Soggy Solution

This month Peter Yeats beats the winter blues with a visit to Washington Air Rifle Range

This weather – it’s just driving me crazy! Every time I have a window of opportunity to get out on my permission, it either rains in biblical proportions, or leaves the ground so wet that any depression in the ground is waterfilled, and drainage ditches that are usually dry, are virtually impassible water courses. Shooting is simply a non-starter. I know that I shouldn’t really be moaning about this level of inconvenience, when the suffering of those affected by serious flooding is truly distressing, and my heart goes out to those enduring the unprecedented level of flooding in their homes and businesses.

Patience is a virtue and that is what I’m going to need until my permission’s ground will allow me to get back out and resume normal shooting. However, until then, it’s about alternative shooting opportunities and the one I decided to visit for my shooting ‘fix’ turned out to be a real treat. As you might know, I’m a fan of shooting clubs and ranges. They enable shooting in all weathers, are packed with experienced shooters with expertise, which they are happy to share, and offer a safe, supervised place to improve or begin your air rifle shooting.

EASY TO FIND

A quick phone call to Michael Carr, to make the necessary arrangements and I was off to Washington Air Rifle Range (NE37 1LH) the next morning, with my gun, pellets, and camera. I would recommend that anyone in the North East contemplating a visit, telephones to check lane availability because, unsurprisingly, it is popular and busy at peak times.