We could not have asked for better weather for the first ever Norfolk Boxer Rescue Treasure Hunt, which took place in March 2002. On the final practice walk, the committee were pleased with the way the course was holding up for walkers until the final road stretch. There was a significant area of water right across the road (almost a flood), which might have defeated our secretary in her high-heeled boots. No such worries on the actual day, though. The weather had been kind for several days beforehand so the ground was in quite a good state for the time of the year. This is the sort of unexpected environmental issue is exactly why the committee have several practice walks of the course before an event, testing all eventualities. It's also a good excuse for getting together on a Sunday morning for a bracing walk and provides valuable background information. Despite all our best efforts however, we had not realised that the local Village was also holding its own walk that morning, but luckily our paths did not cross.

On the day itself, 37 boxers and 90 humans set off in staggered groups. Yes, there were one or two unusual looking boxers as we had extended our invitations to include Rottweiler Rescue, who were so very helpful at Christmas when we had to move and re-home 8 boxers very quickly, by providing some transport and kennelling at a difficult time of year.

Refreshments were provided for the dogs at the half-way point, where one of our helpers described it as just over half-way, with the other preferring to call it nearly half-way. Such differences can cause pessimistic souls with sore feet anguish! It was clear, though, that both walkers and dogs were enjoying the stroll and coping with the list of clues and objects. Nobody baled out and asked to be returned to the sanctuary of the Village Hall so it could not have been too gruelling! Unfortunately, due to a slight miscalculation, there were not enough soft drinks for the human walkers, so unless they fancied mineral water from a dog bowl they had to walk a little thirstily! Sorry - we won't make that mistake again.

Back at base, sterling work was going on in the kitchen to provide a handsome feast, including our home-made cakes, which everybody seems to enjoy. The urn was boiling away ready to provide tea and coffee as soon as the walkers returned. We had an inviting raffle table, with so many prizes it would be hard to go away unlucky, and a table displaying original Norfolk Boxer Rescue goodies for sale, with many new items sourced by our Treasurer. Thank you to everyone who gambled on the raffle, put donations in the box and/or bought some of our stock. Your contributions to our funds help so much.

When everyone was back in and tucking into tea, the committee set about marking the questions sheets and checking off the treasure items. This is when we discovered that asking people to find a stinging nettle was not such a good idea! All the winners took away handsome Easter eggs. We hope everyone enjoyed it. We tried to find a walk that could be managed by all ages and levels of fitness (walkers and dogs!) and by children too. Those of us who spend time helping with Rescue love to see so many of the dogs with their new owners, and we hope that it gives you a chance to meet and exchange tall boxer stories with other rescuers.

Now that we have cleared up after the Treasure Hunt (and all those treasure pouches have been washed out - quite a nasty job, apparently), planning starts for our Summer Fun Day in July.

So maps and boots to the fore as our Chairman leads the team on another wild foray of the countryside researching the next Sponsored Walk, which this year will be held in October 2002.