A Tale of Two Cocks

Amid the enchanting landscape of Kirkby Lonsdale in Lancashire, an evening full moon hash set by White Noise and Off His Trolley beckoned the select few but eager participants. This run, whimsically titled 'A Tale of Two Cocks' (more on this later), promised an adventure filled with unexpected surprises and delights.

Overcoming confusion and uncertainty regarding the need to pay parking fees, the group set off, venturing through lovely new housing estates and briefly along the A66 before the trail, meandering through country lanes, led the runners to the quaint village of High Biggins. Bathed as it was in the glow of evening sunshine the views over the Lune valley up towards Ingleborough were glorious!

On! On! they ran, down to Low Biggins and the descent to the Lune. Despite the ambiguity of some trail markings, two humorously resembling phallic symbols to the onlookers, the hashers pressed on, both guided by their sense of adventure and camaraderie and misguided by one ‘arrow of inaccuracy’ leading them briefly astray. Overcoming a moment of confusion the doughty hashers regained the trail further down the hillside and on to the Lune.

At the river ‘Just Maia’ the hashing dog took a well-deserved water break before the group continued, On! On!

And then there it was! An encounter which, along with the ambiguous arrows, inspired the name of the run, forever etching 'A Tale of Two Cocks' into the annals of hash running lore.

Before us two cock pheasants were locked in a fierce battle for dominance on the stones at the river’s edge, their vibrant plumage and determined squawks adding a touch of wild drama to the serene setting.

More progress and the trail brought the runners to the iconic Ruskin’s View, where they faced the challenge of ascending the The Radical Steps. This steep climb tested their endurance and resolve, but the breathtaking panorama from the top was a worthy reward.

Passing buildings scarred or destroyed by recent fire the hashers discovered the hidden corners and unfamiliar routes of Kirkby Lonsdale, feeling the spirit of the town unbroken, resilient and beautiful despite the recent destruction

In the end, this hash run was not just a physical journey but a quest, woven with camaraderie, natural beauty, unexpected encounters, and the enduring spirit of Kirkby Lonsdale. It was truly a story of two cocks, both of the feathered fighter and the phallic trail marking variety, and the enduring humour and resilience of the hashers themselves.