Six teams started this event at Maidenhead Thicket to hear Dave Ryan and John Mullins, alias MrX and MrY.

It appeared I was probably the only one who managed to be affected by some type of sky wave with a bearing swinging from 60 to 80 degrees; the others plotted 70.

That was the start of my undoing as I decided to go up the M4 and, not being able to read the map, missed the junction I intended to leave from and had to go on to junction 5 which lead me towards Iver Heath. With the 8pm signal now on and slightly stronger I had to guess where I had stopped and the bearing went towards Gerrards Cross. At 8.15 pm I arrived just to hear X&Y's transmission which was indeed much stronger, but the bearing passed back towards the junction of the M40. With still no signs of other DF teams, I eventually made it to the M40 junction and after getting trapped in the new traffic signal complex managed to miss the 8.30 signal. In that time Mark Coventry had left his car and started running towards X&Y's site which was situated in Hedgerley Park (those who managed to find Steve Stone on last year's treble night might remember it!).

In the meantime, not knowing which way to go drove further back to Littleworth Common. It was on the next signal that I found out that I was miles away from their site and after frantic DFing with the set out of the window, I managed to drive up a dead end road only to find Peter Lisle etc. changing their clothes. With slight help towards X&Y's site I managed somehow to beat Mark Coventry into last place. Alas, Mark had a chance of beating Mr Lisle for the cup this year but he blew it.

Thanks to Dave and John for a fine end to the Gage-Tyler event.

Brian Bristow