Slingshots and Catapults

I have always had a Slingshot. For some reason though I’ve called it a catapult. Slingshot is of course the correct name for the handheld back of the pocket variety.

Being brought up on farms or always living within a couple of minutes of the countryside, having a slingshot was to a kid what having a gun was to a farmer. I’ve not really been one for hunting with them though. More for target shooting. At one time I could knock conkers out of the trees.

They would also get me into trouble. I think i was about 12 when I hit the white star on the bonnet of an American style Jeep that was driving illegally down a bridle path outside our home. I had to stay in my treehouse for a few hours before a very irate driver finally left me alone. I also took it upon myself to free the local residence from excessive light pollution by ‘manually turning off’ the high powered floodlights of a local speedway track. Not an action I am proud of an I now hide behind the ‘Boys will be boys’ clause.

Anyway the sun was shining today and on the morning dog walk I found a pile of perfectly round stones.  I thought, i must dig out my old catapult. It’s nowhere to be found though and is either in the attic or buried in the garage which would require a massive amount of digging.

Looks like I’ll be treating myself to a new one. The one I have had for a long time I made so i hope it turns up. The ones you can buy now look a little bit more advanced than I remember. Watching the video above showed me that although I’m a gadget lover. I don’t need sights, weights, ball bearings and the latest tech.

I just need practice, a sense of adventure and a good eye.