Whilst we haven’t embarked on any great adventures this weekend, we had a nice time in Shropshire. On Saturday we ran around the Wyre forest for 3.5 hours. The woods were really lovely with all the bluebells in flower and we saw an albino deer – which unfortunately got away before we got close enough to take a picture.
On Sunday we orienteered at Kinver Woods. Great courses, although unfortunately I only realised that I had passed control number 3 when I got to control number 4 …. so I had an additional 2 legs to run because I had to run back to control number 3 and then back to control number 4. It was my fault, but legs 2 to 3 to 4 were on a completely straight line with the middle control in a technical area – hence I didn’t see it.
The bluebells look amazing.
What does a technical area look like? Was it a competition or just for fun?
A technical area is one that has many features. The terrain around number 3 was composed on a slope with numerous spurs and re-entrants, some small cliffs, loads of paths and vegetation boundaries. The map can get quite crowded! When the control circle is placed on the map in an area like this, parts of the circle are usually deleted so that you can see the features beneath. This circle probably only had half of it’s circumference left…. hence I missed it
Did the error mean that for once you weren’t first back??!
I’m not always first back in orienteering events, but I think I was about two thirds down the finishing list due to the error 🙂
I really wish I didn’t know how much running you were doing every weekend 🙁 It was so much better last year when I hadn’t read your blog and didn’t know what to expect!
But in good news I went for my first run this morning, my calf seems to be on the mend 🙂
There are other motives besides the OMM, so you don’t need to feel pressurised 🙂
I meant the LAMM…. 😕
Hi Rachel,
I saw your posts about orienteering – do you ever go abroad on holiday in pursuit of sporting adventures? The reason I ask is that I am a TV researcher currently looking for participants for a series of short vignettes for the Post Office featuring British people abroad, pursuing their hobbies/passions.
We are looking for fun, enthusiastic people to feature in positive portrayals of the British holidaymaker abroad;
The short films will celebrate the British qualities of enthusiasm, dedication and joie de vivre and contrast the differences between the featured contributors’ day to day lives in the UK to their holidays abroad.
If you, or someone you know fits the bill and pursues orienteering or other sports on their holidays abroad, it would be great to hear you.
My tel no is: 07551 319791/ 07961 124731
Hi Michelle,
We do have adventures overseas, but generally it’s mountain marathons rather than orienteering. I think Pete has got back to you already, but I’ll have a chat with my husband and see if there’s anything that we perceive as being adventurous enough!
Hi Rachel,
Mountain marathons sound excellent! I’d love to have a chat with you about this. We’re on a really tight deadline for these stories so can I call you today or tonight – doesn’t matter where you are, if you send me a text I’ll call you straight back, or email me your telephone number. Look forward to speaking to you.
My email is: michellefraser20@yahoo.com.
Many thanks,
Michelle Fraser
07551 319791 / 07961 124731