82 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



wonderful stayer you will not grudge the almost in- 

 evitable delay at Lilbourne. 



No notes on the Wednesday country, however, 

 would be complete without a word of those famous 

 places Stanford Park and the Hemplow. On a 

 Wednesday you are more than likely to find yourself 

 in one, and possibly in both these places. Stanford 

 Park (Lord Braye) is a place where foxes are looked 

 upon with favour, and they return the good feeling 

 by haunting its pleasant coverts. From Stanford 

 there are pleasant lines to Misterton, often by way 

 of Swinford, or, again, over the river Avon to the 

 Hemplow Hills. These hills are one of the most 

 striking features of the whole country. Their rugged 

 outline and picturesque undulations make the Hemp- 

 low a conspicuous landmark. Naturally foxes love 

 them, and often make their way thither. It is the 

 key of this side of the Pytchley and needs to be drawn 

 often lest foxes should hang there too long. During 

 the past season (1903) the Hemplow has been well 

 drilled. Naturally its steep sides, and its coverts that 

 tempt a fox to cling to them for safety, and the long 

 waits which are thus rendered necessary are not 

 altogether popular. Yet without the Hemplow this 

 side of the Pytchley would be a far less certain country 

 for foxes than it is. 



But the coverts already mentioned do not exhaust 

 the charms of the Wednesday country. From Thornby 

 to Naseby or Longhold is a pleasant gallop. Winwick 

 and Elkington are places with associations of sport, 

 though I seem to recall some rather awkward ravines 

 and nullahs round the latter. The stranger who finds 

 himself anywhere, say, between West Haddon and 

 Hemplow will be wise to select a pilot until he can 

 ride alone. It matters little here how good you are 



