Winter Series 2003-2004
Round 6 - 14th March 2004

Report by Competitor Chris Heys

With everything to play for in the last DF of this series, John Jocys organised a challenging event, with the TX right at the very top of the map. John hid amongst some ruins just east of the Belmont to Darwen stretch of the A675. The Darwen competitors thus had a shorter than usual journey home after the event!

Although no competitors heard the first transmission at the start, JJ later informed us that former regular John McNeill could hear him loud and clear from his abode in Tideswell some 50 miles away, towards Chesterfield!

The approximate bearing and distance envelopes were opened, giving 340° and greater than 20 KM respectively (actual figures would be 332° and 30 KM).

Three teams (Heys, Plummer and Heath) converged at Charters Moss Plantation, site of Dave Peacock's October event, for the 10:42 transmission, but soon went their separate ways therafter. I think Plummer must have arrived there about 10:05, having left other competitors in a cloud of smoke at the start.

Chris Heys, ably assisted by Dave Holland, failed by a few seconds to get a double take at 10:42. Chris Plummer did, and the parallel bearing obtained encouraged him to make haste towards the top of the map.

TX operator JJ was sat sheltering from the cold wind amongst some old ruins just off the footpath which is part of the Witton Weavers Way. It was very windy indeed and with the rain too I'm afraid there are no photos of the site.

Chris Plummer, assisted by Roger, was first on site. He had parked where the footpath meets the road south east of the TX, assuring a quick way in. Chris Heys with Dave Holland parked in the same place, but rather than blindly following Chris P, had decided to explore the east side of the road first, before the next transmission turned them around. This had given Chris P enough time to find JJ, and with that tie up the series. And so yet again experience triumphs over age.

Dave Peacock and John Heath were not far behind. Both had started out on the footpath where the bend in the road is, south of the site. Dave Chippendale's approach was similar soon after, and JJ was spared a potential further hour suffering in the elements.

On the short drive to the pub there was the small matter of 169 road runners to negotiate. The race in question was the Roddlesworth Roller.

The pub was The Royal Arms, which served a strong tasting "Tockholes Treacle" local brew. Sadly there was no corresponding "Treacle" sponge pudding, but most of us enjoyed some ice cream with a slice of hot chocolate fudge cake, the size of your portion being something of a lottery, leaving ravenous young bloods Chris Heys and Dave Peacock more than a bit jealous of Dave and June Chippendales double-sized portions. But that aside, they had a good menu which left Donna feeling spoilt for choice, and striking an instant rapport with the friendly waitress.

Photos! Click to enlarge:

"5 pints of Tockholes Treacle please"	A warm welcome from the blustery weather outside
"No chance, I was here first"	"Was he last again June!?"
JJ holds the kids' attention	Well some of us got our envelopes signed
On your marks, get set, eat...	...Chris wins - again! But no points for that.