Being volunteered as run reporter gave me the perfect incentive to attend H5. With Ted Bullpit as Hare, it promised to be a decent trail, and Lauderdale meant there shouldn’t be many hills—ideal for a rehab run. No need to procrastinate about whether to go; just turn up.

The night was mild as we gathered at the Rice Restaurant to order our meal before heading out on the trail. Was nice to see Fat Controller amongst the other familiar faces.

We set off back towards town past the Foreshore Tavern but despite a pretty large pack only three runners (including me) set off on the runners’ trail while the remainder took the walkers’ trail up Ringwood Road.

The run turned right at Lauderdale Primary school and continued along the concrete path running alongside Acton Road, where a possum and at least five wallabies were sleeping after failing to negotiate the road crossing safely! After about a km the concrete turned into a nice track. Bee’s Dick was leading the charge and led us up the first FT of the trail just past Equestrian drive where we picked up the trail after retracing our steps. At a check at the bottom of the drive Poley checked left onto the Tangara trail and Bees Dick & I went in the opposite direction. The trail led us past where the walkers had rejoined some time earlier (I assume they were calling but they were well out of earshot). A couple of FTs allowed Poley to catch us up before we headed along Carrick Road back into ‘suburbia’ We crossed Terrina and Bangalee street When we got to Balook Street Steady Eddie was there and pointed us in the right direction of trail. Turned out to be a Falsie! (Thanks, Steady!) Back to Balook Street we searched for trail, found it, then another falsie before Poley spotted the trail heading down a little track that took us to the beach where we caught up with the walkers. What lovely sights and sounds. Moonlight, gentle waves breaking on the beach and the dulcet tones of hashers calling in the distance!

After a brief diversion back to a check on Bangalee, Eve found trail on Cabarita
Street heading back to the beach. Luckily for Ted the tide had not washed away all his trail which extended along the beach to Bayview Road where Bee’s Dick took a right along the back of the houses; not sure if he was on a Falsie or just imagining trail. Along Bayview Road a diversion into Icy Creek Lane turned out to be another FT.

Returning to the turn off I couldn’t help noticing that Eve was calling “On” as if he knew where the hash went without the aid of trail markings. (Was this the same trail he set for Ted when he preferred to head off to Western Australia to buy a motorhome rather than set his scheduled the H5 trail!). As it turned out there was some trail, which eventually led along an alleyway to the Ralphs Bay Canal. Poley searched for trail along the roadway… but Eve pointed Bees Dick in the general direction of the pathway along the bank of the canal. From there it was a nice run home to the ON INN.

Best trail I’ve been on for a while. Lots of FTs. Loved the off road…but not so keen on the roadkill. Slow down you Barstewards!

ON ON!
Wee Bev