Bassett's Manor
January 13th, 2002

Hounds met at Bassett's Manor by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Whetstone. We met in the yard, where Mrs Whetstone was presented with a large bunch of flowers by joint master Linda Thompson.

Hounds were laid on behind the farm and they hunted back down the hill away to the far end of the Manor. Turning back along the river they crossed over and into the sheep, where it soon became apparent that it was a good scenting day as the hounds held the line through the large herd and hunted in a big circuit down by the drive. They then checked below a large drop hedge because our former master Bill Scott had walked along where our quarry had been in order to take some excellent pictures of the jump.

The hounds cast about unsure of the line and then stopped at the river for a quick drink, whilst the field waited with trembling knees on the take off side of the large hedge. Hounds were soon away across the drive allowing the field enough room to jump, and took their quarry behind the woods near Butchers Cross.

There were a couple of fallers, but no injuries, and it was an extremely fast hunt. David Thompson, who took over as field master from his wife did an excellent job keeping everyone up with the hounds.

The second hunt stated at the bottom of the drive by the river. Hounds set off at a spanking pace but the huntsman was unable to follow as the gate was tied up with string. He attempted to jump the park rails but realised that they would be expensive to replace, and waited while the gate was undone. Meanwhile the hounds raced up the hill and into Coombe Wood without a check, turning right they hunted through the rough ground and in a big arc eventually up to the Edenbridge cross roads, where they took the quarry. It was an extremely fast hunt and had the field pushing on hard to keep up.

The third hunt went straight off into the woodland and the hounds twisted and turned. Coming down to the bridleway below Chantlers Farm they hunted on past the farm and caught their quarry at the pond, which was low due to the lack of rain and extremely muddy. When the hounds emerged they all looked identical, black and smelly.

The last hunt started down the bridleway back towards Coombe Wood, jumping the boundary fence back into Bassets Manor where we did a large circuit to the top of the hill and straight down the hill over the Prince of Wales fence, a large drop hedge, to take the quarry in the gully in front of the Manor. This was a very quick hunt but three of our most experienced lead hounds got wired up at the start. After a lot of shouting by the whipper in they were brought on, but did not catch up until the hounds had caught the quarry. On arriving at the finish they were so annoyed they spent the next five minutes walking around growling at everybody.

It was an excellent day in damp conditions, and was obviously extremely good scenting from the way the hounds went.

All the young entry bar Benedict, who still seems more comfortable staying with the huntsman, seemed to be hunting well.