It was getting dark by the time Antiseptic and I completed the glorious though slightly daunting drive from Hawes over Beggarmans Road and Oughtershaw Road to Langstrothdale and then on to quiet, remote Hubberholme. The Grange Farm Bunk Barn was cozy and welcoming, though the bunk rooms were a little cramped.  Scrumptious soups were set out to sustain us on our hazardous expedition and we circled at 7pm wearing plenty of layers of hash gear to keep us alive long enough to achieve the pub beer stop at half way.

The dangerous nature of the trail necessitated a detailed briefing by Wears the Soap, especially the section which entailed skirting a deadly ravine, for which we were warned that failing to keep all trail markings on the right of us or to carry adequate lighting equipment would lead to certain death in the river.  Moreover, the slippery nature of the going multiplied the risk factor and we all made detailed notes of the safety instructions.  However, the relief was palpable on setting off and realising that the bright half-moon would illuminate the dangers over and above our torches.

There is nothing quite like the Friday r*n to the pub on a winter hash weekend and with joyous hearts we tackled the trail, which make no mistake climbed steeply at times and tested the best of us, along good paths and green lanes until at last attaining the welcoming lights of the White Lion at Cray.  Our only regret was that because it wasn't actually as cold as it looked, we were clad in far too many layers of gear and some of us had already shed one or two.  Great pub, great landlord, great beer and all in all a marvellous beer stop delayed us somewhat longer than expected before braving the then chillier night air back to Hubberholme and the George Inn via the road, see photo.

Thank you Wears the Soap for a magnificent start to the hash weekend, especially as it was his first and welcome to Hard Astern and Ready About who were also on their first hash weekend.

This r*n did not end with a circle as the Saturday circle covered both.