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Bridport, one of our Chapter's favoured
spots, where we would meet for the long weekend holiday Rally. As usual
our hosts Mick and Kaye were on hand to welcome us and had in previous
days erected our beloved "Bee Haven" and prepared the log fires
and area for our comfort and well being. Therefore the Rally site had
that lived in look on our arrival.  The Rally site in the manner it was set up was a credit to our hosts, including the very much upmarket longdrops being three units side by side with privacy assured. Many members were to come in during the day with the usual laughter being the norm after setting up. Of course two disc bowls rinks were set up and there was plenty of competition taking place, being a sunny afternoon it was pleasant with a slight sea breeze assisting to cool things down a little. At happy hour our interstate guests were presented with a visitors certificate and the birthdays and anniversarys for the month of March announced and met with much acclaim. The fires, now that the fire danger period is over, were excellent with many large stumps being burnt. As we gathered around there were many tall stories and jokes being told and this was to last well into the night before we retired for the night. |
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upmarket
longdrops |
Our evening
fire |
Jim presenting
visitors certificate to guests |
Those awakening
at dawn on Saturday morning were treated to fog and mist which must signal
the start of the cooler winter weather approaching. The fire was stoked
up again and then out came the toasting forks and the kettle for cups
of teas etc for our breakfast. Due to the coolness of the morning there were many members who hung to their bed and arose only after the day had warmed a little, though it was overcast. Budgie was to show us his unusual mohawk haircut that he agreed upon to assist in raising money for the Cancer Council fund raising efforts, it bought on many a chuckle and later in the day he was to shave it all off. Whether he was embarrassed or not he didn't indicate. |
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| Budgie and Mohawk cut for charity fund | Island Trading Vessel "Southern Condor" |
Many members
elected to stroll into the Bridport shopping centre, which is some two
kilometres away from our Rally site. It is a pleasant walk and we were
to see the young trout being raised in the hatchery and of course the
gulls and cormorants were trying to gain access through the netting. Though
to no avail. We were to note the local Flinders Island trading vessel "Southern Condor"anchored in mid stream and at low tide the previous day they had unloaded cattle onto the sand and then into trucks and onto the abattoirs. Being a long weekend Bridport was very busy with the normal shopping taking place along with a farmers markets where the vegetables were quite reasonable in price. After making purchases we all drifted back to our Rally site with a few stopping to have coffee and relax and take in the ambiance of the seaside town and the excellent views out to sea and along the sandy shores. |
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Setting
up trade tables |
Margaret's
wonderful conserves |
Wooden
toys etc. |
Mick and
Kay were welcoming and booking in late arrivals then mowing the grass
around their parking lot whilst others were to set up the trade tables.
There were plenty of items; such as toys, barbecues and the usual books
and Margaret had her beautiful conserves and preserves on hand. The books
were twenty cents each with the money going to support the Penguin "Relay
For Life" get together next weekend. After lunch the ladies came together and were heavily into their craft work with Evelyn tutoring those who needed assistance. The atmosphere was quiet and it was heads down doing the craft work with just little laughter now and again. The finished products were excellent and a credit to the ladies. |
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Christine
proudly displays |
Ladies
into their craft work |
Judy showing
Collingwood colour's |
Happy hour
was upon us and we were to welcome first timers from Hobart, John &
Maria, and they were presented with a visitors certificate from the Chapter.
The drawing of the "Relay for Life" raffle took place and many
were to win excellent prizes and finally Brian and Christine were to outline
next weekends happenings at Penguin. Though not a rally 47 have indicated
they will be in attendance to do the walk in the "Relay for Life". Our Chapter raffle was drawn and again many fine prizes were won. Then we cooked our meal on the barbecues and gathered  around
the fires; even though the day was still warm. At 6:30 pm our host Kaye
was to cook yummy pikelets and pancakes with plenty of jam and cream etc,
which was enjoyed by all.Many of the football fans drifted off to watch the football and others stayed around the fire and enjoyed the company of friends and joke telling. Laughter was to permeate the surrounding area and there was much chiacking amongst members, all very friendly of course. Many drifted off to bed very late in the night with the fire and companionship being excellent. |
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Twilight
disc bowls with two rinks in action
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Sunday dawned a little overcast though warm and the
sun was to break through later in the day. Members were just relaxing
or walking into the shopping centre or riding their bikes or strolling
around the trotters track. John and Colleen were to conduct the morning
church service under "Bee Haven" which had many attendees. |
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| Graham and Dick cooking sausages | Danny and Mick cooking onions and sausages |
After our
evening meal we gathered around the fire and as darkness fell, Bob was
to entertain us with his Keyboard and John with his Guitar along with
our resident poet Peter who gave many fine renditions. There was much singing and laughter and it was very late in the evening before most members drifted off to bed with the fire intensity reducing just a little. |
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Bob on
keyboard John on guitar |
John on
guitar leading singing |
Dying embers
of our last fire |
Monday and many were
get away early for they had up five hours drive ahead of them. Others
leaving late in the afternoon and some electing to stay overnight again
before moving on. It was stated by a few that they would have to go home
to have a rest due the weekend being so full of things to do. Again special
thanks to our hosts Mick and Kaye for such a wonderful weekend and a special
thank you to Barry and Lorna for the use of their property. They issued
the invitation for any Island Wanderers to stay on their property next
time they were in Bridport, which was greatly appreciated. Finally it
was time to bring down "Bee Haven" and pack the trailer away
for our next Rally in April at Myrtle Park. |
March |
May | October |
November | December | ||||||||
To view
Rally Happenings of previous month/s click on month of choice |
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