Run 869 - Wittenham Clumps
Run: 869
Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Venue: Wittenham Clumps
Hare(s): S/Shoveller, Penelope Pitstop, Katie
Hounds: Plod, Mrs Bolton Wanderer, Twitcher, Baldrick, Big Stiffy, Pyro, Gnome Alone, Highlighter, Hutch, Rubber Sole, Preperation-H, B-Cider, Pressganger, Billy Whiz, CS Gas, Golden Shower, Highlighter, Finger Flasher, Pure Fantasy, Dipstick, Caboose, Jenks, Twister, Lonely, Virgin Hashers Sarah & Celia
Whisper K9-1, Hattie K9-2, Meg K9-3, Jenk's mutt K9-4
Scribe: Plod
No one was in a particular hurry to get going, but with a professional hare like S/Shoveller, we weren't going to be allowed too much slack.
The briefing included an apology from the Hare. Apparently the early stages of the trail would be littered with arrows - not his handy-work. When the off was given, what happened - the pack set off at a fair old lick - following the arrows.
Up the hill we went - eventually. Through the clump of trees, and the disused shelters of all sizes, out the other side and then down at an angle to cross the road and head off through the Northbrook Estate complex, before swinging round in a clockwise direction, following a network of paths which have been opened up linking a number of newly planted minor forested areas (all the work of Northbrook Estate).
Eventually we ended up in Little wittenham, and before returning to the carpark via the Nature Reserve in Little Wittenham Wood.
And then it was back to the Plough at Long Wittenham and a welcome pint - of course some went back to Clifton Hampden only to discover that the Plough there is no more.
A good trail, as all S/Shoveller trails usually are. Not too long either. The trail laying had been a family affair. And for most of the trail the Pack remained intact - the walkers keeping in contact with the runners.
Chips - not bad. The Arsenal/Liverpool game provided a bit of extra exitement, with the licensee coming out and updating us on the score regularly as the goals went in thick and fast.
Next week, we're at the Seven Stars at Marsh Baldon. The Hares are Pressganger and Eric. Could be a long one - they have got previous for loosing all sense of time or distance either due to the talking or the bottle of wine consumed before the trail laying. See you all there.
Plod