Christmas in July 2010
July 27th, 2010Christmas in July
The town of York, located in the Avon Valley east of Perth, was the Swan River Colony’s first inland town. Settled in 1831 the region quickly grew as a farming hub and also as the last train station for those seeking their fortune in the Goldfields. 180 years on the town still serves as a hub for the local farming community and as several hashers and their lovers (although some brought their wives) found out the town also knows how to host a sensational shindig. It was also fitting that given the age of many of the attendees that the bash was held in one of York’s most historic buildings, Settlers House.
The evening kicked off with some pre-dinner lubricants in the bar whilst watching an Eagles team who were doing there best to lose yet another game of footy. Christmas made his grand entrance dressed as Santa to wit it was suggested that he had perhaps taken the Christmassy theme a little too far. However I do not agree with this line of thinking and thought it a most excellent effort, bringing much delight of a couple of kids who belonged to a holidaying family also enjoying the festivities.
From the bar the party moved to the dining room where a traditional Christmas dinner was served during which the friendly staff ensured that patrons were continually plied with the tipple of choice. Dinner went off without a hitch bar a few minor dummy spits. Boner almost flipped his lid during the main course when he realised that his wife’s plate came out with more food than his and Sir Thomarse threatened to beat Barcode with a spoon when Barcode took his seat and began to consume his pudding.
The entertainment of the night whilst extremely enjoyable does need some describing. We were initially serenaded by a hyperactive piano player who obviously had some chemical imbalance; whether that be natural of due to pharmaceutical additives we will probably never know. Christmas was then upstaged by a second Santa who looked uncannily like the pianist (where did he go?) who came charging through the room hurling sweets and party poppers among the guests. This was met with roars of laughter from the adults and screams of delight from the kids who spend the next half and hour crawling around on the floor picking up lollies.
Then, just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, in comes Liza Minnelli. For those more senior hashers who can remember Liza in her more youthful days it brought back memories of young crushes and other less savoury activities which occur in young boys rooms when alone at night. Liza’s knowledge of the Hashers was uncanny; perhaps she is a secret member of the Hollywood Harriettes? I think the moment she can be most proud of however is the unearthing of a secret romance between Sawbones and Scumbag, there was no subtlety in the way they admired each other’s man boobs whilst dancing semi naked with a somewhat confused Liza.
Following dinner it was back to the bar for some more hyperactive piano playing, which inevitably lead to some fairly ordinary dancing, Particularly from Kilkenny who was doing his best to grope anyone who would allow it. The star of this part of the evening however was Pembo who shed his bell boy shirt to reveal something rather more revealing, a t-shirt which did not leave much to the imagination. He tried to tell us that the image of the genitals printed on the shirt was an exact scale replica of his own manhood; however his wife was quick to correct, “He’s dreaming” I think was the phrase that was used.
As the bar closed, most of the party retired to there rooms with a few of the more hardy moving to Stewie’s room to continue the festivities. It should be noted at this point that Stewie complained the following day about people invading his room after the bar had closed. I was quick to remind him however that it was him who bought wine earlier in the day for just such an occurrence and it was also him who suggested that everyone go back to his room for the additional beverages!!
The following morning saw only the toughest of hashers and harriettes gather for the traditional run or walk. Only four started the run however this was reduced to three when Bushie tore a heart muscle early on. Christmas, Kilkenny and Barcode pressed on around the streets of York before ascending through bushland to a lookout point for some magnificent frosty early morning views of the town, was that a polar bear wearing a jumper I saw or was my brain just half frozen? It was then a fast a free jaunt back down the hill and on home. Barcode was grateful for the relatively slow pace set by Christmas, any faster and the remnants of the 20 or so pints from the night before would have made an unwelcome entrance.
A sign of a good night is the hangover the next day, and given that most of the party looked fairly much as I felt I can only conclude that the evening was success. Let’s hope the next HHH Christmas in July is equally as successful.
Well done to the organisers!!
On On
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