A chilly but eventually sunny day was enjoyed by some 17 Bassets, including some who journeyed from Wales and Hereford, no less. Yours truly only managed half-way, missing the best bits – due to nursing a tender calf muscle – but The Pack was in safe hands when Guy led the remainder ever so slightly up and back to their motors. My grateful thanks to him. (I knew all that SAS training would come in handy one day).

The dry spring meant no mud and springy turf with little if any wind, at least on the sheltered bit I managed.