Winter Series 2001-2002
Round 5 - 10th February 2002

Report by TX operator Dave Chippendale:

While in the Saddleworth area for the Whit Friday Brass Band Competitions, I discovered this small quarry, at the north end of Uppermill, sandwiched in between the railway and an unclassified road with a wood on the opposite side of the road to act as a decoy. Also access to the site was limited to one footpath (not shown on the map) between the quarry and the tracks, on the down side was the founded possibility of not being heard from the start, which meant I had to be careful with the approximate bearing and distance.

On the day the sun was bathing the scene, by the close it was just starting to rain. John Heath was the first hunter I saw, just before the 11.15 signal, he was on the road above the quarry approximately 60 feet ABOVE the aerial, which must have confused his sense, because as the signal come on he went into the wood on the other side of the road. Minutes later Mr. P appeared on the road above me, making his own treacherous footpath down, or should I say "backside" path because he was on it most of the way down.

A gasping John Heath found me shortly after Chris P. While we were talking, greetings were announced to Dave P so I ducked down into my hide, but he would have none of the distractions to send him to the wrong end of the aerial. Once again, if there was a prize for the most bearings Chris H would have won but putting out extra long signals did not encourage him into base. The pub, Navigation Inn, Wool Road (A670), Dobcross, fed us all well, and is where, in the summer brass bands play to the drinkers most Sundays.

Thanks to the teams for taking part and making the hiding as enjoyable as the hunting.

Approximate bearing given to competitors: 60 degrees, Range: over 18km.