The previous Sunday's meet was postponed because of forecast gales and rain, so we couldn't believe it when gales were forecast for this weekend again. However, the Masters decided to trust the forecast, which said there would be a lull in the weather around midday. However, the generally poor forecast did affect our numbers, which was a shame because this is a beautiful bit of country and we are grateful to Mr and Mrs Marriott and Mr Morgan Giles for having us despite the fact they have shoots. Bob Collins, Ex-huntsman of the Hampshire Hunt and now Chilton Down Gamekeeper, was most helpful in finding as routes to hunt. It was good to see Chris Lee back running for us again, joined by Colin Dixon and Nick Hudson - whose wife Louise was riding with us. As it turned out, we stayed dry but the cooling wind stopped the Quarries from overheating!
The strong breeze did not make for the easiest of hunting conditions for bloodhounds hunting the “clean boot” as the human scent is quite easily blown about. The first hunt, starting in the rape on the lower part of The Avenue started quite well as hounds ran up to the road by the Oxdrove Way. Unfortunately some hounds followed the blown air scent through a hedge here, while the body of the pack used the ground scent to keep them on track. The main body of the pack flew up Juniper Hill, before turning under Godsfield Copse into the grass field back towards Bugmore Hill. Just before the road, the hounds turned uphill to catch their Quarry at the triangulation point. Amateur whipper-in, Kim Thayer, did a great job of getting the lost hounds back on the line and she enjoyed her own private hunt, following the hounds to catch up.
The second hunt started on Godsfield Farm down by the Three Castles Path. Hounds ran well up to Godsfield Farm, where they overshot where the Quarry had turned, and ended up in the top of Lower Lanham Copse. Despite there being a herd of Fallow Deer here, hounds realised they were wrong and after some minutes all bar one came back to me. Cast to regain the line, unfortunately hounds hit the heel line which took them back towards Godsfield Copse, where they were confused by the spectators on the track. Brought back to the line, hounds ran well down towards Armsworth Park before turning back to run by Wield Wood and then back to Juniper Hill where they caught their Quarry.
The last hunt started in the field north east of Chilton Down, without Chris Lee who had to return home to carry out some overdue DIY. Hounds ran up to Bangor Copse before turning back down to the Oxdrove Way, where they prematurely caught Nick Hudson. Colin Dixon sprinted on and was eventually caught at Cannon’s Down Cottage.
We very much appreciate your hospitality, especially as it was in the shooting season. I am sorry you had such bad weather the day before and I wish you all the best for the rest of the season.
Photographs (Click to enlarge)
