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Run	Date	Hare(s)	Description	MapRef	1:50000	1:25000	1:10000	Aerial
722	2011-10-09	Can Man & Soapbox	Petworth - Tillington	SU967216

It is always a treat coming to Petworth Park. The majestic 700-acre park is a fine example of the work of Capability Brown.
The grounds man was kind enough to let us assemble within the park. The weather was fine and warm and we were a reasonably sized pack.
JM Spiderwomen made excuses for absences and reminded all about the Barn Dance - we should order our tickets from Alan & Amanda. She welcomed back John & Sue Nash who were taking a well earned break from Sailing Club duties.

Then over to the hares - Can Man and Soapbox. Cam Man is a bit of an expert regarding the Park having once worked there and still looks after the squirrels one day a week. I didn't see any so you can reach your own conclusions.
He mentioned the fact that Lord Egremont who occupies a corner of the big house also owns the fallow dear which are the largest herd in the UK and were about to start their rutting season. They are used for venison - yum!

So we headed off trying the paths leading south and west which were false of course. We headed along the wall east and then across the front of the House.
Next we skirted the Lower Pond where, in the fifties, a local lad turned up at school with a grenade which he found in the lake which has been drained. The bomb disposal squad eventually removed a large quantity of ordinance somehow left there by the Canadian army types during WW2.
Next thing: Bika set off the hounds on a falsie toward their lair.

We finally found 100 or so deer (of the 700) which seemed quite relaxed seeing us.
We regrouped under a fine old oak tree which, like so many in the park, would now be 350 years old. Splasher asked what sort of tree it was and Spiderman explained. He also revealed that the 'oak nuts' were often called 'acorns'.

Thence to the wooded part of the park to the west and through a gated area to the little known area therein.
Interesting though this may have been, we headed back toward Tillington village with All Hallows Church, with its unusual Scots crown tower, on the other side of the park wall.

We got back to the chariots in 65 minutes. A fine run in beautiful surroundings.
Hashit nominations included Simon for whinging about nettles etc, Sas for snitching on Mussolini for not carrying the Hashit. Malibog for using a whistle - a clear breach of Chi HHH conventions. However, Snake Charmer was crowned for wearing her mufti yellow top inside out and not producing any snakes.

We retired to the very nice Halfway Bridge Inn where our table discussed the difference between conjuring and magic.
An interesting little sideline was that the Landlord rushed out holding a large wad on £££notes. Anyone claim this he exclaimed! Soapbox said 'Yes!'.

Spiderman.