There was confusion over the venue.  It was probably the hares going senile.  So Lemony stood at the gate to shepherd anyone who was heading for Great Milton into the car park.  There were 2 newcomers and one returner already there and the rest of the gang slowly trickled in.

The trail went right from the pub as far as the footpath alongside the church.  The trail then went round the back of the church but there was an amazing iron concrete lorry sculpture in a garden if you went the other way.  See Zorro’s photos, it was brilliant.

Anyway, off we went past the church, right along the footpath and then a huge loop around the field before running along the edge of the stream.  It was here that Lemony fell over a stalk sticking up out of the ground.  Hutch gallantly helped her up and she tried not to muddy his colourful gloves. This was rather boggier than expected as it had rained over night!  No-one would take the chance and check the path that was actually under water.  I thought Ringer or Zorro would give it a go.  We had hoped to cross the river Thame but the bridge all crossings were under inches, if not feet, of water, so we turned back to the village.  Pressganger was next to tumble over.  A right turn through the farm yard and up a slight hill. Much to the annoyance of some we then turned left, instead of right which went back to the pub, then crossed the main road and set off across the fields by the nature reserve.  A long, straight leg out, a muddy patch by the bridge over the stream and a long, straight leg back I am afraid.  The walkers cut through the nature reserve and missed the herd of cows until they got to the gate in the far corner.  Turning to see which way the runners would have come they saw lots of brown eyes looking down at them!  Across the stream again, up through the farm, down a couple of lanes and On Inn.

The pub did us proud with generous bowls of chips.

Ringer was spoilt for choice over the shirts.  Big Stiffy was front running and bullying Gatecrasher.  Hutch with his multi-coloured attire.  But he decided to go back to run 1124, which CS had laid in West Hanney.  It was a lovely run but two people had cut off before the end because they had to go to rugby!  Lemony and Wimpey will look like Howard and Hilda next week.

On On

Hares:  Wimpey and Lemony
 
Hounds: Pressganger, Menstrual, Bootsie, Big Stiffy, Rocket Ronnie, Professional Peach, Gatecrasher, Hutch, Ringer, rubber Sole, Piscine Down, Zorro, Gaterade, Karen and Sarah
 
Date: 2 March 2014
 
Distance: 4.5 Miles