Sunday, April 28

#1153 Core Copse - Pearl - 28 April 2024

Pearl had told us via WhatsApp that he was going to be 10 minutes late, so we used the time to talk about what 'Mrs Pearl' should be named, whether we should do it this week and who should do the naming. 'Necklace' was a great contender, but once 'Oyster' was mentioned, i.e. a Pearl inside, then it was a decision made. And we wanted to do the naming now to beat any others to it! Feeling smug with our decision, Pearl arrived, (and then Happy Snappy and Humpty, even later!), and we were off.
A long loop straight away and we were struggling to find the marks due to the overnight rain. Quite a bit through the undergrowth and along narrow paths, and needing to look after ourselves without the hare! Eventually we found ourselves back at the start and took off along the short, now with freshly laid marks!
So quite a fast bit of countryside hashing following the kicked out trail, mostly with Paperwork leading the pack, as we tried to catch up the walkers.  Humpty also doing a good job of front running, but we kept together as a pack with Stix, Bollards, Sorepoint and Happy Snappy making up the group. 

Back on the main path we overtook Oddbitz and Hotlips with Pearl not much further away. Paperwork went checking from the circle, and with a bit of space between him and the rest of the pack, he decided to go for a wee in the middle of the path. He didn't realise that the hare had called it on and we were all coming his way. Quite a puddle he left behind too! Then down a steep rocky path and on to the sweetie stop. 


We waited a while there as Oddbitz struggled a little with the steep downwards slope, but once off again, there was a steep climb up again (which was bypassed by some!). But most of the trail was now done and we were soon crossing the road in, following the short cutters ahead as we expected another loop before heading home. But passing the walkers, it seemed we were heading the wrong way, so I headed back and found an arrow on the road pointing us straight home! So after finding the walkers again to redirect them, I followed the trail back to the card. 

In the circle Oyster was named, and I think she appreciated it! But needs to learn how to Down Down!!
Thanks to Pearl for the trail, and on on to Wheathill Plantation next week!