A reminder
and...

Summary of... The 10/11 season....
Round One:


O/A |
Driver |
Navigator |
Vehicle |
Class |
Fail |
Points |
|
1st |
Julie Darkin |
Nick Darkin |
Renault |
E |
0 |
068 |
|
2nd |
Anthony Ellis |
Ian Jarman |
Ford |
E |
0 |
122 |
|
3rd |
Mark Freeman |
Max Freeman |
Renault |
E |
0 |
129 |
|
4th |
Darren Hunt |
Clive Jones |
Audi |
N |
0 |
134 |
|
5th |
Martin O’Dowd |
David O’Dowd |
Audi |
S |
0 |
144 |
|
6th |
Andy Falconer |
Clare Morgan |
Vauxhall |
S |
0 |
159 |
|
7th |
Dan Darkin |
Alice Darkin |
Renault |
N |
0 |
161 |
|
8th |
John Bloxham |
Nick Bloxham |
Subaru |
E |
1 |
081 |
|
9th |
Jackie Green |
George Green |
Subaru |
S |
1 |
120 |
|
10th |
Philippa Bentley |
Simon Bentley |
Ford |
E |
1 |
130 |
|
11th |
Elwyn Manuel |
Andrew Brick |
Trooper |
S |
1 |
160 |
|
12th |
Roy Morris |
Lawson Morris |
Rover |
N |
2 |
261 |
|
- |
Dan Campbell |
Patrick Campbell |
Rover |
N |
10 |
265 |
|
OTL |
Jamie Ellis |
Karl Ellis |
Ford |
E |
- |
- |

Just for
the record Dan & Alice D now proudly hold the outright record for the youngest
combined age to start an NE event. Wait for it then you oldies… 33yrs & 90
days! In fact it was a cracking night for new/young crew’s all round. Clare,
Dan, Alice, Roy, Lawson & Patrick all did us proud. Great start to the season
with so much newish blood me thinks.
Thank you’s all round also to Karen, Chrys, Sandra, Pete & Chris K. appreciate
the help there.
Good class start to the season for Hunt/Jones, O’Dowd/O’Dowd, Ellis/Jarman.
Rather better start for the Senior Darkin crew.
The Route:
Four sections, S1 a real
short affair (confusing some right from the off!) taking crews due South toward
Onibury. On the menu for Sect 2 was Aldon, Goat Hill and along the Roman road to
Shelderton. Just prior to the section finish the Knights duo was on hand to
retrieve score cards & wave crew’s on the way to the strangely named “Brokeback
Mountain” S3! This was designed to ensure the competition remained fierce, too
fierce though for the Ellis/Ellis combo who ended up balancing over a small
precipice and out of the running big style! (Many thanks to Pete & his Hella
Trooper for the rescue mission.) Through Obley & Pen-y-Wern to the Rockhill
triangle, the route forced cars ever East as far as Upper Treverwerd before
dropping South and the cracking slot just North of Purlouge. Back to Obley & one
of my favourites, the downhill real tight slot right near Llandevy. The Beckjay
yellow meant that this marathon section (40k’s) was almost over with just a run
up to Whittytree to finish off. The final section was a simple reversal of S1
and from there; car’s rolled downhill to the adequate finish venue in Craven
Arms.
Nice sarnies, great Birthday cake & even better company.
Well done.
Round Two:

O/A |
Driver |
Navigator |
Vehicle |
Class |
Fail |
Points |
|
1st |
Pete Bonds |
PhilM |
Trooper RS |
E |
0 |
023 |
|
2nd |
Jamie Ellis |
Karl Ellis |
Ford |
E |
0 |
032 |
|
3rd |
Julie Darkin |
Nick Darkin |
Renault |
E |
0 |
033 |
|
4th |
Anthony Ellis |
Richard Smalley |
Ford |
E |
0 |
036 |
|
5th |
Mark Freeman |
Max Freeman |
Renault |
E |
0 |
039 |
|
6th |
Jane Taylor |
Jonathan Taylor |
Landrover |
E |
0 |
046 |
|
7th |
John Bloxham |
Nick Bloxham |
Subaru |
E |
0 |
047 |
|
8th |
Philippa Bentley |
Simon Bentley |
Mini |
E |
0 |
070 |
|
9th |
Andy Falconer |
Clare Morgan |
Vauxhall |
S |
0 |
084 |
|
10th |
Dan Darkin |
Alice Darkin |
Renault |
N |
0 |
120 |
|
11th |
Darren Hunt |
Clive Jones |
Audi |
N |
1 |
090 |
|
12th |
John Gittens |
Rob Gittens |
Vauxhall |
N |
1 |
130 |
|
- |
Nick Morris |
Lawson Morris |
Rover |
N |
3 |
108 |
|
- |
Chris Wright |
Joe Bellis |
Peugeot |
N |
3 |
214 |
|
- |
Charlie Tba |
Tim Tba |
Tba |
N |
5 |
257 |
Seems
we cannot do much wrong just now,
entries are as healthy as I can remember. And some!
Great event that. We all knew (and relished) that this one was to be a real
challenge. And so it turned out.
Congrats to all, but in particular the new & Novice crew’s that all seem to have
enjoyed themselves so far.
Top Novs on the night, Darkin/Darkin jnrs… what a great display. The semi win by
Falc & Clare was also well deserved, not their fault the only ones in the SE
class.
Quite exceptional showing from Ellis/Ellis, if not for a 10 pointer they would
have pushed the olde geezers Bond/PhilM all the way!
Organisers are obviously intent on getting the double. Best event award that
is!
The Route:
At an elevation of approx 350m, our
rather windy Long mountain rendezvous point was not for the faint hearted…
especially if you required a wee before the off! For what was to be four “loops”
the junction in sq 2707 was the starting point for each section.
Once again, a full entry graced the event & soon dispersed to take on section
one which included Hope then the tricky slot right off the “A” to drop down from
the NE to Nelly Andrews Green. Frochas and on to Winnington to finish the sect
at the code boarded SH in sq 3009. Hand card in, back to plot and straight out
to S2.This one kept us right at the aforementioned X roads, picking up the A458
once more prior to a second Nelly Andrews Greeen visit (SW app.) Continuing
North, through Trewern and on to the amazing lanes around and about Old Mills. A
blast across Bulthy just S of Breidden Forest saw no respite with even the
Trooper require bottom gear in places! Halfway House & Vennington passed by
prior to us finishing once again in 3009 & the S2 Fin. Third loop, the shortest,
started at the now very familiar X roads but dropped SE to Rowley then simply a
return North to the SH 337 junction before the anticipated final “long one” of
the eve! Clever use of pre-printed sections of the map saw nav’s (time getting
on remember,) transferring this data to their own OS sheet in readiness for the
final push.
SSW from the section start, before pushing on down to Leighton Tre’R Lla, South
to the Stubb & Trelystan. Super sexy lanes on through Rock Ho, Brockton & the
like of the Knapps saw the now well travelled crews approach a welcome finish in
Westbury. This not before a small sting requiring competitors to arrive from the
SE. Unfortunately, some did not.
Round Three:


O/A |
Driver |
Navigator |
Vehicle |
Class |
Fail |
Points |
|
1st |
Pete Bonds |
PhilM |
Trooper RS |
E |
0 |
039 |
|
2nd |
Anthony Ellis |
Ian Jarman |
Ford |
E |
0 |
074 |
|
3rd |
Jamie Ellis |
Karl Ellis |
Ford |
E |
0 |
074 |
|
4th |
John Bloxham |
Nick Bloxham |
Subaru |
E |
0 |
087 |
|
5th |
Julie Darkin |
Nick Darkin |
Renault |
E |
0 |
089 |
|
6th |
Martin O’Dowd |
David O’Dowd |
VW |
S |
0 |
104 |
|
7th |
Philippa Bentley |
Simon Bentley |
Mini |
E |
0 |
107 |
|
8th |
Andy Falconer |
Clare Morgan |
Vauxhall |
S |
0 |
126 |
|
9th |
Dan Campbell |
Clive Jones |
Audi |
N |
1 |
105 |
|
10th |
Dan Darkin |
Alice Darkin |
Renault |
N |
1 |
195 |
|
11th |
Blake Jones |
Chris Wright |
Peugeot |
N |
11 |
318 |
|
12th |
Mark Freeman |
Max Freeman |
Peugeot |
E |
- |
otl |

Strongest start to
a season so far me thinks... It was
fitting then that the orgs on this occasion required all 12 score cards. Jane &
Jonathan had both shown amazing allegiance to NE in the preceding week or two
(Jonathans minor(!) op the culprit,) and we must thank them for that.
So, Mr. Campbell and Mr. Jones scurried off to Welshpool with a fully deserved
award once more whilst the O’Dowd Pa & Son enjoyed the “S” class honours with
Ellis/Jarman doing a fine job in the newly rebuilt but faithful Mk2. Pete sort
of put up with your scribe to take o/a but it surely can’t last as we approach
Round four.
The Route: A real sensible
plot saw crew’s out and about nice and early, Sect 1 of 4 immediately taking us
W from the start venue nr Great Ness. Unfamiliar territory this, Turfmoor,
Edgerley & (with clever use of the map fold!) Kinton, saw us arrive at S2 just
NW of Hopton. Down through Little Ness, the route a tight little bugger (love
it,) to cross the A5 for a loop through Ensdon only to direct us East again
taking in a clever little loop past Broomfields to finally drop South to Shoot
Hill and S3 start. Code boards a plenty, always the “have we missed one”
scenario but that’s the game we are at! Short one this, across the 488 to
Arscott with the third sect finishing at Hunger Hill.
Four CB’s too the finish then, skirting Berrington to Upper Cound and on to the
final CB (awkward little so & so on the final sexy loop through Chilton) to
finish (read the instructions,) approach West at the 2OY Junc nr Atcham.
Great stuff, food fit for an army and efficient results. Not bad.
Round Four:


O/A |
Driver |
Navigator |
Vehicle |
Class |
Fail |
Points |
|
1st |
Jamie Ellis |
Karl Ellis |
Ford |
E |
0 |
036 |
|
2nd |
Dan Campbell |
Clive Jones |
Rover |
N |
0 |
069 |
|
3rd |
Julie Darkin |
Nick Darkin |
Renault |
E |
0 |
085 |
|
4th |
Anthony Ellis |
Ian Jarman |
Ford |
E |
1 |
062 |
|
5th |
Pete Bonds |
PhilM |
Trooper RS |
E |
1 |
075 |
|
6th |
Jackie Green |
Chris Green |
Subaru |
S |
1 |
111 |
|
7th |
Mark Freeman |
Max Freeman |
Renault |
E |
3 |
120 |
|
8th |
Jane Taylor |
Jonathan Taylor |
Landrover |
E |
6 |
177 |

All things
considered, Richard
and the crew must be congratulated for even attempting to run an event. Poor
chap (and his rather elderly mate that agreed to “nip” him round the route)
even endured an “Italian Job” and a Landy tow from a rather dangerous
overhang whilst simply checking the iced roads the day prior!
Anyway, nuff said. Ta again to all that helped and of course a big thank you
to all that turned up.
The Route:
True to Mr. Smalleys’
form, a minimal data and max attack route saw crew’s struggling a little at the
start (over near The Holt,) but all seemed ok as we set out on the 1st section
which (having altered slightly due to snow/ice,) saw us go mainly SE taking in
Wooton, Kingsnordly, Lindridge & Birdsgreen. A rather mucky but always
entertaining Romsley farm section saw us venture East to Kinver Edge then South
via Drakelow and Fairfield with it’s brilliantly sited Cboard in Sq 8178 just
North of Franche. Like a few others, Pete & I were sited on the triangle on the
RHS and simply missed it!
S2 started over the River, led us up the B4194 to Buttonbridge and (using as
little B as poss at all times,) forced us South through Sturt Common to exit N
on the B4363. Bagginswood saw us directed past Chorley & Billingsley with the
final yellow across to Sutton finishing the job off.
Well, no one went hungry that’s for sure, as ever the table in the room centre
was fit to overflowing.
Shame the entries were lower than our norm but what with the weather and a
little illness its does happen from time to time of course.
Round Five:
Postponed... see below...
Round Six:

O/A |
Driver |
Navigator |
Vehicle |
Class |
Fail |
Points |
|
1st |
Pete Bonds |
PhilM |
Trooper RS |
E |
0 |
031 |
|
2nd |
Julie Darkin |
Nick Darkin |
Renault |
E |
0 |
067 |
|
3rd |
Josh Ellis |
Karl Ellis |
Ford |
E |
0 |
083 |
|
4th |
Anthony Ellis |
Ian Jarman |
Ford |
E |
0 |
093 |
|
5th |
Darren Hunt |
Clive Jones |
Audi |
N |
0 |
093 |
|
6th |
Mark Freeman |
Max Freeman |
Renault |
E |
0 |
095 |
|
7th |
John Bloxham |
Nick Bloxham |
Subaru |
E |
0 |
112 |
|
8th |
Simon Roberts |
Richard Smalley |
Ford |
E |
0 |
118 |
|
9th |
Jonathan Taylor |
Matt Taylor |
Landrover |
E |
0 |
160 |
|
10th |
Dan Darkin |
Alice Darkin |
Renault |
N |
0 |
218 |
|
11th |
Jackie Green |
Chris Green |
Subaru |
S |
1 |
130 |
Not since
earlier this century have
we been subjected to a “Knights’” ensemble. And those events lasted all day on a Sunday!
No worries though, after a few pre-plot nerves (for me anyway, and it showed!)
the route soon unravelled itself and it was obvious that we were in for a bit of
a treat. Just ask Mr. Taylor’s face when he arrived back at the finish!
Ok, we departed a little late but what some had not dialled in was ICE. And
plenty of it. This, together with a classic route saw a few shaving it (cutting
it close?!) toward the end of the night.
Very well done to Sandra, Chris & Jim. A smasher. A good class win by the ever improving Hunt/Jones combo with the Green’s unfortunately making a wrong decision with an S1 code board, but still they earned the class win. Darkin Snr’s added yet another astonishing podium to there count whilst Pete & I (after, it has to be said, a terrible plotting period by your scribe,) managed the top one. Lovely. More please.
The Route:
Bit of run out to Cleobury
North (anyone use the One Way short cut to save a bit?!) prior to S1 start just
about where the Bridgnorth Walk entrants start to suffer! On it straight away
with a couple of tricky CB’s then a skirt around the Hill, East of Abdon through
the notorious lanes to Cockshutford. West all the way toward Bouldon and the
ever approaching Jim Male’s sect one pick up point. Ta Jim. It was at this point
that Pete & I realised that we were mixing it with the Ellis’s Josh & Karl. So
we knew that were a little late on the road!
Over the 4368 nr Diddlebury, saw the ice become even colder! Pete really
struggling to keep the monster between the hedges in places. West to the far 138
extremity through Acton Scott and SF2. S3 saw us then slowly curve Eastwards
towards Chelmick, the super sharp right hander just about negotiated without
harm. Down to Harton but a return to Northward travel once more, Wall under
Haywood & Bushbury looking good. So far, no turning back for “crisp packets”
but, as is the beauty of these events... you just never know if a CB has fooled
you.
The worryingly named Hungerford next with SF3 happening in 5488. The final
section saw no let up, Tugford, Ditton Priors and right up to Netchwood before
we could see the finish line. Two more code boards prior to Neenton saw me
sweating for time so allowing the driver off the leash for the final B road to
The Down finish.

Round Seven:



O/A |
Driver |
Navigator |
Vehicle |
Class |
Fail |
Points |
|
1st |
Pete Bonds |
PhilM |
Trooper RS |
E |
0 |
055 |
|
2nd |
Josh Ellis |
Karl Ellis |
Ford |
E |
0 |
084* |
|
3rd |
Dan Campbell | Clive Jones | Vauxhall | N | 0 | 084* |
|
4th |
John Bloxham |
Nick Bloxham |
Subaru |
E |
0 |
100 |
|
5th |
Anthony Ellis |
Ian Jarman |
Vauxhall |
E |
0 |
113 |
|
6th |
Julie Darkin |
Nick Darkin |
Renault |
E |
0 |
115 |
|
7th |
Andy Falconer |
Clare Morgan |
Vauxhall |
S |
0 |
190 |
|
8th |
Jonathan Taylor |
Matt Taylor |
Metro |
E |
1 |
122 |
|
9th |
Mark Freeman |
Max Freeman |
Renault |
E |
1 |
132 |
|
10th |
Dan Darkin |
Alice Darkin |
Renault |
N |
11 |
283 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*count back |
The season,
once again flies by. Only
the three left already but what a great mixture of events orgs have presented us
with.What I must say is, whether you have only just started or lived it for
years, just to make the finish sometimes is an achievement. Dan/Alice take note.
You are doing real good to be honest.Class winners then, Campbell/Jones, great
result, Falconer/Morgan keep plodding away and then the Ellis pairing... well!
Ta Pete for driving the two ton’s far to fast so as to just make the finish in
time, well done again. Orgs had a day from hell prepping for this one, even down
to the fact that the manager had forgotten to mention to his staff that food was
required!! Good event.
The Route: Condover then,
a fair chunk of plotting and away East to Berrington. Dropping down here,
through my (very) old hunting ground, the Cound Moor area, complete with pretty
serious junc h/pin right into the nasty lipped ford. Acton Burnell to follow
which led us West toward Great Ryton and SF1 where the very official Mrs. George
relieved us of score card one.
S2 started nr Stapleton, meat of the event now winding across to Oaks and South
to the Church Pulverbatch yellows. And then the code boards started to arrive.
Big time! Looping around Smethcott Common we then dropped onto 137 with a
mandatory board real close to edge of the Northing 00 line and the map change!
SS3, top of 137, pushing West to Stitt farm and Bridges. I realised about now
that we needed to (in the word’s of a Darkin,) get a lick on. Pete duly obliged
and the trip across to Robin Hood’s Butts was quite interesting really. The last
couple of k’s showed us Womerton, nasty board sited on the lhs just prior to
slotting left toward Woolstaston and SF3 appeared just prior to the A49. Phew.

Round Eight:



O/A |
Driver |
Navigator |
Vehicle |
Class |
Fail |
Points |
|
1st |
Elwyn Manuel |
Danny Middle |
Trooper US |
S |
0 |
058 |
|
2nd |
Pete Bonds |
PhilM |
Trooper RS |
E |
0 |
063 |
|
3rd |
Anthony Ellis |
Ian Jarman |
Vauxhall |
E |
0 |
091 |
|
4th |
Philippa Bentley |
Simon Bentley |
Mini |
E |
0 |
134 |
|
5th |
Josh Ellis |
Karl Ellis |
Ford |
E |
1 |
086 |
|
6th |
John Bloxham |
Guy Weaver |
Subaru |
E |
1 |
107 |
|
7th |
Andy Falconer |
Clare Morgan |
Vauxhall |
S |
1 |
121 |
|
8th |
Damian Krezel |
Mat Krezel |
Golf |
N |
2 |
216 |
|
9th |
Jane Taylor |
Jonathan Taylor |
Landrover |
E |
3 |
164 |
|
10th |
Rob Gittens |
Dan Campbell |
Vauxhall |
N |
12 |
350 |
Class Winners:
The best Darkin
round yet... I think so! More
planning than you could shake a stick at went into that one... that’s for sure.
So the pre-event favourite (back from the high seas for a short while,) teamed
up with good olde Mr. Manuel. Recipe for success!
Picking up the pieces, the brand new Krezel crew were more than happy to accept
the Nov awards, whilst the lovely Falconer/Morgan pairing look set to do well
o/a in the Semi class after another sensible result here. Pete & I were rather
pleased with the E class win which gave us the Challenge with two to go.
Shame we were moved into the small room but no matter, cosy-r-us and the
sausages were just the job. Well done orgs. Nice.
The Route:
Based in Stottesdon, a clever 1st
section, more than half the route as it happens took us first (within the
confines of a pre-drawn triangle,) to Scriven, Oldfield and the long CBoard
plotting nightmare SW down through Wricton and Aston Botterell. And the code
boards kept on coming. 11 of the things prior to Besom Farm in fact!
East to Wheathill, past the Rare Breeds farm en-route to the expected sting,
just one click before the start venue as it happened. Keeping as Northerly as
possible that triangle fitted the bill just fine! A change of score card and a
second instruction set saw us away once more.
Bit of plot an bash to follow then, the correct move taking crew’s to
Bagginswood, South, a loop past Detton Hall and on to the five way junc at Six
Ashes. Quiet up through Cleo-berry-more-timer and the final S3 starting N ½ Sq
6675. Fog appeared (as ever,) over the Holly Waste and Riddings Gate area,
pretty mucky night throughout in fact.
With the pencil shortening by the bend, the final run in saw us travel through
Well Farm and Hardwick forge before the welcome sight of a pint and a Jhonny
Blox before bed!


Round Five:

O/A |
Driver |
Navigator |
Vehicle |
Class |
Fail |
Points |
|
1st |
Julie Darkin |
Nick Darkin |
Renault |
E |
0 |
057 |
|
2nd |
John Bloxham |
Nick Bloxham |
Subaru |
E |
0 |
059 |
|
3rd |
Mark Freeman |
Max Freeman |
Renault |
E |
0 |
075 |
|
4th |
Pete Bonds |
PhilM |
Trooper RS |
E |
1 |
058 |
|
5th |
Anthony Ellis |
Ian Jarman |
Ford |
E |
1 |
087 |
|
6th |
Andy Falconer |
Clare Morgan |
Vauxhall |
S |
1 |
111 |
|
7th |
Dan Darkin |
Alice Darkin |
Renault |
N |
1 |
159 |
|
8th |
Rob Gittens |
Danny Middle |
Citroen |
S |
2 |
079 |
|
9th |
Dan Campbell |
Clive Jones |
Vauxhall |
N |
3 |
219 |
|
10th |
Damian Krezel |
Mat Krezel |
VW |
N |
5 |
218 |
Cannock Chase.
Well, said it before and I will say
it...
Decent entry of ten crews all made the journey to Middle Earth(!) and signed on,
not expecting, not knowing what was in store really! Great result for Darkin
jnrs, another class win for the Morgan/Falconer crew. This allowing them the o/a
challenge class win. Bloxes took 1st in class allowing the big
Darkins to take it by 20metres!
Hard work for the orgs on that one, worrying finish venue as they were open
until 2am!
The Route:
First section of four saw crews doing
a loop (or two,) of Sycamore Hill, including the real difficult Boulder area,
before handing in the old score card and getting down to business. Second
section prompted us to start on the extreme Westerly edge of 127 and drop on to
a very accurately photocopied section of never used (to NE,) 128. Interesting
route saw us travel across Lady Hill, bit of A road and on to Brereton, Longdon
& the real narrow yellows on South to Farewell. With a mixed bag of “longest and
shortest” squares the olde Nav had to be on top form here as we entered yet more
unchartered NE territory.
A real tight run through Creswell Green saw the code boards arriving at alarming
pace. For once I could cope! Continuing to follow the orgs “black route line” we
faced North and West to enter Brereton Hayes Wood prior to SF2 near Regent Wood.
SS3 began as a short simple affair but turned into a nightmare for many of the
crew’s out enjoying the eve.
On the run down the A460 @ 128/0200 1450 a short lay bye/track is situated
rather adjacent to the A on the NW side. This “road” contained a live CB. Minor
problem being is that this is an acknowledged White road on all OS databases &
maps...
Anyway, enough already, sect three finished on the entrance to 127 with just a
handful of remaining yellows to sort out the pack.
After crossing the A34 we moved South toward Cannock, Four Crosses and Great
Saredon. Nice roads these, finishing off with Latherford and the longest route
round the three roads just South of the Marina finish venue.

Round Nine:

O/A |
Driver |
Navigator |
Vehicle |
Class |
Fail |
Points |
|
1st |
Jane Taylor |
Jonathan Taylor |
Metro |
E |
0 |
056 |
|
2nd |
Sam Middle |
Dan Middle |
tba |
S |
0 |
062 |
|
3rd |
Julie Darkin |
Nick Darkin |
Renault |
E |
0 |
063 |
|
4th |
Dan Harmer |
Jez Rogers |
tba |
N |
0 |
076 |
|
5th |
Pete Cotton |
Richard Walker |
Van |
E |
0 |
079 |
|
6th |
Dan Darkin |
Alice Darkin |
Renault |
N |
0 |
172 |
|
7th |
Josh Ellis |
Karl Ellis |
Ford |
E |
1 |
087 |
|
8th |
John Bloxham |
Nick Bloxham |
Subaru |
E |
1 |
116 |
|
9th |
Andy Falconer |
Clare Morgan |
Vauxhall |
S |
1 |
121 |
|
10th |
Mark Freeman |
Max Freeman |
Renault |
E |
1 |
123 |
|
11th |
Philippa Bentley |
Simon Bentley |
Mini |
E |
1 |
142 |
|
12th |
Pete Bonds |
PhilM |
Trooper RS |
E |
2 |
073 |
|
13th |
Damian Krezel |
Mat Krezel |
Golf |
N |
3 |
147 |
|
14th |
Neil Bishop |
Bob Ward |
tba |
N |
4 |
185 |
|
15th |
Jackie Green |
Chris Green |
tba |
S |
4 |
207
|
I’m sure the
atmosphere was charged at
the venue start (always is for me though!) ...the last event of season, great
organisation, no idea of the night ahead and a real full entry with a few olde
faces thrown in... just the job. What we did know was at 19:00hrs we would be
given a route, plot it and get on with it, max mileage and more of course.
Let us also say another massive thank you to the orgs and an even bigger one for
our resident “chef’ess” Charmaine E, brilliant job with the supper.


The Route:
Starting in Faraday Drive,
the section started as soon as crew’s left the entrance, this is actually as far
as the Trooper RS went before we (unknowingly of course!) managed to miss
plotting the first ref of the section! That’s miss the plot not misplot! So we
serenely travelled on our way... A458 instead of A442. End of night.
The correct section continued down the Mose, through Wooton ford and SE to
Birdsgreen before the first of many sneaky triangles en-route. Keeping west of
the Shipwalks we headed north to Bobbington, Beobridge with a couple of nasty
CB’s on the Bulwardine yellow. Section finish was found at good olde 5 ways
where we were treated to a card pick up point manned by at least six folks. One
had travelled from Bradford!!
A simple hand out in the form of an amendment gave a few nav’s a bit of trouble
around the Woundale triangles, we then headed north once more, Worfield, Bradney
and on to Allscott for the second pick up point manned by Anth E. Up the 442 to
Stockton before popping onto 127 and Monarchs Way. Sutton Maddock to re-fuel and
down across the river at Coalport, steady through Broseley and south back to
138. The Smithies loop saw us almost finished with just a small helping of
yellow around Astley Abbotts to finish the job off.
As mentioned above, back to the village hall, brilliant grub, and await the results.
So. What must be one of the most memorable wins for any NE crew, Jane & Jonathan T sort of enjoyed the limelight and even now (it is reported,) Jane is still on a high! That’s what I’m talking about. New crew Harmer/Rogers managed the Nov win, Middle crew S win and the Dark’s took E.
Selwyn duly took the Challenge Novice class with the hard trying and lovely pairing of Morgan/Falconer sorting the Challenge Semi class. Snr Dark’s have jumped in to grab the Expert class in what has been a rather nice season actually.

That's it folks.....