Millride on Tour

The long journey north did not put off the stalwarts from Millride FTC, no less than ten of their number made the trip and six took the opportunity to camp on the grounds of Dunfermline FTC. We left Birmingham at 10am ably driven by Greg and navigation was by Tom.
After about 90 minutes we took a pit stop and met up with the other party of campers.
The M6 was running clear and it wasn't long before we crossed the border and were enjoying traditional Scottish cuisine in the KFC at Gretna Green.
Another 2 hours and we arrived at our home for the evening. Many thanks to David Foster and the members of Dunfermline FTC for allowing us to stay and their subsequent hospitality. After only a few minutes the Quecha village was assembled and our thoughts turned to finding a pub.
Our hosts indicated that a track lead from the site to the Dander Inn so no cars were needed and off we set. The walk was delightful and full of the sights of spring the highlight of which was a number of beautiful yellowhammers.We were welcomed at the Dander Inn and quickly we began to make friends with the locals. Our plan was two pints and bed but this was soon forgotten as the chat and beers began to flow.
And then we were eight as Phil and Jo arrived, they had chosen the luxury of a hotel with a nice restaurant but tomorrow they too would enjoy a trip along the track!
A few more beers and we were having a scream. The Dander Inn is dedicated to Dunfermline Football club and we joined in the odd verse of "We hate Falkirk and we hate Falkirk ... we are the Falkirk haters". I'm sure the residents of Falkirk are very nice but tonight we were for the Pars!

Food became the focus and when we asked our new found friends where we might find some they responded by firing up the BBQ and offered us all burgers, chicken and chips. Up the Pars!
It seemed we'd been in the pub for an age but it was still very light when we left to take the track home. Back at camp a few more beers were in order and some crisps, biscuits, chocolate etc.
I had a good night's sleeps but some complained of noises emanating from Greg's tent; Roy had taken precautions but he said in vein.
The tents were soon folded into neat circles and it was time for breakfast. As last year many thanks to Anne and Alistair for providing us with some scrumptious grub.
Shooters now began to arrive and our thoughts turned from our stomachs to the purpose of the visit. After a few words from Dave Penman we set off for the course. It was set within dense woodland that offered some shelter from the wind and the occasional shower. Dave had changed the direction of the course from the last two years and, perhaps fearful of another clearance, he had set them long. I recorded the average length to be 42.6 yards compared to the previous highest of 40 yards; this coupled with six standers from ten disciplines meant it would be a challenging course. As usual despite the difficulty some quality shooting produced some high scoring. Last year AA had been a tie between Andy Calpin and Mark Bassett on 46, this year Andy Calpin stood alone on 46. However, this wasn't the top score of the day, that honour went to Andrew Luckley who won A grade with 47!

So soon after arriving it was time to head home. Cars packed we were once again on the road to our favourite food outlet at Gretna Green. More chicken eaten, some coffee for the drivers and off we set for England.
We arrived home around 10pm all tired having packed a lot into 36 hours. Well done to our drivers Greg, Roy and Phil. Passengers Paul, John, Ian, Jo and Shaun. And to Karl and Debbie who made it a holiday. Millriders on Tour!

Newbury revisited

This was our second visit of the season to Newbury and today the course explored other areas of the woodland. It was an excellent test; congratulations to Andrew Slade and the Newbury team for their hard work and course design.
There was very little wind, the occasional gust might inadvertently cost a target but in the main it was shoot within the kill, hence high scores were expected. The morning session was topped by ex world champion Dan Eley who dropped just two targets. With such benign conditions performance on the discipline lanes will likely decide the winner and today there were ten to test and six of them were standing. The morning scores were littered with high 40’s including three shooters in A grade on 44. So the gauntlet was laid down for the afternoon squad could anyone better 48?
Here are two well dressed morning shooters: Kilty's coat hints of the Winter League
and it looks likes Lee Marshal has found a sponsor!

By 1pm it was very hot so the shaded woodland brought welcome relief. The odd breeze was for once appreciated though perhaps not by those on the firing line. I started on lane 3 with Hugh Osborne and Brian Samson. To my left Greg was hoping to pick up some tips from another ex world champion James Osborne.

It is a pleasure just to be in the woods at Newbury, sometimes the position of the lane can give the impression that you’re on your own and only the regular sound of targets falling over breaks the spell.

After eight lanes the course rotated 180 degrees, at the turn of four lanes two were standing and one was kneeling; was this to be amen corner?

British Champion Nick Murphy competing in the piston class shows off his standing style

There then soon followed another adjacent pair of discipline lanes and when, after these, James Osborne was still clear a buzz of anticipation could be felt; could he clear the course? FT has this way of spreading information, quickly it was established that a 50 shot GP course had never before been cleared. There were still plenty of targets to conquer and many were testing; a good number were long range that would surely punish a nervous twitch. As he came to his last lane, still clear, I paused from my own turn to watch. He was shooting the lane I had started on so I knew the first was close to full range; it went over. With number 49 down I heard his shooting partner, Chris Briscoe, comment “that’s the hard one“. James replied “no, this is the hard one”. Over it went and the BFTA had its first clearance on a 50 shot GP course; well done Mr Osborne!

And here's the proof!

The clearance perhaps overshadowed some other high scoring. Once again Marc Fisher with 46 scored more with a springer than most AA shooters do with a PCP. A grade was won with a incredible 48 from Simon Pattle, 44 took B grade honours for Peter Moore and congratulations to Jack Harris who won C grade, at his first GP, with 39. Hats off also to Brian Samson who showed great shooting skill to record the highest ever SFT score of 42.

Pete Rowley pondering "surely 47 will win A grade!"

So after a 49 at Iceni James goes 1 better at Newbury; will it be 51 next time!

So we leave Newbury until the Masters on September 5^th and for those lucky 64 the Showdown on the 6^th.