Northern Championships - not grim up North

[Freefall]

Back in after another 16 km day planning (and 260m climb) which should give an idea of course lengths for the M21E! Ray Demesne is a great area - I "found" it and secured permission and we did have an event a couple of years back. It's not really up north for me now as I am working in Scotland but the area is worth visiting. Probably (hopefully) my last ever bit of planning for NATO (as I am in FVO now) and there are 20 good courses taking you in and out of the trees and onto the moor with fine views to Cheviot. Easy trip down the A696 from Scotland or up from Newcastle. Get your entries in now - the 27 March isn't far away. Highlights today included my third sighting of the big brown fox and a stoat in full winter white coat (ermine) that watched me for about 30 seconds from 10 yards away.

[AndyO]

well, if the big brown fox plans to run in the Northern Champs, he better declare himself n/c however quick he may be, and that goes for the lazy dog he jumps over, the stoat in ermine, or any other pangrams

[widdershins]

Perhaps its time to update your location then; so that the north can be properly down south?

[Freefall]

The North is now down south! Thanks for pointing that out.

[binman]

Freefall - if you wanted to avoid any confusion as to whether you're up or down you should have joined INVOC; it's all down hill from there.

[binman]

Just tried to find out where Ray Thingy-me-jig is and BOF website came up with a FATAL ERROR - has poor Ray snuffed it or did the Stoat croak?

[AndyC]

Full details are on NATO website (http://www.muddy.org is the easily remember link to it) - RD is 23 miles NW of Newcastle off the A696 -http://www.newcastleorienteering.org.uk/flyer/rdmx/home.html direct link to the event page

[binman]

Thanks AndyC. Is the area the same as that for the event in 2008 on routegadget?

[AndyC]

Freefall will confirm but I believe so. Revised map may cover slightly more area but I'm not sure. I ran there in 2008 and I'm looking forward to returning.

[Scott]

To avoid us clueless Southerners embarrassing ourselves, could somebody clarify the correct pronunciation of "Demesne"? Based on half-remembered school history lessons I would guess "dee-main", but I'm fair from certain...

[AndyC]

having only lived up here for 24 years (on and off) I'm no expert but those who should know seem to pronounce the last part "main" and precede it with either a long or short "d" depending on who is speaking. (so for at least some people you guessed right but I think the short "d" is more common) but I could be wrong as well

[dustytoo]

And let's not forget the sprint on the Saturday - a restored Victorian park, a maze, and the perimeter of St James Park football stadium. Three for the price of one!

[AndyC]

What you have failed to mention is the proximity to Newcastle City Centre with all its amenities, comprehensive transport links, the high standard of the planner and the even higher standard of controlling - if I've identified my clubmates right it's you....

[Freefall]

Freefall will confirm but I believe so. Revised map may cover slightly more area but I'm not sure. I ran there in 2008 and I'm looking forward to returning.

Longer courses will indeed visit an area not used before. One of the woods (not used much previously) is now very runnable and the green screen has been removed.

Planner and Controller (Paul Taylor of CLOK) have worked very well together and are in agreement that there are some great courses.

[Freefall]

Closing date this weekend even thought he event is a month off. It will be worth it. I'm just a bit worried as to how I can explain away the FVO top I received last night when appearing back in the North East.