My start time was 2 hours earlier, and I looked forward to a cooler morning; it was not to be, as the temperature quickly soared again into the mid 30s.  The terrain was very much like yesterday’s, but with less shade on the course.  Setting was similar too, with the first few controls on rock in scratchy vegetation. But I was confident today, employing the same techniques.  Unfortunately, this came undone as early as my second control, which was on a very small rock in very scrappy vegetation.  I wasn’t alone in milling round unsuccessfully; after relocating off a track bend, I managed to find it not far from where I’d first been looking.  I also led several other people straight into it. Maybe they’d return the favour later (they didn’t). 

Shrugging this off, the next 5 controls were simple enough, with long legs crossing a very open paddock. Normally these are fun, but in this weather, it was just a slog.  You could see the rock features from a long way off, and picking off the controls was a simple matter.  I got complacent, and did not have a good plan for my second last control, which was in more rock than I’d seen in two days. This should have been a warning, but I pressed on regardless, onto the final hillside above the arena.  I think I found at least 6 controls that weren’t mine!  A couple of attempts to relocate failed, but finally I lined myself up on a fence junction (which is what I should have done in the first place).  Fifteen minutes wasted here, added to the earlier mistake, had me well off the pace, finishing as Tail End Charlie.  At least I finished, and will take on Day 3 knowing I’m still in contention for an overall result.  I don’t think I’ve ever mispunched at an Easter 3 Day, and I don’t intend to start yet!  Bring it on …