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. 

Al Thandiwe Safaries

It's road trip time again for us and we are headed to Limpopo.

Giraffe on Al Thandiwe

Left home at about 1100 and headed north on the N1
highway.

A Small Hick-up

Passed through a few tollgates (R102 in a matter of 200 Km) and then a blow out on the trailer but we know we are going to have a fabulous time.

Just doing some moaning.

Are we ever going to get used to Bela-Bela (Warmbaths), Modimolle (Nylstroom), Mookgophong (Naaboomspruit) - but any way tonight we are 20 km out of Makopane (Potgietersrus) on the road to Zabedeila at Al Thandiwe Safaries.

The country side is lush and green and beautiful - looking forward to getting out on the quads tomorrow 

Central Gauteng League

Mark & Wayne Preparing

Ardent shooters are busy preparing for the day as we arrive at Golden City Shooting Club.

The Range Officers are decked out in their reds and by 0900 we are ready to burn some powder.

Today it was a case of our detail starting off on a range with

The Squad Relaxing

"things that swing" - Why, oh Why.

(Note to self - you have to start practising those swingers)

Larry Burning Powder

Some very stubborn plates at great distances gave us all a challenge but what would a day of shooting be without all the highs and lows.

Every shooting day teaches you something new.

Our detail consisted of experienced and new shooters, so there was loads to learn from.

Golden City Club Shoot

Last Saturday was Golden City Club Shoot. Not as many shooters as the previous Club

shoot on Saturday but the numbers increased on Sunday.

We had a super squad again and many of the stages had a start instruction of the gun either unloaded and on a table or magazine in but nothing in the chamber. This was good exercise again because you get so used to just drawing and shooting that it needed just that extra second to think and rack you gun and then concentrate on the sequence you are going to shoot.

Loved it. Thanks super squad. We had loads of fun as usual.

Pretoria Steel Challenge

Those Two Headache Stages

Now I love to be retired and not having a deadline.

Daniel With A Laugh

As you could see my last two post were hopelessly late but at least they are there for your enjoyment and ours.

Today was one of those extra good days that we are blessed with.

First was our service at Northfield where Trevor Hudson once again spoke to my heart to remind me who I am and why I'm here. Something verynecessary in my life.

Fudge Hard at Work

Then it was off to another of the places that is a  favourite with us.


Those super people in Pretoria that give us a glorious day of shooting.

Ladies with a Smile

As we arrived and went from station to station, I just took a moment and put some thought into what always makes this such a successful day and all I could think was that it was the consideration and love of this sport of a few people that let us enjoy ourselves to this extent.

From arriving and registering with someone that welcomes you with a smile, to the RO's that have time to give advise and keep us safe and sometimes like today - and we experienced it first hand - have to put up with some jerk, who was derogatory (Jerk, I hope you read this) and still have a smile on the dial, to our scores being in our mail by the next day, to the thoughtfulness of putting soap and hand cream in the loo. This is what makes your shoot a success.

Thanks Gys and Antoinette and your whole team. You always make us feel so welcome and we try never to miss your shoot.

Hope your arm heals quick.

Golden City Club

A Laid Back Start

Time To Test You Down There

We could not make Saturday Club Day so it was on Sunday after church that we set off for Alberton.
The heat was excruciating and as we had a late start, it was only the two of us in squad. Picking up, patching scoring, timing, reloading - all between the two of us, takes some effort.
Now I really don't moan about anything and I'll work twice as hard, as long as I am shooting.
All in all it was a good day of shooting with kneeling and prone positions, swingers and poppers again being the order of the day.
Thanks Golden City - some good thinking stages today as well.

CGPSA League 1 - Golden City

There has  been loads of shooting over the past few weeks so I have not kept up to date with all the posts.

There has been two Clubs Shoots and then this past weekend the first League Shoot of the year.

After last weekends fairly easy club shoot we were smacked with a good and solid hum dinger of a shoot (for some of us)

You had to do some real thinking and not run past targets tucked away behind some tyres or popped up in a shady corner. Plates were there in abundance from 5 meters to 25 meters - BUT - put a pistol in our hands and we are happy chappies.

It was an extremely long day - started at 0900 and I remember at one stage looking at my watch and it was 1550.

Lucky for us we were in a real fun detail.

Some with their race guns, others shooting production or standard. Each trying to figure out his own strategy.

Thanks Neelesh, Godfrey (our very own RO), Sean and Shyam.

Pretoria Steel Challenge.

Love The Sound

Yesterday someone asked my if I had a problem with being alone.
At first I did not understand why the question was asked then they told that they saw me alone in church on Sunday.
This was something that had never entered my min. I am quite at home with myself.
I even went off to shoot Pretoria Steel Challenge on my own.
This was not only because I am quite OK being by myself but because anyone who knows me will tell you I just LOVE shooting my gun.
Sunday was the first shoot of the year for me and where better than to start in Pretoria with Gys and his Steel Challenge and as always a Superb Day of Shooting. Thanks Gys.
My main aim on Sunday was accuracy over speed after the long Christmas lay off and it pays. This was my second best score shot at Steel Challenge so I am a Happy Chappy.

Northern Gauteng Open

Richard On The Skeet Range

It looks like we are going to have a year of Clay Target Shooting.

Richard has decided that he wants to get back into competition shooting again so Northern Gauteng Open was the start on the Clay Target Calendar.

NSSA Skeet was kind to him but the Universal Trench bit him in the bum.

This has made him more determined and he will be back for some more punishment.

Young Van Tonder With His Cap - Before

The shoot was very well run with more than 160 guns. Sweltering heat and lovely to see some very young guns on the range.

One of the young guns, Luaan van Tonder, excelled on the week end and shot a 26 straight at Skeet Doubles.

Now the tradition is that you get as many guns as you can after the shoot, toss your cap in the air and they take shoot the heck out of your cap.

Well done young man. Hope to see lots of you.

You treasure that cap for a life time.

Pretoria Steel Challenge

Our Fab Prizes

I am not sure why I like Pretoria Steel Challenge. I just do. I love to hear the Plinking of Steel.

This was the Last of Pretoria Steel Challenge for the year and I don't know how we are going to survive with no more shooting until 2015.

I have to say a massive thanks to Gys and his team for the lovely times we've had with them this year.

There has been great shooting and then to top it all off there were fabulous prizes.

Thanks for the weekend away - we are definately looking forward to that and also for our prizes of the weekend.

May you, your family and your team have a Blessed Christmas and may you be showered in Blessings in 2015.

We'll be back

Golden City Club Champs

Had To Have A Hanging Bridge

Keshwin Doing His Thing

Saturday and temperatures in excess of 30 degrees.

Guns loaded and six stages to go for the last club shoot of the year.

We thought that the attendance would have

It Was Much Larger Than This

been far greater seeing that it was only one day of shooting this weekend.

We had a great time as we were in stitches most of the time with Keshwin's antics and by the way he had us in stitches with his shooting as well.

Thanks all you guys - Have a wonderful holiday and see you next year.

Chairman's Cup - Kimberley

No Matter The Pain - We Will Shoot

Love the Sporting

The last time we went to Kimberley for the chairman's must
have been between eight and ten years agoC

Jaco - I see it Too

The club has a lovely vibe and you can watch most of the shooting by pulling up a chair under the trees.

They organize well and as usual everything runs smooth.

This was a bad year for Central Gauteng but some tweaking and guiding of a lot of young shooters and the first time Chairman shooter and they will be at the top again.

Kimberley - La Casa Mia & Annabella Restaurant

First I thought just to chalk these two  establishments off as a bad experience. I have no photos thank goodness and all in all I just wanted to get home and forget about them, but on second thought we always put up with bad service and give a moan or two and then move on to the next bad service experience so I am now going to give my two cents worth about the above.

I thought La Casa Mia was going to be this family orientated home experience as it was advertised to us.
No such luck. With a hostess whose nerves are finished with staff giving her a hard time, to a bed and pillows that were so hard it felt like sleeping on a rock. From the shower leaking out onto the floor that we would have to soak the mess with towels to only having one towel and constantly having to ask for another. Oh and I forgot the noise all night long - kids crying next door.
Sorry La Casa Mia - we won't be back.

Now to Annabella Restaurant. This was suppose to be the team's fine dining night out. After booking a table for 18 we arrived only to find four of our party had to be seated elsewhere. The night slowly deteriorated from there. Some orders arrived after an hour and half. Some orders didn't even arrive.Fatty food. Food put on our table that was not ordered. And then there was the bill. Overcharged with close to three hundred rand.
Sorry Annabella Restaurant - we won't be back.