Collier Cup 2006 Round 1

07 April 2006

Six teams arrived at the first round of this year's Collier Cup. One team made huge efforts by driving from Cornwall that morning and, arriving home at 5:30 pm grabbed his set and just made the start. All teams heard Min (Tx G3TRY/P), which, due to sky wave, gave most teams a bearing towards the Reading area. I had taken a different route to most by driving to Wallingford, across the Thames, where at the 8pm signal appeared massive. With no real cross we made our way to Sonning, crossing the Thames again. The next signal appeared weak, so we made off to Lower Shiplake were we found no sign of DF life. The fourth signal gave us a bearing near the Thames at Upper Shiplake where we found three DF vehicles. So we legged it down to the river and towpath. With the signal on, the Rx took me across to a small steam where I met Peter Lisle and son. After crossing the stream, I found to my horror that there was a greater steam/river stopping my run. So we had to back track right to near the DFers' cars and proceed along to a small wood. With no signal, I decided a call of nature was needed and, on switching my main torch on, found I was looking at a DF aerial. (Wow! I never see aerials). On searching all the different paths Min and his friend had erected, I made my way up the hill only to see a large bottom peeking from under a fallen tree. I was amazed to find we had gained third position, well behind the winner who deserved a win by supporting us from where he lives. A good natter was had at the nearby pub with all teams finding Min

Brian Bristow.

Position Competitor Finish
1 Geoffrey Foster 20:42:03
2 Alan Simmons 20:52:47
3 Brian Bristow 21:00:25
4 Peter Lisle 21:05:46
5 Mark Coventry 21:12:21
6 Graham Phillips 21:13:58