We LOVED being beaters!

Dino and I were invited to take part in our first ever shoot! We were the beaters (not the shooters).

Oh the thrill of being a beater (flushing out unsuspecting pheasants into clouds of gunpowder and lead pellets) it is not for all folks, one needs to be light on their feet, fast and stealth like, quite skillful if you ask me (and not mind the odd bird getting shot).
Our fellow flushers, came with their highly trained Springer Spaniels, it was truly a delightful to see them, doing what they do best...  

Our fellow flushers

We have some delightful friends just outside Fowey, who raise pheasants. Happy, plump, and well fed pheasants. They roam freely all year round and come the colder months, the season begins. 

The day started off cold, misty and wet, but we were not frightened by this. We had all the gear, and off we went. There were 4 drives in total, 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. WHAT is a drive? Well, it involves, beating or making some noise in the undergrowth and directing the birds to where the shooters are. We stopped for a gloriously British lunch.... a scrumptiously scolding hot Stilton soup, followed by a venison stew and some warm pudding, all washed down with some local cider and ale. 
When the day was over, and the feathers cleared, Mr Sunshine appeared. We all had a brace of birds each, a brace is made up of 2 birds, normally a male and female, tied together. We loved the whole pageantry of the occasion... the estate, our hosts, the shooters, the clothing, the long lunch and most importantly, our fellow beaters and their tremendously enthusiastic dogs.

We enjoyed another day, steeped in Cornish tradition (if you like killing birds)

Brace yourself