NRA Journal - Summer 2004 - National Rifle Association

GREAT BRITAIN UNDER 25 RIFLE TEAM TO SOUTH AFRICA 2004by Graham Nelson and Richard JeensCaptain Erica McMullan GBU25, Ireland,UlsterVice-Captain Kitty Jack GBU25, Scotland,KentAdjutant Paul Sykes GBU25, LondonRobert Clarke LincolnshireDeborah Fenn GB, SuffolkJames Headon East of ScotlandHenry Jeens Wales, GloucsRichard Jeens GBU25, Wales,GloucsGraham Nelson NorthumberlandRichard Stewart GBU25, NorfolkPaul Wheeler GBU25Alex Woodward Wales, LondonThe team convened at the Surrey Clubhouse on 20 Marchto the bitter smell of coffee, the sweet smell of fryingbacon, and the eclectic music of Paul W. Despite a fullnight of ‘professional’ preparation by the Londoncontingent we left Bisley ahead of schedule. Havingfailed to convince the check-in staff that a rearsight wasnot actually a dangerous weapon, much repacking wasrequired, however, firearms clearance was greatlyassisted by Shiv from Securicor who was also veryhelpful on our return.Once aboard the plane Jeens Jnr immediately set uponimpressing the air hostesses in order to get his blazerhung up in a proper locker. The rest of the flight in cattleclass passed without incident except for Bob beingmistaken for a 12 year-old by aircrew bar staff, much tohis own dismay (and our amusement). Day two dawnedartificially at 33000 feet and we landed safely at CapeTown International Airport following a nutritiousbreakfast of yellow rubber and pink goo. Having passedthrough firearms control without collecting our properpermits and with Bob’s kit falling through a hole in hisbag which had been kindly created by SAA, we weremet by Garry from Western Cape Bisley Union.Aftyer checking in to Breakwater Lodge, we immediatelyheaded up Table Mountain. The views were fantastic.This was also our first experience of the varied SouthAfrican wildlife as we were introduced to an overgrownguinea pig called the Rock Hyrax. Weighing in at animpressive 6kgs and at 18 inches in length we met thislittle fellow beneath our dinner tables at the restaurant,where it successfully managed to frighten all of the girlsand gain a full plate of chips for its own consumption.For the descent, eight of the boys wisely chose to takethe “gentle” stroll back down to the base. Aftercompetitive sprints and ‘restorative’ fag breaks, weemerged onto the lower road 1½ hours later after adeceivingly steep descent only to dice with death on theroad back to Cape Town. Ever economical, Paul Sykesdecided to save us 30p each by hiring a ten seatedrickshaw which displayed evidence of having been aminibus in a previous life. By the end of our perilousjourney we still could not work out whether the erraticnature of our journey was due to mechanical irregularityor to the fact that the driver was texting his wife whilerolling a cigarette all at the same time as holding thenearside wing mirror in place.Day 3 presented us with our first practice match, hostedby Western Province Bisley Union. Their baking hotshooting range outside Cape Town pitted us against theEnglish and our hosts. Conditions, our recent arrivaland England’s shameless borrowing of wind calls led toa thorough drubbing by the locals. Nonetheless it wasan excellent experience and much needed reality checkfor our team, which had beaten the England team atBisley the weekend before departure. Particular thanksmust also go to those who treated us to food and drinkafter the match.James Headon’s experience of Cape Town – this was histhird year in a row – was revealed as he found aWaterfront restaurant capable of taking our combinedU25 and England party at short notice. The social sideof shooting continued well into the evening.The next 2½ days were spent on various excursionsaround the Cape before our flight to Bloemfontein onDay 6. Five of the team decided to visit Robben Islandwith its lime quarry, work yards, solitary confinementcells and censoring office. The rest of the team took themore leisurely approach to foreign tours by not botheringto disembark at the Cape of Good Hope. Instead theydrove five times around the traffic circle to alloweveryone to get a photo of the sign. At Cape PointDeborah was chased by an amorous baboon while Jamessealed a Mug of the Day victory by using his rubbish binas a dirty laundry receptacle which was then dulyemptied by the cleaner.The team also visited the Two Oceans Aquarium, thegem museum, and the Waterfront shops. A full day’sexcursion was made to the Winelands. We saw, sippedand, for some, swallowed heartily at the Spiers, Fairviewand Boschendale vineyards. Our guides excelled inshowing us not only the wines but also the settings –including the road which formed Mandela’s long walkto freedom. A final dinner at the Green Dolphin caféconcluded our time in Cape Town.Our internal flight to Bloemfontein was made on theafternoon of Day 6. Duly mindful of the importance ofrecreational activities we packed the team footballcarefully into a big cardboard box before wrapping it in“fragile” tape. After paying the two Rand extra handlingcharge we moved through to airside where we werewished a “supa-dupa” flight before boarding oursoapbox airplane and clipping into the pedals at our feet,‘Chicken Run’ style.43