What a glorious evening.  Too hot to run, so we hoped Twitcher had been enjoying his narrowboat too much to set the trail.  No such luck.  There he stood, with that inscrutable look on his face.  "It's only a short trail tonight, because of the heat".  The hounds all gathered up but then Gatecrasher dashed back to his car.  Had he forgotten he never appears until the briefing is over?  Must be his birthday looming over the horizon messing with his brain.  Oh no, he had gone to apply bug spray.  Lemony thought this was a good idea and ran after him to ask for a squirt or two. Mismatch had made a special effort to get to the trial because we were celebrating Ringer's 50th birthday.  It was great to see her looking so well.

The trail went down The Causeway to the railway and on to the church where Twitcher had found a footpath that ran along the churchyard wall.  Then on to the farm where we did a 180 degree turn to head back towards the village on the footpath by the stream.  Then a right turn up to the woods and on to the top of the hill.  Thank goodness we didn't do the normal, extra long, loop.  The runners were dropping like flies in the heat.  Where was the beer stop? We turned back towards the village again, then right along the track that comes out by the bridge on the main road.  Across the road and off down the footpath on the other side.  This was marked with an arrow and Mismatch had her doubts.  She was right, a whole crowd got caught by the fish hook! Back we came and then down the path near The Cherry Tree pub and back into the countryside - well up to the edge of the A34 anyway! Along the side of the road and back down Milton Lane to The Green.  Here there was the traditional Hash pointless loop rund the edge before cutting through the allotments and back up to the pub.  Brilliant trail.  The first time from Steventon that we have not gone to Milton!  Just long enough due to the heat and the need to stop the birthday cake from melting in Pressganger's boot. 
"The picture of Ringer has been stretched by the baker" she announced but those of us who don't remember him as a lad didn't believe her.  Did I mention that he is 50? CS opened the fizzy and we all sang.  Well, how else could we have embarrassed him in public and not been arrested?  Oh, maybe publish the picture on the cake on Facebook? Answers on a post card to .... 

Mismatch had brought back the paddle.  How long has she had it and where has it been?  She awarded it to Epic Fail for going on all run about the benefits of foam rollers - have we all seen the photo on Facebook?  He promptly stuck it down his trousers!
The Yellow Shirts went to Gnome Alone for taking on the role of GM as CS is unable to run at the moment so not coming to many gatherings (pathetic excuse.  Just no commitment!) and Epic Fail because he always has one and the Green Sorts went to CS in the hope that we don't see them again - the shorts that is, CS is always welcome.

On On 

Hares:  Twitcher
Hounds:  Big Stiffy, Hotlips, Ringer, Dingaling, Buzz, Lemony Snicket, Pressganger and Qualcast, Gnome Alone, Zorro, Henry V, A Cruel Joke, Gatecrasher, abouse, Noddy, Chris, St Bernard, Chris, Professional Peach, Mismatch, Epic Fail, Eric, Marie and Bern.  Wimpey, CS, ABH and Wee Joker turned up at the pub for cake!
Date: 30 June 2015
Distance: 4 Miles