Six teams assembled at Maidenhead Thicket with Ray Goodearl on the transmitter. A weak signal was heard at the 1930 start by all the teams. I found it hard to get a steady null as it seemed to vary between 0 and 20 degrees. I decided to plot 10 degrees and set off up the A404 towards High Wycombe. I chose to go north from High Wycombe on the Missenden road and reached Hughenden Valley for the 2000 transmission. This indicated somewhere north of Great Missenden but it turned out to be a poor bearing without a sharp null.

Two sharp bearings at 2015 and 2030 from a quiet lane near Prestwood and then Ballinger Bottom gave a cross near to Buckland Common. The problem was how to get there as all roads ran along the valleys so I decided it would be quicker to go via Chesham. I missed the 2040 signal but at 2050 I was just north of Bellingdon and the bearing gave a 'cocked hat' in some woods just south of Buckland Common. At 2100, I was at the start of a footpath leading into the woods and although the signal wasn't that strong, I decided to start walking towards the 'cocked hat' as it would be a long drive to the other end of the path. The signal gradually increased in strength and I eventually came across Justin - probably sent out by Graham as a decoy to put me off! Not to be put off, the set took me to a hedge beyond the woods where Ray was hiding but all the other successful competitors had already clocked in.

Thanks to Ray for organising a challenging event. All teams adjourned to the Cock and Rabbit at The Lee for a well earned pint or two.

John Mullins