Classic Arms Auction

Saturday, 28th December was Classic Arms Auction Day.

Richard only had one thing on his mind

I think he had a few sleepless nights - like a kid that can't wait to see what he will get for his birthday.

Of the 2 items on his list, he was only able to get the one - still, he came home a very happy chappy.

Central Gauteng League and Golden City Club Shoots.

Central Gauteng League

OK - so call me lazy. I say I am busy - I don't know where the time goes but this business of being retired is hard work. There is always something to do.

I thought I would just do an update as far as photos are concerned.



Golden City Club Shoot

All I can remember is that everything was
swinging and moving at the League Shoot and it was incredibly hot at the Club Shoot.

We had every intention of putting in loads of practice for the National coming up in two weeks time, but no such luck. The gun and ammo importing has kept us all busy.

Central Gauteng League 7

Our Squad

On Saturday our South African sun beat down on us in typical summer fashion.



Dylan In Action

No matter where I travel - there is nothing like a South African sun beating down on you.


Then there is nothing better than shooting on a glorious day like this.

We met members of the club that we had never shot with before and each time we learn a bit more from seasoned shooters.

Thanks Abraham, Wayne, Mark, Brad, Dylan, Nigel, Jon - we had a super day with you.

Then a big thanks to Snipers for a fabulous shoot. The ranges were really good and I could even motor on some of them.

Limpopo Open Clay Target Shooting

All the clay target shooting seems to happen at this time of the year.

Two weeks ago we were in Bloemfontein for the Free State Open, now here in Potgietersrus (Mokopane) for the Limpopo Open and in two weeks time it is Kimberley.

It is beautiful up here in the north with Friday being in excess of 30 deg but Saturday and Sunday were much cooler.

We stayed at @Marula in Potgietersrus and took the trip out to Al Thandiwe each morning which is just 27km to the east on the road to Zebedlia.

The Universal Trench range is new and Richard had the honour of shooting the first round on it on

Friday during practice.

Saturday the wind pumped. There were only seven shooters divided into two squads which makes it a bit difficult for the shooters as the whole process is so quick there is no time to settle in on a stand before it is your turn to shoot again.

Sunday was super conditions to shoot in with good scores coming in.

All in all a much better organized shoot than Bloemfontein with Richard taking gold in his division.

Long Gun League at Golden City

Richard Desperately wants to shoot this Long Gun League so guess where we spent our Saturday. You got it - we are back at Golden City.

This is really loads of fun. When you watch these shooters you see the boys and their toys.

I personally loved the shotgun section - from pump action, over and under to the semi auto guns, they just give a thrill to shoot.

Enjoy some of the fun.

Free State Open - Clay Target Shooting.

Some Discussions Before The Start

All Ready On The Line

I always look forward to any shooting weekend away.

This was no exception and early on Friday morning we were packed and off to Bloemfontein.

Richard decided to have a practice round when we arrived and even in the howling wind he shot a good 22.

Then it was off to our B & B and then to find somewhere to eat.


Then The Sun Went Down

And They Packed Up

Now I have vowed never to eat at a Spur again - but who has been to Bloemfontein lately.

We were told the best restaurants were at the Windmill Casino
. There we could choose from - wait for it - Wimpy, Ocean Basket and Spur. Can I tell you that no matter if you dragged me by the hair, you will never again get me into a Spur. Enough said.

Saturday morning Richard had a 10 o'clock start on the Universal range and here I also will not tell you all that happened except it took eight hours to shoot four rounds. Equipment wasn't working, clays were breaking, staff didn't know how to load the machines, on and on.

As a result Richard couldn't shoot his Skeet in the afternoon and as for the rest - we packed up and came home.

We had not been to Bloemfontein to shoot for more than 10 years and if we never go back - couldn't be too soon.

Northern Gauteng League

Thanks Guys - Was A Super Day

Never Too Young - And Quite Safe

No matter how much we bitch and moan there is no country
like our South Africa.

This morning made me yearn for the farm again. The weather is warming. The skies are clear. The sun warms you to the bone as only the African sun can do.



Time For Some Strategy

Now to top it all it's time to shoot, What is better than that?

We have never shot at Eeufees Grounds before and all I can say is I take my hat off to you guys.



William, Your Gun Is On The Back Seat

Intricate little stages - swingers - fancy poppers - strategic little
twists and turn - loved it  - loved it.

It was so well organized and everything ran smooth.

We will definitely be back for some more smell of the cordite

A super detail to shoot with. We had the guys that had shot at world shoots and then us beginners and it was no problem for them to give advise and encouragement. Thank you Wayne for all the enlightenment. I take everything you teach me to heart. William you are super fun to shoot with and then all the new guys from Northerns that we met today, thank you for your hospitality - we will be shooting here way more than what we do.

Thank you again.

Classic Arms Auction & Central Gauteng League

War Museum

Doing some catch up and this time I can blame Telkom.

It is now two months since the installation of our land line and trying to get our ADSL set up and still no joy so have to still depend on the slow as a tortoise Dongle.

Two weeks ago on the Saturday was the Classic Arms Auction which was held at the War Museum in Johannesburg. It is always a great day out when all the war veterans and collectors have their bits and pieces out on display.

There were some good buys that fit into the World War II and Colt collection.



Range Officer Corne is Pooped

Now it's just loads of paperwork again for you know who.

Sunday was Central Gauteng League with of poppers, runners and of course loads of fun. I am not sure if I am getting any better but I sure do enjoy myself each time.

Golden City Club Shoot

Taking a Break

Our Detail

An icy weekend and a decision to sleep in a bit on Saturday - not a good idea.

I would much rather be shooting so here we are on a Sunday morning with beanies and gloves -

I hate being cold, but I love shooting even more.

Thank you Stephen for some lovely ranges that you designed and thanks to our detail - Kevin, Fred Theunus and Lloyd.

Golden City Club 10

No matter what happens, if there is a shoot, we'll be there.



I Love My Gun

Golden City League 10 and a very good turn out.

Shot with loads of shooters we had never shot with before.

Thanks all it was great.

Jon, Sean Colin, Fred, Michael, Deon

You Go Down Here, Then Shoot From
There And Don't forget to RUN!

Nationals at Golden City

Apologies if you follow our blog and think I have left the planet.

Registration & Equipment Check

There has been preparation for the Nationals held at Golden City Shooting Club and motivations for the gun collections and grandkids with the flu – so here goes.

I enjoyed every minute of the Nationals.

On the Friday we had to register and have our guns and magazines checked. 

Freezing Our Butts Off

Saturday before Nationals everything was packed and ready to go. We thought we would get a decent night sleep and be at the range just after 06:30 as we had a 07:30 start. Off to bed and alarm set – to cut a long story short – alarm malfunction. Quick shower and coffee – try not to get too uptight about things not running to plan and off to Golden City we went – all in time and no real repercussions but not a good thing to do.

Richard Doing His Thing

This was a first for both of us and I am not sure if it was just the nerves or the cold but I had

the shakes on that first stage.

It was two days of pure enjoyment and exhilaration with 297 shooters, 16 stages and 16 details with approximately 18 shooters in each. Three RO’s following your every move, strategies going down, keeping your cool while waiting, checking your ammo, listening to advice.

Loved every minute of it. I would really have wanted to have had a better score but one consolation was that we were not disqualified – close to 10% of the field went home for some infringement or another.

Got The T Shirt

How lovely to say that we took part in an event with all the Pros and Champions of the IPSC

Would I do it again? – Hell Yes!

Do I love Shooting? – Hell Yes!

 

Frontier Classic - Stilfontein

This weekend we are in search of additions to our collections and stumbled on a little family

B & B Klerksdorp

owned gun shop in Klerksdorp.

Made some good rare finds for the CZ collection.

CZ 27 - Nazi Pistol

While we were here we went past the house we lived in when Warren was born - 40 years ago. It is scary to think so much time has passed in just a flash. Brought back memories of one of the best things that happened in my life - that is my Warren.

Then the main reason for this trip down to north West Province is the Frontier Classic which

is shot in Stilfontein.

Had a look at the ranges this morning and can'r wait to tackle them tomorrow.

Staying over at a B & B tonight and and had a superbulous dinner at Adegas.

So sorry to end the day with load shedding

S A Grand at Wattlespring

The Jury Checking The Ranges

Our lives have revolved around handgun and shotgun this past week.

The S A Grand started on Thursday and took shooters through to Sunday.

Shooters arrived on Thursday with a hurricane wind blowing

No Injury Keeps You Off The Shooting Range

and they battled the clays that were dipping and diving all through the day.

Friday and the rest of the shoot took place in beautiful weather and we had much happier chappies breaking their clays.

This year it was lovely to see a greater number of juniors than normal take part, the largest contingent coming from Zimbabwe.

Richard Smoking the Duck

Then of course all the faithful old shooters that make the shoot so interesting. Lovely to watch all these personalities with their different styles and not to speak of the determination of these shooters - they just keep shooting good scores year after year.

Golden City Club Shoot 7 & 8

Club Shoot 8

Now by posting about two weekend club shoots, please don't call me lazy.

It is out of necessity. Time is what I am pretty short of these days.

Club Shoot 8

As usual our details were good company and loads of fun.




Weather was just perfect and of course not a shoot goes by that we don't learn about the rules and strategies of this wonderful sport of ours.

Golden City Club Shoot

Our Super Squad

A Dedicated Shooter's Trolley

After what seemed ages since our last shoot, we rigged up
and once again challenged ourselves on eight stages set for us by someone who wanted to punish us.

Our long distance shooting was tested and then those plates, man did I battle.

Sean - What Are You Doing?

I just absolutely loved it. As long as I am shooting and I am with shooting people, I am a happy chappie.

Our squad was super supportive of each shooter and when you heard a loud "2 MIKES" and a giggle you knew you were having fun - or was it Sean having fun.

Thanks to all in the squad - we will do it again - loved it.

Umkomaas - Ocean Park Lodge

Scottburgh Beach

The rest of the week we spent on the beach.

We found one or two  good restaurants and just purely relaxed.

Breakfast on the Verandah

Ocean Park Lodge was really lovely and Lana our host saw that we were always comfortable and well looked after. The owner of Ocean Park should really look after her, he is lucky to have her. I thought it was her business, she was so attentive to all the guests that we saw
during the week.

Thursday we were on the road by 08:30. The roads were not as busy as coming down and it felt good being back home and sleeping in our big, big bed.

Riva Valley Shooting Club

Today was typical coastal weather.

The sun was scorching , the skies were clear blue and the wind did not let up.

Jackie Smith On The Duck Station

Not many shooters here in Natal. Today skeet and universal only had two squads each.

Check The Follow Through After Breaking The Clay

Had some hiccups with broken clays and machines not working but the grounds are beautifully kept.

K Mag Magazines - Ocean Park Lodge - Umkomaas

Time to hit the road again. We find any excuse to break away.

When You Travel The Back Roads

This time our excuse is the Natal open Clay Target Shooting Champs in Umkomaas.

What better time of the year to enjoy the Natal South Coast.

We were on the road by six this morning and did a detour through Newcastle to have a few minor adjustments made to our magazines that were purchased from K Mag.

This took us off the main N3 highway and off into a beautiful part of the country that we normally would by pass if we went down to the coast. Natal always amazes me - it is so lush. It's only our roads that spoil it all. Come on Government - wake up before it's all lost.

Nothing Out Of Place

Any kind of Magazine

Even more interesting was our visit with Peter Kissmer, owner of K Mag Magazines.

Firstly when you enter his premises you can see that precision and love goes into every bit of his business. Not a tool out of place, not a speck of dirt and Peter does not mind to spend time with us to work on our magazines.

Magazines Getting A Shine

Peter's Dad started off making magazines part time for the Police Force that used the in those days. When they replaced they Walthers with the Beretta Peter's Dad received a huge order for magazines from the force, gave up his job with ISCOR and started his own business in 1980. Peter then joined his Dad in 1986 and the business now supplies every kind of magazine you can think of.
Walther P38

Thank you for your time Peter and thank you for sorting out our magazines.

I Have Missed The Beach

Now just parking off at Ocean Park Lodge - a stone throw from the beach

Pretoria Steel Challenge

No Matter What Age

Ipsc National in the Cape has taken most of the shooters away so the shooting died down in March which pains me.

It's called withdrawal symptoms.

Lucky for us that Gys thinks of us even though it is Easter.

Just over 50 shooters but still very good seeing loads of people are on holiday.

Lovely to see families out together and no mater how small you are, when the bug to shoot bites, you are hooked.

Just one thing - RO Daan, if you are reading this, it is our sport and we come out to enjoy - chill, we are not in school.

Loved it once again.

Golden City Club Shoot

No rest for the wicked.

Richard, Alex, Jaco, Richard,Mark and Gerhardt

Got back from our trip and immediately get ready for the Club Shoot.

You can be sure that it must be something really disastrous or important to keep us away from shooting.

It was an eight stage shoot with swinger after swinger after swinger.

Not moaning - I really need the practice with these things that move.

My strategy was slow (Ha ha, what an excuse, I am always slow) and on target.

We loved shooting in this squad again - no pressure and loads of fun.

Cool shooting with you guys.

Al Thandiwe Safaries

Lovely week we had on the farm.

 This was a much needed rest with just our books and the bush to enjoy.

Arrived safely back home and ready for some shooting the weekend.