Observers of trends in UK meteorology will also be well aware that Bank Holidays usually mean some form of inclement weather, and this day was no exception. The day started fairly dull and still but, throughout the morning, the wind increased, blowing way the clouds to give some sunny intervals, but settling on a speed that could be described as challenging. The maximum temperature was also only 5°C, which must have resulted in a sub-zero figure after wind-chill effects - it certainly felt like it - and you will not be surprised to hear that thermal underwear was still required (still not shot without it - is this a record?). The reason for the unusually cold weather is that the wind had come south from the arctic, made a right-turn over continental Europe and whipped-in over the North Sea before making landfall. The club field, on the northern edge of the North Downs at an altitude of around 90m, has a lovely view over central London, but this has the downside of having no high ground between us and the Thames estuary, so we get the full force of an easterly wind.
More than one person said that this was the windiest they could ever remember whilst shooting and others declared that it would be a great leveller. Being a newcomer with limited experience, I nodded in agreement and just continued to shoot to the best of my ability, but it soon became apparent that thee conditions were challenging to many on the line. The first clue was when two of the juniors gave up shortly after sightseers and retired to the relative warmth of the clubhouse. Then one of the experienced compound archers retired: he released just as the wind gusted and pushed his arrow off the rest, sending it directly into the ground in front of him and breaking it into two pieces. With his arrows at £15 a time, I think I would have retired at that point, too! A similar thing happened to the only other compound archer, but he was lucky and came away with his arrows intact (and the medal for the best compound score).
Everyone was struggling - novices and old-hands alike. The wind was consistently strong, but there would also be stronger gusts that felt like someone was pushing you in the back (as a right-handed archer). It was even difficult to keep the arrow still enough to nock it on the string. When at full draw, holding still to aim was all but impossible, and long rod stabilisers seemed to be more of a hindrance than a help to those who were using them. A number of bows were blown over when on their stands, damaging their settings and we were advised to point them into the wind to reduce the risk.
Nineteen people made it to the end of the round and assembled in the clubhouse for some very welcome hot drinks and cake (courtesy of Mrs EA) to await the results. Medals were awarded for highest scores ins number of categories, and the ladies' competition was very close, with only four points separating the top three. The overall result takes into account the Frostbite handicap or the season, and this year it was won by a very surprised Mrs EA! I had the lowest actual score of the day but apparently I shot better than my current outdoor handicap, so it's not all bad. At least I remembered to put all the bits on my bow this time!
When I let it be known that his post would be on the subject of wind, there was the inevitable question: indoor or outdoor? Baked beans were also mentioned. So now is the ideal time to recount an incident that happened a few weeks ago during an indoor session. I had just put my new bow together and was shooting some trial arrows at the end of the line when I noticed a commotion further along. It seems that a gentleman archer had 'let one go' on the line, which would have been fine, except that he said 'pardon me' with a bit of a delay. This was too much for two lady archers, who were in stitches, barely able to control themselves, and it took one of them at let half a dozen attempts to get off her last arrow. No names but she makes excellent cakes....
Only an Englishman could find so much to say about the weather!
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