Hi All
This was my last planned evening activation of the season, and I knew it would be a bit marginal. I won’t whinge on about the trials and tribulations other than to say that the carpark shown on the map is no longer, and the woodland surrounding the summit is undergoing extensive management work apparently being undertaken with the aid of very large tracked excavators, and involving churning it into a nightmare of mud and broken trees. Not a place to be wandering round in the increasing darkness…
Didn’t find the trig point, and retired to the edge of the wood to operate. It was by now fully dark, and I was not a happy bunny. Stewart 'LGS’s return to my second call was most welcome, and his spot (thanks Stewart) started a good run of calls from regular chasers. My spirits began to lift, and when Phil 'OBK announced I had given him his last unchased SC it all began to seem worthwhile! As I finished with Phil I heard 'CWI asking if I’d got CW (I hadn’t but the writing’s on the wall - I’ve wished I had so often lately to complete borderline QSO’s it’s just got to be done!)but fortunately I managed to work him anyway, giving him 3x3 and receiving a report of 3x1 - doesn’t get much more borderline than that!
By this time I was well cheered up, so much so that I didn’t even swear (much) when I plunged knee deep into a muddy puddle on the walk back down the churned up forest ride.
Apologies to all my contacts last night for moaning so much, and thanks to all for the terrific support I’ve had throughout this season of evening activations. Looking forward to next year, just got to persuade my employers to send me somewhere where there are plenty of new hills for me to do…
73 de Paul G4MD