Learning to use a map and compass in Delemere Forest.

A fun day quite literally "getting your bearings" in Delamere Forest.
This event is for anyone who does not already know how to use a map and compass and would like to acquire this valuable skill. If you already know what you are doing then please do not participate - this is for new learners only.

We shall start at the pub when they open at 11am (please buy a coffee or something - they are not charging us for using their space) and I will teach the basics of using a map and compass together.

Once I am happy that you are all reasonably competent we shall move our cars (so as not to block the car park for the all-important Sunday Lunch crowd) then I shall send you round the course, 10 minutes apart, clockwise and anti-clockwise, in teams of 2-4 people - choose your friends now!

I shall be running separate chats for each group, I shall set you navigation challenges and side-quests. Delamere is full of posts with the location shown as a OS grid reference - I shall ask for a photo of one of your team next to one of these posts and might ask you to do something else (and evidence it) whilst you are near something of interest.

I shall be keeping an eye on you via all the various WhatsApp chats and shall be circling the forest in my car to offer assistance where appropriate.

The winner will be whomever complete the course in the swiftest time, with no errors. There may be a small trophy if I can source one in time - do not expect anything fancy!

Once teams have completed the course we can return to the pub for further drinks and to announce the winners.

You will need:

. £2 to cover meetup fees and maybe a trophy - meetup is not free! Your group leader has to pay Meetup to run this group.

. Your OWN PERSONAL COPY of OS Explorer - 267 - Northwich & Delamere Forest. No point sharing. You won't learn anything if one person hogs the map. I suggest you try https://dash4it.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/9403/s/exp-267-northwich-delamere-forest/ for a good price.

. Your OWN PERSONAL COMPASS. I like this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FF4J6ZB?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

. Usual waterproofs / picnic lunch / water / warm clothing etc.

. A sense of humour. It doesn't matter if things go wrong today, it's supposed to be fun. Gives us something to talk about. Yes, there is some element of competition - but if you charge round at high speed you might not actually learn as much.

Side note: Do not use your phones - even if (especially if) you get lost. The whole point of this day is to learn a new skill in a safe environment. You should be using your phones only for updating your WhatsApp channel with your progress.