High Tower, Low Expectations.......

Just got back from a night away with the boys from Woodhouse Grange shoot. 

This is a local farmers’ shoot, where I have run the line for the last 5 years.  It’s a really great little shoot – what driven game shooting is all about; a bunch of guys all with similar interests and a passion for game shooting.  Bags are small but of very high quality, with the emphasis on wild birds where we can.

As many of us as could get away from their commitments, wives, girlfriends and kids, headed off to try their hand a clay busting at the small, but beautifully formed Warren Gill Shooting ground (http://www.warren-gill.co.uk/), located just outside Masham  in North Yorkshire.   The format was pretty relaxed, 50 clays over various stands with some helpful hints from Ross Elgie, the current European side-by-side Champion, then a simulated flush, a crack @ the high tower and then a final flush.  

Some of the lads don’t do much with a shotgun in between the seasons; cue much piss taking and merriment.  In the end everyone acquitted themselves pretty well and a bloody good day was had by all.   My auto decided to play up; not cycling the light clay loads, so I swapped it for a rather tasty Berrata, which unfortunately I had to give back @ the end of the session.  Grrr.

I managed to fluke winning the High Tower competition.  A jamming auto did my chances in the first flush, but swapping guns led to a respectable second in the pairs flush.    If you are in North Yorkshire and looking for a clay ground, I can’t recommend Warren Gill highly enough.  Pretty, challenging, and with a highly professional team, this has to be one of the best grounds in the country.

The afternoon was finished off with a few beers and a meal @ the White Bear in Masham, the local pub of the wonderful Theakstons brewery.   Who am I kidding, a few beers, a lot of beers more like.

A lovely way to end my birthday week.  That’s me back on the wagon for another 12 months..........It was nice for a week to go back to my old ways.