Sunday morning was scheduled for the Recovery Run, and due to kick off at 0900. We had a very high turn-out and the boats were full. In the middle of the river, one of the 3 boats experienced engine trouble. As they drifted out to sea with no life jackets in evidence, we thought this is more like a proper Hash. But no, the engine was fixed and we all reached the start point just 3 seconds late. German efficiency has to be seen to be believed. A 7 Km hot and sweaty run beside beautiful canals, ended up under another hot tin cafe roof. The walkers got there before the runners so no time was wasted getting stuck into the cold beers. Herpes was in trouble for promising to take the kids on the second leg. His credit card was being polished as GM opened the Circle with a welcome speech for the Phnom Penh Piss Pots. Titanic Balls then performed his duties as Hash RA for the very last time.

The Cambodians were a motley crew led by their newly appointed GM, Blah Blah. The Circle was handed over to him and we were entertained for 5 minutes with a song and dance routine based on a large aubergine wearing a red bow-tie. This was eventually presented to Mighty Quinn once we discovered the Phnom Penh Hash was really her Mother Hash. Fester was also outed for hiding his true Hash identity of Festering Chronic Masturbator or similar. Titanic Balls was then berated for not wearing the silver gun and necklace Bling Bling we had given him as a going away present. GM charged the Australian men for being classified by their media as wimps and Metrosexuals. Apparently, they are now more couth than the Poms. Of course, our very own Metrosexual couldn’t resist another chance to be centre stage and show off his diamond ear stud, so they were joined by Tonto. Good To The Last Drop was charged with raising the very Standards Bar her own Hash mates had seriously lowered only 2 weeks previously, on the Volcano Run. There were a few presentations and achievements to deal with. Doggy Style got a small paper cup of beer and a cheer for completing his 100 th run. The Phnom Penh Pit Ponies were similarly rewarded for their Hash’s 850 th run. Finally, Good To The Last Drop was given a Phnom Penh Hash shirt by Blah Blah much to the annoyance of Woofter who had only taken on the job of GM for the free T-Shirts. There was to be some compensation however, and he was given 20 small arm patches with the name miss-spelt. Deadly Night Shade, who had lugged a cornucopia (large bag) of free Saigon Hash T-Shirts and Stubby Holders around Can Tho, then presented all non-Saigon Hashers with a free gift of their choice. Take note, you Phnom Penh Penny Pinchers.

We were now seriously late having over stayed by 14 seconds, so it was back on the boats for a quick change, pack and final lunch at the Mekong. I swear there was a tear in the owner’s eye as we boarded the bus at 1400 for a 5 hour return journey. Woofter had managed to track down a couple of decent Eskies in Can Tho, so we gave one of them a trial run on the way back. Two slabs of cold Tiger and a few 333’s lasted us to the outskirts of Saigon - job done. The journey flew by thanks to the ribald and witty comments of the back seat crew and the many shirt lifting stories that seem to occupy most of El Flatulante’s current thinking.

A big thank you to all concerned. We must do worser next time!

On On!

Woofter