On 4th January 2003, we completed our second SOTA activation of Gun summit in the North Staffordshire Moorlands.  Parking is available at the side of the road, at the highest point of the road on the bend at SJ 967 609.  It is then a very quick and easy walk, about a quarter of a mile, straight up to the trig point.

Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts:

Liam and myself decided to do a repeat activation of Gun on 30th July 2003.  I was beginning to think that SOTA was the answer to everything - increased fitness, a uniting catalyst for the family, serious male bonding with my sons, radio, walking, food, beer and a new circle of friends that has now even reached the "social beer" stage.

However, today I spent my first utterly miserable horrible SOTA day. That will teach me to push on with repeat activations when there are no points at stake. I guess I have been lucky with the weather, managing to time my walks in dry spells and drive during the rain. Not today!

First hit was Macc Town Centre, for additions to the hardware - new rucksack for Jimmy, new walking pole for Liam (left his last one on WB-014!), stock up on Kendal Mint Cake and wondering whether to buy myself some waterproof overtrousers seeing as J & L have them but I don't ... but decided not to - a horrendous mistake.

Then off down to the Gun SP-013, a simple 25 minute drive from Macc out towards Leek on the A523 and up into the Staffordshire Moorlands from Rushton Spencer, taking the road towards Meerbrook until the summit of the road on a bend. Here we parked in the usual spot, a wide farm access that many walkers use for parking, opposite the start of the path. The path is a very gentle incline, and about 6 minutes walk up to the trig point. We sat at the trig in the shadow of the SOTA Beam and worked the stations. A light shower began, so we started to pack up, but it very quickly turned to a torrential downpour, and we were soaked even before we had started walking back. Liam was fine in his full waterproofs, but silly old me only kept his top half dry due to the earlier wisdom!   A further SOTA trip a few minutes up the road to The Cloud SP-015 didn't see a change of luck with the weather!

Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts: