Mr & Mrs John Hobden not only kindly hosted the meet, but John also helped tremendously by turning off electric fences and opening and shutting gates for us. Joint Master, Clare Miles (right), had organised 4 hunts for Quarry Captain Adrian Pace to run. Senior Master, Nic Wheeler introduced the SDB to a good turnout of Coakham followers at the meet and, as usually happens when these two Masters meet up, there was some "polite" banter between the two Masters/Huntsmen while they waited for Quarry Captain Adrian Pace to run the first hunt, which was nearly all uphill.

Hounds set off with their customary enthusiasm into a strong breeze, before settling to the line running towards the cliff; perhaps Nic wasn't joking about the drop fence!. The country was all grass and the hounds were flying, not seeming to have too much trouble with the breeze,causing the slightly slower hounds to get a bit strung out. It did not take the hounds too long to catch their quarry, who had fortunately finished running before the hounds set off. There followed three further hunts, which the hounds hunted with hardly any help from the Master. The star of the day was probably Ransom 05, as although he is in his first season, he was frequently at the front of the pack with his mouth wide open screaming for all he was worth.

Whilst they were not long hunts, they must have been very hard work for Adrian as the undulating nature of the country there meant he was hardly ever running on level ground. We are grateful to him for his hard work, as indeed we are grateful to Nic and his Joint Masters for giving us the opportunity to hunt in their country.

The Master says that the "Coakies" claim to have a picture of him looking less than graceful over one jump, but he assures us that he is the victim of technological interference and he will consult his lawyers if they dare to publish it! They wouldn't would they?

Pictures by Sue Wheeler               Coakham Bloodhounds Website