The team managed to pack most of the kit needed for the (nearly) three week tour last night. Bulging cabin bags and even more corpulent hold bags seemed to leave little floor space in the Surrey dining room overnight.
Rifles were divvied up into rifle boxes, foam replaced by mats in many cases, all stored in the armoury overnight.
0700 this morning was the agreed time to convene for breakfast. We were near enough thereabouts.
T'was not long before the aroma of the Captain's sizzling bacon permeated the dining room. Butties for all to fortify us for the anticipated journey to Heathrow and the expected interminable wait while checking in team kit, ammunition and negotiating rifle export with customs.
Our coach arrived in good time, all our belongings disappeared, hopefully into the transport and off we set, though too early for a chorus of “we're all going on a summer holiday”.
Terminal 3 as busy as expected on our arrival – Air Canada checked us in surprisingly efficiently and with a minimum of fuss. But you know that as a team, something is always going to “crop up', be it someone who forgot their passport/firearm certificate/brain or powder compact. In this case, the fiancee of the Chairman of the Surrey Rifle Association was heard to ask the Chairman
“David, where's your rifle box?”
“Must be here somewhere” muttered the Chairman.
Our Baggage Master was seen to assume an expression of concern, but he had counted the boxes, and there were fourteen.
Confusion reigned momentarily, till it was realised that a tall, left handed member of the team had originally said that he would meet the team at LHR with his rifle box, forgetting that he had left it at Bisley and so joined us there instead, hence providing an extra box.
So, where was the Chairman's box? After due consideration, it was concluded it was still in the Surrey Armoury. Cue a frantic call to the Surrey Secretary, who immediately dropped his ball cock, rushed to the Clubhouse and couriered said box to LHR. If anyone was between Bisley and Terminal 3 this morning and saw a white plumber's van balanced on two wheels on tight bends, you now know why.
The rifle box made it, a very sincere “thank you” to John Tapster, the van has been entered for the next attempt at the world land speed record.
Unusually for airlines these days, our flight arrived in Halifax pretty much on time. The weather was, and still is appalling. At least the rain is reasonably warm.
Canadian customs dealt with us promptly and thoroughly – Andrew Webber, Jeff Jenkins, and Bill Gilles of the Nova Scotia Rifle Association greeted us all to a warm, though rainy welcome.
The team managed to find their way to the hotel, and enjoyed a well deserved shower beer and bed.
After arriving yesterday evening, today was the first chance for the team to explore Halifax. After a leisurely breakfast at “Smithy’s” across the road, the team headed into the town in small groups.
Most headed to the seafront to see the harbour and find good bars and restaurants in which to enjoy our evening meals. One well-known Scot on the team was particularly keen to find a bar called the “Lower Deck”, which he had been to last time he was in Nova Scotia when Brown Bess muskets were still in use by the garrison of the Citadel. Much to his delight the bar was still there, fortunately for those with him at the time, he didn’t go on stage to sing “Flower of Scotland” as had been the case last time.
A few of the team decided to sample the famously good Halifax seafood and enjoyed lunch at “Macalbies” restaurant. Meanwhile the victuallers mounted an attack on the local Costco, followed by a retreat via a local booze shop before finally acquiring some real Hoppes at a local emporium.
The afternoon was spent looking around the various Halifax shops to buy souvenirs and gifts for those at home. Messrs Dyson and Langley spent the afternoon pushing the ammo needed for the Nova Scotia meeting.
After a brief team get together to collect ammo and squadding cards for the next few days, we left, quivering with anticipation to start shooting next day.
Most of the team enjoyed dinner at the Keg Steak house before getting an early night to prepare for our first practice day tomorrow.
Our thoughts are with those affected by the ongoing riots in our cities at home. Some interesting entertaining texts have been received by various team members on the subject of the present unrest.
The team followed one of our Nova Scotian hosts to the lock up where our rifles had been stored and thence the forty five minute drive up to the range. We had all been shopping the day before and one of the vans carried victuals for the whole team to have breakfast and lunch on the range.
Bull Meadow range goes back to eight hundred metres and faces North East. It was constructed by members of the Nova Scotia R.A. in 2004 and cut out of the predominantly pinewood forests common in the province. They have seven nicely balanced, cantilever targets. We were advised that the prevailing wind is from about eight o'clock, though today's shooting saw light airs mainly from the right and pretty much in our faces.
Rifles were dried out, sights fitted, bedding screws torqued up and all was prepared for our first shoot in Canada. This year's Great Britain Rifle Team's first shot, fired by a tall left handed shot was correct for wind. It clung on to the target at twelve o'clock and the Vice Captain, who was butt marking assures us that he was very generous in awarding a scoring hit. At least the shooter probably has an idea of his 500 metre zero.
As ever, the entertainment then continued. One of our stouter, taller new caps produced guffaws as the bench he was delicately perched upon unceremoniously collapsed under him. It must be said that he seemed to enjoy posing for the subsequent photos. Fortunately no splinters ended up anywhere painful!
The Captain was heard to request the Vice Captain for the loan of a stool. Our Vice Captain found it necessary to instruct the Captain on how to straddle his stool properly, ensuring that the ventilation was in the correct corner.
Having blown out our collective cobwebs at 300 metres, the team moved back to 600, where we shot individually and then were coached. The ammunition was deemed more than up to the job, holding the Canadian half area V bull more often than not.
Shooting finished reasonably early and we all returned to the Lord Nelson Hotel to change prior to motoring out to Bill Gilles delightful waterfront home for a much appreciated barbeque. As it was raining (again), few team members ventured onto the water. However, a few of us enjoyed a trip on a small boat for a “sightseeing” cruise. A bald eagle was glimpsed and we rescued a teenage lad who was seen rowing his boat, towing him back to his mooring having run out of gas. I heard a new word on the cruise. The Canadian winters are harsh. It is all too easy to retreat into one's nice warm house and appear in Spring. The mental condition of people who stay in all winter is described as “shackywacky”. Ought to be in the dictionary.
We start to compete in the 137th annual Nova Scotia Rifle Association Meeting tomorrow. The last time a GBRT visited was in 1961.
Our first real day of competition. A warm, muggy morning with “mizzle” was the order of the day on the way to the range. Total entry for the Nova Scotia meeting this year has been restricted to 42 shooters and we are a team of 20. The morning's course of fire was 2 sighters and 10 to count at 300 and 500 metres. A good thing. 300 metres was about as far as we could see. Didn't seem to matter, with virtually no wind, scores were high. 13 possibles were recorded, with 12 being from the team. I feel I must note that the Captain was one of those, accompanied by 1 V bull, but don't mention that I have put that in the diary!
The 500 metre shoot was won by John Warburton. The mizzle was beginning to dry up as we approached the lunch break. A majority of our number put them all in, many with reassuring V counts. The ammunition was pronounced “probably acceptible”
Prior to lunch, the team decided on an improptu rendition of “Happy Birthday” to one of the older members, who last had a birthday in Canada when he was an Atheling in 1973. Naturally this occasion has been the excuse for much ribaldry during the day.
Our hosts proved an ideal lunch. Some chilli stew, buttered rolls, chocolate chip biscuits all washed down with either coffee or water. Most welcome as we had all been up since at least 0615.
The afternoon's shooting saw us competing in a Queen's I match. By this time, the temperature was on the rise, along with the humidity and the mosquitoes. After the rain of the last few days, the range is sodden, so it's all a bit muggy anyway – one of those so very personal times when putting on waterproofs ends in moisture not getting out, rather than any getting in.
Again, scores were high, Steve Penrose taking the afternoon with a 105.15. The top 10 featured 8 from the team.
The programme called for us to finish shooting by about 1645. We were all done and dusted by about 1530. Many thanks to the local youngsters marking so well and to a very efficiently run range, so efficiently run that one of our number actually missed his detail as it occurred some 20 minutes before schedule.
The wind is due to change direction tomorrow, so now that we all have no doubt as to our zeroes, we can look forward to more of a challenge from the weather gods.
Visibility as we drove out of Halifax this morning was no more than 200 metres – drivers were being careful. Thoughts of “will we be able to start 300 metres at 0830?” sprang to mind. About 5 minutes before reaching the range, the fog burned off and we finished the drive in glorious sunshine.
Insect repellant was liberally applied on arrival, some bomber sized mozzies around! With the sun finally putting in a real appearance, the water on the range meant the vans could have driven on the resultant mirage.
Today's course of fire was 2/10's, at 300metres, twice at 500 metres and a final shoot at 800 mteres. Shooting started on time, at 0830. A gentle fishtail wind blowing up our trouser legs meant that so long as you left the sights alone, life was relatively easy. Some didn't.
Conditions at the first 500 shoot were relatively benign. Most had learned that the flags are very light and that the mirage was a better indicator of what was happening. Many of the team went clean in the morning with varying degrees of success connecting with the small V bull.
Again, our hosts produced timely drinks and eats at lunchtime that were ideal for our needs.
The first shoot, at 500 after lunch was judged “hard work” by many, with rapidly rising levels of humidity. The fishtail wind had by now got into its stride. Very quick changes through zero from 1½ mins left to about ½ right meant that some elevations opened up slightly as some very quick shooting was needed. V counts were slightly lower. Our Captain was shooting with a young team member from Huddersfield. She was wearing shorts, so an adventurous ant decided to go exploring; an expolaratory nibble caused enough distraction for our young lady to put a shot in the inner. Her blush was rather sweet when it was suggested that the ant had nibbled in anticipation of a cordon bleau snack.
The first detail at 800 metres required many team members to fire their sighters with no real idea of zeroes. Nearly everyone went high, often finding the magpie, outer, or even missing over the top. Being nice chaps, they told those of us in the second detail. The wind was still up the trousers, but changing quickly, as at 500 in the previous shoot. The firing point at this distance is actually the stop butt for the Association's pistol range, so it seems very high, looking down at the targets and the rest of the range. It makes for a very attractive view, though the wind flags are much lower than the flight of the bullet, so of little use at 800. The mound is actually at the same level as the targets, so in effect, one shoots uphill from every other distance.
Closer inspection of the day's stats showed Henry Day taking the morning's shoot with 50.7 at 300 to go with a 50.8 at 500. The team took the 11 top places.
Jon Kent enjoyed his afternoon top score with a 50.6 at 500 and a 50.8 at 800. A fine shoot in testing conditions. We had 6 members in the top 10.
The day's aggregate did not go to Day... who had 200.24, Jon Kent won with 200.25.
On the drive home, our young Cambridge graduate announced that he is thinking of checking out the massage parlour near the hotel. His blush was nearly as good as our young lady from 'uddersfield earlier in the day, when he was teased with the “oh so predictable” questions.
The team is attending a reception and dinner tonight at The Halifax Citadel to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Nova Scotia Rifle Association, the oldest rifle association in northern America, north or south of the border.
A day of school boy errors, team lows and highs. Glorious weather, more interesting winds and some high scoring, as ever.
The flags on the range are made of very light material – almost parachute silk. A question was asked, “ if you had heavier silk on your parachute, would you fall faster after you had jumped?”
Answers on a postcard please.
The first school boy error was committed by one of our older members, one who has had a recent birthday and spends time flying airliners when not shooting. What you do is to get all your kit ready to shoot, chatting away merrily with friends, sharing a bit of ribald laughter. Settle down on the firing point, setting everything out as usual until you can't find your ammo, which you know you last saw in a team bus. Panic. 3 minutes before the shoot starts, you spring up as nimbly as a gazelle, or at least a 55 year old one and run 200 metres to get something that will go bang. Flop down on the point in your by now “personal sauna” (of course you are right hand man) and fire your first sighter some 15 secs later, trying to not focus on the drop of sweat about to drip off your nose. Everything then goes surprisingly well until you pop a dead central v on the next target (it's always a v isn't it?). It must be said that a bald, former professional Roogby League/ex fireman from Yorkshire did exactly the same thing as did a solicitor from Odiham (tho' only a first sighter in his case). The Captain would like it noted that this motley trio are the oldest members on the team.
Today's regimen required shoots at 500 metres (2/10) 2 x 600 metres, (2/10) & (2/15) topped off by a 2/10 at 800. As the day went on, the mercury rose to a high of about 26 centigrade, with consequent increases in humidity and wind. The morning shoots were quite comfortable, the secret, as yesterday was to not over correct for any perceived wind changes. The 15 shot shoot after lunch was rather a sweaty affair, again with enough wind variation to ensure one stayed out of the v if out of step.
The 800 metre shoot proved easy for a significant proportion of the team. There was a six way tie shoot – all from the GBRT. All had scored 50.7. The tie was finally broken after Messrs. Shaw and Kent had fired two sudden death shots. Jon Kent buying the beer with one extra v bull.
The 500 match was won by Henry Day (50.8), pursued by Dave Dyson (50.7) and Jon Taylor (50.7)
At 600, Warburton led the pack (50.8), then Henry (50.7) and Danny Coleman (50.7)
The 800 metre tie shoot featured Kent, Shaw, Lothian, Day, Coleman and Warburton.
In the Aggs, the Lieutenant Govenorns was won by Henry Day, 275.25, 2nd, Captain, 275.24, 3rd, Vice 274.35.
Our Vice Captain showed us all the way it should be done by winning the Grand on 628.86, only dropping two points. Henry seems to be coming along nicely, with 627.73 at 2nd. Danny Coleman only being pushed into 3rd place by 2 v bulls on 627.71.
We will only be shooting twice tomorrow. 2/10's at 800 metres in coached teams, each team to include an F class shooter. Should be fun.
The Captain went and spotted some hardy souls swimming in a lake on the way to the range. He has “suggested“ that we all bring our swimming trunks so that we can have a dip on the way home. Hmmm. He can go in first and get various bits nibbled I think!
A lie in! Shooting starts at 0900. An 0715 reveille resulted in all of us at the range in good time for 0830. A very relaxed morning's shooting at 800 metres, accompanied by our Fags, who all squeezed into various nooks and crannies in the vans and provided some much needed culture and elegance.
In case you are wondering, Fags = fiancees and girlfriends.
Each team's “effers” started the shooting, 2/10's. GBRT fielded 4 teams of four, ably augmented by a Canadian shooter with a 'scope. We all shot twice, in two separate matches, the only difference being that the F class shots were changed around. As we had all got to know these charming shooters during the week, it was a pleasure to shoot in a team with them.
Conditions were pleasant, with a temperature starting off around 18 celsius and rising to about 21 by the time we finished shooting before lunch. Wind up our trousers/shorts as we have become used to.
We have also become used to very high scoring and today was no exception, GB Blue winning by 2 v's from GB Green, both teams only having dropped 1 point in the first match. The Blues (aka “Da Heavies”) Messrs Shouler, Rose, Shaw and Blake, coached by “Lightweight” Langley also took the second match by 1 point and 11 v bulls, again, only dropping 1 point.
The team is now accustomed to the superb (free) lunches provided by the NSRA. Today, they outdid themselves. Subway (Nova Scotia) provided all with both lobster and standard subs. I don't mean “lobster” masquerading as crab sticks. This was the real thing and we are most grateful and appreciative. A very pleasant beer was supplied by Granite Breweries.
Please have a look at the photos for the haul of silver won over the last four days of competition. It must be said that the NSRA do have a quite an impressive collection.
As promised, some went lake swimming on the drive back from the range. No one got anything nibbled and there were observations of the level of water in the lake rising as certain team members immersed themselves.
The GBRT to Canada this year are agreed that we have all received more than a warm welcome from a lively, vibrant well run and organised Rifle Association who have built a great range out of wild forest. Even when keeping register, it is done far more courteously than we at Bisley ever manage. It is peppered with “please” and “thank you”. F'rinstance, “Bob, your second to count is a v bull”. “Thank you Bill” comes back the response. None of your “second sighter bull 5 doyouwannaconvert?”
Nova Scotia Rifle Association, we thank you and hope it is not another 50 years before another British team visits.
A muddy, salty, thrilling day. 13 of the team travelled up to the Shubenacadie River in order to commit Tidal Bore Rafting. Having fortified ourselves with hearty breakfasts, we nearly left a team member behind, something to do with jalapeno peppers. He was informed that “time and tide wait for no man.”
We had been informed that we would get wet and possibly very muddy. Understatement. The river upon arrivalthough a deep mud colour and was a relatively calm animal. We boarded the inflatable dinghy by negotiating the very slippery, muddy bank down to the water. Some managed this in a rather more dignified manner than others. Logic dictates a careful, controlled descent in order to avoid acquiring too much mud. Instinct suggested using the mud as a slide. Far easier, but rather dirtier though!
Initially, we gently motored up river through some very shallow water, around various mudflats.
Our “guide”, briefing us about how the bore is formed and the figures involved. The Bay of Fundy, to the North of Nova Scotia has more water flowing in and out than all the rest of the world's tidal rivers combined. There was a full moon last night, so the rise in the bay was a mere 60', whilst the rise in the Shubenacadie river was 26', leading to the world's most impressive tidal bore activity.
We 'parked up' on a large sandbar and viewed the approaching bore. There were a number of other inflatable boats on the river, appearing from various differing points. With astonishing speed, the bore, and with it the choppy water was upon us. We had been instructed on how to sit on the sides, using the grab rope to minimize the chance of being washed overboard. Initially, the slight chop on the water left us wondering what all the fuss was about. Those of us in the “senior” boat chuckling wryly at the playful antics of those in the “junior” boat, splashing each other, just to get wet...
The plan of action is to “chase” the bore up river. As the river narrows, the chop inevitably gets rather more impressive. It soon became obvious what the fuss was all about and why unsinkable dinghies are used. The boat was 16' long – the whole length was often on the waves, so we were hanging on fairly tightly as our vessel rose and plunged in the rapids caused by salt water pushing up river and meeting with fresh water still trying to flow down river. Those of us up front, often whilst airborne, were frequently able to very briefly anticipate the sensation of an imminent salt water, muddy, soaking as walls of brown water broke across the bows and into the boat to soak the rest of the occupants. Oftentimes, team members were literally washed off their seats and left sitting on the floor of the dinghy. One of our number,and we can only guess why, recalled a recent shopping trip for cheese crackers in South Africa. Their brand name was “Salticrax”.
Having negotiated the 16 footers, we meandered further upriver, gathering our wits, beginning to dry out somewhat. Once again, we found the bore, the waves were only about 9' or 10' high, but much closer together. We got even wetter. There was often as much water in the boat as out. The GBRT Captain was heard to utter one or two salty, old Anglo Saxon expressions, unrepeatable here. I believe one rhymed with “rowlocks”, a suitable exclamation given the nautical context, I am sure you will agree.
By the time we returned to where we had slid down the river bank to board our boat, the water level had risen significantly. It was, however not enough to ensure a dignified climb through the very slippery mud up to solid ground, so all the mud that had been washed off by the river was reapplied once again. Should various baths, basins and washing machines in the hotel malfunction due blockage, it will be no surprise.
A very relaxed day for all. Some went cruising around the shops. Some went whale watching, no whales seen, but three of our younger “blades” had a serious discussion (they claim) with the barmaid on the boat.
One group mounted an expedition to the South West. By recommendation of one of our shooting friends, they detoured via Prospect, a beautiful very quiet little village at the end of one of the many peninsulas on Nova Scotia's south coast. At the time of the visit, there was still some low cloud around, so everything was still a bit gloomy. For those who enjoyed Alfred Hitchcock's film “The Birds”, Prospect could have been used as the town in the film. There was even a house that could have doubled as the Bate's motel in “Physco”.
Peggy's Cove was then honoured with a lightning visit, lots of tourists, tat and a lighthouse. The coast road was followed around to Lunenberg. The sun came out and a seafood lunch enjoyed whilst overlooking an idyllic view out over the bay. We were served by a young lady from Dorset. The town was founded in 1753 by about 2700 protestants from the Upper Rhine area. There is still a slight German flavour to the town, which is now a World Heritage site.
All members back by 1730 hrs, when Dave Dyson had requested we all loaded rifles and suitcases into the hired truck for transportation to Ottawa. We now just have hand baggage until our arrival in Ontario on Thursday. Messrs Dyson and Rose will be starting very early tomorrow for the 15 hour (ish) drive to the Canadian capital. Our thanks to them, it will make the team's transit to the DCRA matches much easier.
The majority of the team will be up at zero dark thirty to go deep sea fishing, leaving the hotel at 0645. The intention is to feed everyone at a team dinner tomorrow evening. Wish us luck!
Danny had kindly arranged the fishing trip. We all managed to rendezvous downstairs at the appointed hour and piled into the vans. The only van equipped with sat nav is driven by the team airline captain who duly put in “Government Wharf” into the magic box, not noticing that there was a choice of 4 “Government Wharves”. He set off in his big white fun bus, the other 2 vans following. Naturally his choice of wharf was wrong. A fact duly communicated in no uncertain terms by next year's GBRT Captain as they all barrelled along merrily toward Boston (Massachusetts).
Situation recovered, the convoy arrived about 25 minutes late at the correct wharf and boarded the fishing boat. We cast off immediately and made for deep water under increasingly sunny skies.
Our first stop landed some real whoppers. Mackerel jumping on to the hooks, the heaviest being at least 5 ounces. Fortunately, as is the nature of catching Mackerel, there were lots of them.
The swell during the rest of the trip led to some worryingly green faces, but our erstwhile anglers persevered at our next attempt to land the Nova Scotian version of “Jaws”. This time around, small Pollack were throwing themselves on the hooks. The diarist felt a definite tremble on his line followed by what felt a dead weight which the “professional” on board initially thought was merely a hook fouling on the bottom. On retrieving the hooks, bait and lead, only a fish head was found on a hook and the weight was missing. It seems a shark had had a go.
Apparently, Pollack do not make good eating, they constitute a high percentage of crab sticks and similar products, but the sticks need flavour added (some real crab) before they are saleable. Henry landed the only fish of any size – a 1½ lb cod. The Captain hooked a cod estimated to be between 7 & 10lbs, but the gaff was not wielded quickly enough, the Leviathan took one look at the beard and was off, last seen heading off to warn his mates. Actually I'm sure “Angler David” will claim the fish was a good 20lbs and inevitably, it will grow in the telling!
Our impressive haul filled half a plastic supermarket bag once filleted. The restaurant has rung to ask “is that all”? It's a good thing we found a great fish restaurant very near to where we disembarked from the boat. One of our “F.a.gs”, on seeing the very pink concoction that Shouler was drinking enquired as to whether one had to attain a certain cup size before being able to order such a drink? Though not all team members were able to come fishing today, there was a definite sense of “family” around the table, it bodes well for Ottawa.
We fly tomorrow. There will be the inevitable snags – even without rifles there are bound to be some entertaining moments, I feel sure. Our first shoot will be on Friday afternoon at 900 metres in the Ottawa Regiment.
The deal on the hire cars was that we return them empty of fuel. Amazingly enough, no one ran out of gas before reaching the airport. No one packed live ammunition in their hand baggage or had Hoppes wrapped in their Y fronts. Davids Dyson and Rose had arrived without mishap yesterday. It took them 15 hours to cover the 1600 kms from Halifax to Ottawa (including the minor detour around Montreal).
All four vans arrived at the Barons Hotel under a large thunderstorm without visiting Montreal or Toronto.
The team settled in, retrieving the bags and rifles that had been transported by road from Halifax. Keys for the team room at Connaught and squadding tickets were collected.
Our supplier of superb ammunition, “JJ” Jackson had spent 2½ days driving up from Texas. He flies Boeing 777's for American Airlines, so is doubly a hero. He awarded his fellow airline pilot a delightful commemoration for forgetting to bring ammo to the firing point in Halifax. The award took the form of a drill round on a ribbon, identical to that which we are shooting. He also distributed polos to every team member as thanks for choosing him as our supplier. We asked him what sort of loading machinery he has been using to ensure such incredible consistency. We were astonished to be told that he had hand loaded every single round. He has supplied us with 11000 rounds. Thank you JJ.
The team is now all assembled. We welcomed Emma Nuttall and Kelvin Ramsey who joined us today.
Onwards and upwards.
Yesterday evening, some team members were able to sample and in some cases, resample the superb ribs available here at the Barons Hotel. A couple of younger chaps, both relations of of other successful shooting families were persuaded to parade for an 0830 departure to the range. The rest of the team surfaced at about 0900 and finally left at about 1045.
An advance party, including the Captain and his Vice, left somewhat earlier and had retrieved the GB fridge + all sorts of other treasure from storage at Connaught. They soon had our cold storage facility up and running, albeit with a length of bungee cord hooked onto the door handle to persuade the fridge to stay closed. Captain and Vice then moseyed up to the DCRA offices to sort out some paperwork, delegating the erection of the team gazebo to those remaining. Charles Brooks was tasked with production of some coffee for the gazebo squad. He lead the standard of performance for the morning by blowing both electric ring mains in our hut. The fridge and air conditioning are h'ors de combat at present. We await a qualified electrician. Meanwhile the potential Krypton Factor gazebo team – consisting of a barrister, a surgeon and an airline pilot proved themselves incapable of getting the right screws in the right holes at the right angles and had to be assisted by a newly graduated (Cambridge) chemical engineer who solved the problems in seconds. He was on last year's team, so had some idea of what went where, the instructions being useless.
On examination of the Cadet meeting prize lists, we were delighted to see that Wiiliam Broad won the cadet Grand Aggregate, Harry Orpen-Smellie 2nd and Oscar Ryndziewicz 3rd. An Athelings 1,2,3. Congratulations gentlemen on some fine shooting.
We begin our shooting this evening. A nice gentle 2/15 at 800m in the Ottawa Regiment. First relay at 1800, the second at 1847. We will not return to our hotel till a late hour, so I will report on the shoot in tomorrow's diary.
First relay of the Ottawa Regiment was scheduled to start at 1800 hrs. Not unusually, at the beginning of any meeting, not everything runs like clockwork. The shoot began at 1823 after a degree of confusion. The second relay began at about 1925 and the last GB firers got off the firing point at about 2000, having fired their last few shots using “the force”. The majority of GB firers put them all in, with a few having some zero resolutions which resulted in some points dropped early on in their shoots. The highest score was from Simon Shouler, who managed 12 v's but was trumped by 3 Canadians with 13 v's.
Due to complaints about noise from residents some 2 kilometers away, the military authority here has listened and agreed to commence shooting here at weekends at 0900. The team got a little lie in. Most buses were at the range by 0815. The Gooderham features shoots of 2/10 at 900 metres and 2/15 at 500 yards. Some of us were lucky and got first detail – our first go at 900 metres since arrival. As you would expect JJ's ammo went very straight. Emma Nuttall put 2 v's with her 50 points at 900, paired with a 75.7 at 500 to take 2nd place behind Des Vamplew who only scored 9 more v's than Emma. GB had 6 placed in the top 10 and 13 in the top 20.
Having completed our shoots in the Gooderham, the team found themselves with upwards of 4 hours till the next shoot. Most of us took the opportunity to go back to the hotel to freshen up or have a snooze. Messrs Dyson, Blake and Crispin remained behind. During our break, a lively little cumulo nimbus cloud paid a visit. We at the hotel noted an initial gust and automatically thought “glad I'm not shooting now” as the first drops of rain fell. The shower passed just in time for us all to return to Connaught. Some one in the bus commented that “they have moved the gazebo!”
Well, they sort of had. As the gust front from our friendly cb hit the range, Dyson nearly got blown away. The Gazebo then did a reasonable imitation of a helicopter as it swept majestically away across the parade ground behind our hut. A “nick” of military police duly attended to check out what all the hullaballoo was about. They laughed and drove off.
The Airline Pilot, Barrister and Surgeon are having nothing to do with the replacement gazebo. At this very moment, the adjutant and one of last year's GBRT members are “disassembling” the bent, twisted remains of the shelter, we can hear the ring of large bits of metal being torn apart by the hefty sinews of Dan Blake, Dave Rose, Ian Shaw, Jon Kent and Emma. It is the intention to perhaps replace our sun refuge with something that will take less than three hours to erect.
As I write, various GB marksmen have wandered out to 900m for the Army and Navy Veterans match. A 2/15. There are 2 details, we are scheduled to finish at 1800. The DCRA “Meet and Greet” drinks and dinner start at 1900, so it will be a quick turn around. The menu promises “Hip of Beef “. Does this imply that the beef was “hip” during its lifetime, or that it could have lost some avoir du pois before arriving at its final destination?
The Grand Aggregate commences tomorrow at 1300.
The Army and Navy vets match was rather a tale of 2 details. In the first detail, the flags lay lifelessly against the poles, very occasionally deigning to flick a tail for a brief moment. Scores were high. 5 minutes before the second detail started, the flags promptly left their poles. The wind bracket for the shoot was agreed as being between 7 and 10½ mins left. Scores were not so high.
Steve Penrose won the match with a 75.11. Captain Richards took 3rd place behind Jim Paton, David scoring 75.8. GBRT members took 10 of the top 20 places.
We still don't know where on the cow “hip” of beef comes from but it certainly ate well and the meat was delicious. Wilde only had 3 helpings that he confessed to.
I erred in reporting that the Grand started at 0900 today. It started after lunch. Our amusement started early. Wilde was taking some photos with flash, the adjutant, alert and observant as he always is declared “Christ! Was that lightning?”
The morning's shooting activity started with a 2/10 shoot in the Tilton at 300m. It was supposed to start at the top of the hour, but competitors were not allowed onto the mound for the 7 minute preparation period until that time – instant 7 minute delay as the rain got heavier, indeed, it had been raining all night. Very still wind under an overcast, gloomy sky. The forecast was for some thunderstorm activity as the day goes on.
Most team members scored 50 points, with varying numbers of v bulls. Lothian missed both his sighters as he had 10 minutes left wind on his sights. “Sparky” Brooks put his first sighter somewhere in northern Ontario having left his ladder sight on the 900m setting. Our “piece de resistance” of the morning however was Shouler's completely original stunt. He discovered a way of utterly destroying any grouping capability previously demonstrated. What you do is to freeze 2 water bottles overnight and then place them on each side of your ammo box for an hour, preferably longer for a wider group. You then barely hold the inner for your sighters and your 1st to count. Realising that things are not as they shoud be, you retire to find some stones to throw at the target, they being arguably more accurate. The team research and development technology management section has deliberated and arrived at the conclusion that it was the condensation on the rounds that caused the problems that Shouler experienced.
As a mark of his prowess as a marksman, Simon then fired nine rounds borrowed from a very generous Canadian and put them in the middle.
The Tilton is another of the matches shot at 2 distances, 600y in this case. Again, only light zephyrs gently stirred the flags, scores throughout the morning were high. Any HPS requires the shooter to weigh his or her trigger. As Canada has now adopted Icfra rules, minimum allowed trigger weight is 500 grammes. This has lead to some fun, the weight not even bothering our first pressure, let alone the second.
The Grand Aggregate started after lunch with the Macdougall. 2/10's at 300m and 500x. By the time the morning's shooting had finished, the schedule was running about 30 mins late. As the detail gathered for the first delayed shoot of the afternoon, we eyed up an approaching shower which looked ominously dark and threatening. The butt markers were driven down to the butts 5 mins after the shoot was scheduled to start so that first sighters were fired just as a howling wind came in from about 11 o'clock. Lightning was seen about 3 miles south. Shooting was delayed at 500x and continued at 300m, scores for this detail were not high. One possible was recorded. There was then an hour before the next detail at 300m, meanwhile, over at 500x, the 1559 relay started shooting at 1659. The last details at 500x may well have to be shot once the sun has set – a challenge indeed.
Wilde has shot a full house 200.33. His “worried”face has gone.
Our Captain has now departed the range to do his cordon bleu bit. He bought half a cow yesterday and will be slaving over a hot barbeque to feed his team this evening. Our salivary glands are already revving up, drool is sloshing around the buses.
A bright and early start tomorrow. 1st shot down the range at 0800?
The last bus reached our hotel at 2000 hrs yesterday evening. The Captain was by this time producing some mouth watering smells from the barbeque. Probably in celebration as he has won the Champlain Aggregate, awarded for the highest score in the pre Grand shoots. The steak was really delicious, cooked perfectly to order and just the job yesterday evening. Even though it was still raining...
The weather has now changed, the wind has picked up, coming from 11 o'clock. 300metres kicked off at 0800, on time to the second. The wind was fresh even at that time of the morning resulting in any angle changes causing some wider than expected inners to appear. We saw more of the same during the 500x shoot before lunch. Puzzlement was caused when a fellow competitor scored 42.8 (?).
We was all sitting in one of them buses what we the team rented saying how we really valued the contribution by an exspurt back home correcting the diarists grammar which he admits is not perfect at the best of times. The Capting wondered if praps the grammatist would prefer to edit the diary before its put on the web cite?
The 800m shoot proved “troublesome”, our adjutant complaining about shooting on 8½ minutes left and then finding the shot needed 3½ left. Ian scored consecutive outers for 3 shots in succession. He quit the firing point with 33.1, our Vice Captain described his detail as “lambs to the slaughter” as he left. Wind brackets of 1 left to 11 left shot to shot were required.
Dave Dyson ignited himself this morning. He dropped a point at 300m and has gone clean for the rest of a difficult day. He is currently leading the Grand Aggregate by 2 points. I hope that is grammatically correct. We have 8 team members in the top 20. Please be aware that full results are available on the DCRA website:- http://www.dcra.ca/results/2011/CFRC/index.htm.
The course of fire tomorrow is the equivalent of the Wednesday of the Bisley meeting, the Letson being a Queens 1 course of fire along with the Alexander of Tunis, which seems to be dreaded by shooters in the same way as the Corporation is at Bisley.
The forecast for tomorrow is going for a 20% chance of rain with the wind backing to come from over a right handed shooters shoulder. Temperature up to 22 degrees.
The drive to the range this morning was delightful, cool with a promise of a sunny, pleasant day. As I begin today's diary at about 1400, some medium level cloud is beginning to move in. At 0800, time for the start of 1st detail, the wind was almost non existent, what little there was being from the south, up our trouser legs. The team has shot the 300 and 500 metre stages of the Letson. As the morning has progressed, a sometimes tricky fishtail has developed – enough to ensure that not everyone has a 105 still in the gun.
We shot the Coach's match just after lunch, 2/10 at 900 metres, funnily enough, 2 firers, coached. Jeremy Langley twiddled Kelvin Ramsey and Dan Blake's knobs, who together put in a 97.6, our highest scoring team, meanwhile a Canadian team scored 99. Wind bracket from 3 to 10 minutes.
2100 hours local time...
This year, the Alexander of Tunis has been relatively benign. Winds have been pretty much steady and lessening in strength all afternoon. The final detail at 1720 required a correction of about 5 minutes at the start of the shoot dwindling to a mere 2 or so by the end. The only possible excuse was slightly dim light. Average scores across the board were rather higher than in our Corporation.
It seems JJ will have to award another blank round to a team member. A little friend tells me that a certain young lady forgot her ammo back at the team base before shooting the 500x stage of the Letson. Fortunately, the adjutant had enough spare ammunition to supply her needs. I'm sure that Emma will look good with her new pendant! There is another team member who thinks we haven't heard about his similar ammunition forgetfulness, ho hum.
Tonight's entertainment was a “corn broil” at the range. Barbequed hot dogs and some boiled corn, would you believe? Not all will be attending, those that stay at the hotel will be entertaining the Athelings to a swim and a play in the hot tub. Heretofore they have been on the range at Connaught for the last fortnight, with no respite. We hope they will enjoy an evening out with pizza, cola and various other horrific “e” numbers and coloured drinks on the menu. I hope they will not all be returned buzzing to the range this evening.
We shoot the President's tommorrow , a Queens 2 course of fire combined with the Gibson, 2/10 at 800m. The forecast warns us of scattered thunderstorms, an increasing wind and a rather warm, humid day.
The electricians visited our hut yesterday. “Sparky” Brooks informs us that we can now run the air conditioning and boil a kettle and run the toaster simultaneously. Hmmm. Emma brought a pillow from the hotel. She intends to have a siesta during her 4 hour lunch break. Dyson still leads the Grand by 2 points from Kent Reeve, with Langley and Coleman in 3rd & 4th positions respectively.
Both Dyson and Langley are in the same bus, which leaves the hotel at 0630 each morning, at least a “kwatta” of an hour before any “oother boos”. It has been suggested that we would all be doing far better if we all left at that hour.
I regret to report that the Captain has had a grave accident. He has just shown me his scorebook after his shoot at 300m. All I can say is that he needed a sharp pencil for his plot – which looks rather like a blob in the middle of the v bull. 50.10, I am hoping for extra brownie points by reporting this.
Danny's arm was falling off - his shooting jacket. He took it to a tailor who needed an extra thick thimble and an exocet missile to penetrate his hide and took 45 minutes to reattach his arm. Coleman was charged the princely sum of $25, which he thought a touch expensive!
Wilde was seen yesterday leaving for a shoot. He had managed about 20 yards before executing a perfect 180 degree turn and returning to pick up his rifle.
The Surrey RA Team of 8 consisting of Shaw, Warburton, Shouler, Ramsey, Kent, Coleman, Rose and Richards won the Gordon Highlanders, a shoot concurrent with yesterday's Letson. They scored 832.92, 2 points clear of the team in 2nd place.
As forecast, the winds have been blowing up our left trouser leg. Strength has increased as the afternoon has gone on. The air can now be felt well past the knee cap and is forecast to back around to a more southerly direction. The 500x stage of the President's featured quite light airs, but with angle changes catching out some poor unfortunates. The Gibson 2/10 at 800m, started at 1300 and like the 600m stage of the Presidents, wind strength has been pretty constant, but a close eye on direction pays dividends. Within the team, at 1500hrs as I write, 48's seem to be about par for 600x and 800m. There have been some threatening grey formations skywards that could promise rain, but we have been lucky thus far, with only the occasional spot of the wet stuff, but there are still a couple of hours to go.
John Deane has just walked past the car, he was on last year's team to Connaught, I apologise for omitting to mention that John won the Norman Beckett with a couple of fine shoots.
A team member has just reminded me of his experience this morning at 300m. There is a charming older Canadian F class shooter who hasn't done much before. I suspect that he may well be shooting his first ever meeting anywhere. He does seem to be blissfully ignorant of the routines required. He got down on our team member's left. We are shooting 2 per target, other than that, everything is as per UK shooting. Our “Effer” shoots on TR targets as he is so new. On being given the order to shoot, our F class gent fires - out of turn - and scores 1 point, so a zero is written on his register card. His 2nd sighter lands in the outer. He then requests that his sighters be converted. Having done that for him, our shooter nearly lost it (whatever “it” is) when his partner then scored 5 scoring hits in succession, all over the target. It must be said that he had just bought a new scope this morning.
The GBRT are holding their reception tonight. Having bought 60 litres of lemonade for making the Pimms we will be serving tonight, I hope our guests are thirsty.
Our guests last night were not as thirsty as we had hoped. The team will be drinking 7Up and Sprite till we get back home, judging from the amount brought back to our hut.
JJ Jackson made up two more of his “blank round” pendants for awarding to those who forgot their ammo. Emma's new bling looks lovely and Kelvin (who thought he had got away with his ammo “problem” on the first day) just looks very um, noble.
Management have been giving out a charcoal “caricatures” depiction of the team. The Captain organised this earlier in the year and we brought out sufficient copies to give to friends and fellow shooters here in Canada. They have been received very well and have been an original alternative to the familiar “gizzit” badges and pins. I am sure you will see them around Bisley as they will probably find their way into picture frames on clubhouse walls.
Apologies for not updating the Grand Aggregate standings – some cards have gone “walkabout”. It has now been confirmed that David Dyson and Kent Reeve are tied on points, but that Reeve leads Dyson by 17 v's as of last night, though that lead has grown during today.
A weather front passed through last night. Before we left Connaught yesterday evening, the walls of the marquee were being moved by some quite strong gusts. There are new puddles where old ones were drying up yesterday and low scudding clouds were dispersing in fresh winds as we drove to the range this morning.
On our arrival, we were greeted with bad news. Alain Marion was taken ill last night and is now in hospital having had a heart attack from a blocked artery. He is in the team's thoughts and we send him all our wishes for a very speedy recovery.
The Gibson, last pre squadded shoot of the Grand was shot this morning. With relays at 300 and 600m. Winds have been fresh all day and pretty much from 9 o'clock, square across the range.
The tie shoot for the President's was shot at lunchtime. Warby v Des Vamplew. The Vice Captain won with 25.4 against Des' 24.3. This means that all the team management has won an individual match. The Adj. took the Qualifier, being the agg. for the Letson and the President's. The Vice Captain would like it mentioned that this continues the long established tradition of Queen's Lodge members winning tie shoots against the Vamplews.
We have just completed the 600x stage of the Outlander, 2/15 at 600 followed by 2/15 at 900m. “Sparky” Brooks was Andrew Wilde's coach for the match. We all drove to the firing point in our little red fun bus and unloaded the gear. Sparks was standing (unsighted) on the right hand side of the bus, I was at the rear and Andy W on the left. Time seemed to extend as Andy and I watched his rifle ever so gracefully fall over from where it had been leaning against the side. Andy merely said to Charles “Coach, my zero may have changed, do let me know if it has”. It hadn't, he scored 74.8.
What a glorious afternoon's weather we have had! GBRT Red won from GBRT Green 1179 to 1153. Emma put in a superb 150.22. Temperatures up to 27c with a fresh wind to cool things down a bit.
I have just heard that Jon Taylor did some washing for Sarah Jane and Jon Kent. Sarah has just commented that she hoped JK was having as much difficulty putting on her top as she was putting on his boxer shorts.
Most of the team are shooting in the 0934 detail of the Gatineau, 2/15 at 900m, so they are in the top 50 of the Grand as of this evening. We shoot the Commonwealth Match tomorrow afternoon and the Canada Match on Saturday morning. We await team selection as I write.
The weather gods look as if they will be kind to us tomorrow. The forecast predicts light winds, temperatures only up to 22c and very little chance of any precipitation.
The shooting of the Gatineau completed the Grand Aggregate this morning in almost perfect conditions. Kent Reeve has won. Our highest place went to Warby at 5th, with Dyson 6th. GBRT had 8 in the top 14.
As I write, the team prepares for the Commonwealth Match. Teams of 12 firers on three targets. Preparation for some entails watching the latest Star Trek film on David Rose's laptop – James T Kirk saves the universe again... The smell of Hoppe's and Sweets permeates the hut. Emma is sunbathing on a bench outside whilst a group of Canadian soldiers seem to have found something very interesting to look at just beyond her.
A lovely afternoon weather wise, some very interesting winds at long range. Some lengthy “stops” whilst waiting for mirage to indicate something sensible all from the same direction and agree with the flags. We dropped 9 points at 800m, Canada dropped 12. GB was 13 ahead on V bulls. Unfortunately for GB, the Canadian team put in a superb shoot at 900m dropping only 7 points whilst we leaked more than was desirable. The final scores were Canada 1181.107, GB 1179.117. Canada winning the match by 2 points. Canadian match captain Fazal Mohideen top scored with100.14, David Crispin and Emma Nutall both had creditable 100.10's.
The GB U25's (AKA Athelings) won their match 777.58 to 761.48, well done.
Team management and coaches are now outside the hut in deep discussion, probably discussing the stock market!
0900 start to the Canada match tomorrow. More fine weather forecast for our last day's shooting.
Some team members will be attending the Macdonald Stewart dinner in Ottawa this evening.
Another lie in! 0730 setting on the alarm clocks. 1½ hours later than we have become accustomed to. A quiet day on the roads, being Saturday. Got to the range in 10 minutes. An hour to prepare for the Canada match. Coaches quietly chatting to their firers getting/discussing zeroes, bearing in mind that we haven't actually shot 300x at all on this tour.
“All targets up!” was sent at 0900. Teams from Canada, GB, the US, Bermuda, GB and Canadian U25's all set for a Queens 2 course. Another lovely morning with the promise of some warmth as the day progressed – very light winds, only detectable on the mirage, nothing on the flags.
A timely reminder from the Captain that a team can lose at 300x but not win. How many teams have you seen shoot poorly at the first distance and then have to play “catch up”, often unsuccessfully?
GB shot well, 1 point dropped, 57 v's scored. Canada were 2 off and 43 V's. The USA this year does not have strength in depth and suffered with 7 away and 51 V's.
Once on the 500x point, Bertrand Pratt, our ever-reliable range officer gathered all the team captains together to propose starting earlier than the shooting programme stated. All were in agreement, so we gained about 10 minutes. Wind conditions much the same, but as the temperature increased, so did the number of “stops” as the coaches waited for something they could work with. By the end of the 500x stage, GB had dropped a further 4 points to Canada's 5. The US did very well, dropping only 1 point at the distance.
At 600x by the time the Vice Captain (last man down on the right) was starting his shoot, we were 5 points up on Canada. Warby was not aware of this, so he took his time and put in an immaculate 50.10. Final scores were GB 1193.156, Canada 1188.121 and the US 1183.125. Kelvin walked off the range with a smile and a 150.25, beating Kent Reeve on count back for top score on the day.
Whilst writing about our American colleagues, though I have not regularly been mentioning any of JJ Jackson's “Jj isms”, he did come out with a good one yesterday. He'd had a poor shoot (by his standards) and had a cranial-rectal insertion = his head was up his bottom.
Governor General's final. The DCRA have a slightly more “high tech” approach. A TV screen is mounted in a tent behind the firing point. As final scores come in, nothing happens, prior to the final results appearing, a Koala bear appears on the screen. Don't ask, we have no idea either...
The crowd knew who the winner was before the TV screen told us, just as I am sure that you know by now who won this year's final if you have been looking at the DCRA results/Facebook/Twitter etc. Our Vice Captain has had a fantastic tour, rarely venturing out of the bull's eye at any distance or day, either in Nova Scotia or here at Connaught. Warby won the Governor General's with a magnificent score of 300.34, the only full house. Des Vamplew 2nd on 299.38. Danny Coleman took 3rd on 299.36. The team took 6 of the top 10 places.
Wilde had a slight misadventure during his 900m shoot in the final. His personal sauna was requiring a bit of refrigeration, so he reached into his range bag and retrieved an ice cold bottle of water which he intended pouring down his neck. Being an international marksman, he missed and hit the back of his hat, which duly funnelled the water neatly into his action. Hopefully it will all have dried out by the time he gets to Brisbane.
The Captain has already planned another barbeque tonight, given the success of the last one, this should prove an ideal way of starting off our evening.
It is a distinct possibility that the team will be celebrating hard tonight. The “young uns” are threatening to go clubbing, they will probably fall in amongst bad company. Team medics will need to have their rehydration regime worked out for the morning for those with sore heads.
Packing, clearing up the hut and all the housekeeping chores await us tomorrow before our flight out of Ottawa back to Heathrow tomorrow night.
I was right, there were some members who thought they probably ate something that disagreed with them last night. The steak was superb, John and Deb Deane along with JJ joined us. It all happened quite late – after having attended the prize giving and then carrying “Vice” across to the Ontario Rifle Association/NCRRA club house, we finally returned to the hotel at about 2200 for our very happy Captain to begin cooking.
We heard good news prior to leaving the range last night – Alain Marion rang John Warburton to congratulate him on his win – from home, having recovered enough to be discharged from hospital.
The team made a final effort and managed to finish off any alcohol left in rooms, rifle boxes, refrigeration units or range bags. Despite retiring at around 0200, most of us were awake at the by now accustomed hour of 0700, some who went in search of adventure in Ottawa found their beds at about 0500, by this time Emma had been thrown in the pool.
Having packed bags that had mysteriously put on weight during our stay here, we all meandered out to the range to pack up our hut. The effects of hurricane Irene are being felt already – winds coming from about 1 o'clock, certainly strong sometimes very strong. Enough that shooting today may well have been cancelled due to possible damage to the targets. Captain Richards signed for a step ladder and made his precarious climb up the shoe tree. Being colour blind, he thinks the shoes he has nailed up are brown... Our Governor General's winner then nailed up a pair of wellington boots, previous owner, Freddy Payne. The very strong wind made the ascent of the ladder somewhat hazardous and several pairs of hands were needed to keep it steady.
The team found themselves killing time back at the hotel prior to our departure for the airfield. While Henry was counting his medals he commented that he seemed to have “far less than when he was an Atheling”. Sparky Brooks immediately suggested that he had probably shot better in those days!
Supper, then off to the airport. The sunset whilst driving in was absolutely spectacular, I have never ever seen one like that before. Perhaps the result of approaching tropical storm Irene?
Check in took a while, but we all dutifully assumed “sheep mode” and then negotiated security with no casualties. Rosey and Nutter were put on standby, they made it (sadly not upgraded to business class).
Should the Adjutant claim that he got little sleep on board the flight, the occupants of “steerage” would beg to differ. It's amazing how a certain harmonic in his snoring frequency can even seem to shake the overhead baggage bins.
We left Heathrow 3 weeks ago – almost exactly to the hour. It seems far longer ago than that. We have shot about 3 Bisley Grand Aggregates in that time. We fished, we got very very dirty whilst tidal bore rafting. By necessity we became like an extended family. Most importantly, our team achieved the aim of the tour – to win the Canada match.
The majority of us return to work and “real life” tomorrow – most looking forward to the rest! When meeting up around Bisley Common in future there will often be conversations that start with “do you remember when?” It has been a very successful tour, making new friends and much enjoyed by everyone. Our thanks to all, family and friends, on both sides of the Atlantic, whether part of the touring team or not who have so generously and willingly made it possible.