Mauritius Hash House
Harriers

Hash #405 held on Sunday, 11th January 2004

“The Hash under new management, [in co-operation with Interhash 2005 at www.africahash.co.za/ah2005]”

Venue:
Queen Victoria, Flacq

Hare:
Dodocop

First Timers:
Fanny Adams.

Second Timers:
Our friends from Cape Town / Maputo: Blowbeans and Thunderthighs travelled hundreds of miles to deliver a personal message of greeting and to advertise the 2005 Interhash to be held on a Table (mountain). See www.africahash.co.za for more details
Also Priscilla who had travelled a much shorter distance but brought grace to our hash: never have I seen Fanta poured so neatly over the back of the head straight onto the floor.

On on:
In the last hundred yards of this hash we passed a number of sugar trailers in varying conditions: some were new and well serviced, but most were old rusting shells, knackered, slowly decaying, parched and worn down by the heat and humidity…like us. It was another hot one among low cane with almost no shade. Never has an irrigation ditch full of running water looked so appealing. Apparently the route had been changed because the original one was practically a marsh after recent rain. This was a pity, since most of us prefer it long, hard, wet, and dirty.

In some ways this was a hash full of mystery and surprise. We were told that there was only one box: in fact there were 3. However, since the numbers were given in roman numerals most of the hash thought that the last box with a big “X” in it was some sort of weird checkpoint and simply ignored it. Right, extra Latin lessons all round. There was a hash-hold supposedly next to an old, Dutch cemetery, but we could see no sign of any burial ground just a lot of undergrowth. In a bizarre episode of logic and reasoning someone pointed out that had it not been a burial ground then the land would have been cultivated with sugar-cane: since it was not, it was a sure bet that there was consecrated ground. Such an outrageous outburst of intelligence on the hash scandalised us all and 2 hashettes were forced to find somewhere to go to the toilet immediately.

The run back was a long straightish slog broken by a couple of kinks (avoiding obvious “kinky” joke). It was at this point that the third big mystery of this hash occurred. “Strong On”, who had been steadfast at the front of this hash disappeared completely. Then he magically re-materialised towards the end of the hash…not short-cutting surely?

The almighty speaks:
After the handover last hash, the newly installed He-who-must-be-obeyed handed down unto us a pearl of wisdom on the extended finger of time. He told us the parable of “Jimmy” from the book of Nimmo, ch.12 v.14 whose moral seemed to be that cleaning up your act and going sober causes unnecessary confusion, and should probably be avoided. Amen to that.

Sinners:
Hot Dog (standing in as RA again) tried to put his RA’s hat on, but found that he couldn’t see us because his balls were in his eyes. “Lady Russell” came to the rescue and tied them up. Hot Dog seemed to enjoy this more than he should.
He handed out punishments as follows:
Short-cutters: Merete and Blob. In fairness I don’t think he actually saw Blob short-cutting, but just took it for granted.
Latecomers: I think everyone would agree that it’s better to come late than not to come at all: however, we do like hashers to come early and as often as they can throughout the year. Thus Clarence and Claude were awarded down-downs for being “Time Bandits”. Claude, ever the gallant, blamed his wife. That’s the spirit Claude!

Camping 12 March 2004
On 12 March 2004, National Day, Blob will be organising a camp at La Cambuse, from Thursday (11th) through to Sunday (15th). This is not (yet) an official Hash camp, although there may be a bonus hash if someone organises one. Blob will be doing a spit roast and organising a few party games: Blob suggests “Chase Blob into the Woods”, then “Strip Blob Naked” and “Hunt the sausage” followed by “Quick, someone’s coming, hide it again!” Any other suggestions welcome.

This camp has nothing to do with the Interhash 2005 to be held on or near Tabletop mountain (www.africahash.co.za).

Children’s Award:
Strong On spent so long reminiscing about his childhood days delivering milk by horse and cart, dodging the luftwaffe, stoking coal, discussing the Industrial Revolution and other current affairs, that Isabelle had little option but to give him the dodo on the grounds that he may well have been the last man to see one alive.

Smelly blue:
The higher they are, the further they fall. Leslie, having been elevated to the highest levels was instantly reduced to the ranks of the unwashed by being awarded the smelly blue.

Next Hash 25 Jan 04
Near the racing club at Trianon, hares Gilbert and Pascale Lepoigneur
Food: Marie-Jo and Claude.

Interhash 2005

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed a link to www.africahash.co.za/ah2005 concerning the 2005 Interhash. Only trouble is that all the relevant information on the site is - and I quote – “not ready yet.” Now that’s proper Hash Mish-Management!

On, on
Decoy

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.