Orienteering race (Manton Dam) 54:50 [3] 4.6 km (11:55 / km)
shoes: North Face
The reality of NT terrain hit today with the rocky ground and tough weather conditions. I never expected to do that great today since i was running the hardest course. I ended up in the middle of the results board, but i wsan't upset. Especially since the chocolate brownies at the bbq was so good. A couple of mistakes 1 as a result of a reported magnetic anomoly, and the other because i was being stupid and not watching the compass. Perhaps both are the same mistake?
The highlight of the day was yet to come. Lachlan, Susanne, Blair, Kate, John and I took a short trip into Litchfield and saw some of the most spectacular falls i have seen. I really wished i had more time to look around. This must mean that i will come back up again.
Still the highlight of the day was yet to come.
The afternoon took a completely different turn as we took off for the Coomalie Creek Airfield. I wasn't sure that all the talk about the afternoons activities was going to be as good as it was, but as soon as the fun started, i was like a kid in a candy store. We were treated to a private airshow of around 9 different aircraft, including a Harvard trainer, a Yak 9, a Tiger Moth and a Turbo Prop water bomber. It was the most spectacular afternoon i have experienced for quite some time. So much excitement. I paid for a ride in the Harvard which was really quite thrilling, 12 cylinder radial engine and the nicest thundering roar that would rattle inside your chest. Loved it. ~30min in the air with Nik the pilot left me wanting so much more. It was also exciting to watch Jeffa Lyon taking off in the Harvard and completing a low pass over the strip - must be the fastest i have ever seen Jeffa move! I took about 500 photos in the afternoon. Which lead into the evening with a couple of bands and a dam good feed. I would class this as the best orienteering carnival i have been to, despite the low key orienteering organising. Which i think added to the awesomeness of the day and the weekend.
Still buzzing from the day even now (2 days after).