The Hash at Cockleshell Bay

This was the first Hash we have done with the St.Kitts group and let me tell you, it was tough! Above is the view we had from the first large hill we had climbed. Our starting point is on the far left part of the picture and we walked along the beach and up the mountain to where you are seeing now.

We invited our friends Craig and Bree and their 3 children along with us so they could partake in the fun as well. There are parts of the day we couldn't tell them, but we did tell them that you cannot wear black shirts and to wear tennis shoes. I said that this was very kid friendly, but this particular walk was quite tough and all the children that were on the hash were struggling with the climb. I know that I will wear my hiking boots next time.

So that you can understand what the hash is all about, check out the link below and it will tell you all about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers

To start the day, we met at Cockleshell Bay at 3:30pm and waited for the rest of the hashers to arrive. Once the briefing was over, the whistle blew and we were off. The kids were excited they had friends from school there and had lots of questions about exactly what was going to happen. One of the things that we couldn't tell them was that since this was their first hash, they were known as "Hash Virgins", that there was a celebration at the end of the walk that would initiate them into the Hash Club. More about that later...

We start the walk by walking around the restaurant called The Spice Mill, and it is located right on the beach with a brick oven for pizza and lots of other goodies. This has been on our list of places to eat, but haven't made it yet. Past the restaurant begins a grassy area around the point and then the long stretch of beach with soft sand that makes it a bit difficult to walk, but what we didn't realize was that this was the easy part. After glancing up at those hashers ahead of us, we realized that they were headed straight up the mountain. This was not going to be easy, but you cannot turn around, because that is very, very naughty to do. The mountain has lots of loose rocks and briars. The kids were real troopers and made us look old because they were able to get to the top of the hill without the heavy breathing and red faces. Once we were at the top, the view was amazing. That is the picture you see at the top of the page.

The terrain gave us a bit of a break and was level for a very short time and then it was time to start up the next mountain. This one seemed to go on forever and ever. Ron has his "Schtick" that Dad made him, so he was able to go up the mountain with a bit more ease. So far his back is holding out, but his toes are giving him fits. I didn't have my shoes tied tight enough, so my shoe would stay where it was and my foot would give way and slide around. We stopped part way up to fix these issues and catch our breath. The crowd was slowly passing us. Once at the top, we sat down for a few seconds and then started back down the mountain. The consensus was that this was harder than the climb up! I turned both my ankles a couple times, Ron slipped on a few rocks, but was able to recover quickly and the kids got a good lesson on how to walk sideways down a hill. The lady behind me thanked me for finding all the loose rocks for her so she wouldn't fall. I was most gracious and told her that if I found them first then that meant she wouldn't be falling on me and that she was most welcome for that.

We can see the bottom of the mountain getting closer and closer, and level ground is fast approaching. Whew! Everyone is glad that part is over. So much for my statement of "Kid Friendly". At this point, everyone is heading straight along a dirt road and around the large pond. We had a chance to cheat and take the road, but again, that would be very, very naughty so we followed the rest of the pack around the big pond.

More than an hour has already passed, so we know we couldn't be to far from our destination. No worries now though because we are on level ground and able to breathe normal and determined to reach our destination. Didn't have a lot of choice but to reach the destination because the bus doesn't run out here and you were not going to get any pity.

I could see the flags in the distance and thought that these were the flags on the beach, but they weren't. These flags marked the entrance road to Cockleshell bay and much to our surprise, this road has an incline. That isn't fair, we had already walked uphill enough for one day. Of course we laughed at the fact nobody realized that this road had an incline until now and persued on.

We reached the finish line with much excitement ready for some cold beverage and food. The sky clouded up and this beautiful rainbow appeared and then another one beside it. You could actually see where the rainbow ended but nobody wanted to walk up the mountain to find the pot of gold.

Now that we have cooled down and hydrated ourselves, we notice the runners haven't arrived. After a few minutes, the runners arrive by boat because thier path had led them to a dead end and many false trails. As a surprise to them, a boat showed up and carried all them back to where we were.

The religious advisor climbs on top of his beer crate to start the celebration. First on the list is to thank the Hares that laid the trails. They were shown appreciation by singing the Down Down song, which we can't remember the words, and had to down a full bottle of beer without stopping and the beer they didn't finish was poured over their head. Next on the agenda were welcoming the Hash Virgins. Craig and Bree were among the virgins who were about to be intiated. They reluctantly but admiringly went forth. They were all summoned to kneal in front of the religious advisor and proceed to be introduced and something sarcastic was mentioned about thier names and some even got a special trickle of beer on top of their head. Once all are introduced and a few laughs had by all, they were given a fresh bottle of beer and told to drink it down. Again, the Down Down song was sung and the drinking began and within seconds a beer soaking broke out and we all had to run for cover. You can see part of this in the photo below.

Craig and Bree were no longer Hash Virgins and I explained afterward that I couldn't tell them what was going to happen or I would have been on my knees in front of the religious advisor with beer being poured on my head. Now they will have to find some virgins to take along next time. There were a few more recognitions and punishments that went on and luckily none of us were called upon to participate.

We hung back and watched the goings on and ate our snacks we had brought, the kids played on the beach and ran around until after dark and then it was time to call it a day. Everyone was ready for a shower. A couple of the kids soon forgot the struggle and decided they were going to do another hash. I believe everyone had a good time.

The next hash will be Valentine weekend and we are all told to wear red, so that is what we will do. Hope you enjoyed coming on the hash with me and as always, there is more to come...

More hash pics on my website.