At our Circle good to see the return of SOAPY and MELLON PICKER although not for long.
SMEllie gave instruction “ a 3ish or 4ish trail with a beer stop” (big cheers) “right behind you” (big groan)...that will be when we get back then! On On now along the Quay then around the houses before a long steep hill getting steeper as we climbed up, this was “Fishchowters Lane” or as it was once called Fishcheaters Lane, named because some fishermen brought their catches this way to avoid a toll levied at the quays in the town. Once we finally reached the top of what must have been the highest point in Totnes, it was on down onto lanes now with PIDDLER and UBEND, a check and false trail lead us back onto a footpath around a field, with some (BOBBIBALL and COLDTITZ) seen climbing a short-cutters gate to join us crossing the fields, this was good new virgin territory to me and great off road running at last but soon back road! and what went up was now going down fast on an appropriately lane called the “Totnes Down Hill”! At the bottom at last there was co-Hare ZEN directing the Long onto The Dart Valley Trail now heading towards Ashprington. Soon there was an arrow pointing off road into a conifer plantation where from far down below I could hear someone calling “can't find the trail” this was either WHISPERER or DAMP PATCH who had earlier been just ahead of me. There were marks clearly following a very winding track through the trees which were now creaking and groaning in the strong wind, a good job my torch was well charged tonight! eventually at the bottom was the John Musgrave Heritage Trail and well marked to take us back into O/H into Totnes. Inside the Dartmouth Inn the landlord had provided a good value Hash Menu where I could enjoy my favourite... Ham Egg and Chips!
The Down Down awards conducted with an appropriate song by PORK TORPEDO, first one going to WHISPERER for getting lost in the wood and complaining about the stinging nettles. Next the Hares SMEllie and ZEN for sending us up that huge hill and finally PILTDOWN MAN for getting PORK TORPEDO out very early that morning for fuel for his empty vehicle.
Well done the Hares for a good trail and a great evening.
On to next week at the Church House Inn, Stokeinteignhead its the Harvest Festival Hash & Auction, with Haldon H3. Hare: Ollie
ON ON
WINFIELD
