We are so grateful to Keith and Sandra for making their bush campground available to us, and with all the facilities available it certainly was a great week.
Fifteen vans with 27 people on board turned up as their other commitments made them available, with people staying from three nights to seven. Included in the group was a visitor, Heather, from the Solos SIG.
Washer Toss was played on the first day with the Men’s Team of Robo, Don B, Ron and Gary who fought a hard battle against the Ladies Team of Marjorie, Judy, Chris and Heather, then in the play-off, the men won, with the ladies saying that was to make the men feel happy for the upcoming Father’s Day.
Under the supervision of our catering officer, Nola, a lunch of chicken schnitzel with a choice of potato salad and/or wombok salad, tomato and cucumber was prepared with the cooking the chicken.
Lunch was followed by the Grocery Grab, which Anna won. After that, we all sat around and chatted in the sun or shade, or went back to playing cards, or sorting out jigsaws.
After tea, we all gathered to play Bingo with Secretary Don being the big winner.
It was Tim’s birthday so he was given a card, and also Ray turned 80 today, so everyone in the camp signed a card, and it was presented to Ray along with his OBE (over bloody eighty) badge.
After morning tea, we had another round of Bingo, and this time Elaine won a one-liner, and two full houses, one of them the jackpot. Following lunch, Marilyn organised a Scavenger Hunt, where we all had to scour the camp, looking for one item for each letter of the alphabet. Fastest back was Judy, and the pair with the highest points was Elaine and Bob.
During Happy Hour, Carla called Ray and Tim out to the centre of the circle, and presented them with a hand decorated Caramel Pecan Cake, and their birthdays were loudly praised, before they cut the cake, and everyone got a slice.
Carla presented a homily about how helpful and caring are the men in our lives, and how we women appreciate them very much.
After tea, with most sitting around the campfire, bush poetry was recited from memory, Marilyn read more bush poetry, and Marjorie regaled us with very funny jokes she found on the internet.
Finska was enjoyed, winner was Ray, with Chris second and Marilyn third. A Round Robin, with challenging multiple sports were played through the trees. Ray was declared the winner, and Keith was second.
Some fireflies made themselves known after sunset, but it was a little early in the month to get more out. After tea, most gathered around the campfire again, and Marilyn entertained us with general knowledge trivia, with those present competing. Ron regaled us with stories of growing up in Liverpool.
On behalf of the Chapter I would like to thank Keith and Sandra for so much work they have done to make this a great campground, and for Keith’s helping hand with Tim and Ken fixing some problems with various vans, and for having hot water, showers, toilets, and a dump point, as well as a great campfire on the property.
It was a very relaxed and fun time in a very beautiful part of the Clarence Valley. Until the next time we come here, just remember the good times and LAUGH MORE, LIVE LONGER.
Regards, Don Brackenreg (Secretary).