Saturday 23rd February 2019 - Bardon Hill G/CE-004

Gig: Serious Hat Band

Venue: Hill Top Farm, Rutland 

Rutland is hardly SOTA country, though the venue was indeed on top of a hill.  A little hill, but in these parts, probably a fantastic potential VHF contest location!  The choice for SOTA en route was obvious.  Not much to report.  A bad traffic jam early in the journey gobbled up most of my slack time, so by the time I was parking up on Dauphine Close, Coalville, I’d resigned myself to 2m handheld only. 

       

It was a pleasant walk up under clear blue sky and warm sunshine as the unseasonably high temperatures persisted.  I operated leaning against the trig point.  The summit felt like it was even bigger than previously, with the surrounding quarry seemingly deepening with every visit! 

       

Four QSOs, all 2m FM, then back down and onwards to Oakham.  This was a dep gig with a bunch of guys I’d never met before, but a great band and top musicians.  Great fun - but after 5am by the time I got back home!