Thursday, August 21, 2014

Pretoria Steel Plate Challenge

Fudge Got It Right - Jon Not Jan
Sunday one of those days when Richard went off to shoot the Mag-Lite at Wattlespring and I was off to Pretoria for the Steel Challenge.
Rain was predicted but shooting addicts don't know about bad weather conditions.
Off to church first and then to Pretoria.
This time I was not on my own as I see that jon is just as addicted to Steel Challenge as I am.
Jon Got It All Right - Best Score To Date
The number of shooters was down and this must have been due to the weather but as usual the Pretoria RO's always make us feel special. They have
good advise and don't rush us to shoot - I always have a good time there.
We had an excellent day - not having too many bad threads and both ended up with our best scores to date. Well done Jon - your next goal must be under 200 secs, you are there.
Watch out Richard - we are becoming a threat to you!!!!!
Thanks Gys - Lovely shoot as always.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Road Trip - Hartbeespoort Dam - St Nicole

Road Trip Hairdo
This week was time for another midweek road trip so this time we decided it was not going to be too far and the weather at Hartbeespoort Dam looked good.
We googled for accommodation and found something really luxurious with a magnificent view onto the dam, beautiful rooms, spa baths, you name it, it had it, where we could park off and relax with our books for a few days.
A Magnificient View From The Patio
Of we went - out on Malibongwe Road and just 97km later were met by a most gracious hostess. She settled us in and what a beautiful place it is.
Out in the sun with our books and later a good glass of wine, we had the entire place to our selves. Our hostess lived just down the road on the Westlake Estate and would pop in occasionally to see if we were OK. They had a bit of a staff problem so we were left to do our thing. Not a problem, just what the doctor ordered.
Stunning Bathroom
As the sun set and we moved onto the patios that had heaters and settled in for a comfortable evening our bubble was burst.
Now what I can't understand is that you can own this beautiful venue and not see to the little things that make a stay extra special and what is stated on the Internet.
Only one section of the patio lights worked. The air con/heater in the lounge was out of order. The spa bath is no longer working. Half fill the bath and you have used all the hot
A Beautiful Venue
water. Thin summer duvets so we had to cuddle close and we could not use our balcony as it was covered in bird poo.
The next day the hostess came and made us a good breakfast and left us to do our thing again. We didn't mind, we came here to relax.
Early evening and one of the staff returned and when we asked her about our room and the bathroom which we do expect to be seen to when we pay a good amount for it, we were given a thousand words and a long face.
Later on in the evening another couple arrived and this same staff member actually refused to do up a room for them even though they begged her to. All this going on in front of us. Did we really need this going on.
To crown it all we ran out of gas on the patio heater so that was that for the evening
outside.
This owner can actually be really pleased that he has Tania, our hostess, to run his venue or he would be out of business.
All Packed For The Trip Home
What a shame about St Nicole but what an exhilarating ride again.
Oh I have to tell about a first - only in Africa.
This morning we asked for sunny side up eggs for breakfast - as I said only in Africa - you could lift  your egg with your knife and place it on your toast and the egg would not bend. It stayed straight and was hard as a boiled egg - not a lie - We will from now on call eggs prepared in this way - "Tiny's Eggs"

Monday, August 4, 2014

Central Gauteng League

The RO Laying Down The Law
Roodepoort Club were our hosts for the Central Gauteng League. The shooters are getting ready for the Nationals later this month so there attendance was real good.

You can feel summer is trying to break through but you still
Neelesh In Action
have to wear something warm for the early morning and when you are shooting in the shade.

Ten Stages awaited us and we fell into a detail with shooters we had not shot with before. We were in for a treat. They ripped each other apart all day and even the poor ROs got some of their treatment. Great day.

The Boys Taking A Break
I thought I was doing real good (I am really trying to cut those Mikes out of my life) and up to stage 5 - I had no mikes and no PTs but from there on everything that could swing, spin, bop, hop or move in any way lay in wait for us.

We will be back for more torture and punishment - we just love it.

Thanks Neelesh, Mark, the two Mohammeds, Yasvant, Bardev, Sash and Shyam - we had a super day.

Classic Arms Auction at the National Museum of Military History

   
A Carnaval Atmosphere
Hope You Enjoyed Your Day Jason
This was the first time we attended the Classic Arms
Auctionat this venue - this time we didn't have to do the long trip out to Witbank.



D1-M40 Lahti Pistol
The weather was beautiful and it was such a treat to see some of our history preserved so well.

D56-Webley & Scott
The grounds were buzzing with traders showing their military
D78/79/80-.45 Colts
collections and the firearm collectors and buyers were out in full force. Some ex military attended with their uniforms and we were even taken back to a taste of what the nurses would look like in war times


D66-Colt 1903
As usual some very interesting firearms and collectables so
Taking Us Back In Time
Richard was in his element
.
 He made some good buys for his WWII collection again and then of course he has found a reason to start another theme when he found three of his beloved Colts at last.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Golden City Club Shoot and Roodepoort Steel Challenge.

Gareth & Tyron - While Waiting
How about another entire weekend of shooting.
First was Golden City Club shoot on Saturday past.
We had a small detail this time with only four of us but it was far more relaxed. We needed all the strategy and planning that we could muster among the four of us as it was a day of swingers and disappearing targets that gave me an insane headache, but I suppose if we want to improve we are going to have to get the hang of these dreaded monsters.
Chris Hard At Work With My Gun
On the last day my gun decided to give me a bit of trouble and seeing that I don't know what the problem was I just decided to act feminine and ask for someone to assist and stood back and took the photos.
Thanks Chris for looking for the problem and big thanks to Demi, who always has a box of tricks with loads of spares, for fixing it on the spot.
Thanks Gareth and Tyron for a lovely shoot. 
Sunday was off to church and then out to Roodepoort Steel Challenge where our little three man squad shot some very good scores. Jon and I shot our best scores to date, so watch out Richard - we are biting at your heels.
Thanks to Jon - I love shooting with you - an absolute gentleman always.
Thanks to my soul mate Richard - loved all the shooting we did together this weekend again.