Being worried about the parking in Milner Drive (I needn’t have!), I arrived at Sandown Cottage about half an hour early.  Atty informed me that, not only had Flash cancelled, but J Arthur had just phoned to say that he wouldn’t be running due to a medical appointment.  When the total pack of four had  ssembled, Fish’n’Chips said that she would be walking the trail more slowly than normal and not to wait for her to catch up. She knows this area like the back of her hand, anyway.

It started well enough, going west down Sandy Lane soon turning right into a footpath into the woods. The first two checks were duly solved by the front runners but then it went awry. It was the last I saw of the pack on the run. I  eventually found flour on the shores of Middle Pond but, as I found out later, this was a later part of the trail and I had short-cut three quarters of the run!

At the next check, there  were not only several paths but a large open area where the flour could be behind any one of dozens of trees.  I guessed (incorrectly) that the trail crossed the A3 at the Fairmile and headed for the path which goes alongside it.  Just before I got to it, I saw my last blob of flour but I was going in the wrong direction.  When I got to the Waterford Close Car Park, I gave up and used my Satnav to get back.  As I came through Sandy Lane Car Park (not Car Park Sandy Lane, Barnes please note!) there was a Police Dog Handling Car.  I was just in time to meet J Arthur who had just parked in Milner Drive and we walked to Sandown Cottage together.  I spotted ‘Ardon’s car but he was doing his usual thing of walking back along the On-In.

The rest of the pack did  more of the trail but, I understand, missed more than half of it.  With only two front runners we would, of course, have benefitted  from the hare going round with us.  Unfortunately, even Atalanta can’t be in two places at once and she was busy slaving over a hot stove.

At chez Atty we were greeted with a feast.  There were nibbles and dips, including salsa and my favourite, crab mayonnaise. I didn’t know that Pringles now make a palatable multi-grain range.  The main courses were Salmon & Asparagus Gratin, Harissa  Chicken and Lamb Tagine the latter enhanced by adding the provided tzatziki.  The puddings included strawberries and cream. 

I helpfully took my plate back to the kitchen but didn’t quite make it, by tripping over her “tunnel of love”.  I suffered minor contusions and bruising but the crockery didn’t survive.

Atty then opened up the firepit and unlike most women managed (eventually) to light it.  As we sat around drinking and chatting, we were hoping that some stray sparks might set fire to new house next door which has been built too close and detracts from her lovely folly.

Thank you, Atalanta, for a wonderful evening.

OnOn, Master Bates