CLUB WALKS REPORT
 by Jean Miller - Walks Organiser

Down our part of the world (Eastbourne), Saturday had been a very miserable, rainy day. We thought we were in for the same for our first walk of 2008. So, we were delighted with the response consisting of 25 Bassets, 1 Yorkshire Terriers plus their owners. I think this is the most attending so far! Everyone seemed to enjoy the walk which covered quite rough ground at times. The dogs had a wonderful time and it was lovely to see them off the lead and chasing one another around. Much to Chris's disappointment (he had his camera ready) I managed to keep my feet this day!

(ED. Yes Jean, It was a great day out with several new members attending and a wonderful start to a new year of walks.)

LONG CAR PARK - ASHDOWN FOREST -16th March 2008

We woke to the most horrible weather. Cold and wet – very wet!

As we approached the car park we thought there would only be a few people there on such a bad day. But, when counting up everyone, we were amazed to find we had twenty two and a quarter Bassets plus owners. All decked out for very bad weather. To explain the ‘quarter’, this was a three month old Basset named Josephine who spent the walk being cuddled by her owner, Roy, in his dry, warm car – Beryl and Herbie being on the walk.

We had quite an eventful walk to say the least. Real ‘wellie weather’ with mud, rain and lots of big puddles. On this occasion, I managed to keep my feet! Unfortunately, Rebecca was not so lucky and landed in the mud. Also, John lost a shoe which was retrieved with help from Brian..

We got half way round and found we could not go through the usual end of the walk, so we had to retrace our steps and go over the assault course again! In spite of everything, when we arrived back at the car park, the comments were, ”It was great fun,” and “ Looking forward to the next one”. The hounds had a lovely time and looked disgusting. Well done everyone who attended.

(Ed. Absolutely, the atmosphere on this walk was fantastic and the hounds were in their element. Jean negotiated the slippery terrain as sure-footed as a mountain gazelle - if there is such a thing.)

AIRMAN'S GRAVE - ASHDOWN FOREST -- THE HOLLIES CAR PARK - 13th April 2008

(Ed. Jean and Dusty could not attend this walk because of a conflicting engagement. Also, Rosemary and Frankie were absent as they attended the BHC AGM in the Midlands with Michael - so here is my report).

'Three fine days and a thunder storm' - the old joke definition of a British summer, would not be an inappropriate way to describe the morning of this spring walk.

Seven couple (sorry, fourteen hounds - please see footnote) turned up with their appropriate handlers and set off in an exuberant manner down the hillside towards the Airman's Grave. Though chilly in the wind, the sun was shinning and the hounds were excited at getting together again.

At the bottom of the hill, a place which whatever the season seems forever wet, they made full benefit of the chance to have a mud bath. It was a lovely sight to witness. When fully sodden, they climbed up the hill to the right. Halfway up, all hell broke out, as both man and dog were subjected to a very heavy hail storm. This part of the high Weald is very exposed and in no time owners matched their hounds in looking bedraggled. Pam, resembling a Sherpa herself in a fetching hat with earflaps, remarked about it being like a walk in the Himalayas. She's very imaginative - the views to Nutley not really looking very similar to those of Hindu Kush. But even so, this did instil in us a feeling of adventure.

Just when we thought it could get no worse, we were all startled by a massive flash of forked-lightning accompanied by a loud crash of thunder. This unsettled some of the hounds. Equally, some of us on two legs were unsettled when Chris mentioned the metal plate in his head, and we decided it wise to give him a wide berth. Apparently, this was only his little joke - though it could explain a few things.

At the top of the rise the storm abated and walkers and hounds looped back to the car park in full sun, slowly drying-out and with much merriment - a great and memorable walk. Well done everyone!

Several members found locating this walk difficult and afterwards I was contacted by a member who drove around the forest but was completely unable to find 'The Hollies' car park. Our apologies to him for not making the directions to this venue easier. In the winter issue of LOWDOWN we hope to include new and clearer maps for all our walks. Also, in this issue, for 'Sat Nav' owners we have included postcodes for most of the venues.

Footnote: Traditionally, hounds were always counted in 'couple', that is, two dogs. So our 14 hounds are 7 couple (always singular). 15 hounds would be 7½ couple etc. This numbering system was borrowed from the hunting community by the branch in the early days to give the number of hounds on the walks. I would love to see us revive this practice - this is a part of the heritage that comes with our breed.
A small point, I know, but what do you think? Please let LOWDOWN know your opinion.

BUTCHERSHOLE - FRISTON FOREST - 4th May 2008

We were lucky to have this walk during the wonderful weather that the South East is experiencing.

There was a total of 23 grown-up Bassets plus one puppy Basset, Josephine, who was, of course, not old enough to do the quite long walk. We were particularly pleased to welcome so many new members (including a family from Ashford, Kent on their first Basset walk), particularly as when arrangements were made we didn't realise it was a Bank Holiday.

It was also good to see Pauline and Chris Waters with their three Mini Wirehaired Dachshunds, two of them managing to do the whole walk. Chris carried the 13 year old some of the way. We were also very please to see Judy and Jacqui who have had quite a lot of ill health recently, but both seemed in very good spirits.
We ended with a picnic in a clearing in the woods. Dusty and I were grateful that we did not have to use up leftovers for the rest of the week as most of the food went quite quickly.
Our next walk is an evening one and we are meeting an hour earlier this year, as if you remember, it rained as we had our picnic and it was dark by the time we finished. 'Hope to see as many members and, of course, their hounds on the 15th June.

(Ed. Another great walk on a beautiful morning. I know that I speak for everyone when I say how marvellous the forest banquet was. All the refreshments were generously supplied by Jean and Dusty - so many thanks to them.).

Please note: The branch committee requests that puppies under 10 months should not undertake the full walk - however, they may to be brought to the venue and introduced to the pack.

Reproduced from pages 27 to 31 of LOWDOWN Summer 2008