The diary entry for October 24 states it quite clearly. First shoot day as a gun.

Thankfully I didn't descend into a nervous heap when Will first told me I would be shooting with him down in Sussex on that day, but amid the excitement it suddenly hit me just how quickly the time has passed since I took my first lesson.

I'll hold my hands up and admit that nine months ago, I couldn't hit have hit water even if I was standing on a boat. Alan Rose at the West London Shooting School must been contemplating early retirement when I first shuffled onto the peg with him in the spring, missing clays that were so slow that he could have finished The Times crossword by the time I had worked out when to pull the trigger.

But that was then, this is now. I've improved, learned from my mistakes, am realistic about my skills, and realise there is still a long way to go until I am as good a shot as the others here at Shooting Gazette.

But you learn by doing, I'm as ready as I'll ever be and the day can't come around fast enough.

I'm hoping to eat everything I shoot this season, and if I can shoot two brace in a few weeks time I'll be very happy indeed.

Farmers are facing an anxious wait after the arrival over the weekend of the deadly, insect-borne, blue tongue virus.

With a fear that the disease could spread across the nation in days, the already beleaguered farmers are facing an up-hill struggle against this new threat.

Although harmless to humans, this virus has killed cattle, goats, sheep and deer across Europe for the past decade, and there is currently no cure and no vaccine authorised for use in Britain.

For the past summer the countryside has rarely been out the press - foot and mouth being the primary reason. But now, with this new danger, it appears there will be no respite, for the foreseeable anyway.

It is, however, indicative of the resolve of the countryside community that we will continue to fight on and do whatever is necessary to curtail this threat.

Although deer are not the most affected, it is worthwhile for the stalking community to keep a close eye on the situation - BASC have regular updates on the situation at www.basc.org.uk - and keep up to speed.

However, this is not a confirmed outbreak unless further investigation demonstrates that disease is circulating, and this could take days or weeks to assess.

Let us hope that DEFRA take the appropriate steps and do their duty to the rural community.

According to initial reports the Midland Game Fair at Weston Park last weekend was attended by 85,000 people. I was there and I can confirm that there wasn't much room for any more!

We certainly had the most successful Midland we have ever had on the Shooting Gazette stand and it was great to meet so many readers and contributors in the relaxed atmosphere of a well-run show. The weather helped too, as it stayed dry and bright until going home time on Sunday evening.

Many people thought that the cancellation of the CLA Game Fair would have a positive effect on the Midland and I think this theory was proved correct. Although in truth it is a show that has steadily improved over the years, while retaining its primary focus on field sports. And this year's success was as much a recognition of that as it was of the unfortunate circumstances earlier in the summer.

Look out for the November edition of the magazine for pictures from the show.