hi there

[maryclairy]

Hi I'm Claire, live in co down. Have a keen interest in hiking however my lack of navigation skills and someone to go with restricts where I go 

Hopefully joining this will introduce me to some like minded people, get me out more and maybe gain a bit of knowledge along the way 

[specimanYak]

Welcome to the forum Claire.

[Glenn B]

Hello and welcome.

[LandyLiam]

Welcome Claire, if you're unsure about you're navigation it might be a good idea to get a GPS and attend a course such as this http://www.tollymore.com/courses/mountaineering/hillwalking/gps-for-beginners/ , they do the usual map and compass navigation courses too of course.

[RedLeader]

Welcome Claire! As Liam said, there are plenty of orienteering courses about, just stick your name down for one, with a bit of proper instruction it doesn't take long to pick up.

If you check out this site it has a list of Orienteering clubs and I know they do regular outings all over the place both to teach and train orienteering in a more fun and less instructional way.
http://www.niorienteering.org.uk/

[polroger]

Welcome Claire - some useful resources posted on this site

http://ghostsoferrigal.co.uk/training.php

[maryclairy]

Thanks very much for the link and welcomes. I was in touch with tullymore recently and waiting for next years course calander to come out  I will have a look at the others too.

[ChuckMcB]

Welcome Claire.

The team at Tollymore are great but it can be difficult to get a course (they regularly seem to be under subscribed). As an alternative have a look at WalkTheMournes.com it run by a local fella, he's a good lad, I've been out with him a couple of times, he's a geo ambassador for the Mournes and qualified Mountain Leader. He puts on one day navigation training days, really good value. He's on facebook as well.