jimboozle

did you sell it?

you are just jealous... I'm taller than you, and look better in tweed.

Hi there, got a couple of friends to stay, and they would love to get involved in our sport - I can't offer them pigeon or rabbit - any clay clubs open in warwickshire/cotswolds during the day tomorrow (wed) sorry for the short notice, just a last gasp idea, wondered if anyone had any idea if anything was going on. equally, if anyone has a better idea of a day out, shout up. we're just north of stratford upon avon. jim

Chaps, I made a batch of Sloe Gin this weekend, and whilst stood there pricking my berries (no euphemism) my mind started to wander to other possibilities in the hedgerow. I've had success in the past with Blackberry Brandy, and was just wondering whether anyone had found another combination of booze and hedgerow treat that is worth the effort... I look forward to some serious experimentation over the next few months!

I'm with Oscarsdad on this one, I've never seen ferrets in action, and I would love to learn. My only experience of ferrets was in 1st Bn the Prince of Own Regiment of Yorkshire, when we had our mascots, 2 ferrets called Imphal & Quebec. The taxpayer funded them a regimental cap and jacket, but we weren't ever allowed to take them out for some sport... Anyway, I digress. I'm in Wootton Wawen, and would love to join you on a Saturday. I'm ex-infantry, so pretty good at digging when it all goes wrong!

The SAT (small arms trainer) simulator is a pretty good training tool, but no substitute for the real thing. When used correcly, it allows you to check peoples bad habits, you can view the muzzle rise and fall pre-shot, you can view the trigger pressure to see if they are snatching the shot, and check weapon cant and butt pressure. You can also introduce stoppages into the weapon to check peoples stoppage drills. Just pre-iraq, we were using it for rules of engagement situations, there would be a vid of some chaps with rifles, and you had to assess the legality of dropping them. This was an excellent way of sparking debate. However, as stated before, no substitute for live firing and realistic training with live ammunition.

I second that! Although I did earn my marksman qualification fair and square at Sandhurst - dropped 2 shots in the whole test. Quite how anyone could fail an APWT I'm not sure, it's not the most challenging of tests, however the soldiers in my platoon never failed to surprise me! Every soldier in the British Army is required to fire the APWT each year as part of their annual tests - this is also applicable to the Territorial Army. In the infantry this was (obviously) taken very seriously. i took every opportunity I could to get my troops out on the range, often doing live fire & manouvre and other realistic training. I think lip service is paid to shooing in some of the support arms, however at the end of the day, when you get contacted, you need to be able to use your personal weapon effectively.

sounds like a busy few days - excellent stuff & well done. Jim

I'll tell your boss! Oh. He's my boss too, and I'm on here....

Mate, pre my operation, I woke up in bed next to a new female aquaintance after an army mess night, all was well. However, I then had an uncomfortable moment when I had to relocate my hip before I could get out of bed. That made for rather uncomfortable breakfast conversation!

bought a yeoman a couple of days ago. Guess I know what I'm doing over my christmas week off work.. thanks for the detailed explanation!

mate, I had my hip done at 27, following a disease I caught wearing my green pyjamas in the jungle. Still run/cycle/hunt/dance like a frog in a blender. It's not a drama these days! PM me if you wanna chat about it. Just realised, it's my 5 year hip anniversary this month - and it's a damn sight better than the one it replaced! Titanium / Ceramic, top stuff. Only drawback is that I was saving up for a Porsche, and instead spent £10k on a BUPA hip, as the NHS waiting list was 18months... God bless the Army - they weren't going to cough up for it!

I'd be well chuffed if i had him as a Grandad! Seems like a top bloke

that agriculture rep sounds like an ex-cavalry officer. Can spot them a mile off!

as ever, I agree with you oscarsdad. This isn't hunting, it's cruel and barbaric, showing no respect whatsoever for the poor creature. The chap is a typical septic, and I'm pretty sure this all stemmed from when his dad first picked up a banjo.... "you've sure got a pretty mouth boy..."

cracking photo that mate, absolutely beautiful.

have you managed to sell this yet mate?

I don't think it's possible to compare police and armed forces directly. The 30 Infantrymen I was lucky enough to command went to Iraq (Telic 9) and were very fortunate to come back all together. We had some hairy situations, but we were lucky. We went there expecting it, with (mostly) the right kit, and the right training. We knew what we were letting ourselves in for, and had spent 2 years training as a team prior to our deployment, which meant that whenever we were in contact, we were able to cope with the situation. For the record we were patrolling in and out of Basrah, and it was pretty busy! Your standard bobby, like those two poor women, has every right to expect to go home in one piece at the end of the day - they were not equipped, nor trained for the danger they faced that day. I would hope that we as a populus don't degrade sufficiently to require the policeman on the beat to be armed in order to feel safe. I think it is right that the public are shocked and grieve these women. I do, however, feel that the death of a soldier has become a little bit too normal, and almost dayjob for the media. What isn't mentioned is that for every military death, there are 2-3 life changing injuries. I recently returned from the paralympics where my good mate Nick Beighton was rowing for Team GB. His wounding didn't even make the papers (stood on an IED). Just my 2 pennorth. Jim

I'll try that - thanks for the tip. It seems that, like most things in life this all comes down to good manners. When I finally get somewhere, I just hope there are at least a couple of pigeons left in Warwickshire, after you and DB have finished!

I don't have any problem with using targets in human form, indeed, I've spent a large portion of my life doing just that. However, I just did a google and found this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GEN-III-LifeSize-North-Korean-Soldier-Bleeding-Zombie-Tactical-Target-Silhouette-/320755693136?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aae877650 Way too far over the line in my opinion, and gives the vast majority a bad name.

Shame you didn't get a Grouse mate, but glad you had a cracking morning. Get a brew on and put your feet up this afternoon, you've earned it!

thanks for the warm welcome chaps, I'm learning loads from these forums, and looking forward to getting on the pigeons shortly - just as soon as I can find a permission or two!

sounds like a plan - will start working on the long haired general tonight...

I blame the X Factor for everthing. That Simon Bowel and his high waisted trewsers are responsible for making most of the ill-educated masses think they are entitled to a multi-million pound lifestyle just because they have sufficiently fashionable hair, and can croon their way through take that's latest creation... On a serious note, it does seem like everyone is a lot more angry than they used to be - way more agressive driving, and people trying it on in pubs. As Mr Winner says: Calm down, dear!