Croydon Hill

Credits

Julia Robertson (organiser) Rosie Wych (planner) Bill Vigar (controller & mapping) Bob Lloyd (permissions) Mike Andersen, Elaine and Heather Green (registration) Andy Rimes, Steve Robertson, Spencer Modica (SI / computers) John Trayler, Robert Green, Pete Shirvington & boys (start) Tony Hext, Steve Williams, Bob Lloyd (parking & welcome) Steve Winkley of S.W. Photography & Media (photography)

An orienteer's view: John Fisher

After an unwanted 'year out' I was walking more easily with fewer rests, and felt up to trying my usual Green at Triscombe. I know the area very well, and seriously doubted I'd complete the course, but wanted to try. In the event I DID get round. By tight navigating and prior knowledge of ground conditions I even beat a few. and as I couldn't get to QOFL2, the QOFL3 at Croydon Wood beckoned.

I've orienteered there before, but also walked the paths and set routes through it for students- and then bounced around trying to locate the ones who were late or lost! But that was the past..

It started promisingly. I had to get back by 2pm, so I left early. Thick mist in Taunton Deane, but once past Crowcombe it cleared to a bright morning. I saw four deer on the way up from Dunster to the forest. Got an early start, commenting that I wasn't sure how it would go. Memories of crossing to the hill fort in the North on previous courses were still fresh. Would there be a lot of climbing?

First leg. Take time to be sure of map orientation and scale. Skirt round the thicket and compass through nice flat open forest. Flag exactly where it should be and not visible from any great distance.

Move smartly away, set compass to take me to the track. Cross it and compass into a rather overgrown bit. Not my favourite. Spot the stream and choose a crossing point- flag now visible for next control. Next leg seems to follow a little stream- but slowed by all the heaps of slippery brashings. Across ride and accurately a few yards to next control.

Since the 'open' forest areas seem rather hard in my present state, I decide on the rather longer option of following track to the junction, turning left, then forking right. Works well. Past the darker green band, cut in. Spot on..

Quickly back to the ride. Opt to loop round on the hard dry track and compass down valley side to the track. Mistake- steeper than I expected, and lots of tangle underfoot, and the last bit dropped down steeply to the track- the kind of thing I have to be very careful on. Jog down track and slowly up earth bank to control. Back to the track and a longer, slow walk uphill to the junction.

Control 6 nicely placed- easy to walk past on the track, but exactly where it should be. Back to junction and down track to 7. Another route's control prominently ahead- but I turned in at the correct place, disturbed only by the giant ant hill.

Now I know there's a long uphill. I decide going back up to the upper track and taking it steady will pay off. I'll be interested to see on RouteGadget whether others went the more direct way.. The attack point for 8 is clear, and I punch quickly and carry on to the track. I'm tiring, and the footing has been much more demanding as I follow the track downhill. After scrambling through two fallen trees across the track I decide to cut down the slope directly- exactly the kind of thing I now find taxing. Ho hum. But a well placed control 9, visible only from close, rewards me. But I hate getting back up that bit of hillside!

Back past 8 to 10, and turn down slope. Somehow aim too far right, and waste time in the wrong thicket before finding 11 and walking slowly to the Finish. I'm 3rd of 3. It can't last! ( It didn't! Tom Hasler as a M14 was just beaten- but did very well. Didn't have my experience of running the area before!) I usually used to get round in about 150% of the winner's time- this time it was nearer 200%. Just not enough slow Greens on the day… I was still very happy. Luckily I was not wearing QO livery, so the photographer didn't notice me...

Thoughts on the day? Aren't we lucky to have so many in our small Club who will plan and set-up and man something that gives so much pleasure? I've planned the odd JOG and know how much time and effort even the small events take- but boy, they give so much to us all. And two hours later, after a bath and food, I'm off to a magnificent concert in St Mary's. 'Lark Ascending', Eroica. My daughter playing 'cello.

A great day. QO's members are a great bunch. Have a great Orienteering NewYear, everybody.

John Fisher

Editor's notes:

Thanks John, hope it's the first of many more QOFLs for you.

John also explains his injury and more in his Background of Orienteer article

Did you know the area has a permanent course?