So the clock has counted down and the excitement has built to a crescendo as 20 excited GB shooters descended on the Surrey RA for team packing ably coordinated by Reg and the baggage team. A well practised drill and rifles and bags weighed in without incident and after a variety of takeaways were consumed we headed for an early night with the Adj issuing strict instructions to be ready to leave at 0500…
Sunday dawned and slightly sleepy eyed team members emerged from various corners of Bisley to pack the coach, which was accomplished at record pace (8 minutes from wheels stop to wheels roll again), do the obligatory head count and start the speculation about how long it would take to clear through check-in and customs. 45 minutes later deposited at check-in the usual hurry up and wait process started but thanks to some slick organisation by Tom and Rick we managed to navigate our way to departures with sufficient time to procure the necessary duty free supplies and despite a short detour via the Children’s play area as Chloe tried to find her way to the gate we boarded without further event.
Settled in for flight
Our route to Vancouver took us out over Iceland, Greenland and Northern Canada and there were some spectacular views of the Glaciers and Ice flows many settled in for what, for most, turned out to be an uneventful flight.
Unfortunately a medical emergency found our team doctor, Phil, pressed into service to attend an unwell passenger, who along with another Doctor looked after the patient all the way to Vancouver. On approach to Vancouver we could see that the forest fires in British Columbia which we had heard about were really having an effect with a thick smoke haze as far as we could see.
Expecting the usual paperwork faff on arrival we were all delighted to find that thanks to Tom, we were waved through Customs in double quick time. The last stage beckoned, the dread of the Car rental desk. The Captain having discovered he had initially gone to the wrong desk, then found himself in an hour long queue at the next one. despite having booked a Hyundai compact manged to sweet talk his way into getting a convertible Mustang! The management travelling in style, although we probably ought to discuss how we split up his fuel bill…
The drive to Chilliwack, only an hour and a half from Vancouver passed by without incident although the smoke haze continues to persist, and although there are no fires in our immediate vicinity the spectacular mountain views and clear Canadian skies which many of us remember are cloaked from view. All checked in and well fed at the local hostelries most headed for bed early still being on London time. Looking forward to the next few days of R&R before we start shooting on Thursday.
