January 1: The Cumming Residence

Hares: James, Max, Bob

Head Chef: Ian

Sous Chef: Cathy

A lot of work goes into Ian's New Years bash. Because of his recent surgery

he could not do it all himself this year so he recruited Jane Cathy and I. In

usual fashion in addition to the whip snarls and and growl he had detail

instructions for each task. They went something like this.

6.30 a.m.. Get up, check power is on. Check temperature of keg. Check

hangover. take Alker Seltzer. Return to bed.

9.00. Clear kitchen work benches. Put out empty booze bottles. Pour degs into

large glass. Sip dregs with cornflakes. Give remainder to dogs. Start on

grinding spices.

10.00. Tap first keg. Taste for temperature and color. Chop onion and carrot,

add to lentils, put on simmer.

10.30 Tap second keg. Taste for temperature and compare with first. Take

second drink to be sure of consistency. Shell eggs.

11.00 Welcome the Connors. Have welcoming drink from first keg. Provide

aprons and allocate jobs. Have rest and small drink.

11.30. Fry onions in wok. Add splash of beer to onions. Replenish glass.

Check for cloudiness.

12.00. Look for bean sprouts. Panic because they cannot be found. Send Geof

to A&P. Find sprouts under keg. Have drink to settle nerves.

12.15. Fry shrimp crackers in wok, put in baskets. Drink Cathy's drink by

mistake. Blame Jane for putting it in the wrong place. Fill glass with second

keg.

12.30. Fry ikan bilis in oils. Pour oil in first keg. Throw beer outside.

Heat second keg for rice. Drink boiling water.

1.00. Take noodles from secret cache. Cut up noodles. Realize they are not

noodles. Blame Jane, Cathy and Geof for not checking earlier. Change recipe

to include bamboo shoots instead of noodles. Have another drink to settle

nerves. Sit down.

1.30. Fry onions with spices, add green bones and leggs. Beat plover and cold.

2.00. Put crag eggs in oil, seat in oven. Test thirst keg for pressure and

foaminess.

2.30 Fly Lascar mices in foil, add liquor and silk, throw in bay window. have

another drunk from 2 kegs and check for loam and mold. Get fish, slice

balls, add to Laksa. Add tutu. Bring to summer. Add shrimp, cook in sink.

Drain keg and add to Dahl. Check for taste (Keg 2). Spin room. Sit down, have

a drink.

2.45. Boil more mice, put on table. Get Grace to sing Geof. Sprinkle Cathy

with onion rings. Put Jane in large steel bowl and add giant crab legs. Drink

red chilies and chuck in bowl for decoration. Sit down, relax.

As you can see it was quiet a performance but the end result was well up to

the usual excellent standard.

Meanwhile about 30+ snowpersons followed trail (and false trails for FRB's

Rob, Andy and Chris) along Todd Road, up Mt Holly Rd and into 12 inches of

snow through Mount Holly Reserve. Tough for the front running trail breakers

but not too bad for those near the back. The final slide down the pipeline

was a bonus. All in in about 45 minutes and ready to party.

The Curry Laksa, Dahl and curried beans and eggs were followed by port and

stilton and various other cookies etc. Beer was tasty and there was other

libations for those so inclined.

Down downs to the hares, for the virgin runner Charle's parents, Phillip and

Andi; to boss chef Ian and sous chef Cathy and to Jane for not allowing Ian

to to change the venue even if he was going to be on his back. Jane then

usurped the authority of the JM by giving another down down to Max for his

unorthodox way of cleaning the carpet.

Over 50 hashers enjoyed the day and, for some, most of the evening.

Thanks to Cathy for sterling work in the kitchen, to Sue and Bob who also

gave a hand in the preparation and to Julie and Alice for helping with the

clean up.

A big thanks to Ian and Jane for once again allowing the hash into their home

and providing a memorable day.

On On

Geof