Colchester DF 14/11/10 
Start Eight Ash Green

Ian  with eight Txs  located near Tolleshunt Knights 


Entering the site from the East. J was first on the left but I ran straight by it while listening to Micro Z.

Ian had set the 'old hands' a serious visual challenge at the Minis - spot the triffid.

Micros had an A4 sheet with the triffid to give the 'not so old hands' a chance.


 Above not a triffid  - does Mother Nature have a sense of humour? 



Philip was first on  site  but Graham and I weren't far behind.

What to do on a wet Sunday?

Yes it was wet!  The weather forecast had not been good for days so beginners' cages had not been rattled but well done to Tim from Kent for coming back for a second attempt. There was never any doubt that the regulars would turn out.  Fortunately it was dry during the morning so Ian had set up most of the stations before getting wet.  By the time we started  though it was raining steadily. Anyone considering coming on a DF may be put off looking at these photographs, it certainly doesn't look inviting.  However, ask yourself  'what makes these approximately sane people  spend an afternoon in the rain when they could have been sitting at home watching the telly in the warm?'  The answer is DF is just too much fun to stay away for a bit of rain - you just don't notice you are wet until you have found your last Tx. Of course as you walk back to the car you may start to consider 'What am I doing!?' but soon the warmth of the car, tingling exercised limbs, dry clothes, the prospect of a pint and story swapping back in the pub make you forget any temporary discomfort. Philip's comment below by his own picture underline the point.

Larby closing in on Maxi A.

Philip mid way through the afternoon - cold, wet, lost, disoriented, last - but surprisingly happy!  (His words - and not a  mushroom in sight - Ed.)



My path around the stations  -  Parked by the r of Paternoster, left Graham to do his own thing. Missed J heading for Z,  found Z, missed L, found W, (now tuned to 1960), missed A, found H, went for K but then doubled back to I. Long drag South East and found K, went for J saw a group around it (I thought) but then found the ticket said Z, third Micro? - confused as I didn't realise I had done a full circuit - thought Ian was playing tricks deploying undeclared Micros!. Eventually found J, then L after Philip and Colin - see picture of us above and then finally to Maxi A with about 20 mins to spare.   So far short of a perfect performance, totally disorientated for the last 30 mins, but had been first in at three stations so clearly others must have been even more confused!

Unfortunately Colin was using his spare set again and got a reverse sense when he and Tim (beginner from Kent)  parked up by the sewerage works .   Colin didn't realise for about 2Km, by which time he had led Tim up to Pods Wood  just off the map to the North.  Unfortunately they were doing the sporting thing and had separated on reaching the wood, thus Tim spent a very confusing afternoon all on his own.  Sorry Tim!  Hope you won't give up on us - don't be afraid to ring the organiser's mobile for advice until you have a few more events under your belt.

Another solid performance from Tim P means that he has a commanding lead in the league  see table.

Thanks to Ian for an excellent event but then I may be viewing the event through rose coloured if rain spattered glasses!

Next event - Tim's  Tinsel Topped Triffids will adorn the  Multi-Christmas DF on Dec 5th, details here.

All the latest news about Multi-Tx DF is here.