What a lovely day for a walk in Ashdown Forest.

In keeping with most of the country we had wall to wall sunshine, most unusual for this time of the year.

The Long car park is just that - long - and cars (with Bassets in them) kept coming and coming. In the end, our party almost filled the car park. When counting numbers we had thirty-six hounds and four honorary hounds all with their owners. Dare we raise our target to fifty?

It was a day of meeting families, as Jayne and Chris’s Barnabas and Krishna had some of their relations on the walk; and Cass had one of his puppies.

Talking of puppies we had several with us. Needless to say they were watched carefully and went back after a little while.

As you probably know, Miranda and Derek now have puppy, Dill, and mum, Hope.

Poor Hope. On the Sunday morning was on the ramp to get into the car when it collapsed and her nail was caught. When this happens there is a lot of blood and owners panic. Derek rushed her to the vet and, amazingly, she appeared on the walk with a little blue sock on the injury, and proceeded to keep an eye on Dill, walking as though nothing had happened.

Lin and John’s Alfred has also been in the wars.

While out walking, he collapsed, and was rushed to the vet. They were told he had two options, one was to have two discs removed with a chance it would not be successful; and the other option was medicinal. They decided to take a chance and he had the operation. He is now recuperating and I know everyone wishes him a speedy recovery. Lin stayed at home with him on Sunday, while John and Amelia enjoyed the walk.

Thank you everyone for turning up. We had lost the hour for British summertime. We look forward to seeing as many members as possible on our future walks.

(Ed. Yes Jean, a great walk on a wonderful spring day. It was a real joy to see so many Basset Hounds, happy to be together chasing each other across the Forest. Just what the Club is all about.

By far the best bit of the day for me was when new member, Lainey, turned up and addressed me as ‘Mr Roberts’. Now, that’s respect! Why don’t I get this from everyone else?

I learnt later that about the time we were leaving the car park a forest fire had broken out a few miles east from us.

Up to 50 acres of woodland caught fire in the Kings Standing area of the forest. Eight fire engines and six Land Rovers and crew from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service tackled the blaze, which broke out at around 1.45pm. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the area. At its height, more than 100 fire-fighters from stations across the county were at the scene.)