orienteering

Our local park was the scene of an Orienteering event today. The orange and white diagonal square is the national orienteering symbol and behind bushes and under shadowy trees there were a number of these stations.

I think this was a Foot-O race, one in which individual participants start at staggered intervals and armed with a map and a compass, navigate to control points (like the one in the photo) in specific order and then I guess clip their card. It's a timed event and there were some very fit folk sprinting through the bush carrying a map and compass and little else. A couple of the points had hydration drops with cups and jerry cans full of water..great idea.

In the meantine Astro and I were having our usual mosey checking out the various points. He was very keen on this one until he spotted the afternoon mob..a Borzoi, a gang of Jack Russells and a Spaniel that wears boots to protect his feet.
Along with the mob, one of the walkers carries a pocketful of treats so they follow him around like the Hamlin Pied Piper. Astro has learned to join them, sitting patiently for his treat!