After a week of R&R, the England team returned to reality and began preparing for the forthcoming week of individual and team shooting. After an earlier start, the team headed to the range to conduct a recce, as well as gaining zeros at 300yds.
The day got off to a good start, with one member of the team having difficulty releasing the parking brake, which is apparently easier to find in a Challenger II. However, following a monumental queue at the petrol station, the team finally arrived at the range and were greeted by their rifles. While the rest of the team prepared and made their way to 300yds to zero, the Vice-Captain noticed that one of the cars had disappeared, due to one team member leaving their rear sight back at the hotel. It was fortunate for the team that this day was perfect for blowing out the cobwebs, with a mat also being left at the hotel, one shooter firing a sighter on the wrong target, sights set for 500yds rather than 300, sights set 20 minutes low and one shooter miraculously moving his sights by 5 minutes whilst walking the 300yds to the firing point. Furthermore, after his barrel decided to come undone, and with the expert armoury skills of the Adjutant and borrowing of some tools, Rupert had only 3 rounds to reconfirm his zero and decided to show off by by slamming all three into the middle of the target.
Regardless of all of these, the England team all managed to fire their zeroing shots, and all managed to get an initial idea as to what the conditions and the wind might be like for the upcoming competitions. Before leaving though, the Range Officer for the day very kindly offered the opportunity for the England team to try a different weapon system on the pistol range.
Following this, the team headed back to Jolly Beach and took advantage of the sea view to take some official team photos in their No 1s, No 2s and No 3s (details tba). Having returned blazers and ties to the rooms, what then occurred was an aggressive game of volleyball in the pool before sundowners, where there was a flurry of lollipops to be distributed by the Vice-Captain.
The day ended with a welcome reception for all the teams that would be competing in the West Indies Championships, and provided the opportunity for the team members to socialise with the representatives of the other West Indian countries, as well as catching up with our gracious hosts from our trip to Guyana. During the evening, the captain presented the ‘English Twenty Short Range International Trophy’ on behalf of the English Twenty Club. Upon returning to the hotel, one bus of team members was mistaken for airline crew, which was a new variation on the common assumption that we are the England Cricket Team. Then we went about ensuring everything was ready for an early start and the commencement of the West Indies Championships.
No. Lollipops – 6
Lollipops to date – 44