I decided to own up. I've never used a compass in my life and only have the most basic idea of how to. I always carry one though and on top of this confession I only have the weakest idea as to how to understand map coordinates. Eastings and westings I'm afraid mean little to me, I have only ever used my eyes, my instincts, read the hike signs and used my phone maps.
So when I read this thread I thought what are they writing about, I still don't know.
To date, I've only been caught out once, on the GR10 in the Pyrenees in thick, thick, fog. Lost the path completely so switched on my Sity Trail app and just followed the blue dot on the screen. When I wandered to the left or right it bleeped me at me, when I was back on track it bleeped at me again.
But, if I can at least justify myself, when I started hiking I made the decision to only hike national trails and other popular walks.
I'm now feeling like a naughty schoolboy.