Orienteering 1:06:00 [5] 6.0 km (11:00 / km)
Day 2 at Kowen Forest East. I started reasonably strongly and went well until 7-8 which was a long route northwards over hills. I couldn't decide on a good route and went slightly to the west - but still over too many contours. I spent too long deciding on my route and then too long climbing hills in the pines. I also picked the wrong route between 8-9 - choosing the direct route instead of going up to the road.
9 - DISASTER!! As I approached 9 there was a crowd also approaching and I felt under pressure to get in and out - punching quickly. Now thank you to all the kind souls who offered their sympathy at a later stage regarding the SI stick not registering. Your sympathy was much appreciated. However I may have misled you all - on inspecting my splits and the maps of others, later in the evening, I realised that there was another control within 100 meters, on a thicket, rather than a watercourse. In my rush to get in and out of the control I didn't read the number. Big mistake!!!
The rest of the event was uneventful but slow - again poor route choice through the forest rather than the longer routes. I also had a tumble and stabbed myself on a stick.
Result - MP (would have been 9th again). BOO HOO!!!! Easter ruined and another lesson learnt. Oh - and the Garmin failed again ( I forgot to turn it on this time).