Nelson Hash 1500th Run - 25 year anniversary - 15-17 November 2019
70 hashers enjoyed the Nelson Hash’s 25 year anniversary and 1500th run on the weekend of 15th to 17th November. 15 from Christchurch, 9 from Wellington, 1 Aucklander, 2 from Napier and the rest from Nelson.
Most of the trials and tribulations for the weekend started on the Thursday and Friday with slips and car crashes delaying arrival times of the visitors. Clear winners there were Dagy and Fingers who took 26 hours to make their journey from Christchurch.
Festivities started on Friday night from 6pm with a gathering at the Postboy Hotel. Buy your own drinks at cheap prices and the hash put on a supper. Hashers from around the country trickled in as the travellers got through the detours, Local Hashers were out in force to welcome them, with a few old faces appearing. Mimi and Vominatrix rocked the bar with some great karaoke while the rest generally just made a lot of noise as the beer and hashing stories flowed freely. Photos were posted on FB till about 1am.
Saturday 10am – 1500th run from Branford Park, Maitai Valley, same location as Deputy Dawg & Gritz had gathered the first bunch of Nelson Hashers 25 years ago for Run #1. We had 5 Hashers running today: WENDY, Princess, DunnerWhy, DunnerIn and RLD who had also run on the first run and quite a few more that had been on the second run.
Well most of us had gathered there - We were still waiting for the beer to arrive. Generally hanging out for a beer at 10am is considered a bad thing, but it was quite common today. Luckily Stroker, Mole and MB turned up in the piss wagon before a lynch mob had formed.
- Good weather with the run starting around 10.30ish. GM Shaggus congratulated the visitors who had made it to the start line despite the Nelson hash’s best efforts to detour them. Plumley, the most prolific hound in Nelson was the Hare and he demonstrated the hash signs with dog Shadow demonstrating how flour gets licked up. Enjoyable walk and run with the usual slackers who did neither.
A few of the Hashers decided not to set their sights too high. Getting to the first check and back was enough for them. However, these Hashers set up a jam session with a couple of guitars and sang of their achievements for the rest of the morning.
Fart was back on the runners trail and back in fine form then his dog refused to run with him, chasing the walkers instead. Walkers and runners split as the trail reached the slopes of the center of NZ hill. Runners headed up then were checked-back over a fence and onto Kaka Hill. An easy run through the sheep paddocks turned serious as trail stopped at an 8ft high deer fence & gate. The front runners were most ungentlemanly as they all clambered over the gate then turned round and just watched as Fire In Da Ho struggled to get under it.
Ring Burner was leading the front runners to the top of the Center of NZ, but then led them right past the Hash Halt without waiting. The other runners enjoyed the view over Nelson as they waited for the stragglers. Trail left the path and went through the scrub for a while. Owlziemer tried to 2nd guess the Hare and ended up having to do a catch-up, but he did catch up by the time the pack reached to Piss Stop at the bottom of the hill.
A rousing circle kicked off by Shaggus with guest spots to NZGM Shunter plus visiting RA’s from Wellington and Christchurch. Songs led by Fire N Da Ho and Hornie. Belly button fluff was exchanged by Sticky Willie and new shoes were christened by Eanie Meanie Weanie and Owlzeimer. Best fine for runners by Buttswallower who demonstrated in fine fashion how Fire had tried to slip under a fence that the runners were having to clamber over one by one. She got her legs and torso through but couldn’t squeeze her tits under.
The afternoon continued with a large bunch of us boarding the mystery bus and leaving the park towards? ? ? ? ?
Saturday 2pm to 6pm – Mystery Bus Tour. A full bus of over 50 hit the road as the rain set in. But with comfortable craft bars to visit and a dry but alcohol laden bus, who cared. 1st visit was the original McCashin brewery. Fee Fi Fo Fum made a nuisance of himself trying to help anyone who showed the slighted sign of being unsteady. Mimi and friends ruled the back of the bus in good mafia fashion. Stoker softened the mystery a little when his commentary included the next destination, but it was still a surprise for those that weren't listening to him.
So most of the bus had no idea that we would soon pull up at NZ's oldest pub, The Moutere Inn. More pints of craft beer or tasting platters for those that couldn’t decide on one.
Drunkenness steadily increasing although only Buttswallower was denied service at the last bar - The Golden Bear Brewery in Mapua. It was rather ironic that our token American was denied service here since the Golden Bear was started in 2008 by a fellow American, Jim from L.A. who moved here to “show the Kiwis how to make good beer”.
The bus trip ended at Smugglers Bar in Tahuna, most of the Hashers had a pint or twohere, but then groups separated and did whatever they felt like – or just went home for a sleep.
Sunday 10am – 3pm Social gathering and lunch at Tasman Bay Cruising Club.
A very pleasant gathering with lots of Nelson hash memorabilia on display. Walk round the waterfront and final circle at a rotunda by the yacht harbour where port and green ginger wine were served up by the lovely barmaids Hornie and Wrench-it.
Back just in time for lunch and the circle which focused on the Hashers that had come and gone over the last 25 years. Sir Teddy Bare particularly entertaining.
Great turnout! Great People! Great weekend!!!