ROOKLEY  RUN-AROUND  REPORT  --  2nd JULY 2005

 

 

 

 

 

Well what a change in the weather from last yearıs event at Northwood. As if cue at 6 oıclock the sun came out and blessed us with a fine evening overlooking the ponds and greenery of Rookley Country Park. Pet and I set up shop for sorting out the mad fools endeavouring to find their way around on this rather pleasant route , taking in some lovely rural scenery.

 

The planning of these quiz walks starts rather early in the year by searching the OS leisure map of the Island for a suitable place to hold the event. Here is a list of places we have used in the past:-  Niton, Carisbrooke(2), Wootton, Binstead(2), Bembridge(2), Brading, Gurnard, Brighstone, Nettlestone, Shanklin, Totland, Yarmouth, St Helens, Bonchurch and Northwood .

 

There are three criteria for choosing a venue they are:-

 

1.             Facilities at start and finish.

2.             Safety of route chosen.

3.             A good selection of house names and objects for clue setting.

4.              

I think all three were met at Rookley, plus, the weather and scenery made it perfect.

 

The only let down is the type of competitors it attracts (donıt read anything into this  Sue)! I sometimes think Peteıs logic and devious  clue settings are a little hard to unravel. But at the end of the evening all clues set were answered by at least one team , which shows the balance was just right.

 

Comments about the map were few. But one was made by Peteıs daughter, Queen Ellen, who was not amused by Dadıs map and at one time was found wandering in the direction of The Chequers pub. I ask myself, was this intentional on her part?

 

I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and we look forward to seeing you all next year.

 

Brian Ould and Peter Bartlett, Planners

 

N.B.        on the nigh the Totland Tearaways were awarded third awarded 3rd place. But The Corkheads had taken their clue sheet home and, when checked, they had 1.5 more points (Sorry Sue and Glyn).

 

 

REORT BY A COMPETITOR

 

A beautiful sunset that was nice and warm considering the time we finished. Our team, The Elvis Do Ducks started at 7 oıclock, but got stuck on Clue No 1. This was mainly due to a chatty Brian (my granddad!) pointing us in the wrong direction to a lifebuoy post and it was around the corner. I got No 2 straight away as I thought ³ linked with diamonds ­ Aha! ­ Davidıs Stores.²

 

Dad then started to wander off course and ended up at the Chequers Inn. This, I think, was done on purpose. But all the clues were fine and we had a good, enjoyable evening.  C.U. next time!

 

Melanie Ould  (Age 11)