On April 17 birthday boy Shampoo (with help from the ever-loyal Moist Leatherette) held his annual birthday hash. Shampoo tries to be oh-so-clever with his birthday hashes and give them themes, so two years ago it was Hawaii 5-0, and last year would have been Area 51 if only he could have found the necessary hazmat suits. So this year it was B52.

We met at Spirits on Church, just south of Bloor. Poke Me and Angela were there visiting from Montreal, and seldom-seen Grumpy showed up with ladyfriend Ann. An unexpected sight was Zephyr, looking so sad and blue because a mean bad volcano had kept him from joining his honey in Portugal.

Our trail led east, took the tunnel under Bloor at Sherbourne subway station and the bridge over Rosedale Valley Road. We trooped through Rosedale, alarming the servants. Then we found ourselves on the charmingly-named Milkman’s Road, really just a path leading into the ravine that cuts down to Mount Pleasant.

The shooter check was under a bridge. Shampoo had brought all the ingredients for B52s, but when poured into glasses they formed an insalubrious – but highly alcoholic – mess.

Thus revived, the pack could face the mighty creek crossing, except for a few pantywaists (this means you, Dead End) who took the long but dry way around. Then it was up the slope into Rosedale again, across Mount Pleasant and gradually over to Yonge, where there was a proper beer check. Then back to the on in, where Shampoo wore his beehive wig.

Shampoo promises this will be the last of his theme birthday hashes until he turns 69.