This was the last in the series and I managed to coax Mrs BS and C1 and C2 along for the ride. BB sat it out as did MTC (LVO M35 champ).
We were blessed with a cracker of a day as we rolled up into the slippy carpark. Off to reg to be blinded by Bill Simpson’s shirt. Off we sauntered to the start. I heard whispers of CPs that ‘oul hands couldn’t find and CPs that no one could find. We were feeling a little nervous at the thought.
The girls headed off first followed by Mrs BS. I followed after. Getting the map I paused for effect before heading off down the lane. I met the girls at the gate wondering what to do with it. I bounded over into the quagmire – lovely. Always nice to get wet ‘n’ mucky at the outset. After cutting in a little early for CP1 and wasting some time I wanted to get away quickly for CP2. So much so that I headed off in the wrong direction. My excuse was that this was the first time I had used a thumb compass. After re-aligning myself I thought I would plunge into the light green and work my northish to the line of open forest. That was the idea. Lesson 1 – That light green stuff is a bit unpredictable. Possible to walk as long as you bent yourself in half but here were vague paths that sucked me off line. It wasn’t worth going north now. Just keep going until I hit the open land. Lesson 2 – there’s fallen trees at the edge of forests. Eventually I get to the edge after beating my way through branches and moss and all sorts of sh!te. Now I have a barbed wire fence on top of a three foot wall. I pull myself up to fence and get my leg over. I am at that point where the crown jewels are within A&E distance of the barbed wire and I drop my map – down the wrong side of the wall! Fecking great, it’s all I need. I get over the wall and runners are heading down the hill passed me. Lesson 3 – don’t follow people. I spot a fence to my left and realise where I am. CP2 is between a couple of hills and an easy find after all my diversions.
CP3 is round the back of the next hill and also easy. CP4 is in the forest again and I am feeling cautious. I aim well off to catch the old wall then work left to catch the CP. CP5 is back the way I came and to the fence and no problem. CP6 wouldn’t be so easy. I was going to contour through the forest thinking that it was clean to cp4 at least. But I played safe and went up the fence to the open land again. I didn’t have an attack point though. I dipped back into the forest and realised I was too low. I backed out and I searched for a reference point. I saw the upper corner of the forest and worked down to the CP.
I decided to contour through the forest – again. I luckily emerged at a kink in the fence that was marked on the map. CP7 was down the hill and due south of the gate – an easy find. Cp8 was through the gate and up the gully until I hit the point. There were tapes that I followed – although I hadn’t read any requirement to do so. Still they were on line pretty much. Across the Trassey Track and I could see CP9 up the hill. Crossing at the fork in river it was a short slog to the point. Now I was on the open mountain, something I am not used to. I remembered to pace as best I could and this helped. I hit my pace limit and had a look round me. I’d come up a little short but there it was between the two knolls.
CP11 wasn’t that far. I set a bearing and headed off. Across the swampy ground and again I hit my pace limit. My bearings and pacing clearly isnt that great but I know I am there or thereabouts. I can see where the river cascades over a small crag and my point is on the same level. I’m a bit low. Up I go and there it is – call that a crag???
CP12 is straight up near the river so no bother. Back to Cp 10. Lesson 4 – don’t assume you are going to remember where a point is. I had to check map again to locate for 13. Cp14 is on a knoll just above the finish. I head towards it. See the knoll and happy to find the point round the back of it. Down the hill to the finish and that’s it.
I am thinking the girls are going to find it tough so I am happy to see C2 skipping towards the finish with C1 lagging a fair bit behind. They like to go round together for the craic . Both do well on the map-reading so I’d like to see them in competition.
Mrs BS completed successfully. Let’s say she had a few wayward moments.
So that was that – my first Colour series. 6th overall in the Green. Could do better.
Orienteering definitely improving. Fitness still slowing me down.
