Up there somewhere

When it was announced some time ago that the World's Worst next Hash weekend (and since the late 1990's onwards we learned to hold these events away from Vienna, to give everyone a jolly decent time and to prevent the locals from going home early if they'd fall asleep unallowed) the name Drosendorf was mentioned. At first I thought "Hang on, we've been to Melk a few years ago and Drosendorf is just a few kilometres away from Melk." Only later I realised that the Organ sizers had another Drosendorf in mind, the one that is located up in the Waldviertel and next to the Czech Border.

After a two hour drive from Vienna - and I have to admit that S.Energy and I had been asked to set the Friday evening run so we couldn't help but travel to the place in advance to reccie a bit - my initial skepticism turned into being pleasantly surprised about the beauty of both the city and the area. Mind you,  Drosendorf an der Thaya lay directly next to the Iron Curtain which meant a lot of no go area) and, after that curtain came tumblin' down, became a national park (Thayatal) on both sides of the border. Lovely indeed and much to be recommended, the locals advertise their city as the old-fashioned "Sommerfrische" and I can clearly see why.

Enough of that chatter already. Billed as the counterpoint to last years Eurohash extravaganza, a small and selected group of no more than 35 (if even) arrived mostly on time and the Warmup run started leading out through the town walls and downhill towards an early 1970s and deserted looking public swimming pool. Imagine a place with several half empty concrete pools with green slimy water inside that was open to everyone with absolutely no-one there, apart from the World's Worst crowd.

After a light jog alongside the Thaya and briefly uphill it was on alongside the town walls and eventually inside to some more lovely views, the OnIn came up in no time and the circle was held inside the Hotel Zum Goldenen Lamm.

I wanted to do the long and torturous Saturday run of 25k (announced as such) but couldn't due to a bad cold. What the heck, the walkers group had the immeasurable advantage and pleasure to ride the Reblaus Express, a local nostalgic train with the special feature of a Heurigenwagon (being served by different winemakers every week) so the overall mood was elevated when we arrived at the designated stop to commence the official walkers trail. Long and straight concrete trails, embellished by razorback enclosures (with adorable piglets) that made the way to a Heurigen where we met with runners again look like a Sunday afternoon stroll.

Enjoy yourselves 

it's later than you think

Locals Wines were sampled and typical Heurigen food (Brettljause) was had by all and after that it was a common walk back to another train station where the circle was held. The highpoints of this circle were the namings of 7 Up (Just Monika) and the elevation of MOM into the fold of the OVH (Mother Superior of the Order of the Vindobona Hash). After getting back to the hotel we left early for Vienna so no report about any evening debauchery and/or Hangovers on Sunday.  An enjoyable weekend it was, bar none.   

Weitersfeld Trainstation

No, this was not the Reblaus Express

But looked interesting nonetheless