SUNDAY 22^nd: Now I know why I should have gone to bed earlier, my mind still seems pickled. The boats seem fit enough though, as they sailed early, too early for me, so after breakfast I hit the pillow again! After a few hours cruising, and a welcome swimming stop, we reached Korcula Town, on the island of the same name. Full of tiny alleyways, steps, and battlements.

Hares of the Day were from Royal Milan and Rome hashes, and they led both walkers and runners through the town to a Marco Polo Stop, before leading us all on a winding trail, ever upwards, until we reached the observation tower/ Beer Stop. Then it was a fast downhill run back to the boats and a fun Hash Circle run by the Mafia. Full credit to World Wanker and Belly Button for keeping the beer flowing with so many Down-downs!

MONDAY 23^rd: By now the boats have developed characters the Trvdi contains the old farts apparently (who are quite happy to quietly drink there way through a large amount of Heineken and the secret Guiness supply), the Ika by chance has all the Songmeisters on board, and the Gusar is a lively as ever, despite being the stately queen of the Adriatic!

We were only slipping around the corner on Korcula Island to the port of Vela Luka, so it was a relaxed trip for all. Still it must have been pretty hot because Blimey did a good dance step or two when he jumped onto the quayside to tie us up! There to greet us all was Chief Ironhat, who not only joined us (leaving his wife recuperating from an operation0 but laid the trail as well!! As the trail swept around the quayside and upwards via stone walls and prickly bushes to a comms tower on the highest point I wondered who else would be in hospital soon. It got even worse when we ran on to the wine stop at caves used since 2600BC to find no water left! The resulting Hash Circle duly recognised many before Dinner was called.

TUESDAY 24^th: The flotilla set off early, with the Gusar slipping out first, as we headed for the Blue Cave on Bisevo Island. We found ourselves cruising up and down outside a narrow gap in the cliff, along with tourist boats and yachts, as two boatman took their launches inside. All who took up our offer agreed the inside was a real revelation fantastic! From there we carried on the short distance to Komiza, where we Organisers left Frankfurt Hash to organise the trail, whilst we negotiated the next days wine stop and planned its trail.

The run started late in the really hot conditions, and led us around the town in a clockwise manner, including a welcome wine stop where the Frogs Song was sung. Then it was back through the town and yachts to the boats. The Hash Circle will probably be remembered mostly for 2 events - the appearance of the Trvdis Mate, dressed as Bin Ladin and Blimey gathering up all the swimmers trainers to pour beer into!!

WEDNESDAY 25^th: Another short journey led us to another cave, this time to swim in (if you could avoid the other boats and floating doughnuts. Having said that, at least the doughnuts came in useful when Sinex decided to do his version of the dying swan and be ferried back to the Gusar. As we sped for Vis, rumours abounded of Sinex suffering SARS/ drinking salt water instead of beer/ first male pregnancy/ etc. As with Queenfisher last year, the same clinic decided Sinexs complaint was not as serious as feared, being asthma. Suitably relieved at the news, us Founders gathered up our flour, water and goodies to lay the trail. Three hours should have been ample with 3 hares, but Antibiotics & Kingfisher ended up racing back to our start points to meet you all, whilst Blimey staggered over hilltops trying to find Titos hideaway.

Another very hot day and earlier start meant the runners were knackered by the time they entered the mountain village! There they found the walkers were already sampling the Wine Stops wine, olives, anchovies and bread. The decision to send out Antibiotics 5 minutes ahead of the pack to re-lay the trail was sound. Less sound was the FRBs decision not to wait 5 minutes in chasing. The result was a pack stretched out along the road leading up to Titos lair. When we all finally arrived it was time to distribute the Founders Run T-shirts, which seemed popular and have the Hash Circle in this historical location.

THURSDAY 26^th: For once the flotilla separated, with the Gusar going off alone, whilst the Ika & Trvdi travelled together, anchoring at the Pakleni Otoci islands outside Hvar to swim. It was just as well the Ika has company as she developed engine trouble and had to be towed for a while. Then it was On-on into Hvar Town, a real touristy place, with every other boat going in circles awaiting some d*ck to finally the Wilmington, a rich mans gin palace.! Oslo were once more our hash hosts for this run, setting a long run that linked the alleyways of the town with the woods above, leading both walkers and runners to the castle for the Beer Stop. From there we all descended down steps to the main square and the quayside for the Hash Circle, which had to compete with the local music.

Like most others on the Trvdi I then had a long beer session until nearly daybreak, when I had promised to get up and say good-bye to Blimey, who was leaving us early on a diplomatic mission. Farewells were muted as torrential rain suddenly lashed the boats and the Captains rushed to get safely away before the ferry arrived.

FRIDAY 27^th: Two hours later I awoke to find, firstly, that we had arrived at the lovely village of Stomorska on Solta Island and, secondly, the whole of my midriff was soaking wet. Luckily it was not a weak bladder, but rather rain had dripped onto the bunk from above! It was great to return to hash for the last day on the lovely island of Solta (just as we did on the 1^st Dalmatian Cruise). As the run was to be in the midday sun and kept short, the hares from Margalla Hills H3 worked hard to maximise the FRBs confusion but keep the pack together. The trail eventually led up a steep goat track to the beer stop overlooking the beautiful village, harbour and beach below. Then it was back down for what was always going to be a long Hash Circle, as the last namings were made, songs sung, and the Founders said their bit to close the event.

After the Hash Circle it was lunch and farewell to the island of Solta as we headed back to Split, arriving there in the late afternoon. We tied up in the same marina, the Lucica i marina SD (Sportsko drustvo /sport club/) "Split", near the Hajduk Stadium.  Some decided to eat ashore, some decided to eat and explore later, and some decided to eat and drink on board. A rock band nearby entertained those remaining until the wee small hours as they tried (and failed) to polish off the last 500 litres of beer.

SATURDAY 28^th: Although some had rushed off last night, the vast majority were still there the following morning to say goodbye to their shipmates and fellow hashers. The beer distributors, under the direction of Little Big Man, gathered up all the empties and full ones, and Antibiotics and I paid up for all your drinking. We also settled the various bills with the owners of the boats (that reminds me, who on the Gusar ordered the special massage?).

You can view this report also via: https://xjh3.tripod.com/Zagreb_Hash/id17.html

 where there is a link to a website holding all the pictures I took on the Cruise!

THE SPONSORS: Thanks again to those lovely people at Heiniken for their donated beer; to Little Big Mans distribution company, Nipa, for their donated kegs; Interdean for their 120 plastic bags; Nokia for the bottle-openers & inflatable doughnuts; Olympus for the pens; TNT for their keyrings; ABB (the global engineering company) for their shirt sponsorship; and the Croatian Tourist Board for their goodies!

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Chief Ironhat, World Wanker and Belly Button from Zagreb Hash for their help, both before and during the Cruise, for which we were really grateful; and Antibiotics for his dedication to this Cruise in particular, and hashing in general - a really big thank-you from Blimey and myself to someone who is definetly not a 'fair-weather hasher'!

STATISTICS: 131 said they would come and 96 made it

22 Hashes were represented, in 17 different countries, with the farthest travelling from Pakistan or Canada

1500 litres of Heineken and Guiness were ordered, but only 1100 litres drunk

7 persons were named Jason Waasdrop, creator of our logo, became Spoted Dog; John Heitz (Frankfurt H3) became Miss Purity; Marie O-Neil became The Gash; Rien Lunshof became Flipper; Baby Anton became Trialwalker; and Probiotics & Antibiotics had their offspring (not yet born) named Bacteria!

1 stormy half-day, but 6 others were sunny with temperatures usually 35-39C.

1 new hash was created! Long live the Dalmatian
                  Hash House Harriers - cradle of the Spoted Dog!! 

An updated list of attendees will be posted on the website when time permits.

FINALLY: This came in from Antibiotics and I knew you would all like to know Andrea and I set the date. We'll get married at 18th of July 2003 in Vis. Usually you should book wedding time 45 days before the date, but I succeeded to set it yesterday on the phone. The lady even moved her travelling day from 18th to 19th so she could marry us. Very nice of her. I don't expect you will come back to Vis but I wanted to inform you.

On-On!        Kingfisher