Another summer has almost gone by, which brings another hash and barbecue at Wet Pussy’s. Perhaps because of the inclemency of the season, this one was twice as Wet as usual, and a little Dirty, but with the same old Pussy as before.
Speaking of, Licktrician finally showed her puss after so many years. Not quite as much of a backslider was Battery Operated Boyfriend. We were also joined by two daughters of the – um, there really is no good way of saying this – the Pussy household.

The pack of about 20 had circled up and was getting ready to leave when Cherry Trooper and Snotcum from Flour City dashed in.

We then set off through the ravine behind Wet Pussy’s house. Five minutes and a couple of checks later, the majority were wandering around in a schoolyard while I headed south of Sheppard. This was where things got weird, because four or five people followed me, then at the next check it was just me and BOB, then at the check after that BOB turned right where he was sure true trail was and I turned left, but I was on instead, and for the next 10 minutes I was all on my lonesome, so I have no idea what the rest of the pack got up to. I just assume the worst.

The corner of Sheppard and Leslie pulled everyone up. There seemed to be no trail at all to be found there. Proving that hashers are truly herd animals, we mostly followed Hump Day for a while even though he didn’t seem to know where he was going either. Eventually trail was established westward along Sheppard, then up a couple of streets and into the ravine that, well, almost every Wet Pussy trail goes into. That was tough slogging as usual, with first the steep hillsides and then the rocky streambed to negotiate, with just a few chances to get your feet wet. Then we came out into a park, went through some townhouses and crossed Leslie. The beer check had to be close.

Yes. It was in the back yard of yet another of Wet Pussy’s friendly and accommodating (or at least too terrified to complain) neighbours. This one was a bit of a construction zone with way too many distractions. Special care had to be taken to keep Backdoor Buzz from playing with any tools other than his own and to prevent Dead End from moving into the garden shed. Free-ranging Shadow had found his own way there, after arriving late and running the trail backwards. Meanwhile Cougar held forth on her love and admiration for power tools, especially sanders, grinders and routers. Reamers, not so much.
The pig-out began back at Wet Pussy’s, with Johnny Cockring doing the honours. The down downs were slightly interrupted by the tire fire inside one of WP’s battery of barbecues – it was only Wet and Dirty minding the meat, complaining that it was not the same as baking, and blaming Wet Pussy. But no problem occurred because of the hockey pucks on the grill – there was plenty of food: burgers, sausages, chicken, baked potatoes, pasta, salads, peppers, olives – all followed by birthday cake for Pearl Necklace.

He is too good to us. He makes us eat. Some day, eventually, Wet Pussy is going to make a very fine Italian grandmother.