of us got back after about 20 mins. Adolf was realising the the perils of trying too hard to look after the walkers. Doona and Blower decided to re-do the inside lap while Klingon chased the real trail. The few of the few found quite a maze through the swamp (called a ‘wetlands’) and evidence that the Hares had got stymied on more than one occasion. They finally got back after about 80 mins by which time the vultures had devoured the offerings

We had a Circle of course. Farkin invited a rep from each Hash represented and got about ten. He then offered a drink to all those who were born after we started running; ie April 1971. Only two qualified. So he then went for the other end of the age bracket and invited anyone 78 yo+ and got four, although Happy snuck in a drink in the background out of sympathy. Top Gum gave the run report as he was the only MH3 to achieve the feat. He was effusive with his praise for Adolf and almost gave it a perfect ten. Nobody could argue as we hadn’t done it! A relieved Adolf took the drink. We then acknowledged Farkin and Quasi for being sufficiently inspired to organise the day. After a few notices about some upcoming AGMs, Pol Pot insisted the Full Moon Hashers sing their anthem, which they duly did to howls of accompaniment.

At this point most of the kids had left the playground so there was no reason for us to hang around. No raffle or POW, just RIP and see you later.

Run 231

17 February 2019 at 4.00 pm

Hare:  Brian (Dr Dementia) Walsh

Location:  Currawong Bush Park, Reynolds Road, Warrandyte.

Melway: Map 34 square H6

Scribe:  Bandung Barry. 

An easy location for all the Melbourne based folk who had a scenic drive out into the ‘wilderness’ right on the City doorstep.  Unfortunately not many of the usual runners arrived, a depleted pack, but lots of enthusiastic Hashers.

We had a commanding view from our picnic table overlooking the natural, but very dry bushland – a portent of what terrain was to come.

Master Big Ears arrived just in time to welcome visitors, Shiny Dick from Bangladesh/Dili (Timor Leste), and returning runners, Slippery Sacks and Kangaroo, formerly Bandung HHH.

Hare Dr. D. was asked to explain his cunning plan which included a shorter walk for the not-so-fleet-of-foot!

And so we set off, seemingly in the wrong direction, down the entrance road only to be directed north and down along the Mullum Mullum Creek.  A very pleasant trail with several on-backs, easy gentle slope downward, a well graded gravel path in scenic landscape.  With our visitors and the athletic Icy leading the way we soon came across the “W” marker our Hare had warned us about, the separation of runners and walkers. Runners on-on further down the Creek trail, remembering the old Hash adage, “what goes down must inevitably come back up again”, walkers up the steep, rocky pipe track to the escarpment and the powerlines.  As I had run out with the runners but suffered an injury, this was the trail your scribe took. 

A tricky three-way check on the ridge-line had me thinking what had the Hare done, and, knowing his sometimes perverse way of thinking, I took the least palatable option, over or around a rickety gate and my hunch paid off as I eventually found trail  --  a lucky break! Following under the ups-and-downs of the powerlines a very pleasant meandering eventually led to a steep run down-hill to another devious check – both options looked correct but – of course only one could be right! Just as our thoughts turned to ‘home’ and a nice cold beer another two on-backs before the steep upward journey to ‘beer and barby’!

Runners arrived home soon after the main group of walkers, so good timing from the Hare. The run took them well down the valley before a climb, with a strategic check and two on-backs, up to the powerline, then a run for home via the walkers home trail.  

Some of the more experienced walkers were about 30 minutes off the pace!  “Trust me I know this area and this is a short cut” !! Famous last words as three of our ‘senior’ members, who should have known better, straggled (or, more likely, struggled) home!

The Hare DR. Dementia had not forgotten the essential BBQ, a flash affair, borrowed from D&E, I suspect Robin Redbreast had a commanding influence over the delicious salads, choice of breads, dressings and appropriate condiments and everybody tucked in.

The Master, Big Ears, called the Hare front and centre, Non Stop reported on the run, commented on the terrain and the lease-holders protesting our incursion and gave it a score of 6.5/10. 

Visitors and returnees were recognised and rewarded with a free drink.

Charges proffered by the Sergeant:

• • Dr. Dementia for setting a run in his back yard, lucky him living so close to such pristine territory.

  • Our esteemed GM, Big Ears, got the travel award for driving the (very) few kms. from his home to the venue.

  • Yogi Bear, in a fit of rage, deliberately kicking over a can of beer belonging to his nemesis Boo Boo.

  • Icy for doing it, up front, running with the men. Fleet of foot that one!

  • Canny, Phantom and Pol Pot, arguably amongst the most experienced and erudite runners in the history of Full Moon HHH, fell for the “Follow me I know the short-cut”  routine – long way round and late to join the circle.

  • Visitor Shiny Dick, for wearing the most remarkable, gaudy, eye-catching,  multi-coloured run shirt.

The Howlers Anthem was lustily delivered and as the sun dipped to the hazy horizon members relaxed and enjoyed a chat, a drink and the usual banter in a rather tranquil setting and a delightful location.

Run 230

20 January 2019 at 4.00 pm

Hare:  John "Klingon" Perkins

Location:  Sapling Gully Picnic Area, Aeroplane Road, Brisbane Ranges National Park, west of Melbourne

Scribe Pol Pot

Melway: Page 7 square A7

Directions; 

Follow the Western Highway to Bacchus Marsh, take exit C704. Proceed  south through Bacchus Marsh. At the roundabout just before the

railway line, turn right into Griffith St. Follow this as it becomes Bacchus Marsh - Balliang Road. Proceed under railway bridge and at

the roundabout, turn right into Glenmore Road. Soon after, turn left into Reids Road (signpost Brisbane Ranges). Continue about 6k to a

vertical signpost, Aeroplane Road. Follow this gravel road about 1k to the Picnic Area. No facilities except wood.It was Klingon’s turn to set the run and where else but his favourite haunt, the Flinders Ranges.  Whoops, it was actually the Brisbane Ranges in Victoria but for many who stuffed up the directions or missed the hash signage, probably felt it could’ve been the Flinders Ranges.  Not to mention those who got caught up with the traffic snarls along the Western Freeway and failing to make the run on time. Yes, the run site was so remote that Google Maps failed to help those whose navigating skills have seen better days.

Good turnout eventually, many of our senior runners with over 100 runs, some returnees – Point Post who braved the driving along the rough gravel roads in his ‘old’ Porsche (he left his new one at home), Icy and Flash On whom I didn’t recognise as he had doubled in height in the last 12 months and, Hopalong and Mai announcing that this would be their last run ‘once again’ as their Australian vacation was sadly coming to an end.  Also in the mix were 6 visitors, Jun and Where’s Wally, and a group of 4 international ‘students’ Ivan (USA), Jessa (Philippines), Huylin (Thialand) and Masrom (Iran).  Trust they enjoyed the day but no koala or kangaroo sightings that Klingon promised, just a snake warning!

Time for the injured (calf) GM Big Ears to get us underway. Klingon’s directions indicated that there was a run some 5½k’s a long walk and a short walk.  He carefully pointed out that we should keep an eye out for the change in vegetation between the bottom of gullies and the top of hills and note the native holly growing along the tops of ridges.  With this in mind I choose the long walk hoping this would reduce the number of uphill climbs and negotiating the downhills with my wonky knee.  No such luck. The run was a few ups and downs passing Klingon’s previous night’s camping site where it then joined the long walk up and up to the top of the ridge where nobody by this stage caring to note the bloody prickly holly and causing Addon to throw up in preparation for the grand slide home.  Note the slide home in the photo beside and count the number of runners clambering down the hill (quiz. answer below).

Klingon got the BBQ fire going only after all the runners returned and put it to vote that we should have the circle first before eating. This proposed change in procedure was soundly defeated but I fear he will try again and buy your vote.  Stay strong fellow hashers and remember its back to beer and barby and then circle.

I don’t remember much about the circle as I was busy with Happy handing out the charge drinks. Obviously the visitors, returnees and Hopalongs were given welcome/farewell drinks and Lotsa Fun must have landed plenty of charges as she retained her cup for a number of follow up charges.  Yes, and I remember charging Klingtop for not advising us to look out for the iconic Black Boys on top of the ridge which were for more abundant and Australian than the Hollies.  Klingon pleaded political correctness but was howled down.

Circled finished with a roaring rendition of the Howlers’ Hash Anthem.