Nothing of an orienteering nature under the tree for this guy this year. Santa must have seen some results and decided that the thumb compass and shin pads weren't improving my times. Easy for him to say, he just has to follow magnetic north home, more or less.
I had hoped to get a Xena orienteering doll in my stocking. A good, solid kinda toy - never disoriented, decisive, no extraneous accessories, just one outfit and a shield. Plus it wouldn't giggle uncontrollably when you tickled its tummy, and all Frederictonians know the risks of owning something of that ilk.
Finger band control card holder, Suunto Speedy thumb compass, Silva rain visor, Thorngaiters, map symbol bingo,... there's no shortage of O accessories, although a rule book wasn't readily apparent in the catalogue that I viewed. So as global positioning system technology advances to the point that a 'compass' is re-defined, what restrictions will be placed on the use of technology? When that compass is entirely digital and indicates true north as well as magnetic north along with one's coordinates from an integrated GPS unit, will O governing bodies restrict their use? Or will their use be regarded in much the same manner as calculators at exam time are currently?
When it comes to gadgets, I think I'll draw my line at the orienteering doll, although the O-course game of Chutes and Ladders sounds interesting...