GRAMP Long O @ Bogendreip and Glen Dye

[the duncan]

I'll be a long long too Ali,

where is the SEDS training? let me know. where you all staying?

i'll be there for the cake!

[Scotia]

i'll be there for the cake!

common now bruce. SEDS are trying to keep to a budget

[Kitch]

SEDS coming up from Edinburgh are
Andy Kitchin
Mark Nixon
James Tullie
Doug Tullie
Oleg Chepelin
Kyle Heron
Mhairi Mackenzie
Jess Halliday
Kirsten Strain

that might mean you want to do a few extra maps.
I will want a long long.

[plain lazy]

Oh nice one, cheers Kitch... that'll give me a better idea.

We'll maybe print off another few just incase...

[graeme]

also me, and Colin Eades. long long

[the duncan]

Well, back home now, eaten lots of food, and feel much better.

all those who have ever run at Glen Dye and Bogendreip will know that they are possibly some of the nicest forests this fine land has to offer, but today they were just that bit more special.

arrived to find the mist just lifting off the forest, and a blazing clear sky above, not a breath of wind, and quietness all around (apart from Family Esson arriving in matching Mitsubishi Evo cars)

the forest was gorgrous, dew on everything, so all the spiders webs were looking amazing, and the sun was filtering down through the trees, across one marsh there was a deer prancing away from me, and later on more running across my path.

the course Ali had planned was brilliant, plenty of up and down and long and shorter legs in all the best parts of the map, it was one of those days when you are running, thinking that life doesn't get much better than this.

Mark Nixon ran a superb sub 2hr for the 18.4km, with Oleg not far behind, i was slightly slower, but boy was it good.

for all those that missed it, its a real shame, cos i think that might qualify for best orienteering course this year.

spot on Ali, thanks very much.

[m]

That has to be some of the best orienteering in the world. I had so much fun today- thanks to everyone who were involved in organising, especially Ali for planning such fab courses.

[J.Tullster]

Aye, echo those sentiments.
Awesome! Shame I was too knackered to appreciate it so much at the time! but in retrospect...sweet as.
Cheers Ali

[plain lazy]

Wow what a day !

We managed to get the last of the controls in by 5.30pm, plenty time to get back to Aberdeen in time to get showered and tarted up before heading to the Gramp Curry Night.

Thanks for your commments guys, really good to hear the courses were appreciated, makes the hard work worthwhile. I spent about 4.5 hours yesterday, and about 3.5 hours today hanging and collecting controls (about the same time it would have taken me to run the 18.4km ) so i'm well and truly shattered.

I had a few folk help me take controls in, thanks to them if they read this.

I will try and get the maps onto Route Gadget as soon as I can, we need to learn the system or get someone who can to sort it for us. I'm keen to see where folk went on some of the longer legs.

Here's hoping Gramp/Maroc can organise another Long-O next year, would like the chance to run it...

Ali.

[graeme]

Possibly the most enjoyable event of the year. Thanks Ali.

Graeme

[mharky]

Aye, most fun I've had at event in ages, absolutely awesome. The Long-O was great, and the forest was in perfect condition, with bright sunshine and rising mist.

thanks ali, and gramp

can't wait for the next one...

[Kitch]

Want to add my thanks.

brilliant,
running across the clean forest floor of Bogendriep with the sun glinting crisp across the marsh, cobwebs shining, scent of heather and myrtle.
terrific !
clean navigation on a great course on a graet area