Despite winds, which alternated from eerily calm to magpie-beckoningly blustery, Mike Barlow managed to hold his own and win the Gibson, with 150.15, one of only two possibles in the entire match.

After lunch, the Letson and, consequently, the Governor General’s Prize final stage qualifier, was completed. Angus McLeod won the Letson, with a score of 105.16. Part of his prize includes life membership of the DCRA. David Crispin was close behind in third place, with 105.15, James Mehta coming fourth with the same score. Colin Skellett came fifth, with 105.14, the Captain fourteenth, with 105.12, Graham Nelson fifteenth, with the same score, Mike Barlow seventeenth, with the same score, Jon Underwood eighteenth (same score), David Calvert twentieth (same score), Steve Penrose twenty-first (same score), Ellie Joseph twenty-third (105.11), the diarist twenty-fifth (105.10 – not a fan of the v-bull), and, finally, Matt Charlton twenty-sixth (105.9 – even less of a fan of the v-bull).

The above results mean that the Governor General’s qualifier sees Angus McLeod advance to the final, finishing 2nd, with 255.36. Also in the top 50 and, therefore, through are Jon Underwood, David Calvert, Ellie Joseph, Mike Barlow, Graham Nelson, the Captain, David Rose, David Crispin, Rory MacLeod, Steve Penrose, Jeremy Tuck, Colin Skellett and Matt Charlton. The final takes place on Saturday afternoon.

With the individual matches of the day completed, it was time to focus on the Outlander Match. Sadly reduced to just one distance, the match consisted of 2 sighters and 15 shots to count, at 900 metres. Teams were made up of 8 firers and GBRT had two entries: GB RED and GB BLUE.

Teams were faced with decidedly varied conditions during the short match. A steady but strong wind was interrupted by a brief deluge, which was followed by a period of almost no wind.

Unfortunately for GB, despite some strong individual performances, Team USA had a very good shoot and won the match. Team lists and results are presented below:

At the end of the day, David Calvert remained at the top of the Grand Aggregate (752.98), with members of GBRT filling the top five spots on the leader board. Tomorrow morning sees the final shoot of the Grand Aggregate, the Gatineau, a 2 and 15 at 900 metres. In the afternoon is the Canada Match between GB, Canada and the USA. The course of fire is 2 and 10 at 300, 500 and 600 yards. The GB team of 8 is as follows:

The President’s saw some very consistent shooting from GBRT: Jon Underwood finished second, with 150.23. Fifth was Angus McLeod (150.20), sixth was Ellie Joseph (150.19), ninth was David Calvert (150.19) and tenth was Mike Barlow (150.16). Other members of the team also acquitted themselves admirably.

In the first of the three Gibson shoots at 800 metres, GBRT’s Charles Dickenson led the way, coming second with 50.4. Mike Barlow finished fourth, on the same score. These two shoots were particularly impressive, as there were only six possibles, out of 179 shooters. The Gibson concludes tomorrow, with 2 and 10s at 300 metres and 600 yards.

At the end of the day, David Calvert was leading the Grand Aggregate, with 653.81. Mike Barlow was in second place, with 652.68, Jon Underwood in third place, with 651.82, Angus McLeod in fourth place, with 651.80, our Captain in fifth place, with 651.70 and Graham Nelson in tenth, with 649.75.

Post-shooting, members of the team rushed back to the hotel for a quick shower and change into No 1s, as GBRT were hosting a Pimm’s reception for fellow shooters, in the large marquee on camp. Fruit was chopped, nibbles poured into bowls and brochures laid out. The diarist was surprised to learn how difficult it is to source Pimm’s in Canada. However, thanks to the British Army Shooting Team’s Rob Kitson, no guests went without.

The evening was a resounding success and culminated in a chorus of Happy Birthday, followed by the presentation of a cake, to the Vice-captain. The diarist has been requested not to reveal, however, what birthday he was celebrating…Once everything from the reception had been cleared away, the team fell into vehicles and returned to the hotel for a late dinner and a welcome sleep.

Lollipop awards (Day 21):

Good – Ian Ashworth, for remaining at the range after shooting, in order to chop fruit and help to prepare for the Pimm’s reception.

Bad – the Captain, for carefully aligning his shooting mat with the relevant target number plate on the firing point, only to discover that it was, in fact, a gopher hole, which explained why there were several metres between him and his fellow shooters.

Once again, it seemed that the day’s shooting would be disrupted by heavy downpours of rain, which belonged to a slow moving storm front that, some claimed, had originated in Texas. The day’s course of fire should have been the Letson, a Queen’s Prize First Stage (2 and 7 at 300 metres, 500 and 600 yards), along with the Alexander of Tunis (a 2 and 10 at 900 metres), which is the equivalent of the Corporation of the City of London shoot at the Imperial.

The first two distances of the Letson (300 metres and 500 yards) were successfully completed before lunch. However, in an impressive demonstration of forward planning, the DCRA decided that, due to the impending bad weather, the final distance of the Letson (600 yards) would be scrapped. This was a wise decision as, during the final detail of the Alexander of Tunis, the heavens opened yet again. Unfortunately, the diarist found himself 8 shots into a 10 shot shoot when the deluge began. An issue with a cross-shot on his target then caused a 7 minute delay, during which time water managed to permeate every nook and cranny of both his shooting equipment and, indeed, of the diarist himself. In spite of the conditions, all details of the Alexander were successfully completed.

Once register cards had dried to the point of legibility and scores had been collated, it emerged that the day had been another resounding success for GBRT. David Rose is in joint first place in the provisional result of the Letson, with 70.13. However, there is a possibility that the final distance of the competition may be re-squadded, later on in the week. Watch this space…In the Alexander of Tunis, David Calvert tied for joint first place with Canadian, James Paton, both scoring 50.9. The final result will be decided by a tie shoot. Other notable scores were David Crispin (50.7) and Jon Underwood (50.6).

Sadly, the rain-precipitated schedule change also meant that the Coaches Match had to be cancelled. The diarist remains confident, however, that the coaches will have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate their abilities, over the coming few days.

Once back at the hotel, the unlucky members of the team, who had got wet, followed the same routine of desperate kit drying, in advance of the following day’s shooting. Indeed, the use of hairdryers has been so prevalent in the hotel that a fuse was blown, leaving several rooms without power, for a short while.

We are told that today was the last of the rain and that the rest of the week’s shooting *should* remain dry. You must forgive the diarist for viewing this promise with a sceptical eye.

Lollipop awards (Day 20):

Good – Chris Hockley and Jeremy Tuck, for purchasing the supplies needed to host GBRT’s Pimm’s reception at the range tomorrow evening.

Bad – Chris Hockley, for accidentally pressing the panic button on his car’s key fob, setting off the alarm, and no-doubt costing some shooters a few points in the process.

Canada Match 2016 – Live Scores

Top GBRT performers were Jon Underwood (100.14), who finished 5th in the Col John Brick, with Angus McLeod (also 100.14) following in 6th and David Rose (another 100.14) in 7th, on count back. Lindsay Peden, Graham Nelson and David Calvert took 12th, 13th and 14th place, respectively, all with 100.13. Mike Barlow, David Crispin and James Mehta continued the possibles, all with 100.12. Finally, Charles Dickenson scored 100.8.

The Norman Beckett, testing shooters’ short and long-range abilities, was won by our esteemed Captain, scoring 100.12. Jon Underwood followed him in third, with 100.11.

At the end of the day, GBRT had five of the six top places in the Grand Aggregate, David Calvert leading, with 299.38.

More torrential rain threatens to disrupt shooting again tomorrow. However, GBRT’s Bisley spirit remains unwavering, wanting to shoot as long as the target is (almost) visible.

Lollipop awards (Day 19):

Not awarded.

Connaught appears, at least to the diarist, to experience more fickle winds than Bisley does, which will often change on the shooter, whilst they are in the aim. This can be the cause, even at 300 metres, of many a pesky inner at either 9 or 3 o’clock. Angus McLeod and Mike Barlow, however, seemed immune to such problems, both scoring 100.14 in the Tilton, tying for first place with Gale Stewart of Canada and necessitating a tie shoot later in the week. Closely following them were Ian Ashworth, Charles Dickenson and David Calvert with 100.12, Graham Nelson with 100.11, Jon Underwood with 100.10 and Simon Carson with 100.9.

After lunch, shooters headed out for the first two shoots of the Grand, with the wind remaining challenging. Once again, a strong performance from GBRT saw David Calvert win the MacDougall, scoring 100.14. In hot pursuit were Graham Nelson and Angus McLeod (100.13), Simon Carson, Jeremy Tuck, David Rose and Mike Barlow (100.11), and Stephen Penrose (100.8).

Post-shooting, the cleaning and shopping rota was in full swing, making sure that supplies for the team were replenished and the classroom, a small space for 20 people, kept in a habitable state. Various groups then took dinner in several restaurants near the hotel, according to their predilections.

The diarist hopes that both the good weather and this impressive level of performance across the team will hold for the rest of the week.

Lollipop awards (Day 18):

Good – Chris Hockley, for helping to fix Graham Nelson’s steamed up scope.

Bad – Rory MacLeod, for leaving the team Hoppe’s in his hotel room.

The day’s shooting should have consisted of the Gooderham (2 and 10 at 500 and 600 yards) and the Army & Navy Vets (2 and 15 at 900 metres). However, after the 500-yard details of the Gooderham had been completed, the rain arrived in full force. Indeed, it was so strong that the roof of GBRT’s trusty classroom began to leak. However, recycling bins were repurposed as drip trays and the crisis was averted.

The dangers of shooting in such heavy rain, due to poor visibility and a risk of equipment failure, meant that the DCRA were forced to postpone the start of the 600-yard shoots of the Gooderham. Unfortunately, by the time the rain had eased enough to permit shooting again, it was too late to squad all competitors and so the 600-yard details were cancelled altogether.

Although this outcome was far from ideal for those who had wanted to establish their 600-yard zeroes, it was perfect for GBRT’s Angus McLeod, whose 50.9 at 500 yards saw him win the Gooderham Cup. Other team members also had scores worthy of mention: Charles Dickenson and Rory MacLeod, both with 50.8, David Calvert and Jon Underwood, both with 50.6, Stephen Penrose, with 50.5, Ellie Joseph, Mike Barlow and David Rose, with 50.4 and, finally, Jeremy Tuck, with 50.3.

The only individual shoot of the afternoon was the Army & Navy Vets, which was able to complete its first two details, thanks to a break in the rain. However, much to the annoyance and/or relief of the shooters, who arrived at the firing point for the remaining details, just as the heavens opened again, shooting was cancelled for the rest of the day. This meant that, sadly, the Army & Navy Vets was not contested at this year’s DCRA Fullbore Championships.

Frustrated and damp, after a broken day of very little shooting, GBRT returned to the Best Western, in order to stand under deluges of the correct temperature, before donning team kit and heading to the DCRA Meet & Greet, back at Connaught. Here, seasoned tourists caught up with old friends and new caps got to chat to the other shooters, some of whom had come from places as far afield as the West Indies.

Once full of exotic cheeses, cookies and other hors d’oeuvres, kindly provided by the DCRA, the team returned to the hotel to see how their kit was drying. Most individuals, the diarist included, had chosen to reverse their air conditioning units and take advantage of the powerful heating function. Consequently, upon re-entering his room, the diarist met with an atmosphere akin to that of an Amazonian rainforest, the water that had permeated his shooting kit now hanging in the air. Doors and windows were opened for a good fifteen minutes, in order to restore the room to a habitable humidity and temperature.

Tomorrow sees the last of the warm-up shoots and, after lunch, the first of the Grand Aggregate shoots. Here’s hoping for drier weather…

Lollipop awards (Day 17):

Good – the Captain, for tumble drying a lot of damp team kit.

Bad – David Crispin, for leaving all of his shooting cards back at the hotel.

Connaught Ranges are a primary training facility for both the Canadian military and its cadets. Backing onto the Ottawa River, the range complex has echoes of Bisley Camp, with a mixture of old wooden buildings and newer, prefab structures. Accommodation on camp is predominantly tent-based, which is fine in temperate weather but becomes unbearable at extremes of temperature or precipitation. Fortunately for GBRT, unlike the British Athelings (Cadet) Rifle Team, there was no need to worry about canvas lodgings.

GBRT’s home at Connaught, kindly provided by the Canadians, is one of the classrooms on the complex. Fully air conditioned and well-equipped with chairs, tables and fridges, this is to be our home for the remainder of the tour. The classroom is conveniently located within walking distance of most of the ranges, which are laid out somewhat differently from Bisley: the 500 and 600 yard range, the 800 and 900 metre range, and the 300 metre range are all constructed side by side, separated by tall berms, which allow shooting to occur simultaneously on all ranges.

The team assembled on the range mid-afternoon, with Matt Charlton and Ellie Joseph having kindly done the initial food shop. Matt Charlton then took the team on a walking tour of the range, pointing out the idiosyncrasies that make wind reading here much different from Bisley: flag poles are thicker, meaning that flags will not stir at lower winds, the flags themselves are lighter than Bisley flags and, finally, the berms shelter the targets nearest to them, when the wind is coming from that direction, but also cause eddies and other strange effects. Thoroughly enlightened/confused, the team returned to the classroom, in order to prepare for their first shoot, The Ottawa Regiment.

The Ottawa Regiment consisted of 2 sighters and 15 shots to count at 800 metres (874.891 yards), and was scheduled to start at 1830. However, due to ongoing delays from earlier in the day, the match did not start until gone 1900, by which time the light had well and truly started to fade. In addition to this, light rain had started, accompanied by a reasonably challenging wind and no mirage, which made the shoot a tough start to the DCRA Fullbore Championships. In spite of this, Graham Nelson (75.10), Lindsay Peden (75.9), Rory MacLeod (75.7), James Mehta (75.7), Mike Barlow (75.4) and Charles Dickenson (75.3) all managed possibles. Unfortunately for Graham, despite his strong performance, two other shooters also made the same score and so a tie shoot is scheduled for later on in the week.

Damp and tired, the team returned to East Side Mario’s for another Canadian-Italian fusion meal, before hitting the hay. The DCRA Grand Aggregate does not start until Sunday afternoon, which allows the team another day and a half of warm-up shoots to settle in and calculate their zeroes.

Lollipop awards (Day 16):

Good – Ellie Joseph and Matt Charlton, for doing the first team food shop.

Bad – Graham Nelson, for panicking that he had misplaced his ammunition shortly before a shoot, only to discover it exactly where he had put it: ready on the firing point.

Although still paperwork-heavy, the carriage of rifles on a domestic flight is a much more straightforward affair than transporting them internationally. Consequently, GBRT actually had time to spare before boarding began for the flight to Ottawa. As has become customary, several members of the team sampled the coffee of the local Starbucks.

The flight from Vancouver to Ottawa lasts around 5 hours and, although there was plenty of in-flight entertainment available, most of the team used the time to catch up on much needed sleep. We were greeted at the airport by newly arrived teammates Dave Rose and Mike Barlow, who had flown out a day earlier, in order kindly to set up the team’s base at Connaught Ranges.

The weather in Ottawa was hot and humid. However, checking of forecasts suggested that this was not to last…We reached the Best Western Plus in Kanata in the early evening. The hotel has been the home of visiting Great Britain Rifle Teams for many years. Unfortunately, however, its laundry facilities have recently been replaced with a lift, in order to help those less compatible with stairs to the upper floor. This revelation caused a great deal of frustration amongst members of GBRT, who were hoping to do some much-needed washing. Fortunately though, there are washing machines at Connaught Ranges and plans were made to utilise these the next day.

Dinner was taken at one of the many local favourites known to seasoned tourists, East Side Mario’s. Full of garlic bread and tired from a full day’s travelling, the team retired early, not shooting until the next evening and eager to enjoy the last lie in of the tour.

Lollipop awards (Day 15):

Good – Dave Rose, for meeting the team at the airport and providing them with G&Ts, upon arrival at the hotel.

Bad – Dave Rose and Mike Barlow, for arriving nearly two weeks late.