So from the afternoon of Sunday 25th May 2008, Marianne and Liam were on the holiday, and it soon became obvious that SOTA pass-outs were not even to be negotiated. But we still had a great time, including a very enjoyable 8-mile "Ramble around Hamble", details of which were in the information book in our caravan.

All was not lost though. We were due to go home on the Thursday. Marianne told me she had a night-shift on the Friday. "Would it be helpful then if I kept the boys down here for an extra couple of days then?" I asked. "Yeah, good idea, bring them home Saturday evening" replied Marianne. Sorted. We didn't need any holiday SOTA passes. We had just secured a three day SOTA holiday! The prospects of completing G/SE were now very good, as were those of making our very first venture in G/SC. Good behaviour was maintained throughout the holiday!

The broadcast radio listening side of the hobby was maintained, with 107.8 Radio Hampshire, Gold on 1170 and 1557 MW and 93.7 Express FM, Southsea added to the logbook.

We had our final breakfast in the caravan on Thursday 29th May 2008, and then waved goodbye to Marianne as she set off to drive north. Jimmy, Liam and I collected the rest of our things from the caravan, and set out eastwards on the M27 and A27. The masterplan was to start from the furthermost end of the "A27 SE 5" and work back westwards. With Liam now in the party, we didn't expect to do all five in one day, but we would do our best and then try to secure some accommodation.

   

The first radio station heard in the drive was yet another of the Gold franchise, this one on 1323kHz MW from the Brighton area. Next up were 107.7 Splash FM from Worthing, 107.2 Juice from Brighton, 96.9/102.4/103.5 Southern FM, also from Brighton, 97.2 Reverb from Worthing and 106.4/106.8 Bright, Burgess Hill, West Sussex.

       

The JimNav took me seamlessly from the A27 to the small parking area at TQ531032, from where we commenced our walk up the not-to-steep bridleway. This curved and contoured around the rolling green slopes of Wilmington Hill G/SE-011, winding its way to TQ544033 where one follows the fence rather than the path for the final ascent. A few spots of rain hinted that the weather may be closing in somewhat. Twenty minutes saw us each gain the four contacts on 2m FM, and all with the same stations as each other. There wasn't much around on 2m, but enough, so no complaints!

We reversed the route for the descent, and moved across for Firle Beacon G/SE-010.  Thanks to the following stations all worked on 2m FM with 5 watts: