The Worthy hashers arrived in dribs and drabs at King Alfred's statue in the centre of Winchester for an 1130 start on New Years Day.  When I say dribs and drabs many waited in the car park until there were 6 or 7 so they could venture forth as a group of apparent cross-dressers and be lest conspicuous I mean we don't want to be given strange looks by all the people assembled to take pictures of old buses do we?

The weather outside was ... bloody cold , especially for those in formal evening dresses so after a few photos we mounted the bus and left the spotters to their strange activity.  Somewhere in the countryside we were kicked of for failing to pay the fare so we set off to run back to the pub but after nearly 600 meters we found chez Slurry and Little Dickie so we stopped in to eat the left over mince pies and a drink the tureen of mulled wine they just happened to have on the cooker.  By this stage some people were paying a suspicious interest in the chickens so we were ejected to continue our crusade across the fields and  streets of Winchester where even teh real people appeared bemused by our fetching attire.  The on in was the Alfie where food was laid on and the efforts were rewarded by Down Downs

The Christmas Bash got of to a flying start as about 12 hashers assembled for the run, in the car park, in the snow.  There were absolutely no abusive comments about the other 60+ booked in for the Bash who failed to attend, they were most defiantly not called wimps or fair weather hashers.  So off we went following the trail of flour in the snow.  We went up streets , down streets round the bend and back to the start.  We thought about changing into our party finery but decided it was too damn clod - or as us hardy hashers call it - "a tadge on the chilly side"

And so to the IBM club where by some miracle another 40 or so had managed to brave the snow and were patiently awaiting the runners arrival so they could start the drinking.   After a short delay whilst Crunchie and Bika changed into the MC outfits the meal got underway in a quiet and refined manner as everyone waited patiently and only the children gave in to the urge to  send those stupid 'whee' balloons flying around the room.  I am glad to to report the food was good and plentiful whilst the quiz was just too difficult for the WOGs.  So to spare their shame we went on to the awards ceremony.

The Harolds

The inaugural Harolds were presented by the ever delightful Crunchie who was dressed in a very fetching black evening dress.  These much desired awards, designed and knocked up assembled by Mickey in the garden shed were voted upon by the Hash and the winners were:

Unfortunately Crunchie was followed by Bika in a tatty DJ with the Hash awards and a load of boring statistics which will be repeated. 

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Red Dress hasH 2009

The Winchester Hash House Harriers held their annual Red Dress run at the ungodly time of 1130 on 1st January 2009.

About 40+ Hashers, in various states of hangover and I can reliably report that the RA was probably feeling the worst, arrived in the centre of Winchester to start the run.  As ever we were surrounded by vintage buses so you can picture the scene as all the people who had come out to ride on vintage buses, photograph vintage buses and video vintage buses looked at the hashers in their Red dresses thinking those people are a bit strange. Never has the phrase pot this is kettle ... had so much meaning.

Not to be left out we had a quick trail through the park before being pleasantly surprised by being invited to board a rather old bus (much like we do every year) and were taken for a ride.  The conductor even had the cheek to take out photo because we were a bit strange.  After a while the bus stopped in the countryside and we all got off to breath some fresh air (sans alcohol fumes) only to find the bus driving off without us - why do we fall for this every year ?

Hashers searching for bus

So off we trotted over hill and dale and hill and hill and golf course, where despite the lack of golfers we all kept to the paths so we could do our bit to keep the countryside open and thwart the powers of the Whack F*$k brigade.  Eventually we came to the top of St Catherines hill where we met loads of families out for a bracing recovery walk who seemed to think that we were a BIT STRANGE - by this time I was starting to see their point of view as the last bottle of wine of the previous evening was defiantly on the move. Hampshireman, of course, has to try scrounge some champagne of some revellers,  one of whom is a well known brain box off the telly so Hants quickly realised he was out of his depth and departed the scene.

Eventually we returned to The Alphie which was opened just for us and provided a splendid fare of sandwiches and chips. All of this was sppilt by the RA getting up on his hind legs to form the circle.  Firstly the Joint Master, Crunchie announced a message from our leader Harold Lloyd which was met with some dismay as we expected the annual bollocking and some new year resolution.  The actual announcement was met with even more dismay - we gave her three cheers and all our best wishes - Nill iligitimi carborendum Harold.

Down Downs were awarded:

The Hares - TK, Delia and Warbler were duly castigated for letting the bus get away etc.

Our many visitors were represented by a random selection from each group. AUCH SHIT, BUNNY and TOM

Hampshireman - For falling over in front of the RA and blaming it on his new shoes (now beer flavoured).

Princess Albert- for cadging a packet of Hula Hoops from the celebrity on the hill was awarded as half glass of crushed crisps.

Princess Albert  (previously known as Bashful) and Isaac were awarded for the most daring dresses.

Ram duly returned with his 3 Virgins who had to share a half to their great disgust especially when the RA joined un but his straw was selected to blow instead of suck.

Come and Park Yer Rolls for the quote "The problem with this dress his that I just cant get the legs far enough apart".  Who hasn't had that thought in the past?

Dirty Wee G String seen exchanging email addresses with Hants - "He has some great photos of my tits and I want a copy" - The RA admits he may have misheard it could have been "He has some photos of my great tits ...".  He claims he was distracted at the time and wasn't really listening                

And finally Regie Perrin revealed that her dress came with a basque which she didn't wear - she promised that next year she would skip the dress and just come in the basque.  Now that should boost attendance!

The photographic evidence:

Itchy bum -

Wee loaf - well lost (he thought it was Chinese dress

Hants and Florette make an early bid for the fashioanista Award 2009