A different perspective

Almost a year on from his final day hunting the Duke of Beaufort's hounds, Matt Ramsden reflects on how his attitude to the winter, weather and hunting itself has changed

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AS the inappropriate calendar in the farm workshop flipped over to February, our six-year-old son, Gilbert, exclaimed that he could feel spring on the way.

He justified these senses with a list of observations like mornings becoming brighter, the air being fresher and increased birdsong.

Apart from chuckling at his youthful optimism, the remark made me ponder. For the first time in my relatively adult life, the implications that fluctuations in the weather have on me and my reaction to them, are very different.

Previously, from the beginning of September until the end of March, every alteration in climate, every change in the wind or shifting of the season was logged for its potential effect on the hunting. These days the reaction is very different, although I must admit that not one day has passed that I haven't contemplated what the sport might be like.

Even so, a still autumn morning with low-hanging mist used to herald an excitement of decent scenting for the young hounds to get their noses to. Now I'm thankful it’s dry and am reassured that we can get some more crops in the ground.

Contrastingly, this most recent wet spell would normally have had me scratching my head over how we might convince the farmers that the ensuing damage would “heal” by the spring. Lately though, I have been anxious whether the drains that were dug in the autumn are standing up to the work.

To give Gilbert his due, the days are indeed drawing out, which is a blessing, and yet 12 months ago, February’s principal highlight was the cessation of the shooting season and increased freedom with a pack of hounds.