However, two things happened. Malta Archery announced that they would be having a shooting session from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. I decided that it was time to get myself out on the shooting range. It was one of the best decisions that I have made in the last week.
Francesco extended a warm welcome and reminded me about the basics – feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent, side to the target, bow tilted to about one o’clock, point the arrow, pull back the string so that your middle finger finds the corner of your mouth and release. He also brought me up to speed on the safety rules for the range – no point in anyone accidentally getting hit with an arrow, especially on Christmas.
We shot a few rounds, and Francesco noticed that I was drawing my bow as I raised it to point the arrow. While this isn’t necessarily wrong, it is a more advanced technique that requires a little more training. Point the arrow then pull back. I released the arrow and hit the bull’s-eye. A few rounds later, Francesco suggested that I tilt my upper body to match the tilt of my bow.
We shot for a little over two hours, and I feel like a more competent bowman. I don’t know if it is because the training was so relaxed and I was allowed just to shoot, or if I actually did improve. None of which is really relevant. What is important is that it was an enjoyable experience that allowed me to focus on something other than what I have been doing since the start of the Christmas break. I always find learning a new skill to be something worthwhile. Beyond that, it was nice to get out and be around some new people.
To top the whole experience off, I saw a hedgehog crawl out on the field. They are apparently becoming rarer in Malta and are protected by law. One of the men there says that when he has seen one on the road, he stopped, got out of his car, stopped traffic and took the hedgehog to a nearby field.
Now, I sit in my room preparing to get caught up on my work, and I realize that archery is a workout. Not only are there twinges in my shoulder and back, which should be expected, but my abs and legs are feeling it. I am going to have to figure out a way to make it out to shoot more often. Thanks for the unexpected Christmas gift, Francesco and Malta Archery.