Larkin's Brewery

Field Masters' Report
The meet was held at our favourite brewery, Larkin's Brewery in Chiddingstone, by kind invitation of our host Bob Docherty, with many thanks as well to the three local farmers, Mrs Baines, Steven Gribble and John Day, who generously allowed us to hunt over their land.

As the joint field masters for the day, Ruth and I arrived early to see Bob and take delivery of the pin of Porter he had kindly donated for the meet. However, as we drove closer we left the sunshine and disappeared into freezing fog. As the field started to arrive from all over, they reported the same - thaw where they lived, with this pocket of frozen air around the Brewery! Our esteemed huntsman was worried - he had a large contingent from the East Anglian Bloodhounds coming down to sample our hedges, and it looked as if we might be going for a hack.

However, as we delayed the start and tucked into the porter and and Ruth's delicious homemade mince pies, the sun started to cut through the mist, and suddenly the fog dissipated, the ground thawed and the meet was well and truly on. As the large field congregated, we were delighted to see one of our hosts, Steven, out along with a strong contingent from East Anglia, led by Fiona on her magnificent chestnut.

The first hunt took us around Bob Docherty's fields, across the road at Wellers Town and back to the bridge across the river. Hounds hunted true across the river, where it later transpired that our quarry, Adrian and Andy, had endeavored to keep their tops dry for the rest of the day by taking them off and throwing them across before swimming over themselves. However, this ploy backfired when Adrian's top fell short and into the river, and when they jumped in to retrieve it they found the water only came up to their waists in any event! The hunt went on over Mrs Baines, taking in the first two hedges of the day, and a new hunt fence, with hounds just checked slightly after the sheep had run across the line.

The second hunt took in the magnificent hedges on Steven Gribble's land which, as usual, jumped exceptionally well (there was not a faller all day). We included a new hedge below the farm as the second on the hunt, which was up to height but jumped very well. Hounds hunted quickly on down to the water meadows with the field in hot pursuit, taking in a new section of country which gave us another hedge to enjoy!

As we prepared to leave on the third hunt, back up over some more of Steven's hedges and out over John Day's, the sun was setting and the mist started to come back down, adding a magical feel to the end of the day. Hounds hunted very quickly through the mist with the field having to keep their wits about them to avoid getting lost. The last jump of the day, a log out of Steven's land, caused some problems after we had to hold hard to help a lamb out of the way, and some of the field were very lost for a time, but were ably guided back by Bill and Jenny!

The day finished with another excellent tea provided by Angela, and we all wended our weary way home - very conscious of the long drive the East Anglian contingent faced!

Thank you to our quarry, Adrian and Andy, who ran some excellent hunts and the fence building team of Nic and Robbie (assisted by Andy on Saturday!).

Jo and Ruth