Winter Series 2001-2002
Round 2 - 18th November 2001

Report by TX operator Chris Heys:

Earlier in the week, I’d pondered over the map for inspiration of where to hide this year. Elton Reservoir looked interesting, with plenty of surrounding footpaths, a dismantled railway, the old Bolton-Bury canal and the River Irwell all in close proximity. On a warm and sunny Tuesday afternoon I surveyed the area, but was disappointed with the level of cover around the reservoir. The pub on the east side of the reservoir, which I had thought was a possibility for the meal, was more of a night club, and therefore not suitable. I wandered along the dismantled railway (now a tarmaced footpath) in search of better a site. Some time later, I settled on using the area of land between the River Irwell and the Bury Metrolink line. It was possible to enter this area from the east side of the railway next to the school, although this wasn't obvious from the map.

On the day, I dragged myself out of bed at 7:30am after only 3 hours sleep following my night shift. With the ‘assistance’ of budding steeplejack Giles (wearing size 13 boots), I set up the site on the banks of my beloved River Irwell for only the 3rd year in a row! (see November 1999 and October 2000). The first transmission was heard loud and clear by all competitors at the start.

With Chris Plummer busy drilling for oil in the North Sea, who would be first in to collect 6 points? John Heath poked his head over the edge of the river bank at 11:14, shortly after the TX operators’ obligatory Pot Noodle break. With good bearings taken at 10:42 and 11:00 guiding him to the vicinity of the site, the fourth transmission lead him in. John confessed to knowing about the area, and the fact that it was accessible from under the railway. He had investigated it while looking for Dave Chippendale in the November 2000 event. John was planning to use it for his next site, but will be deciding on somewhere else now!

With Mr Heath now in ‘acting’ mode, with that “I’m still searching” look on his face, Dave Peacock arrived from the north, and spotted a large leaf hanging suspended from the aerial wire. Following the aerial along the bank the TX, Dave signed in at 11:35 (with an invisible envelope).

Dave Chippendale soon appeared, and with John Heath and Dave Peacock both still apparently ‘searching’ the area, Dave Chip thought he was on to a winner when he spotted the TX operators, and did a Tarzan leap down the bank! Never mind Dave, you still got 3 points!

With the first 3 teams off for some food and beer, it wasn’t long until elite athlete JJ, star of recent Blackpool, London and Manchester marathons homed in on the New York Marathoner TX operator for 2 points in 4th place, still with ½ hour to spare, at 12:00.

The pub proved a success, serving excellent grub, and we were all entertained by Dave Peacock and Donna’s young Adam.