Super day. And a very long day. It all started on Saturday 10th March 2012, at 0458z when I awoke 17 minutes before my alarm was due to go off. After the exertions of a particularly intense staff football match the previous evening, the flesh was weak - but at least the spirit was willing.  Jimmy and I made good time preparing soup and rucksacks etc and loading into the car, so I got Liam up at 0530z, 30 minutes ahead of schedule. A small grumble was endured, but even Liam made good time and the three of us were on the road by 0550z.

BBC Radio 2 would be the main in-car entertainment of the day, and it was Anneka Rice in the presenter's chair at this early hour. The former Treaure Hunt helicopter girl kept us company down the M6 and M54 as far as Telford Services, where the "Cumberland Grill" breakfasts were taken. By this stage I had also realised that I had failed to bring any sort of jumper or fleece whatsoever for myself. A staff member at the services directed me to a 24 hour Tesco Extra a couple of junctions further along the M54, where I was able to buy a generously sized 3XL fleece of seemingly excellent quality - for just £6. A real bargain. Back in the car it was now one of my favourites on BBC Radio 2 - Sounds of the 60s with Brian Matthew.

       

The first summit was Brown Clee Hill G/WB-002, and Jimmy and I finally decided to walk up the transmitter access road, rather than the Shropshire Way footpath route. I was soon regretting this choice of endlessly steep slog as I watched Jimmy and Liam both disappear away in front of me! (Yes, Liam does that to me as well these days).

   

I knew that this would be easily the longest walk of the day, but I had forgotten what was involved. The years had categorised it into the "easy 2 pointer" box in my mind. And it is, relatively, but not without a bit of effort required. I found Jimmy near the summit halfway through his 2m beam set-up, and Liam settling down to play on his 3DS and spend his 10 new Playcoins.  I also set up on the grassy area close to the summit topograph, and erected the 40m dipole. Both of us recorded easy activations to cross off those first five activator points of the day. Jimmy made 8 QSOs on 2m FM in 15 minutes, including two S2S. I managed 20 QSOs during a ten minute operating spell on 40m CW.

       

A group of hikers arrived as we finished, and began the inevitable querying as to what on earth we were doing. Liam set off on his descent as Jimmy and I fielded the questions, and completed our packaways.  Of course, the early set off for Liam's descent is no longer really necessary, for it just means he is first back at the car. Slower pace from him is no longer a time-management concern!  It was now on to Titterstone Clee Hill G/WB-004.