Lemony was taking odds on whether we’d get through the run without someone being struck by a falling tree.  But the hares had laid the trail so the hounds had to turn up – in a car park at the top of a hill in a clearing in a wood!

It was great to see Wilson after the winter and the return for a 2^nd run of Kay and Charles.

The trail set off East and then turned North along the side of the wood and down a long hill.  From here we went to the first point of historical interest.  CS Lewis’ cottage is so cute and sits next to Narnia (a modern house!) and his garden.  The trail led through the garden and right up the hill again.  We came out into the open and the wind whistled round our ears and every other bit that was exposed.  Here came the first slight confusion.  Two paths led off to the left.  Wimpey set off on the right hand path only to be called back by the hare who was on the left hand path.  But a bit further on she stopped to think as the path didn’t look familiar.  So back we went to the original path.  Not a problem as everyone understood that the paths through the woods look rather similar. 

Dashing along Gatecrasher fell over a root, much to the amusement of CS and Jethro.  He was OK but thought he had suffered some longer lasting damage to his head when, waiting for the rest to catch up and having a chat with Hotlips about Mismatch, he thought the tree was joining in the conversation!  It was Lemony who was hiding from the wind.  Various people tried to jump up and sit on a low branch but had terrible trouble.  Only the youngsters – Billy Whizz and Buzz – managed it.  Oh to be young again.

We continued through the woods and found a bridge over a stream.  Zorro picked up a rather large branch and took on the role of Little John.  Gnome Alone, ever one to meet a challenge head on, found a smaller branch and the battle was on.  After Zorro forced Gnome off the bridge and into the mud twice the crowd called a halt to the match and we continued on our way coming out onto a track where the way had been marked with an arrow to the right.  Some way further there was the promised fish hook and from there it was a very, very long run home where we were greeted by the sight of the Supergirl pants hanging on Eric’s wing mirror!  Thank goodness there was a picnic of beer and dips to enjoy in the car park.  It was getting dark but we didn’t mind. 

The yellow shirts went to Gatecrasher for being the fall guy and CS for laughing so much.  Eric was struggling with who to award the Supergirl pants to when Charles’ mobile phone rang!  The decision had suddenly become much easier.

Many thanks to SUC for the beautiful trail.  So many bluebells and paths even the seasoned visitor to Shotover Park had not been on.  I think she had to lay it three times due to all the wind and rain.  Thanks also for organising the beer from the Shotover brewery and the dips.  Just a shame that it was so cold that people didn’t want to hang around for very long.

On On

Hare: Stiff Upper with help from Gnome Alone

Hounds: Lemony Snicket, Wimpey, Big Stiffy, Hotlips, Jethro, Ringer, Dingaling, Zorro, Pressganger, Billy Whizz, Eric, Henry V, A Cruel Joke, Kay, Charles, Eric, B’Cider, Gatecrasher, Rear Admiral, Wilson, Buzz and Steve

Distance: c5 miles

Date: 5 May 2015