LOWDOWN Winter 2013 page 21
Camp Basset & Branch Walk at Northiam
Ever eager to think up new and exciting ways to gather together and enjoy the company of our Branch friends and their lovely hounds, we formulated this innovative event.
Called Camp Basset, it took place on the final weekend in August at Northiam, East Sussex; on a smallholding kindly made available by Branch member, Phoebe Herridge.
On the Friday afternoon, members’ caravans, motorhomes and tents arrived and pitched themselves in a perfectly prepared field which had water and electricity supplied and also, importantly, a Portaloo.
Although the weather forecast was for a dull and overcast few days - even possible rain - the sun shone gloriously on the assembled company.
The camp field was well fenced and allowed the excited hounds to enjoy the freedom of being off-lead, so that they could dash around and play around in complete safety. It was wonderful to watch them enjoy themselves and all were extraordinarily well - behaved.
That night’s alfresco barbeque included sausages supplied by Phoebe - for me, this was the first time I knew the name of the pig I was eating. Sorry, veggies everywhere!
Only young Dill Harris formed an escape committee of one and managed a Colditz-style break for home after finding some small gap in the wire. The camp guards were alerted and quickly caught the offending inmate. Personally, I blame her owners.
Throughout the Saturday, we were joined by more campers, including Brian and Jill in their campervan.
Although there were tentative plans to take a casual walk on nearby private land - the venue for the following day’s Branch walk - the weather was so hot it would have been too much for the hounds; so the idea was abandoned.
It was good to see everyone relaxing and enjoying themselves, sitting around chatting in groups.
The hounds played, or slept in the shade, but sometimes they would get a rush of blood and chase around the field after one of the pack. They really seemed to have a good time and it was interesting observing what they did when given a lot of freedom.
At one point in the afternoon, I realised that I hadn’t seen Pablo and Nico for a while. I walked around the site without success, but when I looked inside our caravan found them both sound asleep on their favourite seats. They had exhausted themselves playing and obviously thought, ‘I’m whacked and going home for a nap’. I thought this very sweet.
That evening we had an enjoyable communal meal under the gazebo in the middle of the field, and this brought a really lovely day to a close.
Contacting the outside world via computer was not very successful from the campsite - and Webmasters get very twitchy when off-line.
Sue’s rigorous canine grooming regime takes place even when on a weekend break.
The camp woke up early to a wonderfully sunny morning, with most of us having had a comfortable night, though Zoё Owen’s report of her first - and possibly only - night in a small tent shared with Russell and hounds, Lionel and Rupert, seemed far less so.
Leisurely breakfasts were taken and we prepared for the Branch walk on nearby private farmland. Brian and Jill left soon after for the Hound show at Hickstead, so would not be attending the walk.
The committee had hoped that this new walk venue might well attract members from Kent who might find it more convenient than those on Ashdown Forest. But the ‘camping walkers’ were augmented by only four other members. But, very nice it was to see them.
I think there were twenty-two hounds in attendance as we set off across some delightful fields offering views across the landscape.
We passed hops being grown for local beer production (some of us having had the pleasure of sampling the end results during the previous evening’s meal).
At one point in the walk poor Miranda finished up sprawled on the ground. I’m not quite sure whether this was due to being tripped-up by the ever enthusiastic young Dill, or some irregular terrain. In any event, she did not injure herself as attested by her huge grin. Did she not know that this was the entertainment normally provided by Jean?
(By the way, dear Jean could not attend the weekend, even though I had offered to lend her a sleeping bag and she was most welcome to sleep under our caravan).
As you can see from the following ‘photos, one of Sue’s hounds had to be withdrawn from the walk. Our ever capable Welfare Officer deals with these incidents with very little difficulty
A circular route eventually led us back to where we had parked the cars. It had been a great walk, enjoyed by all. After which, we made the very short journey back to the camp site and enjoyed a relaxed lunch of sausages-in-a-roll.
Everyone thought that the idea of Basset Camp was a good one. We must do it again.
Some more photos of Camp Basset 2013 ☞
Ever eager to think up new and exciting ways to gather together and enjoy the company of our Branch friends and their lovely hounds, we formulated this innovative event.
Called Camp Basset, it took place on the final weekend in August at Northiam, East Sussex; on a smallholding kindly made available by Branch member, Phoebe Herridge.
On the Friday afternoon, members’ caravans, motorhomes and tents arrived and pitched themselves in a perfectly prepared field which had water and electricity supplied and also, importantly, a Portaloo.
Although the weather forecast was for a dull and overcast few days - even possible rain - the sun shone gloriously on the assembled company.
The camp field was well fenced and allowed the excited hounds to enjoy the freedom of being off-lead, so that they could dash around and play around in complete safety. It was wonderful to watch them enjoy themselves and all were extraordinarily well - behaved.
That night’s alfresco barbeque included sausages supplied by Phoebe - for me, this was the first time I knew the name of the pig I was eating. Sorry, veggies everywhere!
Only young Dill Harris formed an escape committee of one and managed a Colditz-style break for home after finding some small gap in the wire. The camp guards were alerted and quickly caught the offending inmate. Personally, I blame her owners.
Throughout the Saturday, we were joined by more campers, including Brian and Jill in their campervan.
Although there were tentative plans to take a casual walk on nearby private land - the venue for the following day’s Branch walk - the weather was so hot it would have been too much for the hounds; so the idea was abandoned.
It was good to see everyone relaxing and enjoying themselves, sitting around chatting in groups.
The hounds played, or slept in the shade, but sometimes they would get a rush of blood and chase around the field after one of the pack. They really seemed to have a good time and it was interesting observing what they did when given a lot of freedom.
At one point in the afternoon, I realised that I hadn’t seen Pablo and Nico for a while. I walked around the site without success, but when I looked inside our caravan found them both sound asleep on their favourite seats. They had exhausted themselves playing and obviously thought, ‘I’m whacked and going home for a nap’. I thought this very sweet.
That evening we had an enjoyable communal meal under the gazebo in the middle of the field, and this brought a really lovely day to a close.
Contacting the outside world via computer was not very successful from the campsite - and Webmasters get very twitchy when off-line.
Sue’s rigorous canine grooming regime takes place even when on a weekend break.
The camp woke up early to a wonderfully sunny morning, with most of us having had a comfortable night, though Zoё Owen’s report of her first - and possibly only - night in a small tent shared with Russell and hounds, Lionel and Rupert, seemed far less so.
Leisurely breakfasts were taken and we prepared for the Branch walk on nearby private farmland. Brian and Jill left soon after for the Hound show at Hickstead, so would not be attending the walk.
The committee had hoped that this new walk venue might well attract members from Kent who might find it more convenient than those on Ashdown Forest. But the ‘camping walkers’ were augmented by only four other members. But, very nice it was to see them.
I think there were twenty-two hounds in attendance as we set off across some delightful fields offering views across the landscape.
We passed hops being grown for local beer production (some of us having had the pleasure of sampling the end results during the previous evening’s meal).
At one point in the walk poor Miranda finished up sprawled on the ground. I’m not quite sure whether this was due to being tripped-up by the ever enthusiastic young Dill, or some irregular terrain. In any event, she did not injure herself as attested by her huge grin. Did she not know that this was the entertainment normally provided by Jean?
(By the way, dear Jean could not attend the weekend, even though I had offered to lend her a sleeping bag and she was most welcome to sleep under our caravan).
As you can see from the following ‘photos, one of Sue’s hounds had to be withdrawn from the walk. Our ever capable Welfare Officer deals with these incidents with very little difficulty
A circular route eventually led us back to where we had parked the cars. It had been a great walk, enjoyed by all. After which, we made the very short journey back to the camp site and enjoyed a relaxed lunch of sausages-in-a-roll.
Everyone thought that the idea of Basset Camp was a good one. We must do it again.
Some more photos of Camp Basset 2013 ☞