This time last year there was thunder and lightening along with the torrential rain at Glamis. The forecast wasnít looking very promising with the weather girl promising mist, rain and a portentous lightening icon over the area. Better pack plenty of dry clothes and waterproofs then.

SGB was not supported by John or Hamish this time as the field is too short for compounds. Mel, Jo and I arrived in plenty of time to claim our tent space on the line and mingle with the masses. Jo is sporting her new tent and I have cadged one off John pending this rainstorm. There is competition for me in the form of other longbows. Damm,  I may need to up my score if I am to win a medal this time.

100 yards and the first dozen fly past the target. Hey one arrow scores in the next dozen and I zoom off into the lead. Well I hit double figures by the end of the 8 dozen. The weather is warm but you get that ominous feeling that it is very clammy. We move up to 80 yards. There is a bit of a breeze and waitÖ some drizzle. Arrows fly past the target again but the occasional one sticks and we start goading the other longbowers on the next target by shouting out the scores. The weather is proclaimed as inclement as we don our waterproofs and scowl at the grey sky. After 30 minutes the sun is out and we are slapping on the suntan lotion!!

Well that was it for the rest of the afternoon. The sun blasted down as the clouds dispersed and it was retreat to the shade of the tent after each end. The last 2 dozen sped by and I was determined to finish on a high. I saved all the best arrows for the last half dozen with a 9 9 7 7  5 3.

After packing everything up we found Jo running in circles trying to find her tent bag.  Looks like it has grown legs for the moment. Prize giving came and I was surprised to claim the silver for the handicapÖ.an honest medal at last!! To cap it I won the gold for the longbow outstripping my novice and a veteran longbow archer. Well that sets our stall for 2004. Now itís time to improve.

The scores on the doors for SGB: