The forecast for the walk was, to put it mildly, not very good. However, we managed to get to the meeting place without any rain.

As more and more members arrived the weather steadily deteriorated, and by the time we set off it was raining hard.

In spite of all this we had a total of twenty-seven hounds plus two honorary hounds and their owners. The human members were all dressed for the weather with boots, hats, coats, macs. and scarves; obviously prepared for a really rough hour or so.

To our gathering we also welcomed two new families plus hounds and hope they will become regular walkers. When we were walking in Ashdown, we kept meeting a number of people at different points, all soaking wet, who were participating in the sport of orienteering, not a suitable pastime for this weather.

By this time, the weather was getting worse and worse and underfoot was very, very muddy with rough undergrowth and quite large puddles in places. Of course, the dogs loved it and were chasing about, getting really soaked and covered in mud.

The weather hadn’t improved when we all got back to the car park, so people were glad to get into their cars and start the journey home.

When arriving home the first thing I did was to wash and dry the dogs and the put all the clothing I had on straight in the washing machine. After which, followed the dirty dog-towels etc.

Everything was soaked! I’m sure this applied to all our other members.

In spite of everything it was an enjoyable walk and good to meet up; also, the sun shone brightly in Eastbourne nearly all that afternoon.