countrysports5 said:
Talking about Richmond Park. Showing my age now...I used to run on the road after dark when the park was closed to traffic in the late 60's. I was into rowing in those days so trying to keep fit. The deer would run alongside the road and i was always terrified they would run across me - it really was pitch dark. Bloody hell, i got fit...I was so spooked I ran faster and fast to get back out of the park. Must be some kind of herd behaviour, they just ran alongside - i could hear their feet on the ground but I never saw them
That made me laugh, I used to work just outside the gate at the top of Richmond Hill. Late at night I'd chuck my bike over the gate, climb over and ride through the park back to Roehampton Gate. The deer used to frequently run alongside me. First time it happened I'd had quite a few pints and it really freaked me out, I thought they were going to attack.
It recently happened to me again in Ashridge Forest , It was pitch black and a herd of fallow galloped alongside me on the way back from the pub.