There was a good turnout for the meet at Chilton Down, including our hosts Mr and Mrs Marriot. The weather was bright and sunny after a hard frost, conditions that don't usually provide a great scent. The going was good in the sun, but hard in the shadows where the sun never reached. Quarry Nick Hoare set off on the first hunt, doing a loop by The northern end of The Avenue before going away by Spiers Lane to cross the road and up to Godsfield Wood. Hounds turned away from the wood to catch their Quarry on Juniper Hill.

The second hunt started down by Three Castles Path and hounds ran up on the stubble by by Upper Abbotstone Wood to Godsfield Farm. Hounds checked here where a microlight had been landing and taking off! They were soon running again and the field enjoyed an improvised drop jump over a fallen tree as they ran down towards Armsworth Park. Turning north for Wield Wood, hounds were going well as they turned back east to catch their Quarry by Godsfield Wood.

The third hunt started from the end of the second, and hounds struggled to get on the line over the stubble turnips on Juniper Hill. Scent improved as they ran through Dandleys Copse and they were screaming as they went by Wield Wood down to Bangor Copse. The Quarry had made a sharp turn back uphill here, checking the hounds quite severely. But Sultry 03 soon worked it out and the pack rallied to her well. Crossing the Oxdrove Way hounds were soon with there Quarry down by Canon's Down Cottage.

Pictures by Henry Whaley (11)