Apologies for the late reply but I've been in Wales and can only post on here from my lap top at home. Password issues
Yes Pete, spot on. After the dibber on Ashlet I was following everyone else to the right but then saw two runners off to the left in the far distance. I think they were the leaders, so changed tack but by the time I had got to where I saw them they had obviously disappeared, so being a lazy bugger and not getting my map out I headed down and when I got into the Townbrook Valley the leaders were coming towards me!
It crossed my mind to run against everyone down to the dam and back again but didn't and I found myself in 3rd place going up Yearlet soon to be overtaken by others including a surprised chap wearing a Coventry Godiva vest
By now I had decided not to go flat out and was then steadily overtaken until the dib point below Callow. A steady climb up Callow and then the fast run in to the finish.
I have not seen the results and fully expect a DQ next to my name as I did mention my cock up to a marshal. If I am shown in a false place in the results I shall email Mercia.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and now will have to come back next year to do it properly. And yes, PeteS, thanks for unhooking me off that branch as I was about to be flipped backwards. I too had planned to go back to the Village Hall for a cup of tea and flapjack but after the heavens opened on getting back to my car I was cold. I can't remember rain that cold for a long time and was glad it hadn't started whilst I was on the hill.
Chapeau to the marshals.
Hopefully see you at Cardington.
Oh I nearly forgot, I found an old £20 note going up Grindle. No longer legal currency but Charlotte at The Angel in Llani let me spend it on Butty Bach 4.5% from Wye Valley Brewery.