Cross Country Trek
Cross Country Trek
We were taken out of the camp one day and driven about five miles into the country. At various times we were dropped off in groups of 6, shown the rudiments of reading a compass and, with this plus a map of the area, were told to find our way back to the camp. We had differences of opinions on what was the right direction but eventually started back to where we thought the camp was located. On the way we met up with some of the others who joined us. We found ourselves on a main road and were passed by a bus which was going through Padgate. We had a discussion on whether it was OK to take the bus and, as somebody pointed out, did not remember anyone saying we had to walk. So we got on the next bus which came along. Our party decided to get off the bus before it reached the camp but the others took it to the camp gates where they were seen getting off by the RAF police who reported them. They were given extra fatigues but our group had a seat for a while then walked in without comment being made.

But a week later we again were taken out in trucks for another trek which this time would not be near any bus routes. We were all dropped off together in the wilds, issued with map and compass plus some food then made up into small groups and given a map reference where we would be met for the journey back to camp. This trek would take some hours and there would be staging points which we had to pass through. I really don’t know how we were ever seen again as we seemed to be lost most of the time and it was more by luck than good map reading that got us through. When we got to the finish we were that late that there was no time to eat and we had to wait until we got back to camp.We also had to go through the obstacle course another day but there was a heavy fall of snow which made the course too dangerous so we escaped that and had a snow fight instead. 
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