A good turnout of 9 teams assembled at Pinkneys Green for the first Mid-Thames DF of the year. Roger Shepherd was on the transmitter and a good signal was heard by all teams at the start. Unfortunately the signal was mainly sky wave, making it difficult to obtain a consistent bearing, and most teams opted to wait for an approximate bearing which was 312 degrees.

Most teams headed for the M40 and a fast ride to Stokenchurch. Unfortunately, we didn't and decided to take the B482 towards Lane End for our 8:00pm bearing, thinking that he would be on the Reading and Windsor map. Bad move. This and the 8:15 signal showed that we hadn't gone far enough as we had similar bearings to the start bearing and he was probably on the Aylesbury map so we carried on along the B482 to Stokenchurch. At 8:30pm we were on the A40 just past Stokenchurch, near the tower. At last, a decent signal and a bearing of 270 degrees - getting close. We carried on along the A40 to the bottom of the hill and at 8:40pm we were at the junction with the B4009. This was the strongest signal yet, giving a cross with the previous bearing on the Ridgeway, somewhere south of Lewknor. The map showed a minor road leading to Hill Farm and the Ridgeway so we took it and bumped along until we got to Hill Farm just in time for the 8:50pm signal. This confirmed the Ridgeway as the likely location so we drove back to where the Ridgeway crossed our road and set off walking. We met Peter Lisle returning to his car who told us it was a long way and to get a move on - which we did. The signal eventually peaked up by a wooded area and after a bit of searching we found Roger hiding behind a fallen tree, making a change from his annoying habit of climbing up a tree with the transmitter. Only sixth, but at least we found the transmitter!

The evening was rounded off with a visit to The Chequers at Watlington where they served Brakspears. Thanks to Roger for organizing a fairly challenging DF.

John Mullins