CLUB PICNIC

Not many club members have run on Nibthwaite, a lovely little area on the east side of Lake Coniston. I gather access restrictions limit numbers allowed and car parking is a major problem for a larger event. Neither of these limitations applied for our little picnic event and it gave those who came a chance to try a new area albeit using an old map.

The area is long and narrow with steep slopes. It was satisfying to plan on as features such as platforms were readily identifiable. There are some lovely patches of woodland that are a pleasure to run through but at this time of year there are also swathes of shoulder high bracken which was not a problem when I reccied the area. It does grow fast. The other problem on the day was the active tree felling. No one actually got hit by falling trees but some control sites were surrounded by recently felled branches.

The event start was delayed a little as it took longer than expected to put out all the controls. I managed to drop one on the way round so congratulations to Jon Carberry who found it and then carried it round the rest of his run. He doesn't reckon it would have cost him the 13 minutes he was behind Quentin but it would have been a good excuse.

Only 2 people found all the controls, Quentin and Jon, Quentin finishing with 13 minutes to spare. Not only that but daughter Katrin age 10 found 7 controls in an area of technical difficulty 5 all by herself. Mother Sue and sister Zoe found 11. They then between them collected in half the controls. Well Done!

Thanks also to Dave and Natasha Kesby for bringing their petrol stove without which we could not have had hot drinks with our food and thanks to Dave too for collecting controls. Facilities at Nibthwaite are limited for a picnic but with fine weather, stove, table and chairs we had an enjoyable and civilised meal with the chance to socialise in a relaxed environment.

The turnout was low but those who came enjoyed themselves, some of them staying over in the lakes for the badge event the next day.

RESULTS                   POINTS

Quentin Harding          200 (13 minutes to spare)
Jon Carberry               200
Dave Kesby                180
Dick Collins                150
David Rosen               130
Miriam Rosen             120
Sue and Zoe Harding   110
Peter Knott                  90
Jayne Finch                 90
Alex Finch                   90
Maurice Collett             80
Katrin Harding              70
Andrew Emery             60
Jane Collins                 60
Sarah Watkins             50 (4 minutes late)

Rowena and Roger Browne

Last Updated : 05.07.03