Whilst the majority of the team managed a bit of a lie in after yesterday’s epic day of travel, the previously nominated ‘Bus Captains’ had to meet at 9 a.m. to collect the rental cars. For some this left plenty of time for an early morning gym session. For a certain touring novice (aka the only GM, GC2, SM2 fork lift truck driver we know), however, this ‘meeting at 9 a.m.’ edict was interpreted as meaning that 0859 was the right time to order a large cooked breakfast. Cue steaming dissatisfaction and detailed “if this was a bombing mission” stories from the rest of the Bus Captain fraternity. Fortunately the slight delay in departing the hotel for the rental shop didn’t cause any lasting damage either to the car collection or completing the next chapter in Chris Fitzpatrick’s meticulously organised ring-bound folder of booking forms. And the helpful Budget rental clerk even seemed happy to help out when asked to find a hole punch to ensure that the booking receipts could be entered into the said ring bound folder of admin. Another fast morning in Ottawa then.

After the excitement of the morning, the team bus captains returned to the hotel in a convoy of steel, rubber, reverse parking video cameras and auto-closing boots. Before anyone could get too excited about such wonders of North American road warriors, the remainder of the team, satiated from their leisurely breakfasts, assembled for the “how we are going to move the tables around the team hut” briefing. (And the first team ticking-off for tardiness.) Briefing over, we set off for the range. One Wing Commander in particular was clearly still reminiscing about past sorties, as his ‘which side of the road do I drive on’ radar was a little bit off. Repeatedly. Let’s hope this improves or there may be a revolution in his bus.

Though the tasks at the range were inevitably not that exciting, thanks must go to the staff at the DCRA and WO Comeau. Despite apparently being “busy for the next few hours”, they responded immediately when we arrived and delivered the GB kit – along with an incredibly neatly wrapped J-cloth bound with an elastic band containing… precisely nothing; explanations from previous GB tours welcomed.

Over at the DCRA, we were particularly grateful for the welcome and help from Cathy and Linda. Greeting Thomson and Thompson like the old friends they are, the trade of smiles, stories and a sparkling GB team badge for our entries and squadding forms seemed to suit everyone nicely. Long may this bonhomie and efficiency last.

The team kit was duly unpacked and inventorised, and a flurry of activity saw a classroom swiftly converted into our team clubhouse, complete with fridge, coffee station, rifle cleaning station, and two large inflatable beach balls. With the team room in good order, the team went their separate ways for the afternoon.

Bus 3 negotiated the GB social events with this years cadet team, then headed off for a quick lunch, and to attempt to buy Nigel Ball a mobile phone manufactured within the last decade that might stand a chance of working in Canada. His trusty Nokia, a bastion of reliability in the UK, refused to work on Canadian networks.

Bus 4 were instructed to go on a range walk, to familiarise themselves with Connaught. However it was calculated that the occupants had been to the range an average of 4 times each, so the range walk became a fairly speedy range drive-by. An accidental tour of all the back roads of the Connaught facility followed, trying to find an exit road towards a golf course suitable for some octogenarians to spend a sunny day off. Roo became very vocal about his hunger, so an executive decision was made to dine at the golf club too. $25 for chicken nuggets…

A few of the team went for a short drive to take in the Ottawa River, stopping for a quick stroll by the water. Along with locals kayaking and fishing, the geese, ducks, black squirrels, and groundhogs were all enjoying the late afternoon sun, downtown Ottawa in the distance beyond the water.

For Bus 5 (aka the Chief Chef’s bus), further shopping and food preparation duties were in order. To cut a long and expensive shopping mall themed story short, (including a minor accident involving crashing their trolley into the roof!) their afternoon labour left the team room stocked with food for the days ahead and Chief Coach (with some glamourous but musically-misguided assistants) with the wherewithal to prepare a super BBQ supper.

Richard and Henryk returned to the ranges to collect the teams squadding cards for the week, while head chef Nick Tremlett prepared the team BBQ, and others decided to have a short afternoon nap. Curried chicken, burgers, sausages, and a home made banana and ginger cheesecake finished the evening off perfectly for all but the few intrepid night owls, who headed over the road for a few games of pool. Although, in a somewhat sleep deprived state, Nigel could never remember which colour he was supposed to be potting.