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Tallinn - Day3

After a long night, a sluggish start to Sunday was no surprise. The lack of conversation was probably due to the heavy heads and the fear of a crazed Welshman brandishing a sub machine gun. Today was the day we went shooting. The man from the shooting range had arranged transport for us, so we stood outside and waited for our lift. A Diggydow lookalike pulled up and gave us the thumbs up. We all piled in "Where to?"asked Diggy. We soon realised our mistake. 10 minutes later the real transport turned up and took us to the range.

En route, our driver explained how the area we had just entered used to be Soviet only, no locals allowed. A large contingent of Russian military men and machines used to occupy a costal area of unmarked natural beauty. Our driver told us that the locals soon entered the area when the Soviet empire started to crumble. Our host laughed. Southy opened the window to grab some fresh air.

The range was located underneath the Hotel Athena. We passed through a nuclear bunker style doorway to meet the owner of the range. Yep, he looked like he wrestled bears for entertainment.

"You will listen to every word I say. It is for your own good. That way, no one gets hurt"

5 Brummies meekly nodded.

We were shown 5 guns that ranged from mere toys to metallic demons. The Mini Uzi and the MP5SS looked like boys Christmas toys. The AK74 and the G36 looked like guns should look, and the AUG was just huge and sounded like a battleship broadside.

Andy and I went first, Andy got to grips with the scoped G36 but my shooting skills with the AK74 were more Clinton Morrison than Mikael Forssell. We all rotated and ended up having a go with each of the weapons. Southy, the biggest pacifist of the lot, had the largest grin. We all agreed that shooting was too easy. It was only the AUG that made you feel as if you were firing something.

After the shooting our host allowed us to take some photos but only after the guns had been cleared and checked. We chatted. Our friend was in the "How you say, home guard?" when the Ruskies were in town.

I asked about prices. The sophisticated MP5SS with scope, silencer and target identify was £1500. Cheap. He then laughed and pointed to the AK74

"That one I didn't pay for"

His friend laughed as well.

"A Russian soldier gave it to me"

More laughs

Quick as a flash I was in a bear hug with Grizzly Adams menacingly drawing his thumb across my throat "But I didn't kill him" Sure, an armed Soviet Soldier on a military base just happened to hand over his gun to an unarmed local who was out for an evenings stroll.

The rest of the day was a quiet affair. We milled about town until we stumbled across a good old fashioned East European beer hall, complete with it's own brewery. Ian insisted we try the live beers. We did. We livened up. The last pint on the way home turned into about 6 or was it 8, or maybe 4? The menu was extensive and the food being served looked very good. So Ian ordered the pigs ears.

Back at the hotel we decided to have a last look at the Disco. It was empty, save for pimps and their charges. We were accussed of being "fucking shit men" by one lady because we refused to dance with her. All in a days work.


posted by kwacky at 9:44 am