VTH3 #895

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23 JUNE 2019
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SMALL MOUNTAIN

Hares: Mr. T, Secs, Boozer, Fluffer
Hash Flasher: Kojak
Ringmaster: ​Boozer
Report: Secs

A sunny Sunday afternoon, and as is customary, we convene at Uno Coffee to check in for today’s trail on Small Mountain. As we sit looking out at the glistening ocean, breezy conversation intermingles with the gentle sea breeze. At 1.30pm Boozer blows his whistle and we gather on Ha Long Road. Front and centre is Fluffer, one of our Hares, who gives an arousing first-time chalk-talk that stiffens us up for what it is surely going to be a hard but satisfying endeavour.

We are to walk along Ha Long Road until we come to the entrance of the revered Jesus Christ Statue and then ascend the 811 steps to the top. Then go over the top and follow red tape that will take us to an Army base. We have to bear left at the base and make our way through the forest until the red tape will lead us on to a road that we will follow  to a temple on Ha Long Road and then back to Uno Coffee.

And on-onwards we go, pleased with the balmy climate, we briskly march along the coastal road until we arrive at the Gates to Calvary where our pilgrimage begins for real. Most of us are acquainted with the steps to the top, which does not make it any easier. Step by step we plod on eagerly looking out for the markers that count up how many steps we’ve done. 350, not even half way, 400, OMG only half way, 600, yay, only 200 more to go. As we look up the final 200 steps our Saviour welcomes us with open arms inspiriting us to complete the spiritual ascent with no crosses to bear.

Once we’ve caught our breath, we make our way beyond the statue where the stalwart and avid Hash Flasher, Kojak, is waiting to take a celebratory snap to commemorate conquering our crusade.

The next leg is pretty simple, a gentle walk in the countryside. It doesn’t last for long as we arrive at the confounded Army base. We leave the track to enter the forest through long green grass. We scale our way along the perimeter fence until the undergrowth diverts us down on to the steep incline that we have to perpendicularly walk across, swinging from tree to tree, desperately trying to maintain our footing on the loose earth and rocks. Eventually the red ribbons start to take us back up the incline and it’s a bit of scramble to pull ourselves up on to the track that will take us down the familiar mountain road.

A pleasant stroll with the usual spectacular views takes us down the mountain until the ribbons indicate to jump over a fence where we are greeted with another set of spiritual steps. Karmically, they are descending, taking us down through  through the picturesque grounds of Chùa Hải Vân Pagoda. We exit on to Ha Long Road and its a short walk to complete the loop back to Uno Coffee.

Back at Uno Coffee, feasting ourselves on Ice Cold Beer, Boozer’s sarnies, and Banh Mi we become aware that six of our most experienced Hashers have yet to return. Unusual and mysterious, murmured rumours of dalliances are soon quashed as our wearied and just slightly curmudgeonly Hashers return after having followed red ribbons from a recent trail that took them up to lighthouse and back down the long Hai Dang Road. A lesson for all Hares - when setting a trail, remove the ribbons from previous trails.

With everybody back safely Kojak takes the team photo and the Circle commences.

The Hares this week are Fluffer, Mr. T, Secs and Boozer - scores this week range from a generous 15/10 to a surly 3/10 from Chook. The Boozer Blockchain AI processes this as a final 12/10.

This week’s Virgins, Ms. Canh and her daughter, actually joined us the previous week however with rain stopping Circle play last week she wasn’t able to introduce herself. She is welcomed with the Tube of Doom which she tackles with aplomb. Welcome Ms. Canh.

Returnees this week are Mr. Versace and Anton followed by Sinners; Sweeper, Dynamo, Marat. Excuses are given, Sins are assigned, beer is downed, songs are sung and boisterous fun was had by all.

As the sun melts in to the watery horizon our Hashers disperse in to the evening until we meet again next Sunday.

VTH3 #895 PHOTO GALLERY

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