Seven teams gathered at Maidenhead Thicket for the start of the event. All teams heard the transmitter from the start. The weather was leaden and overcast with heavy prolonged showers; something I experienced driving from home to the site, via my daughter's in Chinnor, who dropped me off at the site to avoid leaving the old clue of "Ah! the operators car!" Last season's event that I ran, I travelled to the site by train.

The site was located South East of the hamlet of Sydenham on a public bridleway that went from the village through to the even smaller hamlet of Crowell, precisely at 737 012. The aerial was a simple 130ft wire from the TX up into the trees and along the track. The nearby power lines may have had an effect on some competitor's bearings, as was intended. The ruse was meant to be a small wood at 740 015 but none of the competitors were drawn to that.

The bearing from the start through the TX was 325 and the distance over 20km. The only problem during the event was the sudden failure of the time-clock. I glanced at the clock at around 7.25pm and noticed the had gone screen blank. No, shaking, banging etc. could bring a time display back although I did mange to get six question marks on the screen. I suggest John purchases his batteries from Waitrose and not Lidls.

The timings were taking by phone as the competitors arrived.

The competitors and operator retired to The Crown Public House in Sydenham (publican glad of the trade, only three others in the bar) to relive the evening and dry out externally but wet their appetites with a good selection of real ales. The Tim Taylors was especially good.

Ray Goodearl