Hashers are so great! There was an annoying drizzle falling but this only encouraged a large crowd to gather in the carpark.  It was still warm (well, most of us thought so, Hutch and Rubber Sole were just back from Australia and the Far East so were probably a little chilly).  It was good to see their car pull into the car park after so long - we had missed that colour!  Helpful remarks such as "It never rains on my hashes" and " Did you get those shorts in the 70s?" helped settle the solitary hare. Hash Hoodie had been invaluable to lay the trail in the afternoon as Wimpey was injured and Lemony hadn't managed to walk the route, and can't read a map, but he couldn't make it in the evening. 

Although stating that there were 4 ways to check, the hare was ignored as hounds set off in 3 directions - none of them the right one.  "Which way is it, mum?" asked Buzz.  And we was most surprised when Lemony pointed him down the grassy track that ran along the side of the car park.  Well, someone had to check the right way or we'd never make it back for chips by 9 o'clock!  The trial went across the road and along the footpath until it reached the woods.  What a lovely area to explore (which is good as the hares had got lost several times). The trail weaved in and out and the hare surprised herself by remembering the route.  One of the false trails led to a giant redwood tree.  apologies to the walkers who didn't get that far.  Should have made it a fish hook! We ran along the edge of the field before turning across it.  "Two ways, one towards the gate and the second across the field", "No, this angle" "The first blob is on that mound of earth..." "NO, THIS WAY" The trail led off at an angle of c45 degrees and then crossed the path, down through a dip and over a style into the woods.  "On to check" was called and the runners all disappeared, except for the glow of the fluorescent clothing amongst the trees.  Then back they came, it had been a fish hook but the front runners quite rightly wanted everyone to experience the tranquility of the copse.  The walkers had continued along the path and everyone met at the cattle grid. 

The trail went up to the road but turned right onto the footpath.  Out we came to a proper road and the village of Satwell.  Here was the "Stephen King" pub - The Lamb.  Lemony and Hoodie had called in during the afternoon to get a glass of squash as it was so hot.  The car park was full of cars and the French renaissance style table in the pub held all the keys (carefully labelled).  The pub had been open although there were dogs sleeping on sofa cushions in the other bar and trousers drying in front of the (cold) fire.  Liam Gallagher's scooter was sitting inside the door!  When we arrived in the evening, just passing, the gate was shut and the dogs were going somewhat mad.  As we ran past the side of the pub we saw the grass growing through one or two of the car radiators.  Very odd!  Should we run from here in future?  
We crossed the road and were back in the woods.  At the next T junction Lemony was glad the markings had lasted and each false had a cross (albeit sometimes hidden) as she couldn't remember the way!  We turned left and set off on the long, 1km leg towards home.  There was one more check.  Hotlips and Lisa set off along the footpath and missed the cross so continued for a long way before being called back to go along the bridle path that ran parallel to their route - then cut back to join the footpath!  If only they'd kept going.  The trail turned left at the road and then the On Inn pointed to the pub. The hare was especially proud of the number of hounds moaning about finishing the trail with a long up hill stretch. 

We made it back to the pub with 4 minutes to spare!  The hares had seen horses, deer, sheep, cows and pheasants in the afternoon but the only wild life on the trail this evening was the group who found the fish hook! The chips were ordered while we enjoyed lemon drizzle cake in the car park to celebrate Rubber Sole and Hutch's anniversary.  Did I mention how much we had missed them?

There were no Down Down vests, shorts or supergirl pants to award.

On On 

Hares:  Lemony Snicket and Hash Hoodie
Hounds:  Big Stiffy, Hotlips, Ringer, Dingaling, Wimpey, Buzz, Pressganger and Qualcast, Eric, B'Cider, Rubber Sole, Hutch, Rear Admiral, Wilson, Scrubber, Lisa, Gnome Alone, Henry V, A Cruel Joke, Stiff Upper, Zorro, Piscine Down,
Godzilla
Date: 14 July 2015
Distance: 5.5 Miles