Beaters Abroad

Beaters Abroad, this Page is part of Beating Line click to go back or if you want to go back to the Front Page. Here we find out what sort of holidays beaters and pickers-up like. As could be expected, there is prey involved and lots of fun. Transport is of variable standards in foreign countries, Health and Safety regualtions may also differ so we hope we can be of assisstance here in poining out some commonly encountered minor problems.Young Beaters have their own ideas.Adjusting to local habits and dishes can be difficult.Local Fashion and suitable beater dogs have to be studied.Rest and relaxation between drives is of prime importance.We look at flags and equipment. Driving and parking can be problematic abroad.Accommodation can be found in all price brackets.Holiday Romance and Foreign Food are followed by other minor worries such as foreign guns. There can be a shortage of bushes. More Beaterwagon information 03/09/09 Italian course 25/09/09


		Working Holidays for Beaters: Beating for tigers..

Many beaters cannot afford ordinary holidays..On the left we can see a beatress from the inner city missing her beater friends and longing to be back on the job. She seems to be studying travel booklets in the hope of finding a working holiday where she can enjoy better surroundings and the chance to see her friends, work together, have some decent conversation and so forth over the summer. This makes a kind of Busman’s Holiday, or shall we say an Elephant Beater-wagon? Obviously, some of this beating is better paid than just stumbling around, looking for pheasants in an English copse. Above right are a couple of Elephant Beater Wagons, steered by Rob, the underkeeper, who seems just as capable of handling the elephants as the usual forms of transport. Almost anyway...Elephants are bigger than Springer Spaniels, but it seems they have the same inclinations.We think it very important that beaters and pickers up in these tropical places learn what to wear and what to expect. For example, dogs are rarely much use beating for tigers and are best left at home. Also, you should always wear a hat, Rob has really slipped up in this photo.


		Beating or baiting for fish and Crocodiles..

	As the weather during the English Shooting Season leaves a lot to be desired some beaters take the opportunity to look for work in better climates and near to beaches during the summer break . Here we see how the beaters have got the dolphins well grouped together at the flushing point. Will they fly is now the question. This type of beating requires different skills and is perhaps not for our veterans. Although, as can be read about in At the Trials some of the veterans are very resilient indeed. If you want to take your dog, you may do so. Train-fares for dogs in France are very high, it costs 119 Euros return from Calais to Nice, should you wish to beat in the mediterranean. That’s for the dog to travel by train. The owner can get a return ticket for 74 Euros. It also costs £ 30 to take the dog on the ferry, in a cage, If you have a large cage, this could become a nuiscance on the train...



						Beating for fish requires a wet-suit, or, if the climate is very good, just a bikini. We will shortly give fashion tips for camouflage bikini-wear suitable for crocodile baiting. Swimming-courses for dogs are becoming th latest cry, it will soon be commented on in our Dog Discussion Page.




				The beater on the left is a well established radio-carrying BOGI (Beater of Great Importance), whilst to the right we can se an OB (Ordinary Beaters) training her dog in the new swimming classes. We are pleased to note the fashionably fringed beaterbag. In ordinary beating hand-bags are discouraged as incorrect but when beating in strong sunshine it is sensible to bring sun-creams and sun-glasses so a small bag is quite acceptable.


		Foreign Beater wagons

	When beaters and beatresses go on their foreign adventures they have to realize that standards of transport vary quite a lot between countries. A normal English Shoot beater wagon can be crowded at times, with beaters and dogs and the 4-wheel drive mules are positively lethal. In some parts abroad the wagons are even more crowded however. Beaters and beatresses are normally very flexible and adaptable so provided you’re well prepared and have all you need in the fringed hand-bag there should be no problems. Some of these shoots are quite unusually heaviily staffed and some of the local keepers can be hard to understand but beaters are used to these various hiccups. Radios are seldom needed. Soup is variable and may contain curry..

Young Beaters sometimes find it harder to adapt to the conditions abroad. They are often fond of their television programs and can be found watching them in the most unlikely places.Accomodation and shooting lodges vary a lot, but the young beaters arrange for TV reception so they don’t miss out.

Young Beaters Abroad.

Beating for ptarmigan is popular in ski-resorts, with these young beaters. Sometimes they are a bit optimistic about the weather and dress too lightly. But young people do love having their bare tummies out, it is just a fact. Luckily, Soup is usually very good in the chillier parts of the world.See below for the excellent Russian Fish soup.

Getting on/off with the locals.
As always, wherever you go, the locals can be a problem. Mostly beaters and beatressess understand oneanother very well and it is easy to get on in a new Beaterwagon. Sometimes it take s alittle while for local habits and predjudices to be overcome. In some countries it is harder to get employment and this tends to make the Beatressess a bit too keen to impress the gamekeepers and under-keepers. As you can see, where labout is cheaper, there are fewer radios. This applies in England too, of course.
If this Russian team enters the Beater-trials they will surely start favourites?

They have perfected the art of waiting in a muddy gateway and should be an example to us all. As you can see several of them are enjoying the conversation and one or two are having a smoke, just as during any waiting period. Lucklily, the soup might be very warming.

Ukha (Russian Fish Soup)

· 950 ml water
· 2 potatoes, cubed
· 1 onion, chopped
· 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
· 110 g pike fillets, cubed
· 1 lemon, juiced
· salt and pepper to taste

Indeed, the local dishes are one of the many benefits that come from International Beating Exchange Holidays where many Recepies are exchanged between new fround Beatress friends to make the visit even more memorable.


	Observe the Locals:

In some foreign locations it is best to study how the local Beaters go about their tasks first. Don’t agree to go stopping all on your own before you know the local beats well. If you get mislaid they may not even remember that you ever existed.
Be warned that , particularily in Finland and Eastern Europe Beater Wagon Lubricants can be fairly strong. It is best to be a bit cautious the first day out. Remeber that the locals have been in training.
It is also as well to take out special travel insurance with the Beater’s Union before you travel. Beaters who have never made a claim for a missing limb, or anything like that, do get a very favourable No Claims Bonus. The Beater’s Union also advice that you insure all your kit, and, especially the dogs, if you go abroad. Personally, our Editor thinks it is better to stick to using cheap flags and just accept that you may lose or break some on your travels.

As for fashion and equipment, it is as well to study the locals again. Normally you would expect kayaks and other small craft to be supplied but a small infatable, cleverly packed away, as on the left, doesn’t take up much room and may come in handy. When beating for seabirds, as below on the right, it is best to take care. Again, it is worth considering a small parachute to be kept in the fringed handbag.

Dogs etc.

As for dogs and other animals, it is again as well to ask somebody before bringing out an unsuitable type of dog, which can cause embarrassment and hassle. Be sure to have a good lead with you, it will come in handy sooner or later.

As an example we can compare the animals these two beaters have chosen to take with them, clearly it depends on the location and the prey.In parts of Southern Europe there is shooting of very mall birds so obviously a very small dog may come in handy. They also cost less on the train and take up little space in the foreign beater-wagons. Large animals, such as the one on the right sometimes cause resentment amongst the other beaters who feel squashed. Please, note this beater’s good lead, and fashionable fringes.


		Relaxation between drives:

	One of the best things abroad is the relaxing pauses between drives. In England these can be rather freezing and boring, but given a better climate the beaters can take every opportunity to relax in the peaceful surroundings. Games of cards are popular the world over, a particular favourite with beaters being Happy Families. As beaters all over the world know, it isnot for them to worry about the guns,no, that is taken care of by others. Beaters only have their job to do and must take every opportunity to relax, otherwise they will not last the season, be it for pheasant or alligator.

Fashion and equipment for various types of beating.


	The relaxing beaters above seem to be very successful and are correctly equipped for their type of baiting.We think it should say PASS on the picture. As we have already mentioned it is best only to carry the bare necessities and to take as little as possible on a days beating.

We feel it is best not to bother to carry flags on your travels. There are usually suitable ones available abroad, just pick one up. The beater on the right is commendably camouflaged for beating for seasnakes, yet he’s got very little to carry, this is a good attitude to take. Of course, he should put his towel into his handbag.Beatresses who are very worried about the sun may carry parasols. Foreign under-keepers are usually sympathetic.

In some places the Staff are very smartly turned out . The Swan Beaters on the left illustrate this point well. When this happens the beaters and beatresses just have to accept that when in Rome you have to dress as the Romans do.. The Flags are supplied by the Crown in these circumstances. Many beatresses like to take a flag home in early season and personalise it. The flags above are very sought after by beatresses who try very hard to dress up like the rest of the staff and fit in.

We shall look at accomodation for beaters abroad shortly. Beaters would not like to get mixed up with swinging parties, see Go and ask Granny.

Driving and Parking Abroad

It has come to our notice than many beates find driving conditions Abroad difficult. Foreign Beaters tend to drive on the wrong side of the road for a start. Again, we cannot recommend highly enough the simple principle of looking at the locals and following their example. It is best to watch from a distance to start with, pushing your way in too keenly is a bad idea, even if you want to show goodwill and pay your share of expenses.

It is good to be attentive to foreign roadsigns, they are often put there to help drivers.It is, on the whole, best to avoid to be the centre of attention or attract the foreign police force.Obviously, Beaters are nowadays alloed to travel freely within Europe, in search of work but encounters with the Police can be stressful, especially if the police should speak no Englsh

Parking can also be problematic, particularily when wanting to park near the sea, or a river, on fish beats. Overall it is advisabe to walk the last little bit, rather than insist on driving right up to the beater-wagon, or beater boats. If in doubt, ask the foreign under-keepers, as we have already said, they are usually very helpful.

The same thing applies when beating for birds, leave the car a little further away and walk, like the local beaters do.

It is a strange thing but water seems to attract parkers even though not many cars like it very much. Perhaps it is the swimming lessons for dogs? If in doubt, just ask the helpful local police, they usually know just where it is safe to park.

Accommodation Abroad.
Many British Beaters are now worried about the poor exchange rate and the general Economic Crisis. This is stopping them from visiting foreign countries. We wish to reassure everyone that there is usually accommodation availabe abroad, to suit all pockets. There is little need for beaters to worry. Once you know the local beaters, you will make friends and they will soon invite you to stay with them. Comfort levels may vary but it will cost little or nothing. A bottle of Beater-wagon lubricant, as apresent, is always a good idea.

A decent B& B is often a good solution, especially for families. If taking very young beaters, be warned that feeding wildlife can turn out to add considerably to expenses. Nevertheless, it makes the beating holiday more memorable.


	The British Beaters are world renowned for their hardiness and as long as they have even an umbrella they will carry on. Obviously, many beatresses prefer comfortable accommodation. it is all very well to camp out under umbrellas for a short while but the charm wears off. When one is beating abroad one prefers not to be reminded of muddy gateways.


		Camping is great fun and brings you so much closer to nature, after all. Just what you need after spending all day searching for animals in foreign locations and are feeling a little bit leg-weary.




	if the local beaters don’t invite you, there are usually Motels in many price-classes. It really is not much of a problem, just save up all your beater wages and you should be able to afford a decent camp-site, if nothing else.


	We will soon be able to give further details of the facilities and food in foreign countries. It is a good plan to prepare in advance but be flexible and fit in with invitations from new-found friends. Always take an umbrella!

Holiday Romance
Many beaters, and especially beatresses, do, as we have heard in Deidre’s Beating Diary go beating in the hope of meeting soulmates. Obviously, very many people go on holiday with romance in mind. If we combine these factors we will understand that the holidaying beatress, and even, perhaps, that the stoic-looking beater who normally endures down-pours in muddy gateways, hope for romantic adventures on southern beaches. It is very understandable given that the Englsih winter doesn’t lend itself to sexy skirts or tight T-shirts. Naturally, whilst on holiday, the beatresses hope to become bronzed and be to able to show off their bodies to best advantage. Many of their fellow beaters will be surprised to discover that the beatresses have bodies, after only seeing them in water-proof trousers for months.




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The Beatresses rather hope that the game-keepers will become overcome by passion, in suitable, exotic locations. Many have seen Shirley Valentine and dream of happier days abroad. In preparation for the beating holiday one can see them trying to look relaxed whilst trying to tan their legs locally.They realize that romance rarely befalls those whith white, pasty legs.
The younger beaters and the under-keepers are probably not dreaming of the middle-aged beatresses but rather of romantic encounters with young local beaters. These have the advantage of being lightly clad and bronzed already.


	The middle-aged beatresses think about romantic dances under the stars, meals out in foreign beach-bars, dark strangers with excitingly bad intentions.They read Jilly Cooper, in disbelief ,but nevertheless cannot forget seeing Gone With the Wind. It is likely that the younger beaters and the under-keepers are actually a bit better at getting on with the local beatresses and they will very soon have some holiday experiences to treasure. It is no wonder that the foreign beating holidays are so popular!


	Food and Drink abroad. Some of the more set-in the ways middleaged male beaters find Foreign Food aproblem. Not so long ago I met afellow beater who said his Italian Beating Holiday had been ruined by the food. I was very surprised, Italian food is generally considered some of the best in the world. The fairly elderly beater explained he dislikes pasta in all forms and that he had had no idea whatsoever that the Italian beaters are so fond of it. The Beatresses generally just love having beating lunches, wherever they are. They really appreciate not having to cook and getting a filling meal.

		To help those beaters who worry about the food we will try to make a short summary of various popular beating countries and their food: Great British beater fare variable tending to cheap ingredients in many places. Generally filling and sustaining. The British Beaters seem to love roasts best of all with roast potatoes and many vegetables. This is understandable in the British climate. Not many beaters like thin, burnt beef-burgers or pastry pie with no filler. Chips are always popular. Scottish beaters risk being served Haggis.They also risk very small portions as the Scots take pride in not being overweight and in keeping expenses down.


	Italy: Beaters generally love to holiday in Italy. It is a beautiful country, the gamekeepers are handsome, the food is normally considered very good. Be warned however, pasta is very commonly served to beaters in Italy. The Italian beaters receive generous portions as there is usually somebody’s Mama doing the cooking for the shoot. The beatresses dream of romance in Italy mor than they do of romancce on a Polish shoot, say.

	it is also useful to have skills, such as being able to milk, which many of the older beatresses can do. They may then be sent to milk the buffalo and by making themselves useful they will gain friends and maybe even romantically inclined Italian admirers. One may have to beat for buffalo before milking them. Small birds are also very popular as prey.






	This picture shows the buffalo before milking, no problem to british beatresses.Just like Devon in July.On the right we see nice french snails, ready for the table. French beaters like old-fashioned things like frogs and snails to eat. They stay very slim on this rather lean fare which is rendered edible by adding garlic and wine to everything.

Spain:
Spanish beaterfare is normally very filling and two courses are always served.The Spanish beaters like beatresses to carry a little weight and they generally serve rather fatty pork, fried up with potatoes as a mainstay of their beating lunches. The squid cooked in it’s own ink, seen to the right, is perhaps an aquired taste for very hungry seaside beaters.Paella can be very good but is sometimes served for many days running and rather less exciting. Still, beaters don’t go hungry in Spain, that’s for sure. Meals are usually shared in a pleasant, sociable manner with everyone helping themselves. The Spanish Beaters are fond of some beater wagon lubricant but seldom drink to oblivion. They are very proud of some strong home-brews, just watch out .
.




		If offered wine made by their uncles in Extremadura, be a little cautious, these uncles are made of very strong stuff.


	Various pigs and wild boar are popular prey, they are all equally wild. The Spanish are very keen guns and ,if all else fails, the beaters will bring baskets of tame pigeons up on hill-tops and release them for the guns in pairs. This may not seem very sporting, but , it is a fact that if you want to get beating abroad it is necessary to be a bit flexible.




						Barbeques are popular, both with beaters, the wild-life and , above all, the firebrigade. In foreign parts they are so much more likely to be successful as the weather is better. In Eastern Europe the fare is rather plain and the other beaters are very hungry. You can see a Czech beater tucking in. However, compared to the hungry American and Canadian beaters, this really is no problem. Just be considerate and let these fill up first... Take my word for it, it works out better that way.


				Other Worries. Let us be honest. Some beaters and beatresses prefer apeaceful holiday. This is understandable and we thereforw will give a few tips on situations to be avoided. As can be seen on the front page , ski-lifts is one of these these things. Getting lost in unknown terrain where the beats can be large is not a good idea either. Below we see the beaters lining out .


	In these places, it is best to stick as close as possible to a local beater. If Richard Dunwoody hares past on a Mongolian Pony, just take prize-winning photo, don’t be tempted to follow on foot.

Cattle can be another. We have mentioned boviphobia before. Well, a holiday in Pamplona is not for the boviphobics.
And a bit of old-fashioned advice is: Wear ordinary beater clothes, the cattle seem to be trained to go for people in pink or yellow socks. This could be serious for visiting game-keepers. Wellies are not necessary in sunny countries and they slow you down, should you have to run for it, remember that. Besides, they take up too much space in n the hand-luggage!

Sometimes female English Beatressess feel intimidated by the foreign beaters and the sometimes unusal beater-wagons. Just stay calm. Things are rarely as bad as they seem. These beatresses are not well shod, for example. The Beater-wagon looks slightly full but, no doubt a game-keeper will soon sort out the logistics. Next time we shall deal with the Foreign Guns, who can also be a little worrying, sometimes. Just make sure that they are wearing their licences. These should be pinned to their outer garments.




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		Foreign Guns.

Foreign guns vary a lot, just like those at home. Obvoiously, this can alarm the beaters, especially if nobody understands the language.Avoid people with blow-guns, thse are surprisingly effective in the modern age. Also avoid people with machine guns. We all know how dificicult it is but all the same, just avoid the gaze of the under-keeper when he picks the people to scale the cliff next to the blow pipes. Better safe than sorry. Silver bullets and golden guns can also be dangerous.
It is best to have very good travel insurance, just in case of misunderstandings. A lot of things come down to language problems, which we will discuss shortly.
Avoid going behind the bushes near the guns.

In your fringed beater-bag it is very useful to have alarge pair of old-fashioned white under-pants. These may come in handy as a white flag, if you feel the guns are aimaning at you.if they have already aimed at you but missed, as foreign guns oftern doi, then the underpants may just come in handy as clean under-pants.

photos of wild west guns:Linda Carson http://www.the7msnranch.com . Go to Linda’s website for stunning photos from the real West

Obviously the best thing is to speak to one of the foreign game-keepers, or an under-keeper. Some speak English and they may well be able to re-assure the beaters. If not, perhaps it is better to accept that some shoots are just to risky to be much fun. It is a matter of cultural differences.
A good point is: during beater-wagon conversations, AVOID RELIGIOUS JOKES. Religous people are apt to take umbrage.if in doubt,. pass round some beater wagon lubricant, preferably Raspberry or cherry Vodka. This tends to calm everybody down. Some beatresses try to arm themselves but at countrytalk we thing that more guns just add to the tensions. We recommend the red wine diet. One could almost call that a Silver Bullet.
Smoking of various types is also helpful in breaking down tensions. Offer a packet of home-rolleds. If it is female guns that seem tense, offer CHOCOLATE. That solves most tensions in the females of the species.


	Foreign Facilities.27/08/09 In England we have excellent facilities, such as bushes. In Scotland the bushes are often closed for the season. This is a bit of disaster , really but there are fir-trees and mountain tops and a bit of access to these for the beatress, who is desperate for a pee.



				Beaters can manage very easily but for our beatressess, whether on holiday or working at home, the lack of bushes can be a bit of aproblem because there are so many layers to pull down and zip up. There are overtorusers, ordinary trousers/jeans, then the long-johns and then the Primark under-pants. No wonder a beatress can disappear for agood 10 minutes. if you’re not careful the zippers catch on one of the other layers and then it takes even longer. Add to the distress a few laughing foreign beaters who are not used to these predicaments and you can understand why some beatressess like to be forewarned. Nobody likes to be the beater-wagon joke for the entire day, jjust because they needed a pee. In some places it is the beaters who get a little worried. No ball games? Perhaps a bush is safer after all... In other countries it is share and share alike, which is very fair, after all.


	Other places have excellent toilets, sometimes containing unexpected friends. And in some odd corners of the world, such as Tiverton, for example, the recycling schemes are second to none. the French, on the othere hand, nowadays have good toilets but the males usually prefer the fresh air. French females never pee, ever, as far as anyone knows. In Spain nobody pees inthe fresh air except the very young.The toilets are superbly clean, wherever they are located . Sometimes the drains go into the nearest hole, but , the toilets will be very clean indeed.

	Further Information about Transport: 03/09/09 We have had several worried enquiries about foreign Beater-wagons. We still feel that the risks are small, compared to the benefit of beating under the hot foreign sun.To re-assure our British Beaters and Beatresses we publish photos of some very smart and civilized forms of beater-transport. Please, just relax! Let the Game-keepers do the worrying! That is what they are paid to do after all.




	Well, anyway, this excellent instruction i perfectly clear, in good English. Obviously during an exciting day’s beating you will feeel a bit peckish. Don’t worry, it is no problem!


	Really, there is nothing to it, just have drink! You’re on holiday! Relax. Somebody will come and sort it out in a minute, if there even is a problem. For those of us still in Britain, our Editor, who has just joined a Language Course, recommends this method. In order to get more out of your next holiday, start studying the language NOW! There are Italian Courses in Crediton, for example. we shall see how she gets on. This, remeber is the person who has slight learning difficulties with dressage tests! now she is confidently takeing on an ancient and beautiful, but , maybe, complicated language. Beatresses! Sometimes there is no stopping them..


	The interesting news from the Italian courses in Crediton is that they are taught by a Spanish-speakin Venezuelan Beatress. We have yet to find out if she goes beating. Still, I guess, that’s what happens in Mid-Devon. it is only logical.