As documented elsewhere myself, LMP & Miner Willy were at De La Salle in Sheffield on Sunday for the Abbeydale Soup Shoot.
I have to say I had a somewhat difficult day, and my experience does not show some archers in a good light. As some of you know I shoot in red, being the BoA colours. Boy, did I stand out. Virtually a sea of
GNAS green, with a couple of purples (not LMP!) elsewhere... But some of the looks I got from the locals made me feel like I'd just peed in their swimming pool.
Not a child, not a teenager, not anyone apparently under 30 in sight. The waiting line already covered in tents by 9.30 (sighters at 10.30). Had to start a second row. Again, suspicious looks.
Being 'c' I was down to score. Never has this been such a lonely occupation. My two co-shooters hardly spoke all day- only to recite their scores in a virtual Gregorian chant- and I was left to trail back to the shooting line on my own, following their rapidly retreating backs. Part way through one of them turned to me. At last! Conversation!
'Good job we're not shooting for us dinner.'
With that I'm viewing retreating backs again. Fortunately I had LMP & the Aire Valley lot to smile & wave at in the distance. The afternoon got worse- along with the vow of silence taken by the two monks I was shooting with I was treated to a shot-by-shot muttered resume of the performance of the archer next to me on the shooting line- 'that was ****' that was ******,
***ing ****, etc etc.
Not fun at all, & if it wasn't for LMP's company (& the fact that she was driving
) I'd have gone home early. 'Friendly little tournament,' said the judge (who was the only friendly face I saw).
Hmmm....