LAMMERMUIR HANDICAP 17^th JuLY 2002

Organiser: Keith Burns

This new course at an old venue was received well. However, it will be improved for next year by making the new vehicle tracks less tempting, and less confusing due to their absence from the race map.

The wanton vandalism of the landowner has produced miles of new access tracks for grouse shooting enthusiasts who need to be transported up the hills in comfortable vehicles. The scars of casual quarry scrapes for track bed material add to the despoliation. But the landowner does have a measure of environmental sensitivity and concern - there are signs saying "In the interests of conservation - no mountain biking". These increasingly vandal-proof signs have been treated with the contempt they deserve over the years by local mountain bikers.

Navigators who should know better were confused by the man-modified landscape features. The confusions were startling and inexcusable; the wrong gate pursued on the wrong side of a bealach which had not been moved; the second largest loch in East Lothian not being noticed either on the map or on the ground by an orienteer having an off day (I understand the technique is called micro-navigation). There was a random excursion group well on the way to Berwickshire and Duns before it was fielded by the Mudge/ Ward Broomwagon. Another group, led by Cali, mistook a pile of sheep droppings and two stones for a two acre Iron Age hill fort with double stone ramparts.

Many runners suffered multiple wasp stings. Subsequent research showed that all these victims were running within sight of Bill Gauld who was wearing a new vest which disguised him as a giant sunflower (probably for summer orienteering in Picardy). No matter - the wasp-repellent impregnated sunflower camouflage secured Bill the race victory as his pursuers heroically fought off mass wasp attacks in his wake. One victim collected a pair of throat punctures which would have been familiar to Transylvanian forest dwellers.

The Goblin Ha' significantly improved my perception of Scottish catering by holding the kitchen staff for our late meal and even being friendly with it. Full marks! Eat and drink at the Goblin Ha' in Gifford. I shall report this to the Scottish Tourist Board so that they can investigate what might be a spreading phenomenon and maybe even encourage it.

This is still the best corner of the Lammermuirs for running and scenery, despite the enthusiastic efforts of the absentee landowner.

Keith Burns

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