Well shot Bob :good: good to hear you and Wendy enjoyed and couldn't agree more I've had great experience in the ones I've attended in Cyprus and Portugal in the past and already thinking about Cyprus for next year !Phew - that was hot, just back home after a bit of an early start today. We left the rest of the ShootClay team outside the hotel at 06:00 to start their intrepid journey. Wendy & i drove down to Madrid for an 11:30 flight to Gatwick. Despite warnings about the Spanish authorities attitude to guns, it all went very smoothly at the Madrid end.
What a fab experience, had a great time with team ShootClay, and caught up with our other shooting friends around the world. The geography was stunning, beautiful valleys, deep gulleys everythng you could wish for. Most competitors seemed to agree that the target setting was very good, certainly the best that I have shot in an international event. Most of us seemed to experience some dodgy referreeing, the vast majority of the refs were home grown, and there was clearly some "interpretation" of the rules on occassion.
A few negatives, given the heat. No water stations around the course, really essential when the temperatures touched 40 centigrade. Very little seating or shade on many of the pegs, not important when things are running smoothly, but delays in those temperatures were very uncomfortable. The transport was also very poor, with many shooters deciding to walk between layouts, rather than wait for the bus to come round. Several shooters that couldn't walk in the heat, were disadvantaged and lost birds as a result of the slow bus service.
I had my normal good days and bad days, shot 79 ex 100 on day one and two, then a meltdown on day three, with a bit of a recovery on the last day. Finished on a 148, so around my normal UK average, would have liked a few more, but happy with the result and the experience.
Now looking forward to next years Europeans and Worlds in Cyprus & Portugal. This was our fourth major competition, and we love it... the atmosphere, the shooting, and more importantly the ups and downs shared with friends. If you've not done one before, don't wait until you think you're "good enough". just go along and enjoy the experience, you won't regret it
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