The event took place on a fine dry evening, in reasonable and comfortable temperatures (no oxygen needed for any competitors).

My first attempt at a site was to get the train from Ealing Broadway to Goring on Thames, pub opposite the station, walk up the hill on a suitable footpath to a wood towards Bill Pechey's home in Crays Pond. However after putting up the aerial, I noticed that both the Pub was all boarded up (and has been for years) and that the road between Crays Pond and Goring would be closed this week for roadworks. So after much thought decided to think again.

Only a few hours available on Saturday morning, a quick study of West London map drew me to footpaths to the east of the Grand Union Canal north of Uxbridge, hoping that would cause some chaos amongst the competitors. Using the more detailed Master Atlas of Greater London I chanced on a footpath from Merle Avenue, off Harefield Village High Street, with a public house opposite the turning. The footpath led down to the Grand Union Canal, but the main tow- path ran on the western side of the canal, so no access from the western side other than over 'Black Jacks' lock.

An hour later a walk down the footpath I came into a small copse with some height above the canal, and a managed to locate a suitable location to hide, down a steep slope behind a tree trunk. I then put out the 140ft odd length of aerial, tying that into a barbed wire fence getting some good height from my location being concerned about distance from the start and getting a good signal out. Back home preparing the paperwork, I then counted the squares back to the start, arriving at nineteen, which to the discern of some of the competitors was incorrect, because my approximate distance stated 15-20k when in fact it exceeded 20k. My apologies for that Gentlemen. Two offers of gifts of extended rulers have been made, I look forward to Christmas.

Whilst setting up, I rigged up the earth-stake, pouring on a pint of water to help with improving the signal potential, and then added a further stake with about 30ft of wire off the antenna connection which I hoped might have added to the confusion. All it did of course was suppress the signal. However I think most of the six competitors heard me at the start, however the approximate bearing (70 was given, 66 was the true) and the now inaccurate approximate distance of 15-20k was given.

John informed me that he had given out the approximates, but had heard me clearly at 8pm. Bill Pechey came crashing in as the first competitor at 20.47 followed by John Mullins, Peter Lisle and Alan Simmons. Steve Stone and Graham Philips failed to locate, cursing my mis-information. We all retired to the Harefield Public House, I took the flak humbly with a welcome pint, and the usual banter prevailed.

Gentlemen, I will strive to do better next time.

Ray Goodearl.

Another nice summer evening for DF.

Ray's signal was rather weak at the start and I, for one, needed an approximate bearing. The bearing indicated that the station was on the West London map somewhere near Uxbridge. I took some time to plot the bearing and study the map so was a bit late setting off. I only managed to get as far as Beaconsfield. The bearing confirmed my thoughts and my next bearing crossed in the middle of a large expanse of water. I took another bearing to work out which side to go to and discovered that Ray had to be on the eastern side.

It was pretty hard to figure out where the footpaths went and there was a canal towpath to worry about. I parked in a new housing development (not on my ancient map) and followed the only footpath. The signal was strong but it showed that Ray was not on the canal towpath. After a longish run, I found a path that went diagonally across a field away from the canal, so I followed it. There was a small patch of woodland just beyond the field boundary so I decided to wait there for the transmission. When the transmitter came on my ears suffered and I had to turn the gain right down. Clearly, Ray was close by. I almost fell over going down a steep bank and looked everywhere for the transmitter but couldn't locate it. The signal went off, I turned round and there he was!

We had a pleasant get-together at a pub in Harefield. It turned out that the pub was within easy walking distance of the station but no-one came in that way.

Thanks Ray for a good event. My only complaint was that it was a 50-mile drive to get home!

Bill Pechey