My first "Hash" was in Gibraltar way back in 1990... whoa! Back then I hadn’t heard of the Hash House Harriers, but my friend Stuart in Gibraltar said it would be fun.  "They’re a drinking club with a running problem" he said, so I joined up, and enjoyed hashes all that winter and spring exploring southern Spain and Gibraltar. Hashing involves following a trail set each time by the "hares" who devise a mostly scenic, often tricky, typically 3-6 mile run/walk that is marked by a series of dots for the hashers to follow. Every week is different and the trail has false turns, dead ends and therefore isn’t always won by the fastest runner. The fastest might take a wrong turn and find her/himself at a deadend, while slower hashers have passed him on the correct trail. Its not about running fast anyway, its about drinking (and having fun) as noted earlier ;-)

Yesterdays Hash started at Grenada Marine in St David’s - here everyone is being briefed on the route (there were three trails, a short and long "runners" option plus a shorter walkers trail. 

Back in Gibraltar we used to get 25-50 hashers out, here in Grenada there are 200-400 or more!! Its a very fun mix here, from young kids to seniors, university students from the Medical School (this could come in handy!!) locals and cruisers!

The course will ALWAYS take you somewhere you haven’t seen before. Here we are scrambling down a ruined tower and out a hole onto the beach. Note its been raining... a bit slippy today!

The runners trail took us along the steep shoreline with a few quite tricky bits. Walkers are generally spared the toughest bits. When I say "runner’s" trail note almost no one could actually run the whole thing because of these scrambles, climbs, crawls etc.

Wading along the shoreline for a bit to make sure we all have gravel in the shoes!

It’s 7 km altogether when we get back to the seashore and wade along the last leg to the finish line. I have fallen twice including once flat in the mud, but then fell again in the river so am all cleaned off!

Fell on slippery grass/rocks and skinned my knee. This looked terrible in the rain with blood running down into my sock, but now its been rinsed by wading in the seawater so it doesn’t look so bad.

Beers are 3 for $12EC (which makes a beer less than $1.50US)  Dinner is a hearty Grenadian "oil down" or a chicken leg for EC$10 (which is $3.70) All very affordable!

Where will the next Hash be? Always fun and new! If you have a Hashing Club near you they could be a fun way to meet people, see the local area, and of course drink beer and have fun!

Carnival called "Spicemas" is underway shortly after 3am as we are woken by music ashore. We are docked at Marina Port Louis right in the inner harbour at St Georges Grenada. Remarkably there wasn’t any difficulty getting a berth. It’s off season and the rates are good. We walk out of the front gate to a scene of revelry at 5am...

Wear some old clothes as almost no one goes unscathed - however most people ask if you want some paint first... red anyone??

Traditional outfit has horned helmets, and body smeared with motor oil or molasses (we saw mainly used motor oil).

MANY thousands of revellers take part. Trucks with sound systems lead individual "bands" and you can join a band if you like. More on that later... This is the Carib beer "band"

Many of Grenada’s "St Georges University" medical and veterinary students attend and participate.

Silver and Gold body paint looks excellent!

Paul decides to go for the gold!

Hopefully this will wash off!

The golden look! Veterinary student in the horns has added some red paint!

Silver band!

Passing revellers interact with the crowd and offer to add to the costume...

Dancing revellers approach Paul to say hello!

Shake your bungee!!


"What a freindly island this is" says Paul

Grenada has solved the question of what to do with used motor oil... the "Black and Greasy" Jab-Jab band approaches...

10W40?

If you do choose this option it is a good idea to put on some lard or baby oil as a barrier first!

Mud is another traditional coating, and many carry chains!

I have now "paid EC20 to get the band kit from the truck on the left. This included the attractive hat, a pot of paint, a shirt and a nice waterproof phone case! Fellow cruiser Lynn adds purple paint.


Sheryl doesn’t escape ... Paul offers a "painty" hug and Jab-Jab offers additional motor oil from behind!

Paints are latex and will wash off later...


Motor oil will be much harder to get off...

We discover the Chocolate band!!! Yes real chocolate made on the island. You can eat the stuff right out of the paint pots, or just pour it on!!

700am we are back at the Marina. Marina security guards have set up a J’Ouvert cleaning station with some soap and a hose... How thoughtful!!!