Even after running with this Hash Chapter for nearly 23 years, Vindobona has charming and picturesque angles that are unknown to me. The first Sunday run (which actually took place 7 days ago) started near the Hütteldorf train station in the 14th district.
Still remembering that on one previous run Mr. Pink had set not far from this area he's successfully lost half of the pack during the run, I was kinda curious of what would lie ahead. Sunny afternoon and all that, good crowd of 25 (including visitor?/returnee? Squeeze Box Mama and definite returnee Alice, it was on off through the green neighbourhood and, after some water-treading and passing by the Landmark Ernst Fuchs Villa, eventually on uphill into a vast green recreation area called "Erholungsgebiet Paradies".
Soon after we entered this forest there was a steep - quite steep actually - ascent that reminded one on times long gone by, namely King Ralph and El Ninos/TBSaint Normans, OVH killer runs that incorporated VERY STEEP SECTIONS. On a view pint way uphill there was a Schnapsstop and an impressive view all around.
Happily passing by various playgrounds for kids and older kids (and a little lake called the Silbersee) it was on down to the area of Rosental, often used by Afterglow/My Sisters Glowing K before she left the fold to live in Germany.
Arriving back in civilization, the last stretch of that run was leading thru the train station building and finished off with a long stretch alongside the Wienfluss. A big surprise at the circe was that the RA; OVH (!) provided cold beers (!!) with obvious valuable help by the Cohare Mrs. Pink. At the circle it was temporarily goodbye to Daisy Balls, off to South East Asia for a while. She will be back for the Christmas Party she told me.
It was the last Monday run of the season, always signaling cooler and darker days ahead. Although, with the everlasting summer and warm temperatures still going on, the main thing to feel sorry about was the darkness, setting in at 7:30 p.m. already.
The Pötzleinsdorfer Schloßpark and its surrounding wooden paths, on the outskirts of Vienna 18th district were a most suitable venue to see the Monday evening runs off this year. Many years ago (between 15 and 20) there were many Hash runs in that area, amongst these a legendary winter run hared by G-String (serious mess up between Hare and Hounds) and an even earlier live run that was hared by Whoppa and myself in 1998, No Mercy Master was still around and in best running form. We were prevented from being caught (and from receiving the appropriate live Hare punishment) by a massive thunderstorm that washed all of the trail away. But this is Hash History.
Not below the waist
The started nearly on time and the trail was leading through this beautiful park and further uphill into the adjacent forest, all the way to the Wirtshaus Steirerstöckl (great place, if only a little pricey) and alongside hidden gardens. Due to the long hiatus of Hash runs in this area I nearly forgot about all its charms. Still running and walking further uphill until a former Watertower with a nearby drinking fountain came up.
Within the Pötzleinsdorfer Schlosspark
After this, it was alongside the Neustifter Cemetery and back downhill through rather posh-looking and quiet backroads of that area. We passed by a much inviting Heurigen restaurant on our way and reached the starting point again n the beginning darkness. After the beginning of the circle (which was held at the parks entrance door, with the help of one bribed employee - cold beer!, Moehair Richard Kopf was a late cummer, Sinex and Multiple Entry were visitors and a new boot called Barney made his debut with the Worlds Worst. 10 minutes to eight the first police car arrived and left after suitable explanations given by Prince of Barkness, OVH ("We are driving once around the block and then you're GONE, capito!?" "Thank you officer").
Shortly after we ended the circle a second police car arrived ("We were told that there was a bunch of rowdy pensionists at the park, and mind you a third car is underway"!). Well, the Cardinal and I had a pint of Weitra Bier for supper and most of the rest took off to the nearby On-In. Nice run, thank you to the Hare Casting Couch.
The days are getting shorter, the Monday run period is about to end and. In a well hidden corner of Viennas 20th district, the Brigittenau, King Ralph laid another of his "see the beauty in the suburbs" run.
On Trail
Starting from a well-hidden carpark underneath the concrete of the Handelskai road the trails's first part was a run/walk through the various Gemeindebauten of this district. When a checkpoint at the start of the Floridsdorfer Brücke was reached I feared for the worst as this is a) a rather long run/walk over this bridge and b) and even longer run/walk back, but in the darkness.
The trail continued on down, alongside the Danube (very long and very straight part) to the short songstop. 2 thirds of the pack of 20 continued on the Walkers trail, until after quite some more sightseeing through parts of the 19th and mostly the 20th district it was on back to the carpark. The circle featured the return of Bootleg Sister and Needleman, as well as Queenie and Tonto. After 45 minutes of drunken depraved singing two agents of the local law enforcement community paid a short visit. After King Ralph himself explained to them the concept of a drinking club with a running problem, they left without further ado.
And, of course, there was the shoe story, a continuation of last weeks theft of Walrus' shoes at Tickpleasers place. Read all about it in the words of Walrus, Vice GM, himself.
"Good morning Hashers,
As you may recall, yesterday's run at the Handelskai was to be the scene of a three-way shoe trade, a "handel" as the locals would have it. I brought Tick Pleaser's Crocs, TP brought Whoppa's left-behind shoes and MoM brought my shoes that he and King Ralph kidnapped, like Richard Lionheart, at the TGIF on Friday. My shoes were in the white plastic bag that Whoppa had put them in.
Fast forward to the circle when KR steps up and asks MoM for the plastic bag with the shoes. MoM hands him the bag and Ralph queries "Are these the right shoes?" MoM confirms and KR proceeds to pull out the shoes. The shoes he pulls out are black, as they should be, but clearly are not size 47 extra-extra-wide. None the less he calls me in the circle to drink beer from said shoes which, I point out, clearly are not my shoes. Meanwhile, Whoppa perceives that the shoes that KR are holding are his missing shoes and attempts to recover them before they are polluted with beer. While they wrestle over the shoes I rejoin the circle. Ultimately Whoppa and I humor KR and drink beer from Whoppa's newly recovered shoes. Later on KR and I drink beer from my new shoes (the twin pair to the missing ones). The circle continues and then the police shows up but do nothing to explain how my shoes remain missing and Whoppas' shoes were in the plastic bag.
High Beers
Since I know this chain of events have left you tortured all night, here are the details of yesterday's supply chain attack, what KR, for once appropriately, would pronounce as a "shoepply chain attack." TP and I both arrived early for the run, at the site where KR usually meets his dealer by the looks of it, both bringing the Croc's and Whoppa's pair of shoes. A little later MoM arrives with my shoes in the white plastic bag. Seeing that there is parking at the site, MoM entrusts the plastic bag to a deranged older man and goes to get his car. I see my chance and recover the bag with my shoes while the older man is inspecting the finger that just came out of his nose. Then we run.
As the circle is forming, TP and I go to his car and switch my shoes for Whoppa's in the bag and put the bag back in the circle between the kindly old man and MoM. MoM assumes the bag was stored safely and hands it over to KR, confirming that the bag has been stored securely all along. The circle is more confused than usual.
All is well that ends well. The circle ends with me holding wet shoes and socks but knowing that there is a dry pair of shoes and socks in TP's car (that MoM had brought earlier). Whoppa has a pair of dry and a pair of wet shoes and the bag he originally put my shoes in and TP drove home with his Crocs in his car.
No run report but an interesting explanation about the Harvest Moon, given by Lord Glo-Balls, OVH (thanks!):
Hi Hasher,
The September full Moon or “Harvest Moon” used to be a celestial boon for farmers. Because it rises soon after sunset, they could continue reaping their crops by its light until late, hence the name. It is also the full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox (September 23rd this year), the astronomical onset of autumn, when the sun is directly above the equator and day and night are of equal length. Coincidentally, this Harvest Moon will also be a “micro-moon”, because it is at the farthest point from Earth in its orbit. This means it will appear 14% smaller than February’s “supermoon”. Although the full Moon’s peak above America’s east coast and Britain will be after midnight—and so technically on Saturday morning—for the superstitious at least there is something portentous about its rising on the night of Friday the 13th. Particularly as, according to paranormal types, the Harvest Moon imbues werewolves with increased power.
Following up on last year glorious Muddy Angels Run (look here for the previous post with explanations), 8 merry Harriettes of the World's Worst teamed up to partake in this years edition in the Prater area of Vienna, near the Ernst Happel Soccer Stadium. No sun and no warmth to-day, rather rain and plenty of mud for everyone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Shortly after 10 a.m. all participants with entourage arrived, a few cigarettes were smoked, a bottle of prosecco was emptied and and off our heroines went towards the starting line, taking off punctually at 11 o'clock. The task was not to run fast or slow but rather to master the various obstacles by means of working together as a team (which, at the second last obstacle, made for some great photos, have a look at the second last pic below).
Mostly Muddy
Getting further along the track more obstacles came up and were put behind bravel, and the overall running time of one hour went by a bit too fast (for me at least). After well deserved high fives for the glorious eight (Casting Couch, Kuty Pi, Root CAnal, Anita Hanjob, Victorias Secret, S.Energy surprise and special guest Afterglow coming all the way from Hannover and Lopsided Backside) refreshing drinks of the bubbly kind were served by their loyal supporters (male cheerleaders). A fine Hashworthy experience, I suppose that fun was had by all.
The Monday evening run period is nearing its end and Tickpleaser helped to ease the pain by setting a on Tirolerhof, a little uphill from Perchtoldsdorf. Having been to many a run that started from this place, I expected straight uphill running with no excuses. To my mild surprise it was all the down the udder side, right thru the lovely and widespread vineyards, a joy to watch right before the start of harvest with all grapes still up in full glory.
Coming into Perchtoldsdorf the trail continued on to a bit of unknown terrain (for me), steep roads down and much more up until a big fenced door came up in front of us. Another surprise was when the Hare opened the unlocked door and we continued onto the drink stop of the month (try to remember the booze of September).
The Wine is nigh!
Come by and see
The wonderful Mohrenberger Alm, offering spectacular views all around, offered great wine, Sturm (the non fermented wine), water of course and a well assorted library for the curious ones. Fully recommended to visit this place whenever it is open and your time permitting. The Vindobona area has many different Heurigen places and this one plays in the upper league (for me). And an Ostrich wine drinking song for your entermainment is herewith provided.
Me REALLY likey!
Warning: Reading can broaden your horizon!
The short and dark way back to the circle brought, after running a bit through the already pitch dark forest, another great view all over Vienna in evening lights. During the short circle (in the absence of the RA) the two late cummers King Ralph and Mr. Pink were awarded Down Downs, as well as Eurohash survivors Victoria's Secret, Barefoot, Holy Roamin' Empress and Prince of Barkness, both OVH. No swimming afterwards (I was told) but the running shoes of Walrus mysteriously disappeared from the Hares's garden and Mr. Vice GM had to travel home in much too small garden crocs that were lent to him, well meant. To be continued, perhaps.
