Venue : Emmerville Golf Club
Hare : Mike Sanders
Co-Hare : Paul Smith
Scribe : Robert Mullis
A surprisingly large number of Hashers made the journey down South to Emville. Whilst many regulars were resting as there was a minor sporting occurrence the following day – something to do with moons and balls – the real Petaling elite were joined by numerous guests. Some were kiasu Singaporeans taking advantage of REAL running country, unlike the concrete jungle they inhabit. Others were high powered salespersons trying to convince the world that – next to Cardiff – Changmai (where?) would be the place to hold the next Interhash. Nan humoured them but was worried that they had been let out without their minders! John Castlemaine complained about numerous references to a recent incident he and 10 other hashers were involved in. What could he have meant? The run started off under cloudy skies, no bad thing as the co-hare, Hash Shag, has earned a reputation for setting overlong, overhilly runs.
The first check was in the overgrown palm and after a falsie forward and left was broken back and right. Their was a distinct shortage of regular checkers but the old – mostly hairless – brigade seemed to be doing a good job. I did my bit and went forward right and so was abandoned as the rest moved off.
The next check caused some delay. Colin Hercus was sent to survey a distant hillside whilst the majority herded together and complained about the performance of the FROPS. Eventually broken forward and right we entered very mature rubber and blundered around there for a while.
We were then sent across a river, up the bank and – it seemed – onto the central reservation of the Seremban highway. The devoted coming from the Surau must have thought they’d died and gone to heaven, being surrounded by so many ‘virgins’. The rest of us wondered what the hell was going on.
We re-entered the foliage, a few tracks, a bit of oilpalm, the odd fruit tree, some more checks. You know what it’s like at this time in a run, all you want to do is get back, have a few beers and a chat. No. We were led up hills, down them, up fresh ones, alongside barbed wire fences etc. Listen hares, less is sometimes more!
Colin emerged first at 1hour 50 having shaken off Frank at the final check.
At the circle many were rightly punished for their sins, although Uncle Looi had disappeared before getting an on down for wearing a shirt on a run. Ah Wan had been seen beating himself with Birch twigs. He is either a confused Scandinavian or a recent Shi’ite convert. Colin Hercus was punished for trusting a Pom, Gudrun for legendary German meanness, Peter Brook for being the class sneak. Azlina was congratulated for carrying an entire survival kit throughout the entire run but it was explained that this is not necessary as long as you do not listen to John Castlemaine. Terry Gardener was punished for NOT running in his new shoes – surely a first there?
The on on was at a new (to me) restaurant, good food, plenty of it and cheap beer. In a desperate attempt to save face the hares subsidised the meal and this swung it with the soft-hearted crowd who kept the obligatory toilet seat locked away for another occasion. (No medal this time either, eh Paul?)
All in all a good day out.