A return for me (Slot Machine) to the fold after the summer, and my first time out as a hare for quite some time. A goodly number of hashers arrived in Vélez-Blanco on a sunny Sunday morning, awakening the quiert town from it’s sleepy state.
After I had confused everyone with my dire description of a Bus Stop, gallons of coffees were sunk at Hotel Velad before the opening circle was formed.
Not one to follow the normal way of doing things, I had devised a route to be followed by way of clues and questions on paper. There was no hare for the runners, and so the route planner was essential to stop the speedy crew from finding the nearest bar and camping out for an hour or two. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the questions and answers.
The runners were sent up around the outskirts of the town to the castle before being dragged downhill and through a number of backstreets in the pretty town of Vélez-Blanco. Somehow they managed to rope a couple of townsfolk into joining them for part of the route – mad loons!
The walkers headed the shorter (but steeper) way to the castle, through the narrow streets and then back down again to the start point – a great oppoertunity for everyone to catch up on each others’ news and gossip.
The closing circle turned into an opportunity for Norman Bates and Slot Machine to dish out as many down-downs as they could, while also celebrating QueenFisher’s 69th birthday. Wow – that woman looks good. Must be the love of a younger man KingFisher.
The On After was held at Bar Sociedad where a number of us ate our bodyweight in tapas (well I did, anyway) and laugh at each other as normal.
Don’t ask me who was punished for what – because I’d tucked a piece of paper in the back of my Tablet, which blocked the camera lens. Had I not had three (?) beers poured down my throat at the start of the closing circle, I may have been able to remember.
Announcements
Hares are needed for loads of dates. Please check the Facebook Group and get your name down.
The Christmas Do looks to be held in Benidorm this year. Please register your interest on the Group
The Run 199 Route
| Follow main road to Maria. Watch that traffic!!! | ||
| Q: | When level with baby firs, what is the speed limit? | 60 |
| Q: | Just before Junta sign, what weather risk is mentioned? | Snow |
| Q: | At KM142 face town. What primary colour is with white on El Sacri? | Blue |
| At roundabout take first exit and head towards the castle | ||
| Q: | What exact colour is the clothing/shoes bin? | Lime green |
| Go through the castle’s big arch | ||
| Q: | What time does the castle close for the 2nd time today? | 18:00 |
| Head down the steps (to the L of opening hours) | ||
| Turn L at the road | ||
| Turn R at the burgundy fence | ||
| Q: | How many steps were from castle to road (incl. Top and bottom levels)? Go on – back up you go to count! | 37 |
| Back past burgundy fence, then turn L at T-Junction | ||
| Carry on heading downhill | ||
| Turn R at T-Junction | ||
| Bear L at blue/rust garage doors | ||
| Q: | In cave on R is a familiar face, But what colour is he? | Red |
| Q: | How many caños are nextdoor? | 5 |
| Head downhill – keeping barranco on your R | ||
| At El Molino go down steps into Calle Curtidores | ||
| When you reach the road, bear L | ||
| Q: | In the square, how many taps are on the fuente? | 2 |
| Turn L down the tree-lined street | ||
| Q: | What date was “Fiestas del Cercado 2016”? | Sept 10 |
| At Placeta del Padre Tapia, bear L towards tobacco shop | ||
| At tobacco shop, turn L | ||
| Opposite the Correos, enter the small gate | ||
| Q: | What is the graffiti’d Spanish insult? | Puta |
| Go down all the steps and turn right | ||
| Follow the stone frame path and go over the small bridge | ||
| Turn L and go through El Palacil car park | ||
| Turn R and head uphill out of the exit | ||
| Cross over to the square | ||
| Q: | What spicy item is hanging from a nearby balcony? | Chillies |
| Exit square. Turn R and follow road uphill | ||
| Q: | At stop sign, How far away is the Visitors’ Centre? | 200m |
| Q: | Turn L and keep going to a fuente. How many taps? | 4 |
| With back to fuente, follow road to the R, past Correos & tobacco shop | ||
| Turn L into a road with a medical name | ||
| Q: | What company advertises on No 23 | Almeria Estates |
| At end of street, turn R | ||
| Q: | What is the name of the supermarket chain? | Coviran |
| At end of street, turn L | ||
| At fuente turn R towards “Tejidos” & the asesoria | ||
| Follow road around to the left | ||
| Carry on past Hotel Velad and back to the closing circle |
