Thank you all for your kind comments.
I shall attempt to answer some of the points raised.
"There seems to be an extremely small selection of hunting boots available over there." & "Not to mention hats"Well, nothing to do with Wellington I'm afraid, since the majority of the boots are Le Chemeau and made in France, ironically enough! See
www.lechameau.com They are very good boots, well made, comfortable, warm and reassuringly expensive! As for hats, I'd say the flat cap is the predominant headwear amongst my shooting friends. It was the first time my brother in law wore that deer-stalker and he rather liked it - despite our ribbing him about it!
"Clarke? I'm not familiar with that maker"Henry Clarke of Leicester, which is where our family are from. I have posted about him on here before. He was especially well known for making wildfowling guns.
"A hunt/shoot in the UK is still on my list of things to do." & "A driven shoot in the UK is on my bucket list when I retire."Gentlemen, I would be more than happy to put together a day for DGBBS members if there is sufficient demand. 8 guns, fly in to London, accommodation and transport laid on, a day in town to see the sights, including a visit to Purdeys, a day at H&H shooting ground to get your eye in, transfer to the shooting estate, stay in the big house to include dinner and breakfast for two nights there, say a 150 or 200 bird day with all the trimmings, guns and cartridges supplied, return to London and either fly back or extend your stay. Wives/partners can come along too. I can do that at cost.
"We see your sister, but not you! Lemme guess, viewer's far left with your dad to your left?"Nope! L-R my bro in law, my father, my best friend, my sister, me, old family friend and the two shooting brothers. My best friend, me and the brother on the right all used to beat on the same shoot as school boys and then started shooting our .410s together.
"... were you at Okeover?"Nowhere quite so scenic I'm afraid Lagopus. We were down in the south west of your county at Catton.
"At the start of each hunt, whether I am shooting or guiding, I am full of excitement, anticipation and very eager. Guiding 10 hunts a week for 7 to 8 weeks is very gruelling but it is the anticipation not only of myself but also my hunters that gets me up a 4am every morning to do it again!"Glad to read that, it destroys a prejudice I have! I have to say I have never shot more than two days in one week so have no idea what it is like shooting four or five days a week. Just that I'd imagine it is difficult to get excited about yet another day shooting towards the end of the season and to recall all the previous days.
Tim
