R*n 950: Burton in Lonsdale

The best-laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men Gang aft agley. Or in other words your humble scribe had allowed more than enough time to complete a series of complex tasks and still arrive at the hash long before it was due to start. As it turned out, there were circumstances well beyond the control of this hasher, and being about 2 minutes late at the hash rendezvous resulted in the time-honoured tradition of being appointed scribe for the r*n.

This was Neighbourlee's first solo haring outing for LVH3 and he started out by promising a short r*n, with a few "cheeky" hills. There were no splits but we could expect a few checks, no fewer than three fishhooks and a false trail somewhere along the way.

We band of hashers set off on a glorious evening's Full Mooner; full of expectation and optimism. After all, it was a short r*n (or so we thought).

The first check was in a field with multiple possible routes, and I think we ended up needing a clue from the Hare, not least because the first blob was a good 300 metres distant. That's quite a long way for some of us older r*nners! Our next tribulations came as the footpath we were on crossed a road with a tarmac surface. The trail turned 90 degrees and followed this road. "Not so!" said a local out walking his dog. He turned out to be the land owner, and informed the pack that the road was not a right of way. However he very charitably allowed us all to continue along that route. Close to the end of the lane we encountered the first fishhook. A small leading group of "Rambos" made the decision not to obey the FH since it would mean r*nning to and fro along the contested road in full view of the land owner. Instead we all just waited until most had caught up.

The trail continued without incident, passing the On Inn without pausing for a snifter, and then back out into the countryside. A second FH was observed correctly by the leaders, allowing a certain amount of catching up. Then came a check at a crossroads. FCS took the correct route, finding flour a good way up the road. LP was in attendance as they unaccountably missed spotting the third and final fishhook. The r*nners meanwhile were closing in on the leading duo and soon overtook them again. The Hare was encountered along with a group who may be described as the Knitting Circle. I believe they had been guided on a short cut, missing a substantial part of the trail. Meanwhile the trail passed though an idyllic hamlet, along an immaculate gravel path. It soon dove into Greta Wood, a lovely trail that came out quite close to Burton, and thence back to the starting point.

The whole trail had been highly scenic, with marvellous views of Ingleborough in the evening sunshine. A memorable r*n or walk. I never saw the false trail. I wonder where that was?

Down downs to the Hare, and to the short-cutting Wimps, before we adjourned to the community r*n On Inn for some excellent food.

On on to the next hash, on the next day!