Grumbling was heard along many of the motorways of the country, as a scattering of archers waited in traffic jams, pointed if not progressing towards Glasgow. Yes, the weekend of the SAA Outdoor championships, and the SGB AGM had begun. Friday night was spent encamped with various of the SGBs Glasgow branch of members and associates, all of whom were of course extremely pleased to see us, right lads?
Saturday's events began in a bright and much too early fashion at the usual Haggs Road venue. The first day of shooting went well, with occasional moments of rain and 'lumpy air', a well known glasgow phenomenon. The highlights of the first FITA included new gents records from Ian for 90m, 50m and single FITA of 259, 307, 1168 respectively, a very respectable new PB. All the others on the team shot respectable scores, with Chris beginning to show signs of being able to shoot, Andy shooting well, and Mel shooting a strong 900 score including a new 30m PB, annihilating Chris despite early signs to the contrary. John 'bastard judge sir!' Sullivan was encouraged to put on his greens and join the judging team, a strong addition to his candidate judging portfolio.
Feeling good, the SGB then went on to the more important points of the day, fine Chinese food at the highly recommended if not inexpensive Chinatown restaurant, and of course, some beer. Joined by the self-styled Illiterate Space Cadet Wilson and Shetland's Billy Finnie, it made for a merry crowd. Despite early intentions to the contrary, dinner dissolved into an AGM, rapidly boring our visitors to death, and giving them a fine excuse to stroll of to the pub in good time. The minutes of this, the Third Annual General Meeting of the SGB, will appear elsewhere in due course, and it suffices to say here that much was discussed, many things decided, and the year to follow cemented in suitable fashion.
Saturday finished with the obligatory sleep for some, beer for others, though a reasonably early night was had by all. (Unlike the previous evening, when rumours of moshing in the CatHouse til 2am may not be confirmed but may not have been exaggerated.
Sunday began in similar weather, somewhat uncomfortable but reasonable shooting conditions. In due course, it became clear that a fabulous day was going to be had by some, with Ian and Chris kicking off in strong form. No new records were set however, until Ian raised the gents 30m record to 336, and the gents double FITA record to 2365. Yes my happy listeners, if you've done the maths you will find that our jellyfish did in fact shoot a rather impressive 1197 on the second day of the FITA, a new PB (since Saturday) of yet another 29 points. Chris also came through with a pleasing 1041, startlingly, his second best FITA ever - and this time he knows how he did it, so watch out for more. Andy shot in godlike fashion, if you worship Loki, managing the quite stunning achievement of missing the boss entirely at 30m. Not a little boss either, but one of the damn great square foam efforts. Andy's goal of the weekend was entertainment however, so he left happy. Mel was somewhat disappointed with her second day score, so clearly going to bed at a sensible time just doesn't work - something the rest of us already guessed on instinct.
The shoot was as always superbly run, and the results were out with very impressive speed this year. Ian received a medal for double FITA 50m, much to his delight as '50 is a hellish distance', and Chris was surprised to receive the Improvers shield, for improvement in score from Saturday to Sunday. Chris's name will be entered on the shield alongside the names of all the others who in the last 30 years or so have shot like a muppet on the first day of the Scottish Championships. These include our own Andy Pirie, back in 1994
Overall, as the club members scattered onto various motorways to return to their usual haunting grounds, it seemed an excellent weekend had been enjoyed by all.