Tag Archives: Australia

The Gamblers 2016

Posted on by kathousekelli70

'It's the most wonderful time of the year…….' Come on, couldn't help but throw in a Christmas tune there! Haa Haa Haa

Last weekend was The Gamblers, Christmas Club Championships. It was 'the season to be jolly' with two stages set up on the one range, 26 Cowboys and Cowgirls put their rigs on ready for some action.

 

They set to 'rocking around the Christmas tree' alternating the posse between a stage with movement and a stage shot all from one position.

 

Many of us were 'dreaming of a white Christmas' as the temperature crept up to 39C/102F. However, as cowboys and cowgirls do, we keep having fun whatever the conditions!

 

Of course, the usual banter and laughter is ever present, along with some steely glares. (The latter has to do with safety's on unfamiliar shotguns, she says rolling her eyes, sigh)

 

Getting into the final couple of stages and its 'do you hear what I hear?' Thunder and lightning is starting to roll in and with metal baffles overhead it's time to hurry this posse up and get done before the storm comes through.

'Joy to the world' ….the day is done…..let all….pack up….your gear (were you singing that to the tune? 🙂 Haa Haa)

'O come all Ye faithful' inside for the rest of the festivities. We all gathered for the after party with the Budweiser flowing and the chatter getting more animated. A spectacular feast as always prepared by Mrs Claus and her elves (aka Trixie, Prairie Joy and OK Carrol), full of ham, chicken, egg, potato, watermelon salad, prawn and mango salad followed by scrumptious tarts, cheesecake and pavlova! Well done ladies, well done!

 

Oops! Nearly forgot the decorating assistants Marlboro Man and Lucky Strike Lass for the set up of tables, tinsel and Bonbons!

 

Entertainment for the evening was performed by Rex Rhinestone and his fiddle with accompaniment on the spoons by Marlboro Man. Most excellent!

 

Onto Awards and thanks must go to Chuck and Pearl Starr for preparing them. Our leader, Dug Deeper, made announcements and did the honour of presenting awards. Congratulations to everyone!!

 

Ricochet (Jackaroo) came 2nd in Silver Senior, 1st Place congratulations to Johnny Behan and 3rd Place to Mad Mick.

 

In Lady Wrangler category congratulations to 2nd Place, Ex Sighted, 3rd Place, Tequila Sunrise.

 

Overall winners for The Gamblers, were Mad Dog Tannen and Tequila Sunrise.

 

For the 'Outlaws' (non club members), overall winners were Painted Mohawk and Amazing Grace (Kathouse Kelli)!

 

Thank you to all The Gamblers for a great time as usual!

Feliz Navidad!

Kat xo

 

Lawrence of Clarence River

Posted on by kathousekelli70

I amuse myself, Lawrence of Clarence River, thoughts in my mind was Lawrence of Arabia, I know, it's different. Just my twisted mind.

The little town of Lawrence, established 18 something, sits on the banks of the mighty Clarence River on the north coast of New South Wales. 18something!? You say. Well yes, 18 something, I can not find a specific 'established' date for this tiny little town steeped in history.

Photos within the museum tell me that it was a town more than likely around the 1860's. Public education certainly existed during 1864 however the school buildings foundation was not laid until 1880. Many other major buildings were not erected it seems until around the 1880's either.

 

Past recollections of previous generations, tell stories of Lawrence being a busy little port with many wharves, a great number of boats hauling up and down the river, 3 hotels, 2 large sawmills, 2 general stores, a bank, and a butter factory!

 

Loads of potato's were shipped, timber, duck hunting seasons existed back then in Australia, the timber industry in the area was booming and for a price illicit rum could be procured from the surrounding bush areas. Bit like being able to procure white lightning from the hills of Kentucky I imagine.

 

Of course these days Lawrence is very much a sugar cane growing area and from Paddlewheel and Emeralds place it is not uncommon to see the occasional cane fire burn off.

I mentioned the Museum. The Lawrence Museum is housed in an old radio station building. 2NR was the station. It has been stripped out – some radio gear preserved for history – and now has been set up as different rooms.

There is the kitchen area items, the sewing room with a beautiful display of sewing machines, merchandisers cards of needles, buttons, patterns etc.

 

The bedroom is kitted out with baby linen, old quilts, beds, etc. The parlour with musical instruments, tea sets, and a gorgeous old wedding dress.

 

There are War related displays which are yet to be revamped as there are many more pieces to be included.

 

I was genuinely impressed by the hard work and efforts that the volunteers carry out here. They are to be commended.

 

To finish this quick afternoon tour, we stepped outside to leave. There are some out buildings filled with farm implements that I didn't go take a look at as it was near closing time.

I did take a quick look at the very small cottage that housed a family with 8 children at one point! An interesting story in itself, the tiny cottage was home to a gentleman named Edward Ramsamy. Known as Ram Chandra he was, in later life, instrumental in assisting the Commonwealth Serum Laboratory with an antivenene for the deadly Taipan snakes.

 

So there you go! A little bit, about a small town alongside a big river. Thanks Emerald for taking me to see it!

Kat xo

20th November 2016

 

Remembrance Day

Posted on by kathousekelli70

We held our minute silence on Friday 11th at the 11th hour in memory of all veterans both past, present and across continents.

Saturday afternoon however, we took a quick trip to the Australian War Memorial in our nation's capital. This trip all I wanted to do was to at least see the Hall of Honour, the reflection pool and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

 

Simpson's donkey is covered in red poppies from the previous day's memorial service. A bronze tribute to John Simpson Kirkpatrick. Recognised for his bravery and compassion, he and his donkey carried water up to troops through Shrapnel Gully and many wounded soldiers back down to Anzac Cove.

 

The flags even seemed to fly with pride in the clear blue skies and moderate winds, against a backdrop of Anzac Parade, through to both the old and new Parliament house's.

 

There are many visitors coming and going as we make our way up the stairs and into the Reflection Pool area. The wreath's still lay around the pools edge, and it's really nice to see all the Australian native flowers used in many of the display's.

 

There is much chatter outside by some but I was glad that upon entering the tomb of the Unknown Soldier everyone was respectfully silent. This hall has always been my favourite with its beautiful stained glass windows, ornate ceiling, tiled pictures and reverent setting.

 

Out into the Hall of Honour the bronze name plaques are filled with poppies and soon I managed a moment of next to no one in these areas for a better photo.

 

Jack and I decided we should stick our heads in the main museum doors and were surprised by some very new artefact showcases and interactive displays! NOW we need to come again and spend the full day and a bit that it would take to see it again.

We spent almost an hour just in the first entrance to the ANZAC display.

 

Let us all be thankful for our men and women who have served and are serving.

Lest We Forget.

Kat xo

Nov 12, 2016

 

Meanwhile, Back in Australia

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Jack and I have safely arrived in Sydney, to be greeted by Christmas cheer, Aussie themed.

 

Nice touch Sydney, thanks for welcoming us back!

 

Had a good flight, got in around 6.10am, through Customs at 7am, Jack a half hour later. Sat and relaxed with a latte and hooked up to wi-fi to check on the worlds coming and goings.

On the 10th November, 1938, Kate Smith sings a rendition of Irvin Berlin's, God Bless America, during a special Armistice Day broadcast and it was an instant hit. (according to google on this day in history, thought it was fitting)

On this day 10th November, Australia has awoken to the news that (9th November in USA) has Donald J. Trump winning the election for U.S. President. Indeed, God Bless America, make America great again.

We will pick up a hire car soon and be heading for Canberra, our Nation's capital to catch up with friends and family before making the trek north.

For all those 'cowboy family' we leave in the USA, stay safe, be proud, look after each other and prayers up for those who need healing. Our thoughts are with you all until we return.

Kat xo

 

Hair Tearing! Swearing!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

I had it all planned out this afternoon, to start on four projects that require embroidery work and type an article for the Chronicle that I had promised.

Fair enough, easy she says, everything is done and ready to roll.

WRONG!!!! (And I don't even know how to do emojis the old fashioned way to express my horror so you will just have to visualise!)

So my heart skipped a beat as I plugged in the USB to my embroidery machine with the (many hours work in the car, last trip) embroidery design to be stitched out. Hell no!! No design showing up on the machine.

You have to be kidding me!!! The ones previously are showing up but none of thE NEW SIX DESIGNs are showing up!

Okay, think Jo (yep my real name), what am I going to do now…………okay, delete files and reload onto USB stick. Plug in, turn on machine …….nothing!

Whaaaattt!!!

Okay, by now the cursing has well and truly started. Probably in between thoughts of throwing myself on the ground and chucking a hissy fit!

Next, use your brain, what's it gonna be? Okay so tried different USB, nup same thing – oh and I might add at this point the stupid file is showing on the USB/s on the computer! – so resort to deleting and formatting said USB stick! Save file, put in machine, turn machine on, still no file. Aaaaaahhhhhhh!

Ring Mum, quick! It's 7.30am in Australia, ring Mum, she'll know what to do.

After discussion we decide two of us can't figure out, agree to send files by email and wait for Mum to get back to me! 😦 😦

I have now wasted 3 hours of work time, it sounds more like a room of sailors with the swearing and thank god it's drinks time.

So not content to sit back and enjoy my Shiner Bok, I started googling more info ('cause I'm really peeved and freaking out because I can't afford not to have it working!) and what to my wandering eyes should appear? Not 8 tiny reindeer but a thread on an appliqué site and the lady said how the stitching area was smaller than the hoop!?!?

 

Off I go back to the computer – duplicate, new frame, paste, make slightly smaller, save, save on USB, put in machine, turn on……….

Ta da!!!!

It freaking worked! Now it's showing up on the screen and ready to stitch! Holy moly, I was having pink kittens (as Gram's used to say) rang Mum back (and I might add she was on her computer getting ready to check it out even though she did say she wouldn't be checking til their night time! Thanks Mum) SORTED! Happy Girl.

Now I can get back to what I should have been damn well doing in the first place!

 

Well maybe I'll just rest and have a drink first.

Cheers big ears!

Kat xo

 

Australian Nationals

Posted on by kathousekelli70

To our Australian cowboy action shooters attending the Nationals in South Australia this weekend, shoot straight and have loads of fun!!

Jack and I hope it all goes well and we look forward to seeing some photos and results on Facebook!

Have a good one!

 

Kat xo

Aka Amazing Grace

 

Gunfight in Dixie XIV, done!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

What a great shoot!

We had a ball. Great stages, great range, awesome hosts! The shoot was based on Quigley Down Under. Yep, Tom Selleck, Australia, perfect really!

Besides the rain making everything a little soggy, this is a great range. Permanent facades with a lot of detail and thought adorns this neat little range.

 

There are signs and different bits and pieces that make the inside of the facades look like you walked back into time. Apparently the hotel has previously held poker games etc in it during the later evenings. It has lights and fans inside and tables can be set up in there.

 

Every stage had some cover, 5 have permanent cover and all have fans in them and at the loading tables.

 

Saturday night was dinner and side match awards, sitting listening, talking with different folks and drinking some of the purest white lightning I've seen or tasted at 95 proof.

 

Thanks to Hot Lead Lefty, Tennessee Whiskers, Cherokee Sergeant, Dew R Dye and all the Memphis Gunslingers and help, for hosting a great match!

We had a great Posse, with Cumberland Drifter, C W Knight, Tombstone John, our Posse Marshall Randy Saint Eagle, Dode City Dixie, Reno Mustang, Cullen Bohannon, Little JB, Ginderella, Jailbreak Jake, Johnny Tennessee, Mud Puppy, Silas Armas Aubrey, Tomme Gunz, Tennessee Pencil Pusher, Jack and myself.

 

Their top gun shoot off went well with a 10 plate knockdown rack for rifle, Texas star and dump plate for pistol and shotgun. I haven't got any pictures or video from that though.

Koda Joe and I won best dressed cowboy and cowgirl for the weekend. Congratulations to all the category winners and placers. Jack finished 1st in Senior and I was 1st in Lady Wrangler.

 

Top cowboy at the shootout was Slick Mclade with Dew R Dye taking Top cowgirl. Good fun!

The overall winners for this years Gunfight in Dixie was Blackfish Kid (cowboy) and Slick's Sharpshooter (cowgirl), congratulations!

Cheers

Kat xo

 

Wicked!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

They say 'blue and green should never be seen, unless a colour in between' but that fashion saying is way behind in the colour stakes these days.

Humour me here as I describe the scenario for the making of this shirt (and certainly no offence meant whatsoever!!)……'Grace can you make me a poofy shirt?'….looking a little startled and having to think quick, my come back was 'do you mean a B-Western shirt?'…..'Yeah, some sort of fancy, poofy shirt!' – this coming from a shooter with a wicked sense of humour and wants to shoot B-Western black powder or something along those lines.

I had to laugh and take the order. Sure, no worries, coming right up. So in the book he went, his turn came round and here's what we have.

 

Not too extravagant on embroidery detail, different colours which I really do quite like – blue and green, together – and blinged out.

 

Hope it works for you CTM and that you shine out from the crowd when you wear it!

Onto the next!

Kat xo

(Should have pressed it properly before taking pics!)

 

The Gamblers, Heartland

Posted on by kathousekelli70

This weekend The Gamblers annual shoot The Heartland gets under way in our home town Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

Pat Garrett and side matches will be over, and soon will be waking up to start main match.

To everyone attending from around Australia and from New Zealand, we hope the weather is kind, we know the stages are good and the hospitality outstanding. May you all shoot straight, have fun and be safe!

Look forward to hearing the outcome!

 

Hugs to all

Kat xo

 

End Of Trail Cowboy Action World Championships 2016

Posted on by kathousekelli70

As the saying goes…come for the shooting, stay for the people….its End Of Trail 2016, the 35th Anniversary of cowboy action shooting.

Last Tuesday was warm up day and the start of 6 days of fun. Well for some they could do warm up Monday as well but we were still wild bunching it!

Wednesday I assisted as an instructor in the Doily Gang ladies clinic along with Shamrock Sadie, Two Sons, Sass Kicker and Half-a-hand Henri.

 

We had around 18 ladies that we shared information with and coached through a stage giving them tips for working on or improving their transitions. I hope all the ladies enjoyed it as much as I did, working with 4 other World Champions, all sharing their knowledge.

 

It was on to the official Opening Ceremony that same afternoon. Jack and I had worn our Aussie outfits and I was honoured to carry the Australian flag as part of the ceremony recognising the countries participating this year. Australia, Austria, Netherlands, New Zealand, Italy, Germany and USA participated this year.

 

The 2016 class of new Regulators were announced with many friends recieving the accolade! Top Hand award went to Blackjack Zac. Congratulations to all!

 

Thursday, Friday and Saturday were main match days. 4 stages a day, 36 posses going through 3 waves per day.

We were on Posse 32 – Buck Skunk, Deadeye Colt, Deadeye Jake Maas, Cat Ballou & Tex, Texas Mac & Texas Flower, Doc Neilson, G.W. Wade, Hands, Louie, Ranger McDuffie, Tijeras Pete, Timbercrick Mick, Tooth Ache, Whiskey Rick, Wyatt H. Ristl, Yellowstone Vic, Jackaroo and myself and of course our Posse leader Half-a-Hand Henri. (Was great shooting with – now – a 10 times World Champion and all won in different categories! What an inspiration this lady is!)

 

Saturday night was party and Best Dressed Costume contest. Lots of entrants fronted up for best dressed in different categories but the main one I was concerned about was Texas Flower in the 'Diary of Desire' gown. Doc Barium also showed up in her Seaside gown and hat I had made for her last year! So now I had two entries in the costume contest.

Grin from ear to ear when both ladies with their exceptional stories, were announced as 1st Place for Texas Flower!! 2nd place for Doc Barium and the lovely EZ GeeZee 3rd place for her Mexican civil war gown.

 

To round out the night the Top 16 Mens and Ladies were announced. Made it to the shootout!

Men's – Missouri Lefty, Waterloo, Matt Black, White Lightning Jack, Cobra Cat, Cody James, Creek County Kid, Ranger McDuffie, Roy's Creek Dan, Deuce Stevens, Austin Black, Damascus Jon, Duke Skywalker, Lead Ringer, Nick Nitro, Pecos Nick

Ladies – Shamrock Sadie, Echo Meadows, Kathouse Kelli, Sass Kicker, Slicks Sharpshooter, Bonnie Macfarlane, Panhandle Cowgirl, Two Sons, Spinning Sally, Texas Tiger, Whirlwind Wendy, Diamond Kate, Belinda Belle, Hey You, Little Red Sure Shot, Morguns Ann Ammo

Sunday to finish off a top week of action the shootouts were held for both Wild Bunch and Cowboy. Had a couple of fumbling runs through cowboy, shootout sure gets you going! Congratulations to Slicks Sharpshooter and Cody James for winning the shootout.

For main match awards – well, Jack got a buckle finishing 10th in Silver Senior category, much to his surprise after a 5 round rifle jam on a stage. Aside that, he shot extremely well during the match. Jack's back! Congratulations to General Jubal Early this years Silver Senior World Champion and to all other buckle winners.

 

To all my fellow Lady Wrangler competitors including another Aussie, Ex Sighted in 6th place and to my main competitors finishing 2nd place Echo Meadows (only 9secs between us again but rank points change that), Dew R Dye in 3rd place, a big congratulations to all buckle winners. This is one happy cowgirl taking a back to back world champion win!

 

A huge congratulations to the 2016 Overall Champions – Missouri Lefty and Sass Kicker!

 

What a day, what a week and a half!!

Leaving the dusty trail for another year,

Kat xo

June 26, 2016