For my first ever simulated game day, I was one of 12 ladies who enjoyed a fantastic day with Brett Davies at Carrog, near Corwen.
We met at the always wonderful Rhug estate café for breakfast and introductions, although some already knew each other from previous ladies’ events. Then we headed off to Jim Turner’s simulated ground in the hills above Corwen.
Paired up, one shot while the other loaded, swapping over half way through each set of targets. The pairs swapped pegs on each drive to give variety and differing perspectives. We did five drives in all, which got progressively harder as the day went on, but we did have well-timed refreshment breaks and a lovely buffet lunch laid on.
On the final two drives after lunch, all guns shot together and self-loading allowed tired arms to take a break occasionally. We finished on what we were informed is the highest simulated drive in the country and, boy, was it challenging but, as evidenced by some of the ladies, not impossible.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day. The weather was glorious and, at times, too good when the clays passed over the sun, making challenging shooting even more so. Everyone was friendly and relaxed and enjoying their shooting. I had been apprehensive that everyone would be so much better than I and that they’d all be watching and judging each other’s abilities but, no, everyone paid attention to their own performance only.
I will definitely do another simulated day but let me pass on one big lesson learned. If you do go on one, make sure you wear a good shoulder pad and use low recoil loads, as you will be shooting more than 200 cartridges. After shooting the first drive with 28g cartridges and no pad, I have the bruises to show for it!
Audrey Watson
