One is always a little apprehensive when Highway is haring, after one or two past r*ns that didn't complete on time or on budget, and particularly in this case when he was haring solo, not long after returning from holiday and with a 4:00 start less than two hours before dark.  So it was with trepidation that we waited until 4:10 and Highway still hadn't turned up at the on on.  Still, he did roll up in the end and a brief briefing later the pack departed with gusto.  Great to see Slack Bladder again as he doesn't get out much these days and likewise Loose Elastic and Madge.  Dormouse and Speedbump were a little on the late side but no matter.

Antiseptic and I had EeeeeColi still asleep in the car so we resolved to drive part way to the beer stop with the hare's directions.  Upon realizing that the hare planned to walk all the way from the start to the off-road beer stop with a rucksack full of beer and that he hadn't a hope in hell of getting there before the pack, we gave him a lift most of the way there and accompanied him.  Even so, the pack overtook us on the way, so had to wait for their beer on School Knot.  Still, the panorama of snow-capped peaks was worth the wait.

On returning to our car, Anti and I got a call from Upperskirt to say that three of the wimps had "gone the wrong way", (sound familiar?)  So a rescue mission began via the Sun at Crook, which I agree was definitely the wrong way.

So that, we thought, was that for mishaps but at the on inn the remaining pack had still not arrived and neither had the hare, it being just about dark by now.

So to cut a long story short and since Anti and I had to make a quick getaway, the remaining hounds turned up in dribs and drabs over the next half hour while we supped indoors.  As we departed the hare turned up in a taxi.

So no circle again, but a good time was had and the Watermill was great as usual.  Thanks Highway.

Cyberseptic