A warm-up match for the QRA Championships was arranged about 600 km north of Brisbane at Raglan near Rockhampton. They have 6 lanes back to 1100 metres (approximately 1200 yards) and the competitions ran over Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th April. The convenience of having our campervan 20 paces from the 1200 yard firing point proved invaluable in the unexpected heat-wave of 40 C on the mound. We could dive into our air-conditioned mobile home whenever the opportunity availed itself. The venue was distinguished by a pub, shop and busy rail line ferrying coal, etc, south.
Tim Kidner, my shooting companion, excelled himself, won one stage at 1100 yards, and collected his gong at the prize-giving. Local shooters found the heat-wave equally taxing. The range condition was lush grass – recent heavy rains had drained into worrying lakes harbouring any manner of aerial biting insect. One of the Australian team, Jenni Hausler, had succumbed to Ross River Virus transmitted by mosquito several years back; a potentially lethal agent, she pulled through after months of debilitation.
That, and Dengue Fever, concerned us as we were unable to avoid savage biting.
Chris Law blogged today.
