The Billesdon or South Quorn, 169 



map in hand^ and you must take your saddle there if 

 you would really learn the features of tlie country. 

 This sketch is only intended to help you to your 

 bearings on arrival. Beyond Gumley are the meets of 

 Mowsley (for the neat artificial coverts of John Ball, 

 Jane Ball, and Walton Holt, with Bosworth Gorse as 

 a link with the Laughton Hills). From Walton Holt 

 westward is a beautiful line : and the Atherstone 

 country may even be pierced at its best. The same 

 course is possible from the other coverts ; and the 

 Pytchley country is open and at hand ; but too often 

 foxes prefer the home precincts. Another covert 

 between Walton Holt and Ashby would be a true 

 boon. Shearsby is put on the cards for any of the 

 last-named coverts, or for Ashby New Covert. Brun- 

 tingthorpe, again, is for the latter or for Peatling 

 Covert — both bordering on an open, and rather 

 wasted, quarter of the Atherstone — and Kilby when 

 named is meant for a trot to the Blaby Spinnies and 

 the almost defunct Whetstone Gorse. Wistow has its 

 Gorse, its Spinnies in the Park, and Peatling Gorse 

 to fall back upon in the afternoon. 



It will be gathered that the coverts of this Monday 

 country are invariably small and artificial. When 

 foxes run straight and choose an upland, and a west- 

 ward line, there is good ground to be ridden over. 

 There is of course more plough than in the north of 

 thej country, and seldom perhaps so good a scent. 

 But there is a bit of pretty riding by Gilmorton and 

 Peatling that is well worth experiencing. 



In the Leicester neighbourhood we get to Stretton 

 Parva, with, probably, Thurnby, for a morning draw. 



