Run #2732 by Ball Handler at Unknown

After two solid days of biblical rain — and a forecast threatening more — meeting at the car park felt less like the start of a run and more like the opening scene of a survival documentary. Miraculously, the skies showed mercy. Apart from a few half-hearted drizzles, the weather behaved itself and the evening turned out suspiciously pleasant. The trail was “simple,” in the way only hash trails can be. We trotted past long-forgotten graves (no doubt full of residents grateful for the peace and quiet until we arrived), swapped tall tales, and donated generous quantities of blood to battalions of mosquitoes. The earlier rain had thoughtfully turned several slopes into slip-and-slide attractions, just to keep things interesting. We wandered through areas that looked familiar enough to inspire false confidence — right up until we stopped to figure out where we were. That was the cue for the mosquitoes to launch coordinated airstrikes. Eventually, we stumbled upon the track we were actually looking for, and from there it was an almost dignified shuffle home. By evening, the faithful had assembled in impressive numbers for Sheila’s run. Sheila had cooked the feast herself — clearly setting a dangerous precedent. Rice, adobo, omelette (courtesy of No Choice, who apparently had no choice), and a superb vegetable soup that had people going back for seconds before admitting it was “just to be polite.” The icing ceremony proceeded with the usual combination of ceremony and chaos. Our Bunny Sheila finally earned her Hash Name: Ball Handler — a nod to her enthusiastic volleyball skills and her evident comfort handling multiple balls under pressure. Meanwhile, Batty Lindi provided the wildlife segment of the evening by draping a yellow python around her neck and posing for photos like it was a fashion accessory. Some of us prefer our scarves non-venomous, but each to their own. Huge thanks to Ball Handler for the generous hosting and excellent food. You’ve set the bar uncomfortably high. Next week is the CNY run, organised by our Chinese Members, funded by members’ donations and being held at the same venue. Let’s pray to whichever weather deity handles hash scheduling for another lucky break. On on!