Sorry there was no blog yesterday.

Our arrival from Istanbul did not go well, delayed by 90 minutes and found that our driver had given up and left and despite Ilse’s language skills we couldn’t work out if he was coming back to get us. We waited another half an hour and then gave up and took a taxi.

Our hotel is a grand old girl from mid 1800s and just opposite a park. We have a large room, desk and armchairs and after showering and unpacking wandered down to the restaurant. CLOSED. X#ZWS%Q.  Get a snack in the bar? Tinned peanuts. X$Z&*T@Q Ended up ordering a pizza delivery.

Our Hotel.

Rose early and had a fine breakfast and walked past some wonderful buildings to the event centre where we picked up our race bibs and new O-tops and then headed off for the indoor sprint.

Another fine old building

Actually it was more of an indoor outdoor as it was in the grandstand of a football ground and its adjoining athletic track.  We had wonderfully warm changing rooms and it was now very cold and pouring rain.

Caught up with the other Melbourne Orienteers and had plenty of time to stand around and catch up, mostly on the course when we were standing round going “what the”

Two things about the map, firstly the yellow section of map. Level 0.5, is the athletic track and is flat and actually further south than the upper levels that are also not directly on top of one an other.. Levels 1 2,3,and 4 are viewing terraces and rise from south to north. (from bottom up so stairs in the middle such as those under 11-49 are at another level change on  that map.

Secondly the internal and external gaps in walls were to indicate a door you could open and they auto closed behind you. Un-usable doors were not mapped and were locked.  People were running on level one’s central corridor just pushing any door. In fact I missed control 2-39 the first time as when I pushed opened the door it was a shower and toilet and I went OOOPs and backed out.

Thirdly, no clues on the map. (Don’t know what ISSOM would have been for ” shower cubicle” anyway.

I spent 19 minutes standing still trying to work out how to get to number one. Ted Van G only spent 7mins. Liz H finished in just over 3 hours. I have marked my route to number one in green pen. (I think, I still cant work out how I got there.

The shadowy figure behind the lamp post is at 9-33.

Pete wandering home dreaming of steak and chips.

Got back the hotel safe and very wet and went down early for dinner. Closed for renovations #$FK*L). You can order a meal in the bar, the said. “We have no potatoes or chips left, you can have your steak with Nachos?” $*J&KWS##.

Take-way again. Chicken kebabs. I mean really, after a week in Istanbul its kebabs again!!!!!!!.

At least they had chips

Pete.