Cold Comfort at CanyonLeigh

Uringa hosted the Schools Champs and State League 12 at Canyonleigh. Great accommodation at the Shearers' Quarters, a crisp morning start and then a brilliant day.

A candle-lit dinner the night before with Margaret's soup as the entree and Gayle's goulash as main course.
















Then we woke to a very heavy frost.















Yes a very heavy frost!
















... before Ron's team of little helpers pulled off a great event. Sorry you couldn't be with us Nick!

Sad News from Switzerland

Uringa sends its condolences to Linda Sesta and her family after the sudden death of Linda's father, Martin Hollenstein, last week. Linda's parents, Martin and Lorna, had visited Australia several times. Many Uringa members met Martin at events - he would never miss an opportunity to orienteer. He even participated in the Uringa President's Cup one year despite being in Switzerland - he figured he could at least do the Sudoku part of the challenge set that year by Uringa President Matt Peters. We considered him an honorary Uringan.

It was Martin who got the whole family interested in orienteering when Linda and her brother Mark were still youngsters - he wanted a healthy, wholesome activity that would keep them off the streets and away from the temptation of drugs and alcohol. Not something he'd have had to worry about anyway with Linda and Mark, but you've got to admire that sort of contingency planning.

Martin seemed always full of fun and enthusiasm. My memories of him are always with a smile on his face. He was an accomplished musician and a keen amateur video maker. After enjoying the Swiss O Tour and the Swiss 6 days with Martin, Lorna, Mark, Linda, Aldo, Ron, Gayle, Helen, Terry, Mary Jane, Angela, Dave and me in 2006, Martin (with the able assistance of Aldo) put together a fabulous DVD which he sent to all of us as a memento. My favourite scene from the DVD is of Martin, after spending the "rest" day on an incredibly strenuous climb in the alps with Aldo, Mark and Mark's girlfriend at the time, sitting back and saying "Phew. I'm absolutely rooted".

Of course, behind every good man is a good woman, and Lorna and Martin made a good team. Many of us have been the recipients of Martin and Lorna's very warm hospitality. For myself, they spontaneously offered me a place to rest after I injured my ankle on the last day of the Swiss 6 days, and really looked after me, something for which I remain very grateful. It also gave me the chance to get to know them better, which was a lovely experience.

Martin died suddenly while doing what he loved - out on an orienteering course. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with Linda, Lorna and Mark at this time.

What about the Mighty MO

Maureen just about blitzed the field on Saturday in Portugal but had to be content with ONLY a SILVER MEDAL ! Just over 60 seconds in arrears from Gold , she left plenty of disgruntled Scandos in her wake ! I cant cget the wreath off her head or the smile off her face !

DickO

A Bit Grey in Orange

A small but hardy contingent of Uringans ventured west across the divide for two days of orienteering at Orange. Yours truly came well prepared after checking the BOM site to find that snow was predicted for the Sunday. You know how I love the cold!!! Half of us stayed in Canobolas Caravan Park, but a very hardy other half camped. Yes, really. Gayle, Linda and I shared one cabin - it had a very weak heater that was scarcely able to take the chill off. Luckily I had come prepared. My trusty fan heater travels with me in winter and was able to supplement the puny and inadequate efforts of the air conditioner. And it wasn't just me who appreciated it! Lucky Ron wasn't there, though, he would have had to strip off to his underwear...

Saturday's event was held at Kahli's rocks - one of those maps that looks as though someone splattered ink dots all over it. Quite challenging navigating for some of us, but Jan had a blinder and Linda and Sybille ran well as usual... The courses were interesting with a good variety of legs.

Afterwards many Uringans dined out in a convivial setting before retiring early in order to rest up for the next day's event.

Overnight it rained, but the temperature remained a little higher than expected and it rained overnight but didn't snow. Out at the event it was a chilly 5 degrees with a brisk wind blowing, however, it wasn't raining OR snowing. Linda broke out the tights she'd last worn in winter training in Switzerland. I wore a generous coating of thermals. Nick, Rick, Dick and the Daves went out in their usual light layers, Dave L complaining of the heat ...

Ophir Diggings was the site of the event, and most of us passed by bottomless pits from mining efforts of yore. One memorable control was set deep into an adit, and for some their next control could be reached through a connecting tunnel to a neighbouring adit. It was great running terrain with little underfoot and NO "fight" vegetation for a pleasant change. It was bit grey and overcast, but didn't stop the hardier Uringans from sharing a cuppa and route choice stories after the event (but it did stop the cold weather wusses such as myself - eager to return to a nice warm car out of the wind). Rick, Linda, Maureen and Nick had great runs, winning in their classes. Dave L had a good run coming second, with Dick not far behind for fourth. Jane and I were in a class of our own ... literally - ergo we were both winners, too. Noel and Gayle had very good times for third, and Dave M also had a third place, and Margaret finished a bit behind Gayle.

All in all it was another great weekend of orienteering, with interesting terrain and courses. And, of course, great company.

lisal (The Doc)

Uringa@Dubbo 3

Uringa @ Dubbo 2

As well as the competition side of the Australian 3 days and area in which Uringa excels – the social side was well attended.
In contrast to JWOC where Uringa was buried in the starts and seldom saw the warm light of day, Uringa was responsible for making sure the results went up.
This proved to be very stress free and Uringans were able to kick back and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the event. On the last day however more workers were needed to complete the slats.
Saturday night saw a huge turn out at the Two Doors restaurant in Dubbo. The warmth of the Dubbo evening made sure that many cleansing ales were consumed by all and sundry. It was indeed a great evening.
Ian and Margaret Jones, Lawrence, Georgia and Sophie,new members of Uringa caught up with the crowd. Ian proved to be very adept at tearing of split prints whilst consuming an ice cream and the kids were fantastic, along with Noel Boos in hanging result slats.
Also on the social side we met up with Sybille’s parents, Hans and Kristina Braun. Hans acquitted himself well in M65A and Kristina tagged along with Corsin on Enter on day courses.
Chris, Anita and Oliver and Annabelle deserted the Red Roos ranks to join up with their former club mates for the weekend. Chris quickly became “Captain Slat” as he directed the juniors in where and how to hang slats!

Monday arvo saw a lightning fast clean up and before you could say “Captain Slat” the trailer was loaded with gear and the journey home commenced.

Uringa @ Dubbo

The following are Uringa results at Dubbo

Slologue
Name Class Time Pl

Dick Ogilvie Slomen 23:30 39
Rick Steele Slomen 21:58 32
Mark Darvodelsky Slomen 18:40 8
Terry Murphy Slomen 24:28 48
Dave Lotty Slomen 23:54 43
Lisa Lampe Slowomen 25:47 32
Maureen Ogilvie Slowomen dns
Sarah Garnett Slowomen 27:36 39
Angela Murray Slowomen 29:24 43
Helen Murphy Slowomen 27:00 36
Clare Murphy Slowomen 21:20 10

The following are Uringa results from 3 days
Name Class S1 S2 S3 Time Pl

Hans Braun M65A 49:08 12 65:12 11 70:52 22 185:12 15
Georgia Jones M/W-10N 28:16 5 21:47 2 mp
Noel Boos M-12A 19:52 1 17:12 1 25:02 1 62:06 1
Lawrence Jones M-12A 36:09 6 25:44 6 mp
Matthias Boos M35AS 66:57 8 68:26 4 57:13 3 192:36 4
Ian Jones M40A 68:29 6 110:30 10 75:19 4 254:18 7
Mark Darvodelsky M45A 59:03 5 78:06 4 57:39 3 194:48 4
Rick Steele M45AS 59:03 6 62:25 6 51:39 2 173:07 3
David Mckenna M45AS 47:16 2 54:04 1 52:22 3 153:42 1
Keith Richardson M45AS 87:37 15 124:55 16 135:36 16 348:08 15
John Fuller M50A 110:05 32 mp 97:32 27
Ross Coyle M50A 54:56 4 73:08 9 mp
Nick Wilmott M50A dns 100:57 24 dns
Dick Ogilvie M60A 50:01 9 73:41 15 56:52 9 180:34 10
Terry Murphy M60A 89:54 35 86:20 24 mp
Dave Lotty M60A 52:05 6
Ingrid Wilmott W-12A 63:03 2 37:00 2 mp
Clare Murphy W21A 72:05 4 84:03 3 83:04 8 239:12 5
Margaret Jones W40A 108:33 11 128:48 12 mp
Jane Mckenna W35AS 37:52 5 58:54 7 56:10 4 152:56 5
Anne Darvodelsky W35AS 69:31 17 dns dns
Margaret Wilmott W35AS 60:11 14 72:22 12 84:40 16 217:13 14
Gayle Shepherd W35AS 67:11 16 mp mp
Sibylle Boos-Braun W35AS 26:42 1 43:58 1 42:15 1 112:55 1
Lisa Lampe W45A 95:46 10 104:40 8 89:44 8 290:10 8
Sue Bolton W45AS 68:43 14 99:16 13 71:09 6 239:08 13
Sarah Garnett W50A 94:23 16 97:03 17 80:24 15 271:50 14
Jan Sargood W50A mp 89:59 12 93:59 16
Helen Murphy W55AS 45:23 2 59:15 3 85:29 4 190:07 3
Angela Murray W60A 59:10 14 92:40 15 75:53 10 227:43 11
Mary Jane Mahony W60A 87:27 16 162:52 17 105:04 15 355:23 16
Maureen Ogilvie W75A 56:45 1 55:54 1 67:54 1 180:33 1
Antonia Coyle W Open mp dns 136:43 20
Aaron Simson-Woods EODH 34:48 2 46:04 1
Jordan Fuller EODVE 15:02 1
Kieran Hull EODE 20:13 1 53:17 7
Dylan Fuller EODE 20:19 2 51:44 6
Corsin Boos EODVE 38:39 5 24:26 2 27:43 3