Fings ain't what they used to be

Yes, it's another "in my day" post inspired by scarletdemon's description of her (largely non-existent) map reading skills.

I'm rather proud of my ability to use a map and compass. This is a skill lemur_catta sees no use for as, apparently, Californians never set foot out of doors unless the visibility will be perfect for the next three weeks. I, on the other hand, have on occasions been daft enough to be places in the British mountains in zero visibility where a few tens of yards can be the difference between a gentle descent route and falling off a cliff.

How did I acquire this skill? Oddly enough at prep skill where we learnt map reading by a method somewhat akin to throwing a child in the deep end of the pool and letting him figure things out for himself. To be exact, we were taken off in pairs and deposited in the English countryside some miles from a set rendez-vous with an OS map, a compass and a file card containing instructions on how to reach said meet up. I don't think we lost many boys this way but natural selection probably influenced the geography exam results.

Baaaa!

Seen all over the place.

Comment to this entry with a post you think would be totally out of character for me - something I'd never talk about, never discuss, never say, anything. It has to be completely out of character. Then post this in your own journal.