Dispatches from the Front from a newcomer.

Feeling positively heroic and dripping with martyrdom, I agreed to man (woman?) a Rodings Rally checkpoint last November. I was sharing the tent/checkpoint with Ken.

My assumptions were that I would be cold, damp, hungry and lacking sleep; the reality was that I was nice and cosy. I'd brought three sleep mats with me and feeling something like the Princess and the Pea - and full of food - had a good 5 hours sleep (who needs more?) between 3.00 and 8.00am

Ken is a nice comfortable person to be with. I can recommend him. It was actually very exciting - like a return to childhood - the hide and seek days, lying low in the tent, being aware of the sweep of torch-beams and the snap of twigs underfoot as teams tried to find us. Our last teams came through about 3.00 then we drifted off to sleep, waking at 8.00 to a brilliant frosty morning. What a delight that was, and were it not for R.R, an experience I would never have had.

To High Beech Village Hall for breakfast. “What would you like for breakfast?” I was asked. “Everything of course”. Well, what else would one reply after a hard night stretched out in a sleeping bag?

Would I do it again? OF COURSE!

Marian Temple. 13 February 2013

New Year's Day Walk, 2013

After a late (or to some - I suppose - quite early) return from a New Year party attended by quite a lot of EFOG members, the prospect of getting up for a 10am walk from Loughton Station was a bit daunting.

The bedside clock showed 7.30am when I looked, and I didn't need to leave until 8.55, but to ensure I didn't fall asleep again I got up and realised that if I were quick I could catch the first sunrise of the new year - albeit before I had my porridge. So it was up and out to a lovely day and a beautiful sunrise. It wasn't the glorious red colours of the following day, but instead a long, slow appearing of light in the south-east and the Sun proudly appearing across the lake and over the trees and houses bordering Wanstead Flats.

Sunrise over Wanstead Flats on New Year's DayOn such a beautiful day, and with such a wonderful sight, it's no surprise that I suddenly realised that if I weren't quick I'd have no breakfast or would miss the train.

I was joined on the train at Snaresbrook by one of our newer members, Marian, and by Jenefer - who had not been with us before. We three arrived at Loughton before the seventeen others who went on the walk, which was led by Peter.

We traversed the town, crossing the High Street and then uphill into the Forest to reach one of the main rides where we turned east and then more north to eventually reach the tea hut at High Beach. Keeping to the main rides was a sensible idea after so much recent rain, and plenty of others were doing the same thing. Surprisingly, hardly any horse-riders, though. The quality of the light was lovely, highlighting the grey trunks of the beeches and the whiter colours of the birches. Fallen leaves which could so easily have looked just messy were coppery.

The group pause in Epping ForestAfter a short stop for a snack at High Beach some of the group left us and the rest continued downhill to the biker's hut near the Robin Hood, for lunch. We then walked along the old road towards Whitehouse Plain, and it was just as we reached the plain that it was realised that Katie the greyhound wasn't with us. It seems everyone had assumed she was with someone else, whereas in reality she seems to have got confused as to who was who and taken up with some of the snackers at the tea hut! Sausages may have had something to do with it. Peter retrieved her and we continued, crossing the Epping New Road and making our way back towards Loughton Station. We we were having one of our-ten-green-bottle occasions, where gradually people were going off in different directions until eventually only five of us reached the vicinity of the station together. I mentioned to the extremely large rambling group that were just setting off that we'd started off like them, but had reduced.

Sunset over Wanstead FlatsBy Loughton, I'd received a call from friends saying they were just leaving Newbury Park station for Wanstead Park, and would I like to join them. I would, and the timing was perfect as I got off at Snaresbrook as they got off at Wanstead. We walked around the Ornamental lake in Wanstead Park - the paths of which were muddier than we'd encountered in the Forest, and for the first time in a very long time I noted that the Ornamental Waters was overflowing into the Roding. As we walked across Wanstead Flats towards the 'Golden Fleece' the sun was just setting, so I'd seen both ends of the day. The EFOG walk had been about 5.5 miles; the walk I did in Wanstead with Jenny and Garry was 3 miles. My feet were aching by the time we had a meal in the 'Fleece.

Sunrises, sunsets, trees, company and aching feet -  what a good start to the year!

Paul Ferris, 3 January 2013

A Sunday stroll towards Christmas: A walk from Snaresbrook to Chigwell - Sunday 9th December 2012

Ian Greer's walk from Snaresbrook on Sunday 9th December took place on a quite pleasant, and not bitterly cold, day. We were lucky, considering the somewhat inclement or at least chilly days that we seem to have been having – and were forecast for the following week!

Getting ready for the startThere was even something of a removal of some clothing by some of the eight who assembled outside of ROVSCO hall for Ian's punctual-at-11 set-off. Well, Eleven-o-five, actually, but we knew that the ninth person was well on her way! Whilst we waited in the bright sunshine a fox walked past us and crossed the road to the station, enjoying the sunshine too, no doubt, though perhaps a bit sun-dazzled. Not sure whether it was intending to catch a train, but anyway – I digress.

We walked past the Eagle, and through the luckily-not-flooded underground underpass to reach Hermon Hill, then walked down to Charlie Brown's. Charlie Brown is no longer there, of course, but his grand memorial roundabout is – an impressive obstacle to pedestrians who wish to cross. The nearest safe(er) crossing is up the road some way near Tesc*/*'s, where – nearby – is also the working place of Louise, but she said that she's turned the water off before closing up on Friday, so tea was out.

Louise, Pam, Madeleine and the dancing dogsThe Roding-side walk continues from across the crossing, but a little way back down towards the roundamemorial and, although pleasant and green enough, is a bit road-noisy and nowhere near the river. The river is eventually encountered – at least for a couple of hundred metres. At Woodford Bridge we walked uphill towards the village, and turned left, passing the Three Jolly Wheelers. We now entered Chigwell, where the houses all had security gates, so it must be a rough neighbourhood.

Passing a convenient garden centre, we went in to look at the Christmas specials. Lots of trees seemed to be leaving in fourbyfours and beemdoubleyous, and inside was a great display of dancing dogs, which took up most of my time. Jinan snogged Father Christmas, but his wife wasn't around so that was all right for Jinan, but not for me 'cos Mother Christmas might've been my opportunity.

Father Christmas and JinanAfter 4.5 miles from Snaresbrook we entered police property, where some of us had a roast and others waited an age for a sandwich. After that we made our various ways homewards or onwards and I lost sight of all but Louise and Jinan. The three of us had determined to continue to the Chigwell Riding Trust's Christmas Carol and Nativity Service* – a further 1.5 miles. It struck me as funny as we walked through Chigwell Village that a Jew, a Moslem and a Pagan were jointly making their way to a Christian event. We were reminded later, at the service, about three people - probably of mixed backgrounds - who'd done a similar thing years ago, BCE.

Chigwell Police finish-for-someI've never been to the annual Chigwell Riding Trust Christmas event before – Christmas, as many of you will know, is not really my thing – but I enjoyed it. I did suggest to Louise that we cut to the chase at the point where you take a candle and parade past the manger, and go straight to the mulled wine and mince pies. She called me a heathen, so I went along with everybody else. There was plenty of mulled wine and mince pies anyway, and a slight diversion to see the baby Jesus on the way wasn't really a bad thing. There were angels and donkeys (horses - or maybe ponies - actually, but I mustn't be pedantic), as well as shepherds and that, so it looked very nice.

I should say that I had a good time and that possibly a good time was had by all.

 

* Please have a look at Chigwell Riding Trust For Special Needs website here

 Paul Ferris, 9^th December 2012

Competitors views of the Rodings Rally...

 

A Thurrocks Nomad's view of the Rodings Rally

On Monday at work, someone asked "What did you do Saturday evening?". They were expecting an answer like, "I went to the Theatre" or "I went out for a nice meal". What they were not expecting was "From 9:30pm until 5:30am I was in Epping Forest in the damp and dark, trudging along the rides, squelching through mud and pushing my way through holly and brambles looking for people hiding in tiny tents concealed in the undergrowth..."

It was of course the Annual Rodings Rally. I have been taking part in this for over 20 years and I will try to explain why I keep coming back every year.

The challenging nature of the Rodings is a big attraction It would be relatively easy to find a mapped location on the ground if one had a firm starting point from which to measure and set a compass bearing, and then, clear open ground to cross. Nothing in the Rodings is like that. The possible start points for bearing off into the forest usually have no distinguishing features and have to be determined by distance from some remote landmark. These landmarks are often indistinct, crossing tracks are hidden by fallen leaves, streams may be dry and other unmapped paths and streams can confuse. There is little open ground and the way forward is usually blocked by fallen trees and thick undergrowth, often prickly holly or bramble. Trying to keep to a bearing and to estimate distance covered while forcing through this is difficult. Advantage should be taken of any additional clues such as gradient or other features. After finishing, when we look back, we can usually identify our mistakes and so there is always the tantalising feeling that next year, with a bit more concentration, our navigation will be more accurate and we will stumble straight onto every checkpoint at the first attempt.

We are a running/jogging club. The Rodings is the only orienteering event we attempt therefore we do not have the skills of 'real' orienteers. To judge distance travelled we have to count our steps, which requires such concentration that much ground is covered in serious silence. We live only one hours drive away from the Forest but somehow never return during the year to learn the 'lie of the land' so we can genuinely say we are not helped by local knowledge. So how did we get on in 2012?...

We solved all the clues pretty quickly and off we went. No.1 was common between both sets of competitors. With our late start but fast walking and others searching there for a long time, it was as crowded as a cocktail party, I said to Derek as we queued up to get our card signed, " I hope it's not all going to be like this". It wasn't. It rapidly thinned out from there. We knew the clue to No.2 referred to Lodge Road. However, one grid reference was 180m to the East of Lodge Road, but another was only 100m from the very end of Lodge Road. So being a pedant I chose the latter, but after getting there and a quick scout around it was obviously not there. We were in good time so we went to the other location and fairly easily found it so didn't lose too much time.

There were few people around for No.3 in Epping Thicks, but good luck meant we found it quickly, as we did Nos.4 and 5. So we were on a roll and we could see a 10/10 approaching.

No.6 was just before the Tea stand but we had tea first then tracked back to find it. Somehow I got my North and South mixed up and we turned left off the path instead of right... I realised straight away and corrected it but No.6 proved very elusive. We went out and in again, still no luck, then tried a completely different strategy which resulted in success but we had wasted one precious hour. Nos.7 and 8 were a long way away with no direct route. Nevertheless we criss-crossed our way there successfully, even correctly negotiating my personal Nemesis, the junctions with triangles upon triangles. Nos.7 and 8 were bagged but time was speeding up and slipping away. Off we went for 9 which, although generally on the way back, again lacked an easy route. We had decided on a strategy, up this open wide avenue for a paced distance, then off into the thick forest on a bearing. It all fell apart when we found the entire boundary an impenetrable 7 foot high bramble hedge. We revised our strategy, up to the end, then in on a long bearing. We would have just enough time for a single attempt. Thick forest, uneven ground and tiredness caused poor judgement and we failed to find it. We also got split up while trying to search a wide area. We made our separate ways back out, regrouped and to our horror noticed we had less than 20 minutes left and more than a mile to get back. A cardiac arresting route-march got us back with a few minutes to spare. Nothing could have been more welcome than the cup of tea at the end. So 9 out of 10 again. Not bad, but if we had used all the available information at No.9 we could have nabbed it for a clean sheet. So better luck next year, we will be back.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers and all the helpers especially those who spend a long cold night in the tents- you are all very much appreciated by us competitors.

Peter Woodard, Thurrock Nomads

 

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A selection of comments from other competitors in the 2012 Rodings Rally...

 

Many thanks Susan for a FANTASTIC experience!!! We all had a ball!!! Kids & adults – found 3 out of the 5 stations so not bad for 1st time out!!! No sense of humour failures either!

Determined to have MORE teams next year & get all 5!

Huge thanks as well for enabling us to go early and for organising it! What a feat!

All best wishes

Shenagh x

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Hello Sue

Hope you are well. I am hoping to say thank you very much and many congratulation for a most successful and enjoyable event. We had such a great time and will definitely come back next year. Thank you for the great organisation!

Another thing.... We are just very eager to find out how we did in the night - would you be able to kindly let us know our ranking, if already known? We are team No.65, "Brave Lions"...

Thanks a lot!

Cheers
Ning

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Could you please pass on my thanks and praise to the organisers of the Roding Rally last weekend. This was our first time attending this event, and was pleasantly surprised at the scale/organisation of the event. My team of Explorer Scouts enjoyed the event as well.

My offer of help was not required.

Could you please tell me when the final results will be available, as I’m sure to be asked my Explorers.

I will be promoting next year’s event to the rest of my scout district.

Kevin Bruton

ESL Red Squirrels ESU

DESC Royal Forest

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Hi Susan,

The rally was really great and I really enjoyed it!

I was wondering if I could still hit some more of the Epping forests maps? Of I could have 3 spare ones I could send a heir for them. Of course I would also pay for the postage.

Thank you,

Kat

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Hi Susan,

Thanks so much for helping to organise such a fantastic event last - it was my first time attending the event and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I will definitely be returning next year! When we completed the event last night, one of your fellow organisers asked if any of us would write a review of the event. I have done one for you, if that's OK, and my team mate Mike Fleming passed on your email address so that I could send it to you.

I hope it's OK for you and thanks again for a great night!

Best wishes,

Katie Garner

(Note from Sue: Katie’s review is pasted, below...)

A fantastically unique, mud-splattered way to spend a Saturday night

First off, I must say what a brilliant, well organised event the Roding Rally is. I’ve always loved the great outdoors, and although I have done some small forest hiking in the past, I have never had the opportunity to take part in such a large scale competition such as this. Working out the grid references from the cryptic clues gave the initial orienteering aspect a new twist, which was great fun. The checkpoints were at varied locations across the forest, making it perfectly challenging without being over complicated and frustrating! Finding interesting routes from each checkpoint was entertaining and there was a good mix of trekking across muddy, holly-strewn undergrowth, gravelly footpaths, grassy clearings and country roads.

The checkpoints themselves were near impossible to find, the small dark green tents well and truly hidden among branches. Most of the checkpoints were unlit and the exhilaration of racing against the other teams to be among the first to locate the tent really encouraged a friendly rivalry, with competitors shouting out of breath greetings to each other. Amidst a sea of bobbing torch lights you never really felt alone; although the forest was completely pitch black.

The whole event was well planned from start to finish, with the organisers being extremely kind and welcoming, even to us newcomers! I would definitely take part again next year as I thoroughly enjoyed the variety. The distances between the checkpoints were ideal, providing a decent interval for you to work out your routes yet it didn’t take too long to navigate. Perfectly planned, fantastic fun and a real team event. Also, I think it is a brilliant idea to do the event overnight as it adds a whole new dimension to orienteering making it twice as fun – and definitely twice as entertaining!

Katie Garner, The Badminton Brigade

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Comments from Roding’s Rally Facebook page...

Just finished, had a brilliant time, did way better than last year. Thanks very much for putting on a fantastic event. Epping Forest Field Centre will hopefully be back for more next year.

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Lovely evening. Spent an hour visiting all three sites on the last clue. If it wasn't for that we might have been in front of Suffoc. Oh well. There's always next year!

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Terrific event, as usual when has it ever not been!) Still haven't worked out the letters clue to No 5, got it more by luck and guesswork and taking a chance. Many thanks to ALL involved in putting it on every year.

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