We had two new members on the walk and it proved to be a good training session. As you move anti-clockwise around the track from M Morrell you can see the decisions we made which the satnavs helped us to correct.
Firstly, we missed a path.
Secondly, we we were tempted to go along a clear track which lead eventually to a barbed wire fence. We had to retrace our steps. This path was not actually a right of way. The real one was almost parallel a few yards away over a stile. When the angle between 2 possible paths is very small it easy to follow the wrong one. The arrow on the satnav does not start to alert you till you have gone someway.
Thirdly, the path was just not there neither was the path opposite. There were no waymarking posts. We had to match map cordinates on the map with those on the satnav and with the beginning of the expected path. Patrick also worked out the compass bearing to take. After some discussion we set off across a large field and eventually found a stile that confirmed we were on the right track.
Thirdly, because we cut a corner the satnavs started pointing backwards to a waypoint we had missed out. We had to select 'Stop Navigating' and start 'Tracback' again.
Fourthly, a bit like the second point we went along the wrong one of 2 paths at a small angle to each other.
It was an interesting walk and the views near to the ponds near Lighthorne were good. Doing it anti-clockwise meant we descended rather than ascended a steep hill north of Lighthorne.
