May Social 2015 - Hash RunWednesday 6 May
Good planning, good runs, good views and good food were the main themes of the evening. The weather during the day was very unpromising, but a lovely evening followed, and Mother Nature treated us to beautiful skies which some members stopped to photograph during the run.
Edinburgh’s south side was the area covered by this year’s hash run, again expertly planned by Ian Jackson. A little more urban than usual meant many small diversions to left and right, with keen eyesight needed to spot the trail; some marks were a little more difficult to see than others. With numbers a little down on previous occasions, it sometimes took longer to do all the checking as there were fewer, and slower people to do it. Nine ESOCers plus Ian did the runner’s course with seven on the power walker’s route. With two courses, different coloured flour, and very many marks, the preparation beforehand must have taken a considerable time.
Some GPS trackers recorded distances of about 9 km, and it’s a tribute to the planning quality that the courses were never more than about 1 km from the start and finish point. We all think we know our local area, but often find really there is so much more when you’re forced to look. I assume Pollock Halls now has a permanent orienteering course, as a marker was spotted on the east side of the squash courts. Robert was in his element when he spotted the window just along from where he resided a few years ago. Much of the later stages used terrain covered by the urban orienteering map centred at the Pleasance. The evening stayed dry, but it was fairly cool by the time we all finished.
Returning from the hash found the numbers had increased; Ben and Senga’s hospitality was tremendous. However, on arrival before the hash, our hosts asked whether we’d like to see out of the windows. In the evening light we were treated to excellent views of Arthur’s Seat to the east, and the city and the Pentlands to the west and south.
Good food and chat finished off the evening.
Again thanks to Ian, Ben and Senga, I’m sure we’re already looking forward to next May.
Ewart Scott
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