GBRT : West Indies 2013

Today's was a much more leisurely start. Breakfast at 9ish, team chat at 10 then the rest of the morning by the pool. Air and water temperature were both perfect. At 12:30 the team was picked up to go to the range. A warm feeling permeated the group as we passed both town and country scenery and the realisation set in - we were in Jamaica!

At the range, we were met by John, Dennis, Basilios and others who were going to practice alongside us and ensure things ran smoothly.  We were also introduced to our UK trained army range officer and met some of the army buttmarkers (whose camp between 900 and 1000 yards would preclude our shooting at 1000 this week.

Not long after arrival, Jon Underwood realised he had left his padlock keys at the hotel and Dave Crispin had done the same with his shooting glasses. Jon unloaded our mini coach so that he could take it for the hour round trip... but the round trip was substantially shortened when our police escort took him instead in their car... with siren and lights clearing the way!

Practice was a very sweaty and tiring affair but everyone found their zeroes and we felt prepared for shooting the next day (with 150 grain expanding rounds designed for hunting black bear!), instructions for which were very encouraging: "There will be beers available after 900 yards, this is compulsory."

Off to the JRA for a Meet and Greet to end the day. Tomorrow the competition starts... at the very welcome hour of 10 o'clock.