Run #38 – All Roads Lead to Rome

Run #38 March 2nd

Roman Square – Nanshan Rd – Hares Skidmarks and SevenUp There’s no other question of concern as much as whether Hangzhou hash will survive given the punishment inflicted on it’s membership by nocturnal activities other than running. Your scribe only stepped forth into the fresh air at 15.00 hours on Sunday after a period of introspection brought on by the end results of a default Friday night and then Doggie Style’s teppanyaki extravaganza on Saturday followed by a return to the Shamrock. This was all a little hard to explain to the LA based Chinese speaking ABC who accosted me for directions in Pinghai Rd and with whom I ended up breakfasting before the run. At about 15.45 I received a call from who I thought was Miki asking for directions to Roman Square. This inquiry was flick-passed to the hares who then rang a perplexed Miki who was not the inquirer. So started a confused discussion with Nicky from the Qingdao Hash who must have really wondered how low mismanagement could go. Well, Roman Square turns out to be a concrete re-creation of the forum, although it’s doubtful any senator of the day would feel at home there. Nicky, in the company of Renard, Lerry and Coco joined the returned Pelagic and Bottomfeeder, Karolina, Aaron, Phone Box, Battery Operated and scribe Pushup. On on; the trail initially lulled the pack into a gentle trot as it wound around the various lakeside garden paths. The arrows were ingeniously placed so to be hard to find, but the advantages of a larger pack and some energetic front runners meant that the pack remained on trail up to that stunning 3 way check at the gates to the Wansongling Academy. Well hares, it was effective, because by the time the correct trail had been located by Bottom Feeder in a completely different direction to any of the arrows there was plenty of time for the back markers to re-join. Then it was the steps, and then more steps and then more  steps to the top of Fenghuang Hill, then some 1000 year old Chinese verse, then more steps, and then more steps, after which there was more steps. There were steep steps, then not so steep steps, then really flat steps followed by 10 metre steps, soon to be followed by rather steep steps. Along the way, there a couple of Kodak spots (note that the power of Kodak’s brand does not translate into meaningful camera sales) where the pack happily regrouped. Another regroup was found at the mini temple at the saddle after the big root. Down still more steps was a prayer halt, where some of the pack prayed for a directional change, because as Pelagic pointed out, home was 180 degrees the other way. But, it all turned out OK, because those clever hares ran the trail back under the hill through a shortish tunnel, and about a 3km run in, with the pack arriving across the space of about 5 minutes. RA Bottom Feeder was back in his element with an inspiring message to sinners all, and there plenty to choose from. Hash infractions included using incorrect names, surreptitious assignations etc etc. Skidmarks suggested the classy looking restaurant across the road amid consternation as to the posh and expensive look of the place. The pack certainly looked a bit out of place in that grossly (there you go BO, appropriate use of the word) over decorated room (for the hash that is). Doggie Style and Acronymph mixed up their priorities once again and ended up at the Maya rather than joining the running department, but otherwise there was a full turn out and the bill of RMB25 was not too bad, although it was a beer free meal. The post On on was a fairly dry affair with only Aaron and Bottom Feeder making it to the Maya to join the recalcitrant there, others, without the reserves of health required, wilted and wimped. Well, the trail was well thought out, and well executed in some great country close to town, what more would one ask?

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