WoodyPopper

Jeez this is depressing. As a Guardian reading liberal with a philosophy degree I wouldn't make any of the cuts other people have suggested. But I'd fine anyone who starts a sentence "I'm not racist but..." I probably wouldn't ban anything - except perhaps reading the Daily Mail. I know I don't have to read this stuff, or agree with it but it's soul-destroying. So, I'm going to bring my new year's resolution forward a bit and quit Pigeon Watch now rather than in a few weeks. Cheers and, politics aside, happy shooting.

Uranus? Isn't that where the Klingons come from?

Someone I know is a keen amateur astronomer. I don't know what his telescope is, but it's big and cost several thousand. He has a proper dome in his garden and I know he had to spend a lot just to get the concrete base right - to stop the scope from vibrating. The scope has a motor to move it. By linking it to a computer, you can pick a star or planet, and the scope will automatically track it. I've always been interested in astronomy so getting a chance to look through a 'proper' telescope was really exciting. I was SO disappointed. Yes, I could see the red spot on Jupiter, and the rings of Saturn, but only just. Both planets looked about the size of a tennis ball. Not bad - but I'd imagined they'd look like the photos in books. The moon was pretty spectacular - but not several thousand pounds of spectacular. So, unless you're really fascinated by this stuff and really want to get into it, I'd keep your money.

No, but 10 years later, I'm still considering running off to sea to be a pirate.

I have two - one at the top of each arm. I got them when I was 39 and 40. I was aware that it was probably a middle age thing but went ahead anyway. They're my own designs and have very little artistic merit - but they have meaning for me. I'd rather have them than something beautiful but non-unique. Obviously, beautiful AND unique would be best!

If I think what the Blair government, for example, would have done with even limited powers over the press, I shudder. All the behaviour which led to the Leveson enquiry could have been dealt with under existing laws - it's just that the police and politicians chose not to enforce them. Why Leveson let the police and politicians off so lightly is a mystery to me.

A couple of years ago I treated myself to a lesson at the West London Shooting School. The instructor said to me "Some people need to close one eye - but you don't - so stop it". Later he said "And after you leave here, never read another book or article on how to shoot." Obviously, everyone's different but, for me, that was great advice.

I popped out for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon - more because I thought I ought to than because I wanted to. I'd been for a long walk in the morning and the sofa was really calling me for my afternoon nap. Anyway, I set up at the bottom of a field of scraggy old wheat stubble, between two oak trees. I put out some decoys but I wasn't really expecting much. Sure enough, no pigeons showed any interest in the decoys, but a few came in to the trees. I shot four for five shots. My shooting varies wildly between Quite Good and Abso*******lutely Lousy. Two of the birds saw me, slammed on the brakes and jinked away like crazy, but I still got them - so I was pleased with this result. I knew I was on a flightline towards some woods (sadly not on my permission) so I stuck around until 4 in the hope of catching some on the way to bed. Loads came over but far too high. I was surprised because there was a strong wind, and I thought that would keep them low. Anyway, I've just breasted the pigeons. Two were crammed full of wheat. One was full of clover. And the fourth was full of berries, and some sort of brassicca. Don't know if it's coincidence, but the two wheaty ones were lovely and fat and the other two were a lot thinner. I just had one for lunch - thin sliced and fried in hot butter with half a red chilli - eaten from the pan with home made bread.

I shot my first rabbit with a rifle today (I had the rifle, not the rabbit). I've shot a few with my shotgun but only recently got my pest control variation on my FAC. It was about 7am. I'm not giving advice, you understand - I'm just feeling pleased with myself.

BASC are urging everyone to keep complaining to WH Smith until they respond personally. They have a place on their website where you can publish any personal responses you receive: http://www.basc.org.uk/en/media/key_issues.cfm/cid/C21BBE99-3B1D-4002-93C55619A5B7EFEB Hasn't been used yet!

I just received this: "Thank you for your further e mail which has been passed to me as Head of Customer Services for investigation and response. I apologise if you feel that our initial reply did not sufficiently address all of your previous concerns. I would like to assure you that WHSmith respects the views expressed by all customers. We are therefore now in the process of assimilating all of this further feedback, to assist us in looking into this issue. If I can be of any further assistance at any point , please do not hesitate to contact me." Looks like they're going to try to come up with a reasoned response - which would be good.

I don't know about you lot, but I hate it when people I've spent time writing to don't even attempt to answer: Dear Denise I am not “Customer”, I am -*********, the name I signed my email with. I did not expect to receive a bulk email which does not even attempt to answer the points I raised or the questions I asked. Please try again. Also, your response would only make sense if shooting magazines were hidden from view. How does displaying shooting magazines, but refusing to sell them to under 14s, prevent offence to people who would rather not see them?

But they're stopping under 14s buying magazines which are displayed. Her response would make more sense if these magazines were hidden from view.

Gosh, the British and American governments must love you - they've been trying for years to reclassify all sorts of activities as "terrorism" and it looks like it's worked. Terrorism is causing terror. If it doesn't cause terror, it aint terrorism - however naughty it is.

I've just emailed Kate and Walker. BASC were saying recently what a massive response there had been to the Royal Mail's consultation on not carrying gun-related items in the post. That 'massive' response was a mere 3000-odd people. If more people than that can't be bothered to write a couple of short emails and sign a petition then perhaps we deserve what we get. So, please consider contacting WH Smith.