Eight teams braved this cold night. Keith Holden was the Tx operator, putting out a strong signal to the start at Maidenhead Thicket. Most teams, with the exception of one, took bearings in the right direction. My navigator, John, and I had so much to catch up on since last we met we missed the 8pm Tx signal, (I think its my age). However, we made up on this mistake by driving back down the bearing and waiting for the 8:15 transmission. When it came on we were only two miles away. On driving down a small road, we parked up next to a disused dairy then Alan Simmons and Peter Lisle arrived and galloped off into the dead of night. I, armed with two types of light, finally caught up with them on the adjacent hill, where we found Keith's car parked.

The next signal sent us racing to the main footpath signs whereupon my main light went flat. So I switched to the head lamp. Further searching with the signal on took me into what appeared to be a thick wooded area and, when trying to cut through, my second light went out resulting in total darkness. I called out to John who also stated that his torch had died. Much to my relief, Alan shone his torch through the thicket allowing me to escape from my self-made prison, then kindly let me borrow his torch so I could finally find Keith.

Two more teams subsequently found Keith, one of them had never competed or fully operated a DF set before and was told by their set supplier "You have no chance of finding a station". Better watch out, Graham!

Most teams arrived back at the pub in Marlow and were later treated to sausages and chips. Thanks to Geoffrey Foster and Min Standen for coming out and supporting this first event of the year.

Brian Bristow.