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Autumn brings wintry conditions along with beautiful tones as the various trees shed their leaves during this period of the year, Myrtle Park is a classic example of this occurrence. The area is a large camping and picnic ground located on the St Patrick's river where we were to hold our May Rally. Upon setting up many of us went walkabout to admire the grounds and its many examples of differing hues and trees blending in with the river and of course try to spot off the Platypus and Trout that abound in this area. |
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| Autumn tones of Myrtle Park | St Patrick's River flowing fast after rain |
Budgie had bought along a trailer load of wood and he set the fire in the three rotational fire places under the rotunda, then up went our beloved Bee Haven, out with our chairs and then we sought shelter from the cold wind and intermittent showers. As usual we were happy to meet up once again with our many friends within the chapter, and made each arrival welcome with the three kettles boiling away to make them a cuppa. |
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A few of Motorhomes near Hall |
Graeme & Bob in deep discussion |
Strange looking Toadstools |
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Brian was seen to rotate the three fires to ensure that later in the night all enjoyed the heat as conditions weather wise deteriorated, many were off to their motorhomes to keep the chill of the night at bay and it was lights out to listen to the rain fall upon our roofs. At about 3am there was an almighty gust of wind that woke most of us, for it shook the Motorhomes and teemed down with rain. When we awoke later on the Saturday morning we were to discover that our Bee Haven canopy had collapsed along with Peters annexe to his pop top van, one of the steel holding down pegs had gone missing and just could not be found. Someone happened to comment that it was probably on the roof of the Rotunda, sure enough on inspection there it was imbedded in the tin roof and when we retrieved it there was a large cut in the roofing iron. Being a resilient lot it didn't take long to re-erect both items and have the kettles boiling for breakfast. |
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| Brian rotating warm fire | Visiting Leprechauns & Gnome |
Members were still arriving mid afternoon and several who only came out for the day. Patrick and Julie came along with their daughter who was visiting from England, Debbie was made most welcome and invited to join in activities. We were to discover many colourful Toadstools of the non edible variety and Julie in her usual jovial manner produced Gnome's and Leprechauns and placed them on the various Toadstools. It was a wonderful display and many took the opportunity for a photo shoot. President Ian at our happy hour outlined our entertainment for the evening and announced that there would be barbecue for our evening meal supplied by the Chapter. This was met with much acclamation, it never fails to amaze that irrespective of weather or other factors members remain jovial and much laughter emanates from around the Rally site. |
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Leprechauns conducting their own Rally along with a Gnome |
Brian was to stoke up the fires and our Chef's manned the barbecue cooking many kilo's of sausages and hamburgers, its this little extra effort that makes the Chapter members appreciate the work carried out by our committee and adds to the camaraderie of the occasion. The weather was getting colder and the wind was picking up again and there was intermittent showers which had people rugging up, so to speak, to keep out the cold. After our meal we all headed for the warmth of the hall and our entertainment for the evening and what a night it turned out to be. |
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| Warming up prior to barbecue | Our Chef's preparing to cook, note scarf |
Members at our last Rally were requested to bring along a plate for supper and the spread when laid out was enough to feed a small town. All types of finger food and plenty of hot water for a cuppa, though not all felt that tea or coffee was appropriate and continued to imbibe. |
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| Lining up for evening barbecue | Strange game though enjoyed by all |
Members settled into four groups playing that strange dice game that seems to bring forth much laughter and much chiacking, it is a game that lasts for over an hour and is most popular with the Chapter. Doug was then to entertain us with his excellent repertoire of songs, which again was well received. Its great that Doug without request goes out of his way to entertain us with his music, he is quite skilful and contributes to the overall success of the many Rally's that he attends. |
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| Contemplating outcome of spin | Doug entertaining us |
Our chapter is made up of many people from different walks of life and of all age groups, so when a member reaches the ripe old age of 80 (or should we say young) then it is time for a special celebration. For instance there is John who is 84, Audrey 83, Madge 81 Clarry 81 plus Dick who has just turned 80 who are our eldest members and all highly respected. We have much younger members and with the exception of John both Clarry and Dick still drive their Motorhomes to the various Rally's and travel interstate as well. At times it is easy to forget their ages for they are so agile and switched on. |
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| Our Birthday Boy Dick | Miss De Vine |
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Dicks birthday cake |
Dick and Miss De Vine |
Graeme on Bagpipes & Eddie on extinguisher |
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A special occasion it was, for Dick contributes to the welfare of the chapter by manning our Rally registration desk and conducting the many raffles raising income required to assist in running the chapter. When it comes to volunteering for whatever Dick is one of the first to be there. Given this, the committee arranged a special birthday bash to celebrate his 80th birthday and to recognise the contribution he makes to the Chapter. |
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| Eddie & Kaye with cake | Inspecting the cake |
There were many who made a personal contribution towards the success of the party including Kaye who made a special Birthday cake for the occasion, lets not forget to mention the beautiful collage of photo's of Dick over the years put together in a large frame plus the special birthday card signed by all members. Patrick, who presented a present on behalf of members and Dicks daughter Ally who had made a quilt embroidered with many of the chapter happenings along with photo's of many members, which she proudly presented to her father. How could we forget Miss De Vine who made such a great entrance which caught Dick by surprise. Graeme our Bag Piper entered the room playing happy birthday and Kaye carrying the beautiful cake closely watched by Eddie in his fire fighting turnout and extinguisher. We wondered if the fire extinguisher was in case of fire or the fact that Dick had become a little overheated in the presence of Miss De Vine. There was much laughter, interjections and tasteful comments that went to make it a memorable occasion which we are sure that took Dick by surprise. Finally, before the cutting of the cake Denis presented an O.B.E. award to Dick for his contribution to the community and the Chapter. Then Denis announced that the award was for Over Bloody Eighty, which bought forth much more laughter. All of us then retired to the supper room to sample the beautiful spread and of course have a piece of Birthday cake which was wonderful. Well done Kaye! Then it was time to retire for the night |
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| Early arrivals for supper | Embroidered Quilt of Tasmania made by Kay our interstate visitor |
In the early hours of Sunday morning we suffered another wind gust that had the motorhomes rocking due to its intensity, of course this was followed by heavy rain. Luckily we had packed away Bee Haven and battened down in the likely hood this may occur. Though on our arising later in the morning the sun was once again shining and the ground was relativity dry, though the river level had risen considerably and was not suitable for trout fishing and certainly to cold for swimming. Again we gathered around the fire and with kettles boiling for a cuppa and had a good old chin wag. Many are leaving this Rally going straight to the Spirit of Tasmania Ferries bound for the national rally being held at Barcaldine shortly and others are leaving later in the week for outback Australia and Queensland. So again there was a reluctance for members to depart for it had been such a wonderful weekend despite the inclement weather we suffered occasionally. Many were to leave later in the afternoon with a few electing to stay over another night before heading for home, isn't it wonderful when you have the choice of staying, leaving for home or going on to other areas of the state. How can we forget the special quilt made by our interstate visitors Kay, proudly displayed by her husband Lance,depicting their time and travels whilst they have been in Tasmania over the preceding five months, an excellent memento indeed and something they can be proud of, for we think it was a wonderful way of expressing what they thought of our State. An extremely good Rally and we must acknowledge our hosts Denis & Trix for their efforts in providing an entertaining weekend. Our Chapter now has nearly 75% of its members travelling interstate for the winter months. The next Chapter Rally will be the annual Damper cooking and gum boot throwing competition at Chain of Lagoons on the east coast. Though it will be a small gathering it will still be entertaining and the friendship will continue. Our webmaster and his good wife leave this week for outback Australia and though there will not be further chapter happenings posted to the web until September you are invited to share their experiences by clicking on their web page located in Rally Happening on the index page and then go to their Outback Travel Diary |
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