Run	Date	Hare(s)	Description	MapRef	1:50000	1:25000	1:10000	More
943	2020-03-15 11:00	Pancsi, Snake Charmer and Splasher	Eartham, The George Inn	SU939096

The Met Office got it wrong thank goodness, no rain just cool grey and breezy weather met us at the Great Ballard school gates. We had no visitors and a smallish turnout, possibly attenuated by a bout of self isolation from the rampart virus, or more likely busy buying toilet rolls and baked beans at Tesco.

Popeye brought along a rather fat Bonnie the Collie who immediately tried to bite Belle's ear off, so not a good start on the canine front.

We would have set out promptly, however we decided to wait, and watch Mussolini try to find a space for his chariot. Once underway, we split into two persuasions, the Westerners and the Easteners, unfortunately the former spent a long time off course owing to Bambi over running a falsie, our JM Dr Blood, a Westerner, voiced his displeasure in terms that are unprintable here.

So East it was along the canal like path leading up to Noire Hill with the sound of a pheasant shoot popping away in the near distance.

The winter wheat is now really beginning to show on the flinty slopes above and the view out over The Solent is behind as we, with great effort, made our way into the skeleton branches of Inground Plantation and North up Noire Hill.

Mussolini, despite being last in, was first up, showing a grim determination to conquer gravity with every stride. By the time we reached the summit deep in Noire Wood we were cream crackered and no mistake.

There was a trail down the steep chalk North towards The Plain but no one wanted to check it out, which was just as well because it was false.

As we about turned South Mussolini was heard to discount a visit to The Folly as being too far out of our way so he led a few down the path towards Row's Barn.

The rest headed for The Folly and were soon zinging along the lovely broad path with tall beech above and the first primroses below, all hunky-dory until a dreaded fish hook appeared.

Dr Blood, Old Faithful, Prancer and Bambi needed to retrace their steps, which they did, only for another fish hook to appear almost immediately that caught Two Ferrets, Old Faithful and Bambi again.

Presently, we rounded the top of Noire Hill at The Folly and were suddenly impressed by two natural phenomena, firstly the magnificent view South over The Solent and secondly a howling cool SSE gale that rattled loose folds in our tee shirts.

Here there was a secure mount on the Trig Point for a camera to take a timer delayed snap of the whole pack before we charged down the hill to Row's Barn which would make a mouth watering conversion for a well heeled geezer.

On the way down we encountered yet another fish hook that had little effect, just a minor inconvenience for Mussolini, Old Faithful, Prancer and Bambi.

Heading West now was no surprise, however the falsie on the direct path towards the chariots was disappointing as the time had just passed the hour. To rub salt in the bunions we now headed North into Puck Lane Coppice and had to re-climb the soggy slippery slope into Noire Wood.

Once again Mussolini was first up followed by Two Ferrets, Old Faithful and Bambi, and these four made a big mistake, took their eyes off the flour and ended up on the out trail.

Believing that hares were devious and sadistic bar stewards, and had a sneaky way home via The Plain, they continued doggedly in the wrong direction for some time.

To her credit, Snake Charmer waited for the group to come to their senses, while the pack reached the On-In after one hour and fifteen minutes of deeply satisfying exertion.

At the circle, no Kinky, no Hash-It, no nominations anyway, so we adjourned to The Old Stables at Fontwell to drink beer and mull over the coming viral storm.

On On ! Bambi

See: SM's track ... AND ... photos