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#1: [21-Jan-01]

#2: [09-Dec-00]

#20: [02-Aug-07] (incomplete)

04-Apr-2009 -- I was down in the area near this point on business so thoughts turned to another visit.

Every time I have been here I have approached from the South, but perusing Google Earth it looked very likely that an approach from the North would be possible. Right, that's a plan then!

Conclude my business and head off the eight miles or so to the turn off for The Joint (the name of the road, honest) and meander down along single track roads to find a suitable parking spot. I double back and parked at the entrance to some new buildings.

The farm owner here has embraced the "please walk on my land if you are careful" model as can be seen by these signs. A very welcome notice and one that is so simple to stick to.

I set the GPS into "go to" mode and just follow the arrow, as I round a corner I get an alternative view on the radio masts and continue on down to the edge of the field containing the CP.

I noticed that the farm was having fertiliser spread on it, so when the tractor stopped I went across to have a quick word.

I introduced myself and why I was there. Turns out they knew the Prime Meridian was nearby as back at the millenium they lit a bonfire at the left of the two masts, which is supposed to be on the line. They didn't know that 52N ran through the field as well.

The main tractor used for putting in the seeds (drills) has a satnav unit in it. They drive round the outside of the field to size it, then set the satnav for a 10m gap between rows, sit back, put the feet up and off it goes! Repeatable next year to a few cm and can be done in pitch darkness....

The tractor in use today was the small one for fertiliser spreading, the crop this year is wheat. I asked for and was given permission to wander over the field.

You can see in the SW shot that I managed to get the tractor and some deer in there. As I walked back out a small herd of about a dozen burst out of the woods in front of me and off across the field.

As I made my way home, I followed The Joint eastwards towards the main road and was rewarded with this magnificent view.