Michelle Smith

This morning was an early start, I managed to get packed yesterday and didn’t have my usual panic with regards to weight limits, the rifle was packed in the case it came in and my kit fitted well into my bag along with most of my clothes!

 Although our flight wasn’t until 12:25 I was at the airport at 8am as Mikey had to get back to work

 After just over an hour of sheer boredom and texting Jen Mac who was on the other side of security (I couldn’t go through on my own as Kenny had our passports as our visas were being sorted out) Sheree turned up – at last my sanity was saved!

 Kenny and Pickle turned up shortly afterwards and we could proceed to check in.

 Now the plan was to eye up who we thought could be the most likely to give us the least charge for our rifles but that didn’t quiet work out.

 A £50 “special baggage” charge later and we were checked in and off through security.

 Security was a doddle this time, no frisking for me but it was a bit of an arse having to take my boots off, pull my laptop out of its case etc so much so that when I was though and started to walk away from security I didn’t realise that I had left something important behind!

 As we are doing so much travelling so far this year Sheree, Pickle and myself went to register for the Iris recognition program to speed up getting back into the country.  It was whilst in this queue I couldn’t find my mobile phone and panic started to set in.

 Now you are probably thinking yeah that’s not really the end of the world but an important part of travelling for me is making sure that I am in contact with Mikey so I’m sure some of you can only imagine how much panic was starting to set in

 After the short process to register for Iris recognition I dashed back to security to only hope to fine my phone (it’s an iPhone too!)   A few puzzled looks from the security people and a couple of enquiries later and I was asked to describe my phone…..   Thank god it had been handed in after it was found on the floor around where I had been putting my boots back on!

 By this time it was time to grab some nibbles and drink and onto the plane.

 Once again arrival in Germany was a breeze, the customs officers were knowledgeable and we were swiftly through and awaited our transport to the range and hotel.

 We were met by Ralf Horneber and his wife Petra who took us to the range to drop kit off and then over to the hotel

 The range was amazing on first views, it was great to see one of the venues where Mikey made a Prone Final and to see the ranges where he shot on when he was in his heyday!

 We dropped our kit off into the armoury…  Wow…   individual lockers long enough for most rifle cases and plenty big enough for your kit bag!

 Munich is an excellent facility and it is a great shame that Britain’s attempt doesn’t even touch the surface of what Germany has to offer.

 Our hotel is the Ibis.  Looked great on the outside and was going well until we opened our room doors!

 Now I try not to get paranoid about things but at the best of times, I struggle to sleep unless I am tired and even then I fidget for a while…  having been away a few times now I have learned that the best way for me to sleep is to do something until  I am tired (usually 12am-1am) so I usually watch a film or something when I am away….  So we opened our room doors and ….    Double beds!

 Hmmm!  Having originally been to share with Gorgs.  Sheree swapped with me so I was in with Jen McIntosh.    After some running around and chats with the hotel staff we had arranged to get some mattresses in our rooms so on the floor i am sleeping until i get home and can snuggle in my huge bed with my nice, warm and cuddly Mikey!