GUILD OF CARTOGRAPHERS & NAVIGATORS: how to find North

Sian's way of finding North.

1) At night, look at the stars. Find the Saucepan (some people call it a Plough, or even a Bear). Take the two stars at the far end of the pan from the handle, and follow their line up until you find a very bright star. That's the Pole Star, and marks North.

2) In daytime, go by the sun. As a general rule, it rises in the east and sets in the west, though somewhat to the south of these directions, depending on the time of year. At noon it will be due south: and you can tell it's noon by measuring the shadow cast by a stick or other suitable object. The shadow is at its shortest (and pointing due North) at noon.

3) if you're going along the Great North Road, you're going North. Or South. Carry on until someone stops you, and ask them which way you're going.