The CLA Game Fair has come and gone, leaving us raring for the start of the season so we can test out all our new purchases on the hill. For those of you who shop with, consult, and otherwise encourage Wife No. 2’s shopping addiction, THANK YOU. She managed to come home from Belvoir with nothing more expensive than a cashmere sweater purchased from the Really Wild Company’s ‘50 things for £50′ rack. And a whole lot of photos of potential Christmas gifts for me to procure. Apologies for the distinctly female slant of the accompanying photos: I was too busy testing out the latest kit. And lets be honest, she needs an initiative test now and then when it comes to tracking down that new plug I fancied in time for my birthday.
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Our friend John Bye was back exhibiting his photo-realistic paintings, prints, and some pencil sketches. I was keen to see his latest, Call of the Wild as he’d called me to source some images of red stags for him. On the way, No. 2’s magpie instincts got the better of her when we passed Teasel’s stand with this sparkly tweed throw on display…I expect it to turn up on our sofa any day now.
I have to own up to having done some shopping of my own, coming away with the obligatory Purdey’s tweed breeks and Musto’s new coat that supports the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust(I have to own up to having purchased mine from Orvis). It is just what I was looking for – lightweight enough for the cooler summer days, waterproof and windproof without that irritating swishing noise. It is replacing a Le Chameau Foret that managed 2 years service.
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While I ogled the latest offerings from Bass Lures, she made eyes at The Rose’s scarves and jackets. Fortunately, aching feet drove us back to the car before she could find my wallet. Unfortunately, the country show on our home turf, Hamptworth Country Fayre, is just around the corner…
For those of you who’ve missed my abuse in the off season, fancy showing off how far those clay lessons have brought your accuracy on, or just want a chance to dust off your barrels, I’ll be running a 50 bird sporting clay shoot at the Fayre. It’s Sunday August 16th from 9 to 3, with plenty of entertainment, food and fun for all ages.
