Feeding the Fox at Uppermill

The weather had turned wintry with a cold wind and the threat of rain as I returned from my travels for my first run of the season. Messrs Murray and Jenkinson had answered my plea for company, and we set off not too long after Early Taylor, Hawkeye Dobson and Ding Dong Bell.
The hares, Doggie Burston and Old Markham had thoughtfully left maps in our changing room, and they showed a delightful route, albeit with a little climbing. We set off with enthusiasm, if little speed, as it was uphill from the start and I hadn’t run for months. It was delightful to be out in the open air again in such beautiful countryside, and I inhaled as much of the air as was possible. Once the top was reached we broke into a trot and could see the route of the trail ahead of us. It dropped down into the valley, went round the reservoir and then ascended a gully to reach the top of the ridge opposite. It followed the edge until it dropped back down into the valley, crossing the other end of the reservoir and then up to the War memorial and finally down to the pub.
So we set off down the hill to the road, and turned right along it. The trail had been obliterated where it turned sharp left into a field, and we spent some time to check where it went before entering the field. The trail was missing for long distances down the path, but with odd piles of sawdust undisturbed. We entered the woods, and noticed that the cage that had held pheasants was open, then left the woods via a stile and dropped down the steep slope towards the track below.
Jenks was leading and he stopped short of the track, staring at something. That something turned out to be a fox, trapped by a noose attached to the fence. Jenks and I were of the opinion to leave it and alert someone to the problem, but Steve was braver and made an attempt to free it. He failed, but against advice made a final attempt which finally exhausted the patience of the fox which promptly bit him. Steve has an aversion to looking at his own wounds as it tends to make him black out, so he averted his eyes and kept his hand by his side. We could see that it was not too good by the blood dripping down and encouraged him to wash it. Then we headed for the nearest civilisation which meant turning right down the track.
As we neared the junction of the track with the road we met the early starters who had cut short the trail by avoiding the climb up the gulley. We were busy having a discussion about Steve’s wounds when a small convoy of cars arrived and a discussion was started with the ostensibly well off people in the vehicles who looked as if they were off to shout some wildlife. This assumption proved true and we were quizzed as to why we were running across his land. An adequate explanation was not forthcoming and we set off to get Steve back and treated.
We were back on trail again and on familiar territory. We climbed slowly to the road, then crossed it and caught the hares as they were busily laying the trail. Again explanations were exchanged and we discovered that they had encountered the Fox as well, and Doggie had suffered a similar fate to that of Steve, but to a lesser extent. They had reported the incident to the park ranger who had set off to do something about it. We set off in concert towards the safety of the pub. Once past the War Memorial the path angled down to the road and then back to the pub. At this point we encountered President Park, who was encumbered by a hamstring injury. He was still livelier than me and he escorted us back to the pub. In the car park Steve was showing off his wound while not looking at it himself, than had to get himself changed and off to the hospital for treatment. He spent a hour getting it dressed and having an injection and a course of antibiotics, which will mean a dry week. Then he had to MC a firework display.
Merciless Winterbone arrived soon after, and he was followed by Biker Eastwood, Fast Taylor, Butler, Jackson and Blackshawe. Somewhere left out was Potter who started late and was still late when I left.
A previous, and more attractive, meal arrangement stopped me staying for the meal so I left after a pleasant and eventful day. Perhaps the next event will be somewhat less eventful.