As a child, my family would occasionally venture up the Great Dividing Range and head to Armidale, way up on the New England tableland. The town was home to my parents as children/adolescents and the beloved home of my Grandma and Grandpa.

There were a few things that hold a special place in my memories of Armidale: autumn foliage, acorns, the teachers’ college ground, the fireplace, the lolly jar (which I would come to inherit), and the beautiful antique billiard table my grandparents owned. The table is a Herron and Smith and is 3/4 size, slate-bottom, and over 100 years old. Beautiful… As children, we were only allowed to play if we took extra special care, did not jump the cue ball, and washed our hands…

The game of choice was Slosh; or at least the McIntosh variation (which I may start to name McInslosh or Stosh, to avoid confusion)…

Slosh is basically a combination of snooker and billiards and revolves around scoring through cannons, potting and in-offs. It is played between two people and is usually the first to 100 or 200. If you are interested in learning a little more about Slosh, click here.