I hope you liked orienteering in Heater Rigg as much as I enjoyed planning. For me though it was very much quieter, in six visits for planning purposes I saw, in total, just four forestry workers. In consequence of its general seclusion there was much wildlife- hare, deer, nesting curlew on the moor to the north and a host of small birds that I never had the time to stop and identify.
Sorry for those of you that found the courses too physical. The bilberries went wild in the last three weeks. Undoubtedly the green course was slightly too long but I did want to get as many as possible into the nicest part of the area and give the technical challenge of a long leg in each direction. A shorter green course would certainly have compromised those objectives and the overall course quality.
I must thank all those who gave me help in the forest both before and during the weekend particularly my wife, Catherine, and daughter, Claire, and also Mike Ridealgh, Matthew Edwards, Russell Baldwin, Mark White, controller Steve Whitehead and organiser, Michel Johnson.
Finally, a vote of thanks on behalf of the very young for Claire's excellent string course map.
Jim Harrison
I enjoyed running round the area, especially the wilderness in the centre of the map which the longer legs on Green/Blue/Brown made excellent use of. Everything seemed to go smoothly on the day and I hope you all enjoyed the courses and especially the lack of brambles.
Steve Whitehead
Thanks to everyone who helped. I was particularly glad to have the help
with the "heavy" work - Dennis Hooton got the trailer to and from the event and
he and the Controller and the Planner's team helped to put up and take down the
tents, the car-parkers had to shift bits of forest off the verges. The SI
system operated very smoothly and efficiently - thanks again Dave and team.
Found : 1 thumb compass
Michel Johnson