Stag shooting

Clay pigeon shooting at Dave's stag do.

A stag do 4 weeks before the wedding! Where's the fun in that? And bringing your children along too! - Mark & Hywel with Hannah being an honorary stag for the day. I think Dave was hoping that she would ensure that nothing outrageous was going to happen - I'm not sure that was how Hannah saw her role.

Initially Geoff, the best man, had a "Go Ape" outing organised, but given the state of Dave's back he downgraded it to a Clay Pigeon Shoot. We each had 30 shots in three sets of ten. The first set of clays was the easiest - launched beside us and going directly away. Dave had the honour of shooting first, missed the first clay then hit the next nine! Who invited him? Nobody came close to improving on that. Someone only hit one, which gave me hope I may not be last, but come my turn that was a forlorn hope. Shooting right handed with basically only a left eye proved beyond me and beyond the instructor to find the appropriate adjustment.

The second set of clays were launched way in front, crossing diagonally and slightly towards us. Strangely this formation seemed to suit me and I actually hit 5 out of 10. The final set we had one from the first trap, followed as soon as we shot by one from the second trap, then for the final two shots of this group the two traps were released simultaneously. Once again Dave stole the show. On the simultaneous release he only required one shot to take out the two clays. As we totted up the scores over a bacon buttie it was Dave who came out on top and even with my good second set I brought up the rear. In the sibling rivalry stakes, Hywel was top with Hannah well pleased to be ahead of her other brother.

We then headed for a meal and a few beers at The Blue Anchor before Laughs in the Park in Verulamium Park with Eddie Izzard, Dylan Moran & Reginald D Hunter. Some of our group hadn't twigged that "in the Park" meant outside, and it turned out to be a very chilly evening. So back to the Blue Anchor for a warming pint before ending up back at Dave's with the mandatory Indian takeaway. As we left I think Dave finally relaxed realising nothing dire was going to happen to him, but a wee google search on stag kidnapping should make him a little wary of answering the door to strangers - after all let's face it we couldn't keep him locked up for 4 weeks.

Have a look at the photo in LARGE and you'll see the clay being shattered, needless to say it's not me shooting.