HZH3 Hash #149 – “The Who Let The Animals Out Run” – Sat, 11 October, 2.30pm – Starting at the Hangzhou Osmanthus Tea Garden

Hares for Hash #149 were Small Cups and Sweet FA. Small Cups has just recently moved to Hangzhou (to study French) from Xiamen. She helped set a course for the Xiamen Nash Hash earlier this year. It’s great to see her jump straight in to Hare duties here in Hangzhou too!

Unfortunately, Sat, 11 Oct, was a working day for most people, but 8 of us still made it out to the ManJueLong area for a great Hash. We had 2 visitors from Shanghai, Double Nipple Impact and Forest Dump. We also had 3 Hash Virgins (Just “Clara”, Just “Catherine” and Just “Iker”) – well done to each of you! Finally, it was great to see Just “Julian” along for his 2nd Hash with us. In fact, Just “Julian” got started early by walking all the way to the Hash start location from near the ZheDa YuQuan Campus!!!

The Hares set an amazing Hash trail (of course!) that included forest tracks, twisting hill side paths, mountain top lookouts, dark and spooky caves, a scenic beer check and tea field mazes. While we were setting the trail, I don’t know what happened, but near the end, Small Cups got lost when we separated to do separate parts of the runners’ and walkers’ trails… I didn’t have any mobile phone signal (damn you China Unicom!!!!), so I couldn’t contact her.  Later, in the Circle, I don’t know whether she or I should have been given a Down Down…. but, I gave it to her.  😉  Anyway, I went ahead to meet the Hashers who had been waiting patiently at the start point for the Hares who were running a minute or two (or 30…) late. Luckily, Small Cups arrived just a few minutes later. By now it was already about 3pm…

After some quick pre-Hash instructions for the Hash Virgins. The 5 Hash walkers headed up the hill straight away though Lower ManJueLong Village then on through the twisty forest trail up South Peak while the Hash runners (the experienced SH pair and I) did another loop before joining the same trail. We caught up with the Hash walkers at the top of South Peak. After that we all headed down to WengJia Village to the beer check.

After a refreshing 15 minute break, with the clouds looking quite grey, the runners headed off first. We first descended to another cave and then climbed up above ManJueLong Village again to enter the tea field maze. The runners had extra bonus tea field maze and they had some fun looking for flour spots on the ground between the overgrown tea bushes. The walkers had a simpler route through this section.

A little bit of very light rain started falling in the last 10 minutes of the run and the walkers finished about 15 or 20 minutes later but didn’t get wet either. We ordered some beers and had a very basic Circle led by me and with lots of help from the other experienced Hashers (Thanks guys and girls!).  Four of us stayed around for a tasty, but over-priced Bash dinner (we’ll try a different farmer restaurant next time – I’m sure we’ll head back to this great Hashing area in a few month’s time).

See some of the action in the photos below.

To see MANY more of the photos from HZH3 Hash #149 go to:  https://plus.google.com/photos/107957162966260073626/albums/6068070402299610881

Thanks to all those Hashers from whom I “borrowed” photos…  🙂

On! On!

Sweet FA

Hares for Hash #148 on 27 Sep 2014 were Creme Brulee, Obama and KFC (special guest Hares from Shanghai) and they set a fantastic tea fields, hills and forests trail in the MaoJiaBu and China Tea Museum areas.

We had lots of visiting Hashers from Shanghai and Suzhou along for this Hash. It was easily our biggest Hangzhou Hash ever (in the current era, anyway…). We probably had 65 – 70 Hashers!!!

The Hares had us shiggying through wild forests and scrambling up steep rocky slopes. They also crossed the runners trail and half the runners got lost for 30 minutes… Penalty Down Downs were awarded.

But, that’s what can happen when you get the Hares very drunk very late into the night before the Hash.  🙂

After a super fun Hash, we had a great Circle with lots of Down Downs and shenanigans. That was followed by a fine feast at the ShiWeiXian Tea Farmer’s Restaurant on MeiLing North Road.

See some of the action in the photos below.

To see MANY more of the photos from HZH3 Hash #148 go to:  https://plus.google.com/photos/107957162966260073626/albums/6067635007397445809

Thanks to all those Hashers from whom I borrowed photos…  🙂

On! On!

Sweet FA

Hares for Hash #147 on 13 Sep 2014 were Triple-X (XXX) and Gasbag and they set another awesome canalside trail.

See some of the action in the photos below.

To see many more of the photos from HZH3 Hash #147 go to:  https://plus.google.com/photos/107957162966260073626/albums/6057747691116943121

On! On!

HZH3 Hash #146 – The Search for the Real Dragon Well Run – 16 August 2014

Meeting point/Bash venue: Qiao Garden Hotel (Qiao Yuan Wo Jia), No. 168 Longjing Village, Xihu District, Hangzhou – 杭州市, 西湖区, 龙井村162号, 侨园我家 (从龙井村公交车站（K27）向北走一百米)

Hares: Private Parts and Just “Birkhoff”

Report by lead Hare, Private Parts:

HZH3 Hash #145 – The Temples, Tall Trees, Tea Fields and Towering Hills Run – 16 August 2014

Meeting point/Bash venue: XiJian Tea House (Cha Zhuang), 58 TianZhu Road (actually a wide path – just 300m south of LingYin Temple Park gate) 天竺路58-60号, 溪涧茶庄 (从灵隐寺公园门口外往南几百米)

Hares: Sweet FA and Phonebox

Report by lead Hare, Sweet FA (i.e. yours truly):

It had been a fairly rainy week, but I had my fingers crossed that Saturday would be mostly dry… As Phonebox was caught in traffic, I headed off to set the first part of the trail. It was through a natural forest area, and then a light, but steady, rain started falling… and the skies were ominously dark grey…

I got halfway through the first section in the forest and the heavens really opened up. The steps in the forest park were like water slides and my glasses fogged up and I could barely see 5 metres in front of me clearly. Then I went back on to dirt trails in the forest, which had now become soft and slippery mud. During the preceding week I had spent about 6 or 7 hours over 3 days focused on this first kilometre of the Hash, but after falling down a few times and taking off my useless fogged up glasses I found that (my own eyes were almost as useless… and) I had somehow lost the trail I had hiked several times during the week… For a minute or two I worried that I was stuck in my own solo version of the Blair Witch Project…

As heavy rain pelted down, I tried to find a way to regain the trail in the forwards direction, but I didn’t recognise any landmarks ahead and although I also tried hard to find a new route around the apparently new obstacles in my path I was unsuccessful. I gave up and trudged back to the meeting venue in defeat and soaked to the bone… A Hare’s darkest hour.  🙁

But, enough about me.

When I returned to the meeting venue I found Phonebox plus the 3 Shanghai Hashers who had arrived earlier and gone for a casual 11km jog before lunch… Phonebox and I talked and we decided that we should just give up on the first section we had planned for the runners and just do a single track for runners and walkers. I’ll save that gem for a future Hash!   😉  We also decided just to set a semi-live Hash. Time for a big bowl of warm noodles!

With some people WeChatting that they were stuck in traffic or running late (e.g. our esteemed G.M., HEIDE) and others making excuses and saying they were heading home, Phonebox and I set off just after 3pm giving us about a 1 hour headstart on the Hashers… Plenty of time, we thought…

We set the trail through tall treed forests, bamboo forests, along quiet country lanes, through tea fields set in another bamboo forest, past buddhist temples with chanting monks, and more tea fields, up steep hills, along mountain ridges, past mountainside tea fields, then down slippery hillside paths, and past yet more tea fields and bamboo forests and finally home past traditional villas and more temples and back to the Bash venue.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, just as the Hares reached about the 3/4 mark they were caught by the FRBs (front running bastards!). They agreed to a tactical 10 – 15 minute regroup. Luckily it was at a spectacular lookout point (although it was pretty foggy, they still took lots of pretty pictures). The Hares were still caught again just 100-200m from Home. Well done to the FRBs and the Pack.

After the Hash, about half the group stayed around for the Bash dinner. It was very hearty and delicious. I’m sure that we’ll return to this Bash venue again. For the record, they do great big vegetarian soups too. A meal in a bowl!

1. On to the first hill and into the forest.

2. Spectacular misty views of LongJing Village from the top of the ridgeline!

3. The lookout (now known as “Hares’ downfall”…). 

4. The scenic downhill trail.

See more great HZH3 Hash #145 photos on our HZH3 Google Photos page here (click link). Thanks to those people I stole photos from on our WeChat group and to those who sent in photos to our HZH3 email address. We love getting your photos!  

On! On!

Hash Scribe – Sweet FA

HZH3 Hash #144 – The Lover’s Lane Valentine’s Day Run – 2 August 2014

Meeting point/Bash venue: YuJia ChuFang, 370 Xixi Road (just east of Zhejiang University YuQuan Campus north gate) 渔家厨房, 西溪路370号

Hares: Pain in the Clit, Just “Birkhoff”, and Just “Sherry”

From lead Hare, Pain in the Clit (PitC):
Starting from a restaurant near Zhejiang University’s Yuquan campus on Xixi Road, our hash set off into the hills on a steep climb.  The challenging hike led to beautiful panoramic views, deserving of a special Valentine’s Day, and a summit where several prizes were hidden for the frontrunners (FRBs).  After the descent, we wove through Hangzhou’s lovely Botanical Gardens, Zhejiang University’s Yuquan campus, and ended back at the restaurant.  Down downs were awarded for both good and bad behavior, and several Hash virgins were welcomed into our Circle!  A successful, scenic “Lover’s Run” Hash 🙂

From HEIDE:
“Hash No. 144 was bound to become yet another great Hashing event. Despite the bad weather earlier that day, 14 Hashers showed up at the venue in time. Encouraged to see that lots of Virgin Hashers showed up eager and very interested. Therefore, after all trail marks were clearly explained by “Pain in the Clit” and her 2 co-hares, we were off. The trail was leading us to a beautiful part of Hangzhou with some great views over the West Lake.  To the surprise of our regular FRB’s, a new virgin hasher was leading the pack from start to finish. Unfortunately no down-down’s could be awarded to her as she left right afterwards.

All others arrived safely at the on-in where light some refreshments and water melon was consumed by all. A few Down Downs followed shortly afterwards during the circle. Dinner was served in a local restaurant nearby. A VIP Room was booked, more beer delivered and some great local dishes ordered to ensure all had a great time. Around 9pm most left home…. tired, exhausted, slightly drunk but all with the promise to return in 2 weeks time.”

1. It was great to see many Hash Virgins coming for this Hash. PitC is giving everyone some pre-Hash instructions.

2. Great views from the top of the hills!

3. A special Valentine’s Day message from the Hares. Awww, so cute.  😉

4. Most Hashers stay for the post-Hash Bash dinner and drinks.

See many more great HZH3 Hash #144 photos on our HZH3 Google Photos page here (click link). Thanks to those people I stole photos from on our WeChat group and to those who sent in photos to our HZH3 email address, especially HEIDE.

On! On!

Hash Scribe

Hi Hangzhou Hashers,

Thanks to HEIDE for this re-Hash report!

BUT, HEIDE and Roomboy also committed a major faux pas that needs to be addressed with copious Down Downs this Saturday!  😉

Thanks to the venue too:  XiangJuLou Restaurant (相聚楼饭店) on HuPao Road

Run # 143 was attended by 18 volunteers looking forward to yet another great hash in hot and humid Hangzhou Summer.

Hared by “Just Sunny” and co-hared by “Just Jessica” and Sheep Shagger we are off to a good start at a different part of the West Lake that normally selected.It turned out to be a very pleasant run in the midst of tea fields, some hills with views of the West Lake, beautiful parks and a great On In location!

The circle was run by the GM with assistance of his RA. All toys were being used to welcome our Virgin Hashers, repeated Hashers and anybody else who was awarded a down-down of his or her extra-ordinary contributions. A naming occurred somewhat later to welcome 3 members into the World of Hash.

“Just Angie” was called FROGGER, “Just Sunny” was called COMES TOO FAST and “Just Eva” was named (again) ESCORT ME. As quite rightly pointed out by other Hashers not attending the event later, “Just Eva” already received a Hash Name some weeks prior to this run. The GM and his RA will take an appropriate down-down for this one.

More cold beer was ordered for the HASH BASH that followed soon afterwards. The Hangzhou local specialties were consumed in an orderly fashion without much incidents. Around 8pm most Hashers left the scene tired, somewhat drunk, satisfied and much looking forward to the next run in 2 weeks time.

See many more great HZH3 Hash #143 photos on our HZH3 Google Photos page here (click link). Thanks to those people I stole photos from on our WeChat group and to those who sent in photos to our HZH3 email address, especially HEIDE.

On! On!

Sweet FA

Hey Hashers!

It was great to have such a big group of Hashers along for HZH3 Hash #142 starting and finishing at Amigo Bar and Restaurant on Sat, 5 July. It was made even more special as this was our first time hosting a group of visiting Hashers with Creme Brulee and the other 8 Shanghai Drunken Dragons.

The lead Hare was Gasbag, and he was well supported by Just “Sunny” and Just “Jessica” on the day. I think you’ll all agree that Gasbag did a super job of making one of the most interesting Hash trails we’ve done so far!

Hey Folks,

On Saturday, 21 June, the Hangzhou Hash ventured to the (kinda) great area south-west of West Lake.

The (Kinda) Great South-West Run started and finished at the Big Tree Tea House (大树茶楼) on SanTaiShan Road near the S-W corner of West Lake.

Hares were Just “Quinn” and Sweet FA. This was Just “Quinn’s” first time as a Hare and also his last Hash in China!

Despite it being a rainy day, we had a good turnout of 17 eager Hangzhou Hashers. We had a few Hash virgins too. Poisoned Apple and I (Sweet FA) manned the home fort on bag watching duties as the Hashers headed off.

Apparently, despite the expert trail setting of the Hares, the pack took a wrong turn and went on the walkers’ trail instead of the runners’ trail. Oh, well. At least the Hash Walkers went the right way!

Eight intrepid Hangzhou Hashers (Roomboy, HEIDE, Heavy Junk, Private Parts, Wet Down Under, Gasbag, Two Small Peaks and Just “Bethany”) made the arduous journey by train down to Xiamen on Friday morning (13 June). They were joined by former HZ Hasher, Phonebox, from Shanghai, who showed her support for Hangzhou and became an honorary 9th Hangzhou Hasher for the weekend.

For those on the early train, the journey was made a little less arduous thanks to Roomboy packing a carton or two of beer!

As the photos show, there was lots of fun and laughter and sitting on giant ice blocks (and tears by PitC – formerly Just “Bethany”) during the long weekend. In fact, PitC is now surely a very strong advocate of getting your Hash Name BEFORE going to a Nash Hash…

Next year (2015) the Nash Hash will be held in Hangzhou! So, start telling your friends and family. It looks like the date will be changed to mid-May instead of the originally announced early September. Stay tuned for the final word.

On! On!

See even more photos (Thanks to Heavy Junk!!!) on our Google Photos page.