It's great to get back into the DF scene.

Seven teams started this event run by Alan Simmons. All teams heard Alan's first signal which gave most teams a bearing of circa 290 degrees which, when applied to the map, passed through the Henley on Thames area. With bearings plotted, almost all the teams made towards Nettlebed, not knowing that Alan was just 4km from the start.

Luckily, I arrived at the same spot as Steve Stone and at the 8pm signal it was obvious that Alan was back towards the start. Off we went; Steve decided to go to the south side of the river Thames whilst I decided to chance that Alan was on the North side. Having arrived at a suitable point to take a bearing on Alan's site, the signal was indeed stronger but still weak. When I attempted to take a bearing on this signal to my horror I realised that I had left my compass board back up at Nettlebed. Posthaste I drove back to the first signal point, picked up the compass board and then proceeded to drive towards the South side of the Thames at Hurley.

I had then missed the third and fourth Tx signals and desperate to find someone! To my great relief, Graham Phillips' car was parked up just on the outskirts of Hurley. Out of the car I jumped with torch in hand. "Hold on, whats missing?". Oh, I forgot the DF set. (Swine Flu has various side effects!)

Forwards I climbed up the hill across the road and once again great relief when I spotted torches right up the hill to my left. Plod, Plod, I eventually made it to where Graham and team was searching (with no idea where Alan actually was). With the 9pm signal on it was obvious that Alan was back down the hill towards the river.

After attempting to reach Alan by driving through a caravan park, Andy Collett also appeared. Then almost going in convoy, we eventually arrived further down the road towards where Alan was sited. On running down the towpath behind Andy the signal faded and on turning the DF set around it pointed across a small field to where Alan was waiting to book the last teams in before close down.

A good natter was had at the local pub just down the track on how not to do it.

Thanks to Alan for putting on a great event

Brian Bristow

NOTE: What Brian didn't experience was the extremely dense vegetation and swampy ground where Alan was hidden. Some of us spent ages making very slow progress in the nasty stuff. I think everyone passed within a few feet of Alan at some stage without spotting him. Excellent!

Bill.