Maybe Isle of Wight locals couldn't count beyond five, while Dorset ones, being more educated, could count to the heady heights of nine. Or maybe barrows multiply over time, and there really were just nine (or five) back when the places got named.

You're probably right about the hare and hounds thing. Apparently the local Hash House Harriers were out in the area today at much the same time I was. I'm not sure how I managed to miss them, unless they're like Morris dancers in that "an 11 o'clock start" means "at 11 o'clock, start idly thinking about beginning preparations for driving to the rendezvous." I didn't know about these people before. They sound nice. I'd almost be tempted to join, if it wasn't for the whole running thing.