Colne Valley Beagles and other things of interest.: February 2018

A short day with the Rockwood, this time at Briestfield on the 24th February.

Lovely sunny chilly day. Small field but five quad bikes to drone round. I was wondering what the collective noun might be for quad bikes. How about cacophony? A cacophony of quads is what we had.

One or two young ones there.

And the usual immaculately attired glamour.

Quite an assortment of visiting canines with a young Newfoundland on the left.

The Chairman makes sure the road is clear for the exodus from the pub car park.

A few brave souls venture through a water feature led by the huntsman.

I missed the last visit here on a wet day when a Whip took a dive into the cold.
water.

And I discovered from him that there is a paved passage though and that this pond dries out in the summer.

So now the four brave ones make a start.

So far so good.

A slight touch of panic on the far side but no incident.

Well I am happily sitting in the sunshine contemplating, airing my nice clean fur, while that lot are doing their exercising.

Rockwood Harriers at Hoylandswaine - 17th February 2018

Pssst! Look at this!

Birthday boy looking all of 30 today!

So he's been allowed to stand at the front. And looking at the hairy yellow collar it reminds me of the coat the huntsman used to wear when he was whipping-in?

The chap with the phone shown earlier got them all facing the same way for once, for a group photo he wanted to take.

He wanted to reproduce the format of an old picture hanging in the pub.

So he got them all organised and had a big bag of kit to add weight to his photographic credentials.

But it was good to see everyone looking one way for once.

I think the only men there were those allowed to wear the official livery.

Apart from a couple of young lads, a quadbiker, and one or two old codgers on foot.

After the official photo shoot and dallying around a bit it is time to be off.

Frankly it hadn't occurred to me to do so but I suppose someone might.

My last glimpse. On the way home the skies broke up and it finally became sunny!

Rockwood Harriers at Emley - 21st February 2018

It appears to be half term around here so this meet was listed as a 'Children's Meet'

It started off with a bit of a drizzle but soon turned out to become a rather pleasant day with a nice light for a change.

Some light refreshment was provided.

Not everyone got strong liquor!

More hospitality.

Thorncliffe Farm shop pork pie.

Oh dear! A horse with a dribble! Mind your back!

Finally they are off.

Always some standing about with time to socialise.

And have some fun

First refusal.

This reminds me of those old hunting prints where horses were drawn like the way fairground ones and rocking-horses are made.

They will jump anything. This and the chance of a good gallop with a crowd of like minded horse enthusiasts is the primary attraction of these days out.

The youngest there today, He actually went cleanly over the jump above but I missed it.

Glorious views rather obscured in the haze. Castle Hill tower is centre left in the distance and beyond are the Pennines.

Blowing them up.

Mud, mud, glorious mud!

Like small aeroplanes, quad bikes can be irritatingly noisy and disturb the stillness of the countryside with their racket, especially when you are tying to listen. I wouldn't mind if they offered me a lift now and then. In this case I have to make an exception as this one is loaded with the fancy camera gear of a professional photographer. LINK Mind you I quite fancy one.

Goodnight.

My last view of the Rockwood Harriers with Emley Moor television mast beyond.

Sunday 25 February 2018

ROCKWOOD HARRIERS - BRIESTFIELD

Wednesday 21 February 2018

ROCKWOOD HARRIERS - HOYLANDSWAINE AND EMLEY

Rockwood Harriers at Hoylandswaine - 17th February 2018

Rockwood Harriers at Emley - 21st February 2018