What a crowd gathered at the pub in the sunshine.  There were concerns about congestion as a bike ride was also advertised for the same village.  But they had all long gone and were not due back for hours.  Rear Admiral was spotted standing in a field so we hoped he would join us – but we assume he was either a marshall for the bike ride or practising for the annual scarecrow competition.

The hare gave the briefing, explaining the markings to the visitors.  She did comment that she had flapjacks – or was that just the new, figure hugging sports bra one or two of the chaps wondered! 

The route left the pub heading for Challow but turned off right along a footpath, then right again and up hill!  At the next junction Northern Soul set off at a trot towards the deer enclosure.  Despite much shouting he continued, even through the trail went round the outside.  Lemony and Wimpey eventually set off on the correct path but found limited amounts of flour despite having gone what seemed like miles.  They were called back – it should have been a fish hook but the hare couldn’t remember if she had actually laid one or not – and turned towards Letcombe Bassett.  We turned right onto the road and progressed to the centre of the village before turning left and following the path parallel with the road through a pretty copse.  Then a couple of dog legs brought us into Letcombe Regis.  By this time Jack had really got the idea of the markings and the initial remarks of a walk being ‘boring’ were long forgotten.  His kind big sister had helped him up the hill but now he was up with the front runners, calling and saying he’d like to be a hare.  Get the boy and he’ll turn into a hare, as the old motto goes (!)

The rest of the trail was uneventful, as we turned North to East Challow and then west to, no, not West Challow but Childrey and the On Inn.  The pub was very welcoming and the flapjacks were tasty.  On entering the garden, who should we meet but Zorro who had just completed the Blenheim 5 mile run and Monkey Whisperer and family.  She had taken herself out for a Mother’s Day lunch as Baby Driver had organised, and was taking part in, the all day bike ride. Priorities BD!!

There was only one Down Down shirt.  Ringer would have awarded it to Stiffy, had he still been there, for going early.  But, instead, it had to go to Tinkerbell for exploring the route the day before on her bike!  How rude!

On On

Hare:  Mismatch

Hounds: Wimpey, Gatecrasher, Lemony Snickett, Big Stiffy, Rocket Ronnie, Piscine Down, Henry V, A Cruel Joke, Hutch, Rubber Sole, B’Cider, Rubber Sole’s buddy, Northern Soul, Mummy’s Girl, Menstrual, Pressganger, Qwerty, Gnome Alone, Ringer, tinkerbell, Fish and Chips, Teresa, Emily and Jack, Karen and Chris (later joined by Zorro, Monkey Whisperer and family at the pub) and the 4 legged contingent – Ben and Sadie

Date: 30 March 2014

Distance: 5 Miles