Venue : Lembah Beringin
Hare : Choo Nai Kwiong
Co-Hare : Ah Wan, Sam Chu Foo
Scribe : John Dodgson
A new run site which is always a good sign.
The day was a Hot One. The temperature gauge in the car said 36 degrees on the drive up. Arriving early for a change the shade was packed with everyone trying to keep the body temperature down and the skin white. Paid my new subs and with lighter pockets sprang into action at 4.30. I sensibly made my way up to near the front on the initial road section because we were soon climbing and traversing rubber terraces in slow single file.
In spite of being near the front the first check, back and right, had already been broken by the time I got there. The second check was below a latex collection shed. When your scribe got there the front runners were already on the ridge above the shed heading in a direction parallel to an estate road. I considered trying the road but this early in the run decided I had come to run and the point was to follow paper. I also thought the hares would take the trail over the back of the ridge to prevent so obvious a short cut and I would have to climb the ridge anyway. Needless to say the paper followed the ridge before dropping back to the estate road which a large contingent of the middle order of the pack had followed.
At this point I lost track of the checks. It was too hot to concentrate and the front runners were now well ahead breaking checks easily. After more rubber we dropped down into Palm Oil for a change. Somehow or other the sun continued to shine through the trees as it did all the way back to the run site. Dappled sunlight is pretty and also pretty hot.
Several wistful statements from Hashers of “I bet we will not get water melon this week” turned out to be right. A sharp U turn right indicated we were on a clockwise loop and there were the Hares. This week we had festive oranges and firecrackers. Excellent. The fire crackers were a good idea as they got the dog contingent intimidated and under control. Your scribe is looking forward to next week with no dogs and hopefully a cooler altitude. The next section of the trail was clearly marked with liberally discarded orange skins.
Back into the rubber and we snaked our way through the sunshine over sweaty hill and dale to the run site. One stream to cross and I managed to find a spot narrow enough to jump over so dry shoes this week. Helps to keep the smell down in the car on the way home.
The run was a bit long for the day and I eventually came in nearly half an hour after the front runners 1hour 20 minutes. The pack was well strung out by then. I had to leave at 2 hours 30 minutes point and some people were still not back.
As I could not attend the On On our esteemed GM kindly contributed the following.
Run Grading:
The final grading of the run was a Tee Shirt Run. However, it was hotly discussed by the few Committee Members that attended the run. It was a new area for Petaling HHH but not for some who are familiar with the Ballbreaker. It was a very hot day but the Hare is not considered responsible for the weather. Parking was in the open where we could work on our tan. The hash signs were a bit confusing and there was no Haremobile at the run site which caused further confusion for the dim-witted. It was definitely a Runner's Run and a bit long. Other than the first check, the checks did not hold the pack together very well but that is often the case when you have as many in the pack as Petaling does. It was through in a beautiful area through rubber and palm - which everyone enjoys. It had the required Bitching Hill and while the Hare tried to scare us off with firecrackers he also was kind enough to provide us chilled oranges at the approximate midpoint. Not sure how many checks in total - probably six. Trail was well marked with adequate paper. It was interesting to watch the Kommittee argue you amongst themselves with such comments as "Yeah - well fornicate you and the horse you rode in on!!!!!” However, at the end of the day they decided in all their wisdom (ha!) and well known (and excessive) generosity to award Choo Nai Kwong a shirt. Well done Choo Nai Kwong - you deserve it after sub-contracting the run out to Ah Wah who in turn sub-contracted it out to Chris Tan and Rob Stott. It is difficult these days to get a good contractor and/or sub-contractor.
Restaurant:
Six tables were filled and lots of good food provided. Kwailo fish and pig were the picks of the day. The meal was very heavily subsidized by the Hare which was much appreciated. Probably effected the decision on the Run Grading by the cheap Kommittee but never mind. The Main Event at the On On was the return of Colin "Wanking" King to run the show. He has been missing for some time and it was good to see a change. In true Petaling tradition it was Tell A Joke; Sing A Song or Get An Egg In Your Beer. And there were sufficient eggs to go around including a few that hit the restaurant floor along with a broken beer glass (full). Oh yes....it was a mess and the locals were probably very glad to get rid of us. Following the meal and egg extravaganza it was reported a few hearty souls ventured to Titus for a triple On.