This is the first time a DF event has a name, due to the courage and dedication of two DF teams. This is worthy of a Book or Film. (There are no stand-ins for this story).

It begins;

Nine teams started this event which was being run by Min Standen, alas no signal was received from Min, so an approximate bearing of 180 was given plus a distance of less than 20 km.

At the 8pm second transmission I, together with four other teams, had made it to Peppard Common where the signal was heard for the first time. I took a bearing of 120 which gave me an idea that Min was in a wood towards Shiplake. On arrival there, found Bill Pechey had also taken the same bearing and actually decided that Min was in the same wood. With a slight jog down the footpath, Min's third signal proved he was not! With a quick take of a bearing myself, and to my surprise I found we were both heading for Shiplake Church (Min had been there before). Awaiting the fourth signal, we discussed matters and decided it must be down towards the River Thames as the 4k boundary was just on it.

With signal on, we proceeded down to the valley towards the river only to be accosted by a vast plain of water which had overflowed from the Thames. On striding across this vast plain of water we began to feel like those brave GIs in Vietnam trudging through the rice fields, alas we were only armed with DF sets. On finally reaching the towpath Min's signal was slightly building up but then pointed across the River towards Wargrave. At this point we discussed whether to carry on or turn around; there were no boats on the river as it was on red alert.

It was decided, after looking at Bill's map, to head along the towpath towards the Bridge at Sonning. After walking though a flooded/muddy two and a half miles, finally the bridge came into sight, but the towpath seemed to vanish. It looked like our efforts of making the bridge were all in vain. But careful footwork trudging though the water managed to get eventually to the footbridge leading to the main bridge crossing the river.

The time now was 9.10 and with Min sending mostly CW started to jog down the other side of the river's towpath. Nearby was a wedding reception and on spotting me someone shouted "there's someone acting suspicious", then they shouted, "there's another one", but as true DFers we disappeared without trace. Just after, Min's signal took me over three fields and at 9.29 gave him a shout but with no reply started the long trudge back.

I eventually met up with Bill again and decided to walk back through Sonning and try and get a lift from the local pub we hoped that the others were at. Eventually after walking through a lonely churchyard heard laughs of successful DFers. At last, safety. A good chuckle was had on our epic journey and thanks to Peter Lisle had a lift back the 5 miles to Shiplake.

Brian Bristow