It's a long way to Le Mans!

A very long way...

Easter Camp 2010 Day 1

On Tuesday 30th April the Unit met up in the early afternoon outside what is known to be Malta's best camping site. It isn't the best because of its facilities like heated showers, toilets and electricity plugins around the campsite, in fact you won't find any of these. The campsite provides an electricity and water point...and that's pretty much it, though they also include a 16th century fortified palace, a vast area of lush woodland (the greenest in all of Malta) and some pretty tight security! Yeah you've guessed it...the SVS along with the rest of the Group have set up camp once again in the Verdala Palace grounds!

(Top) The Unit preparing the site, (Bottom) Abela and Zack's bivoacs

The Unit kicked off the epic adventure by getting settled in which meant setting up the camo net, preparing their bivouacs and getting the Unit's area ship shape. After finishing off the last bits of setting up the ventures got stuck into their first activity - the highly anticipated "UNIT BUS". The idea evolved from several smaller ideas.. a mobile catapult, a downhill go-kart, a go-kart big enough to fit the whole Unit... you can see where the Unit went on from here!

(Top) Cremona's bivoac, and the Unit Bus (A.K.A. Unit low-rida')

Basically what started out as small individual ideas turned into what became literally a Unit Bus with a catapult lashed onto the back. The Unit then took the time to push it to its full potential, increasing the number of people slowly until the whole Unit was on-board....and what a sight it was!

(Top) Some last minute adjustments before the first test run, (Bottom) Zack and Chris "Il-Griz" on the breaks and Ryan at the helm.

After what became a whole day of tinkering and adrenaline (...and breakages!) the Unit packed it in for their first night at camp. The next day would take the Unit thousands of years back in time and then later on deep beneath the Earth's crust!

(Top) The Unit bus fitted with its WMD and a new suspension lift, (bottom) The ups and downs of the downhill go-kart/catapult lifestyle...

Until next time..

Mo$es

Where testosterone meets gunpowder...

...and big guns!

Clay Pigeon Shooting

On a sunny morning in March, the Unit ventured to the Bidnija shooting range, for a good session of clay pigeon shooting with their instructor Grezzju. Upon arriving at the range a Double Trap competition was taking place on the two shooting fields, and since the Unit were a bit early for their session they got the chance to see the Pros in action... and what a site it was! The sound of each shotgun going off was pretty impressive!

Grezzju helping Zack with his aim..

Most of the Unit had already been clay pigeon shooting when they visited the range back in the beginning of summer in 2009. So this time round the competition was set to be a bit more exciting.

Cremona about to fire..

The first 5 training shots proved that some had improved at their aiming, while others....well let's just say they didn't fare as well....

Grezzju keeping a watchful eye over Abela..

After everyone had their 5 practice shots the competition began with the first round of 10 shots each followed by the 2nd and final round with another 10 shots. The first 10 shots produced some pretty interesting results, with Cremona and Zack leading the race, while Ryan and Chris fighting for 3rd and last but unfortunately the least was Abela.

Chris 'Il-Griz' taking aim..

When all 20 shots were fired the scoreboard was pretty much the same, with Zack and Cremona tied in 1st with 17 hits each, followed by Chris 'Il-Griz' in 3rd with 15 hits, Ryan in 4th with 12, and poor Abela with a measly 6 hits. Regarding the tie, according to ISSF rules it is the shooter with most hits in the 1st round that takes the win, so the winner of the day was Zack, kudos dude.

Zack exhibiting a good shooting stance..

Next up on the SVS calendar was the much anticipated Easter Camp at Verdala Grounds! A couple of the highlights being the EPiC "UNIT BUS", Unit Olympics, potholing, and climbing.

(Above) Group Photo with Grezzju, (below) podium photo..

Stick around for day-by-day posts of camp along with some great pics of the week...

Mo$es

Takin' em down skittle by skittle...

Bowling Activity

As a break from the rigorous ongoing training programme, the Unit decided to hit the bowling lanes to let off some steam and share a couple of good laughs. We also had the pleasure of Debono's company for the activity since he's been quite busy with his studies.

Il-Griz

The Unit played two rounds, from which Cremona came out on top, with Chris "Il-Griz" coming in close 2nd.

Cremona laying out a good throw

We then all headed out for a good debrief and talked about some epic adventures for the future... I'll spill some info on that when the ball gets rolling on the plans, though for now it's still in the pipeline.

(Left) The Big Lebowski "Debono", (Right) Zack looking pretty content with his throw.

Untill then I'll leave you with a post from the clay pigeon shooting activity that was held on the 21st.

Mo$es