VTH3 Run Reports

VTH3 #661

24/12/2014

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28 December 2014
BIG MOUNTAIN - Christmas "FREEBIE" special!

Yes, folks - Sunday's run #661 was FREE! It was Santa's gift to those hardy Hashers who continued to support VTH3 over the holidays.
There was also a change of trail because, although Basil had valiantly taken a day off work in the middle of busy Christmas week to mark a trail, further investigation into a rather "noisy" telegraph pole indicated a power leak so, rather than risk anyone's safety, we decided to give the area a "big swerve".
Instead, we opted for a partly unmarked "adventure trail" up the side of the mountain from Ganh Hao restaurant. With Terminator leading the way and much whistle-blowing and shouts of "On On" to keep everyone on trail, we finally made it to the coffee shop outside the Army camp and a choice of two routes down the other side of the mountain: take the "easy" trail down the sealed road past the monkey pagoda, or the longer and more difficult (but arguably more interesting) "adventure" trail up the broken road towards the theme park and then over the edge between two hairpin bends and "into the abyss" to go around the mountainside.
We followed the occasionally rocky bush track (cue more whistle-blowing and shouts of "On On" to keep everyone heading in the same direction) until we finally reached the familiar "crossroads" in a flat, grassy, open area overlooking Vi Ba.
A left turn here would lead to the potentially dangerous telegraph pole, so we made a right and went almost vertically down a narrow, rock-strewn track until emerging onto Vi Ba near the residential steps leading back into town. Down the steps, around a few corners then straight ahead to the twin goldfish in the park and there they were - the lovely red eskies (courtesy of SamSon, who hadn't been able to join us for the run but still managed to get the eskies to the Circle).
Time for a few refreshing San Migs, water and/or softies - not to mention several "Christmas vodkas"(!) - to wash down the lovely snacks courtesy once again of Mother Teresa and Mountain Goat, and then the Circle was called - our last for 2014.
With apprentice Grand Master Oggy assisting Uncle in controlling a boisterous Circle (see earlier mention of "Christmas vodka"!), the trail was rated 8/10 by Live Wire; Hash Virgins Svetlana, Alex, Anna and Mr Son introduced themselves; returnees Uncle, Anti and Rowdy Water were welcomed back; and no less than seven sinners were charged for misdemeanours ranging from inappropriate footwear (including NO footwear!) and "inconsequential chatter" in the Circle. It was here that Ms Oanh displayed her Hashing experience by "stiff arming" not one but two beers into low stratospheric orbit!
Finally, the "Russian quartet" were called into the Circle to be thanked for providing very welcome "sustenance": Mother Teresa and Mountain Goat for the snacks, and Terminator and Tiny Tim for the vodka! Recognising the festive season, all Down Downs were accompanied by some rather raucous Christmas songs which don't (yet) appear on our "Circle Songs" page!
A call for Hares next week resulted in VTH3 stalwarts Terminator and Mountain Goat volunteering to set a trail in the Ba Ria area. With such experienced Hashers, we can be sure of an interesting and challenging trail on Sunday! We'll meet, as usual, in the Offshore Bar 1 beer garden at 2 pm for 2.30 pm start.
In the meantime, we thank former VTH3 members from "the early days", the Thompson family (Paul, Oanh, Joanna, Benjamin) for their friendship during the festive season, and wish them Bon Voyage for their return to Thailand.
On On!