VTH3 #689

13/7/2015

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12 JULY 2015
SMALL MOUNTAIN - VTH3 "Re-Hash" 4th anniversary

Despite an early afternoon rain shower, no fewer than 36 intrepid Hashers made it to registration for our “circular tour” of Lighthouse Hill, courtesy Hares SamSon and Basil.
Basil decided to “save everyone’s legs”(!) by calling a taxi fleet to take us to the start point at Mr Ket, where we disembarked for the chalk talk, which reminded everyone to watch out for spiky bamboo on the way up.
And then it was “On On” along a narrow sealed lane which gave way to a dirt road leading to the Army camp. And it was immediately before the camp gates that we detoured to the left: straight up the side of the mountain!
We were very quickly reminded of the spiky bamboo warning, with everyone (even Uncle!) having to crouch on hands and knees in places to avoid being snagged!
We eventually made it to the Lighthouse for photos, time to enjoy the scenery and also welcome little Oopso, who stole the show with an “arms raised” victory salute after a fairly torrid climb through the undergrowth!
And then it was on down the hillside via the sealed road, except for a couple of unauthorised shortcuts!
We finally made it to the pre-designated Circle venue in Front Beach Park only to find it deserted, vacant, empty – not a soul to be seen anywhere!
Several phone calls and much searching later, it was realised that everyone was looking for the “big tree” that Basil had mentioned in the chalk talk: Lesson #1 – never take a Hasher’s word too literally, he was speaking metaphorically to reassure everyone that we’d have plenty of shade!
The eskies subsequently arrived, courtesy Ronald Reagan, Taffy and crew, and Chippy was consigned to fill the vacant snack table – which she did very quickly and efficiently, much to everyone’s delight!
Duty Ringmaster Basil called the Circle and nominated UXO and Faulty Brakes to rate the trail – which they gave 9/10 (probably deducted a point for lack of a big tree, who knows?).
No fewer than FIVE Hash Virgins were then introduced, accompanied by their “sponsors”, Trung, Henry, Mai Thuyen, Le Thanh and Nguyen Xinh: Welcome, one and all!
Returnee and Co-Founder of the VTH3 Re-Hash*, Faulty Brakes, was then called (back) into the Circle and remarked how the membership had changed in the past four years, with so many young Vietnamese having replaced declining numbers of foreign offshore oil workers due to the changing economy.
*(Re-Hash run #1 – VTH3 run #482 – took place on 9 July 2011)
Many sinners were charged for misdemeanours real and imagined (including aforementioned shortcuts!), then “Foodies for the Day” Chippy and Ronald Reagan were thanked in the usual manner.
The Circle closed with Uncle reminding everyone to register for Saigon Hash’s 25th birthday extravaganza before the end of this month to qualify for a full goody bag – and then asking for a show of hands to explore holding a 700th run t-shirt sale dinner at Sao Bien 3 on Saturday evening, 15 August, followed by the (re-numbered) 700th run on Sunday 16th. Motion accepted unanimously, and details will be announced hopefully later this week.
In the meantime, we’ll meet next Sunday, as usual, at Sao Bien 4 restaurant: 2 pm for 2.30 pm start for the “Northern Suburbs and Beach” run – don’t forget to bring swimwear and insect repellent!
On On!