Winter Series 2003-2004
Round 4 - 25th January 2004

Report by TX operator, Chris Heys:

I've often been running in the Clifton Country Park area including the old railway line, now part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail which runs adjacent to a few patches of dense woodland on its climb out of the Irwell Valley up to Radcliffe. It was high time I made use of this area for a DF site.

I thought I would hide somewhere in the large finger of woodland in a cutting stretching north east from the old railway, west of Hurst Farm. Not evident on even the latest maps is the new plantation area on the east side of the existing wood. This area is open to the public and has newly laid meandering paths, and provides easy access into the old ancient woodland where I planned to hide.

The Friday before, I investigated possible access to the site from the road-cum-footpath on the west side. The building at the end of the road is Keepers Cottage, and although the footpath seems to go beyond this and into the wood - even on the larger scale 1/25000 map - it was not in fact possible to get beyond Keepers Cottage. After later working out my own entry from the east side I realised that this could potentially cause competitors some grief on the day. A good thing, as my DFs have often worked out easier than anticipated.

I chose a rhododendron bush to hide in. There weren't many bushes to choose from, but the challenge of this DF would be to locate the site rather than beat bushes up, as it was well away from footpaths.

On the day we were blessed with mild weather, the last for some time according the the dreadful forecast for the next couple of weeks. Chris Plummer rang me at 09:15 to check I hand't slept in. I certainly hadn't, indeed I was well ahead of schedule, enjoying some hot chocolate and flap jack and ready to transmit!

The approximate bearing of 5 degrees was read out at the start, since Dave Chip's set was a bit deaf. The actual bearing was more like 350 degrees, with the approximate passing about 3K east of the site.

The 5th transmission at 11:27-11:29 lead Chris Plummer sufficiently close to my bush to spot me a minute later. I was quite pleased with that. None of this getting in before 11 o'clock nonsence. Dave Holland was navigating for Chris P, and was some way behind with the map. Chris had parked where the A667 goes over the railway, approaching on foot from the north. My earlier transmissions had pulled him into exploring the adjacent wood to the west, which by all accounts was rather muddy! He later confessed "It was a pity you didn't get to see any of us wading in mud in the next stream valley, NW of your hide, we got up to our knees in thick gloopy mud. It's the first time this year for me to change at the pub; they would not have appreciated it spread over their nice velour seats... But then John, might have been worse having come via the sewage plant."

After 3 more transmissions Dave Peacock was next in at 11:59, and crept away as we heard the effing and blinding John Heath approaching. John got in 7 minutes later. Knowing my affinity with Clifton Country Park, he had assumed that's where I was when my earlier transmissions blew his head off on the A666 (near where the pub is). He had left his car near to the pub and hoofed it into the park from there. Not far away as the crow flies, but for John it meant a rather long way round, crossing the Irwell by the sewage works, then beating his way through lots of woodland. So it was some considerable time later when he finally arrived, puffing and panting, and questioning my parentage.

After a few minutes of continuous transmissions Dave Chip soon arrived to claim his 2 points for 4th place.

The pub was the Unity Brook. An old DF favourite previously used after John Heath's Philips Park December '98 event. Where else can you get chocolate sponge and custard and a pint for £3.85!

Photos! Click to enlarge:

Read all about Hurst Wood, click for more detail	The Irwell Sculpture Trail
This plantation at Hurst Wood was done in 2002
The TX bush	Has spring sprung already?
A stream meanders the length of Hurst Wood	Can you spot the aerial?
"Test DF, Test DF, Test DF, this is Pot Noodle Portable"	John is grateful he donned his wellies this morning!
The Peacocks tuck in...	John shows his gratitude to the organiser after a spendid event
Now he's looking the part!	Merry Christmas from Chris and Ann Plummer!