I had a notion that Aussies had a crazy tendency, but I didn’t know they’d plant an orienteering course in an abandoned mental asylum.

Sydney Orienteering

Jan 15, Callan park. Starting times are between 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. It’s 35° C. Or somewhere near there. It’s HOT.

Primary goal is to pick up a southern hemisphere compass so I can brag at orienteering events at home that I raced ‘down under’. No such luck. These guys wouldn’t take my money, and wouldn’t sell a compass. I was expecting a sort of BAOC type of fair with wizened, profiteering dude hawking nylon pants. No such thing at Callan park. All navigation was done by landmarks and map reading. God help me.

Darcy and Amelia decided to take their late afternoon and play in the park watching the various fitness-minded Australians do their thing. Wow. Lot of fit people in Sydney.

I register and sign in. I mention my origin and looked for place to enter my club name (BAOC!!!) but didn’t see the place to enter it (and didn’t ask). Looking at the results it appears that there was a means to enter in the name… Ah well.

Very good course. FAST people with good aim. I came in somewhere near the middle. I was proud of my time too… Dang it.

So no compass. No physical proof that I was there except for the map. Neat place to race. The grounds are a historic part of Sydney and the 1800 architecture was cool to look at.

One thing I couldn’t find anywhere in Sydney (not that I was looking very hard) was an Outback steakhouse. :) Go figure. Apparently Australians just don’t know good australian food. ;)