Until the shepherd leads his flock away

Euriohash minus 43 days and the clock is ticking. The excitement is growing, there was a Concept Party at our very own Hash House in the Prater and I have the impression that the pieces of the Eurohash puzzle seem to start falling into place.

Last Monday saw the first King Good Memorial run in Laxenburg, a place that holds many memories for the Vindobona Hash and a former and current workplace for some of our so-called runners.  Cardinal Munk, OVH and his CoHares No Balls Prize and MOM made extensive use of the picturesque scenery in the park and we were asked before the run to remember our late friend as we were stumbling along.

Photo taken by Se'* Energy

After running around the better part of that beautiful area it was on back to where we started, whith cold drinks waiting underneath that big old plane tree. During the circle Lord Glo Balls, OVH dished out some more run certificates, amongst those a fat one for Mind the Gap who reached his 1000th run with the World's Worst. Following a tradition, he was inducted into the Order of the Vindobona Hash (OVH) and became only the fifth such member following Lord Glo-Balls, Cardinal Munk, The Blessed Saint Norman and Mohair von F-Kopf (formerly known as Richard Kopf).

Laxenburg Schlosspark

I sucessfully managed to get my greedy hands and the induction speech, which was done by all four current members, here is an unabridged version thereof.(BTW, still no moronic pics, assorted ones  will be added when they will have sobered up and publish them).

INDUCTION CEREMONY OF MIND THE GAP:

Procession as follows:
Lord Glo-Balls, Cardinal Munk, The Blessed Saint Norman, Mohair von F-Kopf

Cardinal Munk (CM): We gather today to celebrate a wondrous occasion on the annals of the Vindobona Hash. A mortal of flesh and blood will become immortal (immoral) in the eyes of his peers:

Lord Glo-Balls (LGB): It is just that the former Hasher known as Mind the Gap has duly reached the plateau of 1000 runs entitling him to become the 5th member of the illustrious order of the Vindobona Hash or OVH.
Through his dedication, endurance and sacrifice he has now achieved recognition as a mainstay of the Vindobona Hash.

PLEASE STEP FORWARD!

Blessed Saint Norman (BSN): With the ceremony of induction the candidate officially will be granted the title of Prof. Dr. Dr. Felch who mus at all times carry a felching straw with him (BSN hands hima straw).

Mohair von F-Kkopf (MvF): With this title comes the duty of physical examination of all Harriettes when necessary or when the occasion seems appropriate.

CANDIDATE PLEASE KNEEL!

LGB: Do you accept the honour which is bestowed upon you in the name of the OVH?

ANSWER PLEASE (I DO)

BSN: Will you fulfill the extensive duties required of this illustrious membership such as drunkenness and debauchery?

ANSWER PLEASE (I WILL)

MvF: Will you give extensive physical examinations to all Harriettes in sickness and in health and especially in felching?

ANSWER PLEASE (I WILL)

(Each of the members of the OVH will then take the "Holy Vindobona" (pic to follow) and individually, one after another, tap the left then the right shoulder and finally the head of the Candidate, CM finally will say

CM: In the name of the Holy Vindobona and HE that drives us to drink, we now officially proclaim you as Prof. Dr.Dr . Felch.
ARISE and receivce your artefacts of office!

BSN will present a pack of straws and help the Doctor into his white smock.

MvF will next hang the Stethoscope around the doctors neck.

LGB will then pin the order of the OVH onto the Doctors coat.

CM will say Go forth Prof. Dr.Dr. Felch and wreak Havoc amongst Hashdom worldwide.

END

All that's left

Eurohash minus 49 days. We're getting close to the big event, all the necessary preparations seem to be working out in one way or the other and the beat of the Hash goes on. What's left to report instead of Flying Dutchmans latest run on the Donauinsel last Monday? How about some animalic diplomatic encounter in the Lainzer Tiergarten, in Viennas 13th district. This of course leads straight to the notorious musical references one, two and three (Gasp). Or, part of not so old Ostrich political history, a reference that one of this country's esteemed leaders was making to these well, sort of comparisons.

The second half of the week saw two important dwinking events happen at the same time within Viennas city centre, with the distance near enough between the two so one could stagger to and fro. The Wiener Bierfest has become as much an institution as the Waldviertel Tage (another Ostrich region presenting themselves in the heart of the Capital, clever move). The upcoming weekend will see trail reccies for the Eurohash weekend and on Monday we will have first the King Gook Memorial run. Read about him here.

High five at the Wiener Bierfest

A lovely beertruck from the 1960s from the Zwetller Brewery at the Waldviertel Tage

Self explanatoy

via GIPHY

Two Virgins

Eurohash minus 58 days. Okay, we know that the title of this post has been ruthlessly stolen from a musical piece (sort of a whole album) by a very well known legend. In addition, it shall point out that last nights run up at the Liechenstein was set by two Virgin Hares (Lucky Me and Wayne F*cksky).

Memories of our Virgin Hare Experiences from 30 years ago with the Warsaw Hash came to mind when Se* Energy and yours truly reliably crossed our own fresh laid trails after having been out in the country. But with pracitice comes experience. The Liechenstein area, which is hilly, picturesque and full of forest paths also houses a Burg (castle) where for several decades Elfriede Ott, a famous Ostrich theatre Actress, performed theatre pieces by our beloved playwright Johann Nestroy (1801 - 1862). 

The trail for the fair group of 25 Hounds started off in direction passing by the Burg Liechtenstein to our left, alongside one main walking/running path and then split into a walkers and a runners trail. Not long after that the ones who pretended to run a bit faster than the walking/swaying rest tried hard but unsuccessfully to find any more flourmarks. Heck, the Final Kuntdown (returnee of the week) was up front (it is only just to say that after he changed his diet he looks much slimmer and fitter).

The Schwarzer Turm overlooking Mödling

As the right guess was that this trail would lead more or less straight back to the carpark Tickpleaser and I decided to do a bit of more scenic running and so we passed by the sights which are the Schwarze Turm and the ruins of the so called Amphi Theatre (all artifically built) and, after long last back to the carpark where we enjoyed the nonquality of brutally cheap beer (Skol, Steffl and the likes) and the beginning rain and chilling wind. (Thanks a LOT, RA Richard KOPF ;-)
Give the Hares credit for trying their best.

And, parts of last weeks ast weeks amount of trivia features that cussing can make you stronger. Be aware that if you belch too loud and there is an Ostrich law agent nearby you could get into trubble.

A song that I love listening to was done by the Chicago Transit Authority. later on known as Chicago. Read about the story of the Song here.

Long Way Home

Eurohash minus 66 days. After the first days of May have passed and I have just returned from a brief visit with some buddies to the local Heurigen of our choice I find if appropriate to summarize a few thoughts about last Sundays run, way out in Langenlois, home town of some very renowned makers of fine wines.

Lopsided Backside having celebrated one of the bigger birthdays did set another one a long way from our home in the south of Vienna (100 kilometres) but what is distance to a dedicated follower of Hash Fashion? No Balls Prize was the Co Hare, the crowd was huge (including long time no C Queenie) and the trail was described as a scenic one with two dwink stops (Beer and Softies) and in no time it was on off.

No false promises were made here as the trail was carefully leading all the way into the green and an abundance of vineyards, soon cameth along the first and not too long after that the second much welcomed drink stop. Even a panoramic platform with a view overlooking the better part of the Kamptal was provided and so it seemed to be appropriate that all were in good mood once the circle started.

A platform with no Hashers, food and drinks were served on a different date here

Wife, 2 kids and yours truly decided in a sly move to evade that circle early in order to get food faster from the nearby OnAfter at the excellent Gasthaus Zwoni. On a different note, I may have been watching that one soccer game too many, but we have proof that at least German Soccer Players have tried to excel in making Hit Singles over the years. Listen for yourself to this remarkable musical example.