Saturday 30th December 17
Antigua Hash
We knew that Antigua had a hash and we were pleased when it was announced on the local radio that it would take place around Shirley Height, which meant that we could go without too much travelling. We had drummed up the troupes from the Grenada hash and they all turned up. We had decided to make a day of it, with Lynn & Peter, Francine & Al. We packed up a picnic and walked to English Harbour to the little ferry who took us across to the beach where we could pick up the trail along the cliff which would lead us to Shirley Height. We even spotted some of the shedded paper marking the hashers trail. Guess we would be retracing our steps later. The views were absolutely breathtaking. Loved the cacti perched in the most improbable places. We reached Shirley Height were we had lunch and a rest (Peter even managing a snoozette) and made our way to the Blockhouse where the start of the hash was. We arrived there shortly before 4pm, with the rain. We got a bit worried when we were the only one there, until David (Windshime), Rob & Debs turned up in a taxi, Scott had wimped out. The crowd started gathering up, not surprisingly numbers were low, the weather was not so good and it was the week between Christmas and New Year.
Our little group was soon spotted as the new kids on the block, and we introduced ourselves as the Grenada contingent. The hash itself was great if a bit wet. What I like about the hash is the opportunity to meet locals and this one was no exception. As per usual, we were the last ones in, Ian having inherited a dog to look after for a good chunk of the way. That when it all went wild. The hash master had it into his head that even though we had done the Grenada Hash, we were virgin and we needed to take part in the virgin ceremony. Ian became our leader and to avoid having everyone drenched in beer, he volunteered to be our representative and take one for the team as it were. Great banter ensued with Ian rising to the challenge and even getting himself a nickname in the process... Bullshit Artist! Still the Hash master was inflexible, everyone was a virgin and had to be drenched in beer. Off course I dodged this, I was taking pictures!
We walked back down the hill in the dark, to the Brasserie where the ferry man was supposed to pick us up. Never turned up.... Fortunately the restaurant next door agreed to take us back, which was kind of them.
Another great walk on Antigua.
