Matariki TTT Weekend 24th to 26TH June – Picton

A very enjoyable weekend in Picton on the 1st Aotearoa Matariki weekend, organised by Thirsty Thursday Taniwha Hash of Wellington and attended by around 60 Hashers.  

The weekend kicked off Thursday in Wellington with the regular TTT run where the pack  was greatly bolstered by the North Island Hashers in town for the ferry early Friday.  Starting at the Welsh Dragon Bar, a  small pack set off for a pleasant stroll round the Wellington waterfront to meet up with the out of towners  at the Piss-stop in the Civic centre.  From there it was another short walk to a mid city bar where Dio from Auckland distinguished himself by over jealous bartender assistance. 

Friday was the 8.30am ferry sailed and a Ditch run on board.  Nice calm sailing and at Picton the Hash were led on a short live trail by RV to a park on the waterfront.  No show from the Nelson (still on way) and Christchurch (testing out guitars at accommodation) hashers but the pack were entertained by a lesson on Matariki from Kaumatau Hash Brown from Wellington, before a short circle. 

Next on the days proceedings was a Hash run hosted by Wellington Ladies at 3pm to celebrate Matriarch Chips’s 1800th run.  Hares One Pint and DT.  This was planned to lead into RV’s planned pub crawl at 4.30pm.   However like many a Hash event incompetent helpers impacted on the plans and so the pub crawl did not keep to schedule, although about 40 hashers enjoyed a splendidly cunning trail and Piss-stop by the mini putt. 

It was each Hasher to their own choices in the evening, but a great evening was had at the Thirsty Pig Tavern where the one man band had the Hash dancing all night.  Dancers led by Birdtable and Cisko Kid. 

The main Saturday Run kicked off at 11am at Endeavor Park.  A nice long trail set by RV and Panicking Cider – around 8-10km mostly in the bush.  A wet day but the bush provided some shelter.  Piss-stop on the ridgeline with snacks and drinks. 

Hash circle under shelter of Pine trees.  TTT members RV, Handle, JJ, Fraggle, Panicking and Corpuscle honoured for various permeations of the number 3 which is their magic number.  More history of TTT from RV and then the circle was handed on to NZGM Birdtable and finally fines from the forest floor. 

The evening saw various pockets of Hashes in pubs and restaurants round town. 

Sunday was the Recovery run which started a the skate park and then to Firkin’s retreat for a PS.  Arson (son of the late Firkin) outlined the plan for this Hash retreat in honour of his Dad. 

Glorious day and so to the Ferry for return sailing and one last Ditch run.  

Aftermath was a number of Hashers testing positive for Covid.  Hopefully they all recovered.

Thanks to TTT for an enjoyable weekend.  The main workers seemed to be RV and Panicking from TTT with assistance from Omo (driver) and High Heels (shopping)