The Master told me, "Whenever I used to drive to Winchester on the A272, I used to look down into that great big bowl of ground on the right just before the road drops down to the A31, and I think to myself, if only we could take the bloodhounds there, what a sight it would be."Well, the Master's dream came true. Mr Peveral Bruce kindly permitted us to meet and hunt at Temple Valley, and not only did Head Keeper Richard Stokes give us a very hospitable meet - two meets if you count the afternoon Port break! - but he was also tremendously helpful in finding us the best routes. As well as running a very big shoot, Richard is a keen follower and supporter of foxhound packs. It was only a shame there weren't more riders out, but there was a good show of foot followers. Quarries for the day were Jeff Lynn and Paul Miller and they faced some pretty testing country.

The first hunt started by Temple Valley Farm, with hounds running by Round Clump and we had great views of the hounds as they ran up to Cheesefoot Head. Here they turned back through Great Clump and down Temple Valley before turning up to the South Downs Way, where they caught their Quarry.

The second hunt started by Long Clump and had hounds running clockwise round Telegraph Clump, giving the foot followers spectacular views of the hounds and the riders a great gallop on old grass. Below Telegraph Hill, hounds turned up over Chilcomb Down, before swinging east for Lodge Clump. Hounds were running parallel to two roe deer as they ran down into the bottom of the valley below Blackbushes Clump. Despite the deer being in full view of the hounds, the hounds stuck to the line of the Quarry. Sharon Thayer got a great sequence of photographs demonstrating the stability of our hounds. This has given the Master the opportunity to share with us some of the technicalities of keeping hounds hunting their proper Quarry, despite them having two roe deer dancing around in front of them. Having crossed the line of the deer, hounds ran up between Blackbushes Clump and Long Clump, to catch their Quarry.

The Master took hounds back to the meet to collect some puppies he was saving for the final hunt. Richard Stokes kindly broke out the Port again, so we were well refueled for the final hunt, which started right by the meet. Hounds ran down to Matterley Farm, before turning back to the edge of Ovington Down Farm. Hounds raced on uphill over the King's Way, before turning west to go back to Round Clump, where the first hunt started.

This really was a very hospitable meet, and some great riding and viewing country. Definitely one for the diary next year.

Photographs by Ann Brewer and Sharon Thayer (Click to enlarge)