I usually dread making a long travel on the 13th of February. I may not really be a superstitious guy, but I do experience some bad luck on a Friday the 13th. But when compared to disappointing my wife for spending time with her on Valentine's Day which is today, then I'd rather risk the Friday the 13th travel than her wrath for the weekend. I'm sure any sane husband or partner would totally agree with my decision.

Apart from the usual delays in the British rail network, my trip to Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire to attend the British Airsoft Show, which is a part of The Great British Shooting Show, was uneventful, thank god. I expected an average number of visitors on this day, being a working day, as compared to Saturday where there is am expected deluge of visitors. Indeed, it wasn't as crowded and as busy as the second day.

Some initial photos taken on the British Shooting Show areas before I headed off quickly to the British Airsoft Show which is in the colder part of the Exhibit Hall where the first things to greet me were some military vehicles in the middle of the area, perhaps to fill up the area since it looked like there were fewer exhibitors as compared to the last time we were here.

Glancing to my left and you won't hardly miss it is the RedWolf Airsoft UK booth where they have a practical shooting booth where you can have a go for some defensive airsoft shooting for 2 quid. Greeting Chris and Gaz of RedWolf Airsoft UK plus a mandatory group photo of the RedWolf Airsoft UK crew. Nigel of Airsoft Action Magazine was there too so the gang's there and as always some light banter and some catching up. This year, Airsoft International Magazine didn't put up a booth as compared in the past two years.

For this year, the skirmish area of Stirling Airsoft is half as it was before, but still a good number of visitors showed up to experience force on force airsoft. For a more "Call of Duty" Experience, the Band of Brothers Airsoft have setup an interactive tent where visitors can shoot at video game screen using airsoft guns. We'll have a video of that ready next week.

The Grange have a busy booth where they mostly airsoft guns on display rather than tactical gear which generated more attraction. Jim Septhon showed to me that he has more HPA-powered airsoft systems, including the new Tippmann Airsoft M4 blowback HPA-powered airsoft gun.

Incentive Designs UK, the guys behind the RED and the VENOM MFG have their booth as well and manned by brothers Martin and Andrew Honeywill. They have on display their massive China C-42 Grenade Launcher on display that reminds of you’re the China Lake Pump Action Grenade Launcher and more devices that Milsim people who love to have in their baskets.

Other airsoft retailers on the show floor as the moment are BadgerTac, JD Airsoft, Dave's Customs, CQC LTD, Airsoft Zone, Epic Militaria, Armex, and Tactical Kit. But according to the British Airsoft Show website, there are more exhibitors. Perhaps those who weren't around yesterday planned to setup today.

I also went for a quick check of the main British Airsoft Show where the latest in hunting and outdoors are on display. This is not exactly a defence show with more badass rifles, but more of firearms that are allowed locally, which are mainly airguns and shotguns, given the strict laws on guns in the UK.

Before I packed up and joined in the rush hour trip back to Coventry Train Station, I took time to cover a game of Stirling Airsoft where some airsofters were up against some Cadets from the Army Cadet Force for some good fun of rescuing a hostage and the usual search and destroy skirmish.

The good thing about going on the first day of the British Airsoft/Shooting Show is that for those who are planning to do some shopping, you always get first dibs at the what’s on offer there and avail of show discounts. A good number of airsofters got some of good ones with one actually bringing a trolley along as if he were doing some groceries at Tesco's. I almost got  myself some 5.11 Tactical stuff, but stopped myself when I realised that I still had some vouchers with massive discounts to use at an online gear retailer.

If you have an understanding girlfriend/boyfriend, wife/husband, or partner who'll let you go today today instead of that Valentine's date, then take the chance the visit the show to support the local airsoft industry. Or perhaps you have planned with her/him early on that your date will be in the midst of guns, knives, and outdoor gear, then the Show is the place to be. Just make sure you have some roses and chocolates to bring along just to make Cupid happy or you'll get an arrow in the butt.

More photos of the British Shooting Show and British Airsoft Show at the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page.