What’s in a name?

A tale from the British Champs weekend.
There is not a lot we can do with the name our parents decide to give us – short of changing it by deed poll which is a bit drastic, especially if you are given a name like ‘Andy’ which no one can really object to (compared to ‘Hilton’ or ‘Peaches’).

However, from my observations at the British Orienteering Championships in the New Forest over the first weekend of March there is a bit of a ‘jinx’ with the name ‘Andy’.

Andy B and Andy D both managed to drive to Edinburgh Airport and leave their cars in a car park (they were well directed by their partners in this). Andy D found the hire car a bit of a challenge – all these modern bits on it – but eventually drove Carol to her B & B and then on to the Travelodge with Marieke.

Both Andy B and Andy D had reasonable runs in the individual on the Saturday – unlike Lynne who did not check her code numbers and mispunched! During the Relays things began to go downhill. Andy D ran first leg for the EckO team; Paul then took over and was cheered up the run-in by the EckO spectators. He ran past the change-over pen as there was no sign of Andy B and Paul thought that he had been out sooooo looong that there had been a mini mass-start and Andy B had been sent off. Paul was stopped by a marshal and made to wait by the change-over pen. The EckO spectators were still screaming from the other side of the run-in – but this time at Andy B who had not noticed Paul coming in. Andy D dashed across, woke Andy B up and the change over was executed!

A relaxing afternoon with a walk along a river in the spring sunshine, loads of chat etc. A late flight back up to Edinburgh, onto the shuttle bus to collect the cars and go out weary way home. Well, some of us could go home but as we (Andy B, Gill, Paul & Lynne) were leaving the car park we spotted a pair of waifs waiting by the exit barrier. Andy D could not find his car and wondered if he had come to the wrong car park! Andy B opened up the back of the car and Marieke climbed in, Andy D squashed onto the rear seat and we went off around the airport to try and find a car park Andy D recognised! Andy D & Marieke were last seen walking off into the night to try and locate the car. I have just had an email from Andy D saying ‘It’s been a crazy week’ – was this because it took a long time to find the car?

I reckon there are a couple of nominations there for the wooden compass.

Photo of author Posted on 10th Mar 09
by Lynne Walker - Secretary