WESTOVER PLANTATION - NOV 2Oth 2005

 

PLANNER'S REPORT

 

It is nineteen years since my excessively energetic wife dragged me, kicking and screaming, into the sport of Orienteering. I have enjoyed hundreds of events in some of the most beautiful parts of Britain. I can think of very few, however, that gave me as much pleasure and satisfaction as this event.

 

I arrived at Jubilee car park just in time to witness one of the most magnificent sunrises I have ever seen. If you have never seen a sunrise from the Downs, I can assure you that it is well worth the effort of abandoning your nice warm bed at an unreasonable hour.  As the day progressed we perfect conditions, both for running and for admiring some of the finest views you could wish to see.

 

The event was extremely well attended, with numbers well into three figures, not counting the cattle! If anyone did not enjoy their course they were kind enough not to tell me about it. I cannot remember a single moan, despite the horrible undergrowth on parts of the top two courses, and the fact that both Yellow and Orange were longer and steeper than some of you may be used to.

 

Nobody failed to complete their chosen course, and even those whose times were a little on the long side seemed to enjoy spending the extra time in such a wonderful place. There were even one or two who took deliberate detours from their route to take in the view from the top of the Downs.

 

Many thanks to Chris and Chris for Registration and to Iris for acting as unofficial car park attendant, and for doing the event publicity.  Thanks also to Carol for the String Course and to Pete Helen and Dave for helping to collect the controls at the end.

 

STEVE TAVERNER - PLANNER