Phoenix Long-O. From the ashes.

Will try to be brief with this and just list my highs and lows from the 2 days. Since you're mostly out on your own, apart from criss-crossing with people on other courses you've no idea of your progression in the greater scheme of things. It was tough in parts but nothing like the terrain over Keilderhead last year. And I was getting pretty wasted toward the end of day1 with it being quite warm and sunny. But I had a much better time of it than on previous occasions and feel that I've risen from the ashes of previous performances in this event. 

Photos below show the B Course maps and CP descriptions, with the direct routes marked on, and my split time download, for each day.

(Open the photo and then click to 'view full size' for a clearer image, and to have a go at deciding which way you might have gone, if you're interested!)

The map and the little list of checkpoints you must visit (in that order) are what you get at the start. Then you mark on your route if you wish (Most people mark the straight-line route as I have done.) and away you go. Start times are staggered so competitors cant follow each other. I've not confused the maps any further by drawing on my ACTUAL (!) routes, suffice to say that I've gone considerably further than the indicated distances in order to choose, hopefully, less strenuous terrain. I estimate my total distances covered to be closer to miles than the distances given in km for the direct routes, ie: 18m day 1 and 16m day 2.

Low points: Sunburned knees/ Knee and ankle twinges (took too long a route on a road on day 1)/ Nettle stings, knees again, not good on top of previous sunburn!/ Why am I in the middle of this bracken patch!? (stupid route choice toward end of day2)/ Soaked on day2.

High points: Windy Gyle (literally!)/ Glorious weather day1/ Views FOREVER from the Border Ridge day1/ Not getting lost (major achievement)/ Running along Usway Burn day2/ Barrowburn Tea Rooms/ WINNING the B Course race. Yesss!

Not high or low: Will the real Quasimodo Crow please stand forward! After I entered this event I checked the entry list (About 21 per day on the longer courses A/B, more on the shorter) to see if there was anyone I recognised. The name Quasimodo Crow immediately jumped out at me, not because I know Quasimodo, but just for being such a brilliant name! How blind I (possibly) was. My father pointed out to me that a good orienteer might want to traverse the course, "as the crow flies" or, "in the manner of a crow," which is how the name Quasimodo Crow translates! I wanted your monicker to be the real deal Quasimodo, but have to suspect not! (Sincerest apologies if it is, by the way!)

Thanks to all from Newcastle & Tyneside Orienteers for organising such a great event.