Mauritius Hash House
Harriers

Hash #400 held on 8/9th November 2003

Venue:
All round Mauritius but start & finnish at Baie du Cap

Hares:
HRH Prince Edward, honorary hare

First Timers:
Shirley
Dewitt Conklin, of the American Embassy.
Emma, a tennis coach, who gave us an open invitation.
Annabel
Patrick
Aaron, the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa, and his wife Winnie
Michael, who had presented us with the baton, so we know he’s good with wood.

Second Timers:
Corina

On On:
Before this becomes irreverent, it should be noted that congratulations and thanks are due to every person who took part in this event, from the organisers to the controllers, the runners, the supporters, the police, the authorities, the people who passed out drinks, those who turned up on Sunday, the people who did the food, brought the beer, sponsored the event…Every part played, from the greatest to the least, was important. There is not space enough for me to do you all justice: I can only express my thanks for supporting me as a runner, for allowing me to take part in such a memorable event and for making this whole thing possible. Others may run round the circumference of Mauritius in the future: they may even manage it in less than 24 hours. But we did it first !

Right, now that we’ve got that out of the system.

Bit of an unusual hash this time. 240km in one direction only, with no markings except 1 back-check. People were expected to wear clean shirts! Some were even allowed to complete part of the course on motor-bikes!
We joined The Hustler, our hero, for the last 3km from the Flinders monument to the On On. But there’s just no stopping some people, is there? Not even history, the sense of occasion or Alan Grihault waving a white flag and shouting warnings, could stop a significant section of the hash short-cutting, yes! short-cutting, across the bay. (Tomek lead the way – at least, history now records that he did).

Prince Edward couldn't’t make it. Well, it’s not every day a fellow becomes a dad. Best wishes to both him, and Sophie and to their daughter. (Might we suggest the name Harriette). Let us hope that they are all back at home soon. In his place the British High Commissioner wielded the microphone with flair and spoke with eloquence (Got to keep him sweet, I might need a job one day.). In addition we had plenty of important people around ourselves: Lord and Lady Russell; the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa aforesaid; my wife; and the “other” prince Edward, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Charlie Scrimgoeur.

Presentations were made: the baton was passed to the blue-penny museum. It had fared reasonably well despite its ordeal, although, and there’s no kind way of putting this, one of its balls had become detached. Medals commemorating the event were given to 4 representatives, the rest to be collected at some other time when we, um, get round to it. Good to know normal organisational service was resumed.

Due to it being such an important event, with so many newcomers and VIPs members of the Hash felt called upon to perform, with actions, the Hash Hymn, “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”. Members of the audience laughed with joy at the sight of 4 grown men performing the silent version of this timeless classic.

I don’t remember much more after this, I’m afraid, there was too much Phoenix, wine and whiskey. I’m sure that there was Sega dancing in there somewhere…You should have been there.

Sinners:
There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark…Should we tell ICAC? There seems to be some sort of arrangement between our esteemed Religious and Sex Adviser Patrice Cure and Eric. Patrice passed his functions onto Eric, who must, by now, be accustomed to receiving such motions of confidence. Patrice justified this action by claiming that the Mauritius Hash, by its athletic prowess shown this weekend, was in danger of falling into repute, whereas Eric is, without doubt, the hash’s designated “disreputable member”. So it was that Eric called forth the single sinner.
Remember that short-cutting? Remember Tomek? Well “Decoy” got blamed not only for that, but also for leading, true to form, half the Hash astray in his wake.

Our beloved almighty Supreme Being exercised his prerogative powers and bestowed a down-down on Eric for usurpation of office.

Smelly Blue:
I wasn’t there at the last hash so I don’t know who had it, but whoever it was still has it because they didn’t bring it.

Children's Award:
This was passed gently and generously to a beautiful young lady called Galina who, with perfect manners, gave a kiss of gratitude to the young lad who gave it to her. Aaaaah.

Next Hash – 16 November 2003

Camping at Poste Lafayette: see site for details

Announcements:
1. Would hashers please note that there is a deposit (money) on glass bottles (beer, softies)! Please do not throw them away, leave them on the beach or with the rubbish (or even take them home).
2. Walks take place on most Sundays when there is no Hash. See the "Friendly walks" page for details.