The 98th Running of the
Chiang Rai S2ATO Family Friendly Hash
The Christmas Hash, Saturday, 17th December 2011
Hare: Able Semen
According to custom and practice, the Christmas Hash has started and finished at a private house. For some years, Well Oiled and Oiled Well put on a splendid party at their home to mark the occasion. Last year, Wirgin Bluce and Wild Woman did exactly the same at their home. This year, for reasons which I now find totally incomprehensible, I agreed to hare the Christmas Hash and so the event will be staged at my home. I do not intend to try to rival either of my predecessors mentioned above but there will be food laid on (traditional Xmas fare such as fried rice, sweet and sour etc.) and, despite a very heavy schedule at this time of year, Father Christmas has agreed to try to put in an appearance.
First of all then, I need to know rough numbers so that people do not leave the premises unfed. Can you please email me back setting out whether you will be attending and how many will be in your party. If I can have this info by Tuesday noontime, then that would be ideal. Many thanks.
Next, the days are at their shortest at this time of year and so it will be advisable for us to start no later than 3pm. There will be a long and a short(er) trail and I would estimate 1.5+ hours to complete the route. Therefore aim to be at my place around 2.45.
OK, now on to the driving directions. It has to be said that my place is not the easiest to find - ask Well Oiled and I am sure that he will concur. Wherever you start from, get on to the Old Chiang Mai Road (or OCMR) and proceed southwards (ie in the direction of Chiang Mai) and watch out for kilometre stone 13 which is on the right hand side of the road.
If approaching by the Superhighway, proceed south until you reach the White Temple traffic lights at Ban Rong Khun. Turn right here and proceed for about 5 kilometres to the end of this road (technically this is a cross road but the road ahead is very small). Turn left here. You are now on the OCMR. Start looking out for KS 13 which will come up on your right after 800 metres.
Remember - it is the number facing the road which you should note. There are actually three numbers on these stones. Use the one facing the road.
Slow down here. After some 2-300 metres, you will see a flashing yellow light on the left side of the road. There is a turning to the left here (it is the first turning to the left after the kilometre stone). Turn left. There will be a Hash sign posted here. Carry on for about two kilometres until you see a white water tower on your right. Turn sharp right here. There will be another helpfully positioned Hash sign here. Carry on for a further kilometre and you will find my house on the left, with yet another Hash sign at the gate.
My number is 083 762 3267 in the most unlikely event that these directions do not work!
Once you have arrived, congratulations, you have passed the first initiative test. The second is parking! Car parking at my place is not great. I have a big area of grass but it has sprinklers all over it which makes getting in and, especially, out quite difficult. There are also a couple of adjacent fields. Access to one is very tricky and I do not wish to use the other since the owner is in Singapore and I am unable to ask his approval. The only viable option is to use the road outside the house. I have told the local head man that he can expect some congestion on the day and he simply asked that we park as far to the side of the road as we are able.
If travelling by motorcycle, then please use the garden to park up. However, take care on the drive. I have just regravelled it and used too much stone so motorcycles tend to be a bit unsteady on it at present. It needs a good fall of rain!
This being Christmas, Santa Claus has a special request. Every adult should bring a wrapped present for exchange not over 200 Baht in value. These will be numbered and then corresponding numbers drawn out of a hat for presentation by Santa himself. If what you get is not appropriate for you then you can trade it afterwards. Parents can bring a gift for each of their children with his or her name on it for distribution by Santa as well. We have done this the past three years and it has been a lot of fun.
Finally please remember to get back to me by reply by Tuesday to let me know if you are coming or not so I can organize the food etc.
Hope to see you all on the 17th.
On! On!
Able Semen
