PDA

View Full Version : Where I'll be , Next Weekend....



ramblingboy42
17th August 2014, 07:50 PM
The Annual Bronco Branding and Campdraft competitions held at William Creek in South Australia.
National Bronco Branding Championships keeping outback tradition alive in Queensland - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-17/bronco-branding-championships-in-stonereach/5676410)

The Nationals were held in William Ck last year.

I go to the William Ck event each year and catch up with some old bastards I know. This is my 15th trip.

This year we, about a dozen of us in 4-5 vehicles , will meet just outside of Woomera and camp thurs night in some favourite sandhills.

Just to drive a different route I will be travelling down the tar to Glen Innes then striking west through Moree , Walgett , Bourke then finally dirt to Tibooburra, on through the corner to Merty Merty and turn left onto the Strezleckie Track and onto Woomera via Maree.

Fri we drive onto William Ck and an obligatory soak in the "spa" at Coward Springs.

Fri night at William Ck hotel until we get kicked out, then spend saturday watching the camp draft and bronco branding.....our mob are putting up a team this year.

Saturday night is presentation dinner and dance. Some dress up well for this.

Sunday we are off and will spend the next two weeks moving up through north Lake Eyre on station tracks and sampling the hospitality of a number of cattle farmers.

will be stopping in places like Mt John, Nilpiina, Mt Barry, Coober Pedy, OOdnadatta, Macumba , Hamilton , Dalhousie , Mt sarah , Painted Desert.

Onto Mable Ck station where we'll visit what's left of the nuclear test sites.

Then we do a bit of backtracking and circle work as we head towards Tarcoola and Kingoonya , down through Lake Torrens and a bit of a bumble around in the Gammon Ranges.

The crow eaters then head towards Adelaide and I head towards the Gold Coast

depart Gold coast early wednesday 20 aug and return fri 05 september.

Gonna have a bloody ball!!!!

Chops
17th August 2014, 08:06 PM
That should be an interesting event. I did'nt realise they had competitions for branding.
Leeanne and I are planing a trip up north to see one of the main Camp draughting events when time/event lines up.
These things always have a good friendly atmosphere about them.

ramblingboy42
18th August 2014, 06:02 AM
absolutely Marcus.

this is now a part of my life , and that of my friends in SA too.

we also get together at William Ck each year the w/e before easter for their annual gymkhana

horses and motorcycles compete the same events....horses saturday, m/cycles sunday

instead of horse races the m/cycles have wheel standing races.

always a big dinner dance on the sat night.

we raise a LOT of money for local charities over both w/ends.

2 days to go, I'm getting anxious.

Pedro_The_Swift
18th August 2014, 06:19 AM
dont forget the camera;)

ramblingboy42
18th August 2014, 07:43 AM
it's on the charger right now...

digger
18th August 2014, 01:59 PM
I used to either go or work at these, great place great times.

Marree have some good events too!

The WILLIAM CREEK events have powered on since they built a massive
shed complex and bought a huge generator to power it all... Its a good time.

I recommend it to anyone that can get there, people who have no idea about whats happening are welcome and locals will gladly explain everything thats happening for you.

I truely miss this area. (rabbit flat is a good camping area but get a spot early!)

At the base of the BIRDSVILLE Track dont drive past the CLAYTON Spa without a break! (Its a great campspot)

have fun!

ramblingboy42
19th August 2014, 06:32 AM
digger, do you know Hobbsy?

I will be peeling and slicing onions for him saturday morning.

this trip is actually his baby....been trying to get us together for it for ages.

ramblingboy42
19th August 2014, 06:35 AM
/Users/admin/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2013/Blackwater and William Ck/IMG_6428.JPG

this is Hobbsy

errr, no its not sorry

ramblingboy42
19th August 2014, 06:39 AM
IMG_6428.JPG

this is Hobbsy

wrong....have to try something else...

ramblingboy42
19th August 2014, 06:52 AM
http://Users/admin/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2013/Blackwater and William Ck/IMG_6428.JPG

is this Hobbsy?

ramblingboy42
19th August 2014, 06:54 AM
totally ****in give up.

computers **** me terribly sometimes

digger
19th August 2014, 06:55 AM
Indeed I do,
he was my old boss!

Top bloke, down to earth and straight forward, one of the few left
who's word is still his bond. Say Gday to him from me, he'll likely roll his
eyes and maybe start rubbing his forehead (I gave him a lot of headaches :) )

He knows that country well, I went on a full speed run to Marree with him
at @ 2am once in a troopy, made it in less than 2 hours!!

(for those that don't know, although those roads arent too bad, they arent brilliant and two hours at that time of morning to cover @ 230kms is moving
much faster than you normally would!)

this is Hobbsy
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/707.jpg