Well, after a month’s travelling around Italy in the sunshine, and no orienteering activity whatsoever, it was tough going for me at yesterday’s Mole Valley event at Epsom Racecourse. Only four from WSX went – Ian, Kay, Rob and myself – on what was a bright but windy day. The map consisted of the racecourse itself plus the training circuit, with several small areas of woods in between and at the edges. It was these wooded areas which provided the complexity and it took me several controls to get into the map. And even then I found it difficult to find some of the root stocks and knolls, particularly as many of them weren’t mapped. But great fun, and it got my legs (sort of) moving again in something approaching a running motion.

While away in Italy, I kept in touch with what the club was up to and I want to thank Dale and Alan (Blanchflower) for planning and organising the first of the Wessex Region Night League event at Canford Heath. By all accounts it was a great success and provides a solid foundation for the forthcoming season. I’d also like to thank Rob and Jolyon for planning and organising the Dorset Delight at Coldharbour – I know what a lot of work goes into those roles and it is often a thankless task. Thanks also to James and Roger for updating the map. The event went smoothly (as usual)  – due to all of you who helped out on the day – although the number of competitors was on the low side.

A reminder for anyone interested that we’re holding an Event Safety Workshop at Avon Heath Country Park on Saturday, December 9th. I’ll be giving more details to those who have already expressed an interest in due course. But if anyone else is interested, please let me know. It’s just a 3-4 hour session, and there’ll be an informal event in the afternoon.

I also have one more place left for a 3-hour Basic First Aid course on Saturday, December 2nd.

And finally… here’s a link to the local events in November – including our Club Championships at the November Classic.