At last 45 walkers and runners took up the challenge on this muggy, hot Saturday afternoon. This Hash began with a car ride ! – a first for the Walkers, who were ferried to the Sillans-La-Cascade Falls, while the runners were obliged to cover this distance of several kms on foot. Wetspot assigned his daughter Karin-Ann the honour of escorting the walkers on the trail. Newly married and on leave from her Geography teaching assignment in Viet Nam, she was over qualified and well prepared for leading a foot patrol through the jungle mountain including two amphibious operations. But there was to be no Fall of Saigon; a Fall of Salerne or Sillans was more likely.

The trail began by following the babbling Bresque brook under shaded trees, a very charming riverside path that had us all fooled into thinking this was an easy one. Leading to a picturesque falls cascading into a lagoon; one could almost imagine Brook Shields skinny dipping in a fig leaf. This Garden of Eden was soon invaded by Walkers as we gathered on the wooden plank viewing platform to shoot photos and marvel at a little bit of exotism hidden in the Var. Did exotism lead to exhibitionism? Not for the Walkers – did any runners take the plunge?

The path carried around underneath the Falls and then climbed out of the river bed to the higher hills above. We went up, up and we went far, and the route slogged on and on for hrs down gravel roads. I remember hearing when we started the rumour that this trail was 17 kms short… At one point we were told that we had a choice of trails – short cut straight ahead to the end and a public swimming pool or hang in there for yet another hour of walking eventually taking us to the beer stop. Most walkers opted for extended route, mandatory for runners who bravely shuffled past in a daze like trance similar to running an ultra marathon, and about an hour later, after more slogging down gravel roads, we finally arrived at the beer stop, which seemed like a mirage in the desert and coyly placed in an abandoned chapel – Lord have mercy! , We were treated to plenty to drink, lots of chips of various roasted flavours and a splendid view overlooking the rolling valley and hills. Local giant black ants were treated to us, ready to hitch hike out crwling boldly up the pants of Hashers trying to take a seat on the ground. This kept us on our feet.

With some time to catch up and talk to everyone,, I learned that this was one of the most international RHHH runs held recently. We were honoured to have as guests, runners from Brussels, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Houston, The Hague, London, Edinburgh and Australia. Did I miss anyplace?

What can be said about part two but more slogging, descending, climbing and crawling down rocks until we ended up thankfully at the public swimming pool. Some runners and walkers took advantage but most were just happy to get back to the bastide basecamp. Sneaky Bastard of course snuck off to get his car and drove from his 2 pc zip-up tent in the campground, back the last few kms. .

The next thing I recall is taking part in public artful disrobing in the car park – Contessa, Prestressed, Pedo, Farty Bum, Jobs Worth Cumalot and family and more committed the obiligatory tenue transformation out of the boot of their car changing into acceptable digs for the evening.

Once changed and retiring to the Wetspot terrace, we were treated to aperitifs - Padre’s secret Blue Bucket Rum Punch – Padre dipped and we drank. It was so good that it can’t be described – you have to taste it- lets hope we have the chance again. This put all of us in the right mood for the Grand Circle, and it was one of the best I can remember hosted by a team of four or five, ex, current and future Religious Advisors. Padre, The Grand Master, Sneaky Bastard, Dirty Dingus etc. Tasked with the assignment of writing this report, I tried to capture all the awards and honors and folly that seemed to go on for an hour…. And I ask forgiveness if I forgot or confused anyone in this write-up so here goes,

Downs Downs to:

The ravenous pack was gratefully treated to a wonderful succulent couscous prepared by MadameWetspot and danced under the full moon, Contessa entertaining options to get a PhD in Pole Dancing. Also seen Dancing the night away were Perpetch, Farty Bum, Too Cheeky , El Toro, and Sneaky Bastard, and Suck ON! and on and on…

As so goes the run report for Saturday. The festivities carried on Sunday and I hear there was a bike ride too. Thanks to the Wetspot fmily and Hares the Salernes Weekend was another success in RHHH Hashing History.