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A little
windy, though warm when we arrived at our New Years Eve Rally venue at
Bridport, located on the north coast of Tasmania, Mick and Kaye, our hosts,
were on hand to welcome us and had us quickly parked up. There was laughter and merriment evident as members and visitors gathered under our beloved "Bee Haven". Mick had the fires burning and the kettles boiling away merrily for a cuppa . Before we knew it happy hour had arrived and amongst our visitors and guests were Barry and Lorna the property owners who made us feel very welcome indeed. Mick outlined the events and happenings over the course of the rally and then we moved off to have our evening meal. In the evening we were to watch the movie "Smokey and the Bandit" and there was much laughter at some of the antics during the movie which lasted some two hours, then it was off to bed with some reluctance on everyone's part. |
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Our hosts
and property owners |
Mick outlining
happenings |
Settled
in to watch Movie |
Graeme was
up at the crack of dawn and had the fires alight and kettles boiling and
cleaned the toilets, these tasks Graeme would complete each day of the
Rally. Mick went off into the town centre to pick up the morning papers
for everyone. So here we were reading the paper whilst enjoying the early
morning sun that had presented this morning, which really augured for
a warm day ahead of us. |
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Aquaculture
& Wharf area |
Boat launching
facility |
Channel
out to sea |
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With such a warm morning many elected to walk/stroll
into the town centre and make a few purchases and explore the nooks and
cranny's that make up this seaside village. The aquaculture farm where
both trout and flat head fingerling are raised before being shipped out
to the various aquaculture farms in the state, was a must see. Of course
the breeding areas are heavily netted for obvious reasons. Though we were
to see where some of the sea birds had breached the netting and were feeding
very well thank you very much. |
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Looking
towards Waterhouse |
Rally check
in point |
Happy hour
relaxation |
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Then down to the foreshore to enjoy the morning
watching the tide ebb and the many small boats heading for sea to try
their hand at fishing. The scenery along the shore was excellent, this
being the reason that the area is so popular during the holiday season.
Back to the Rally area where we were to welcome more of our chapter members
and visitors as they arrived. We were to congratulate Bob & Evelyn on their 45th wedding anniversary with extended clapping and smart remarks and then it was discovered that Bob's motorhome had a flat tyre, this lead to much shiacking and laughter as the wheel was being changed. Then it was happy hour where President Graeme again welcomed all plus visitors then we retired for our evening meal before the commencement of our twilight disc bowls competition. |
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Disc Bowlers
in action |
Plenty
of Motorhomes arriving |
Bob practicing
to a small audience |
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Twilight disc bowls! we were to have much
fun and of course it was suggested that torches and other means of illumination
should be used as night fall became evident, being a full day again many
opted to retire early for the night.The remainder decided to celebrate
Bob and Evelyn's weddings anniversary, since when did this chapter require
a reason to party on? Never! under the colourful lights of "Bee Haven"
with singing and merriment and finally John and his guitar ended a wonderful
evening of entertainment. I hope the cattle in the nearby paddocks didn't
mind the noise and merriment! There were quite a few who were late arising this morning, the day was sunny with just a slight sea breeze that kept the area nice and cool. Members were Motorhome hopping, so to speak, having a chat and again you could hear plenty of laughter, John and Jenny went off for a round of golf and others drove out to the Waterhouse conservation area and checked out the camping spots by the sea. |
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| Our Crafty people having a relaxing afternoon | |
Card games
were the go in the warm afternoon sun with Bob practicing on his Organ
for entertainment later in the night, wherein he will no doubt show us
his full repertoire of songs etc, others were working on their crafty
items and chatting was subdued with members appreciating the cool sea
breeze that had wafted in. The twilight games tonight was gum boot throwing and what a laugh; those who thought they could throw a long distance found it more difficult than they thought. Laughter and shiacking was the order of the evening and even when darkness arrived members were still trying to perfect their throwing. A packet of sweets were won by our longest distance gum boot thrower's Brian in the men's section and Kaylene in the woman's section. They both then offered their sweets to all, and excellent gesture on their part. |
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Members
in action Gum Boot throwing competition
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Ali practicing
for New Years Eve |
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We awoke
to another fine day and it was time to prepare for our eggs and bacon
plus toast breakfast charging a token fee as a fundraiser for the penguin
"Relay for Life" Cancer Council fundraising event. Poached or
fried and Jim was to take a bit of shellacking in a humorous manner for
being a bit slow with the eggs, Dick had no trouble keeping up with the
bacon nor Eddie with the toast. All washed down with copious cups of tea
or coffee. One of our visitors was handing out chocolates to be consumed
after breakfast a nice gesture indeed. |
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| Breakfast of bacon and eggs plus toast being prepared | |
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Being the last day of the year many just relaxed
around the camp and others strolled into town and along the beach's, even
though the temperature had climbed dramatically. Many went off to have
a snooze after lunch in anticipation of the celebrations this evening
to welcome in the New Year. Before we knew it happy hour arrived and after
the usual discussion and chatter the evening meal prepared by Mick and
Kay was laid out to be served by volunteers from the Chapter. |
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Ladies
waiting to serve |
Smiles
all round whilst being served the evening meal
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Arriving
at the end of the line |
Enjoying
the evening meal |
Serving
sweets |
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What a wonderful meal consisting of cold beef
and ham with hot vegetables and or salads, there was more than enough
for those really hungry. Then it was time for the traditional lament of
the bagpipe bag which was suitably piped in by Graeme and the reading
of the history of the event by Jim. Then it was time for sweets and wasn't it wonderful consisting of ice cream, jellies galore and many different fruits, again there was plenty for everyone and plenty left over. |
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Graeme
with Pipers Lament |
Jim reading
traditional story |
Glen entertaining
us New Years Eve |
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Then it was time to start the celebrations
for the end of year, Glen was to entertain us with a fine variety of music
during the evening which lead to much dancing and laughter which was to
ring out across the paddocks. The cattle where to come to the fence line
to find out the source of the noise to there usually quiet surrounds.
Some thought this hilarious and suggested maybe one should be captured
and placed on the spit. Finally, midnight arrived and 
there were conga lines, party poppers and sparklers and plenty of noise
to welcome in the new year. The usual welcome tune for the New Year was
sung and much hugging and kisses and congratulations was the order of
the night. It was a very early morning for many though there was a steady
stream of members going off to bed just after midnight.New years day dawned sunny with just a slight breeze with members taking some time to arise, the eggs and bacon breakfast was cooked from 7:30 am to 9am. However, most arrived for breakfast at 8:30am some slightly hungover and they were to suffer some shiacking due to the condition of their health. Many were to laze around for the rest of the day with others going out for walks along the foreshore and a few heading off for a few rounds of golf, they were reluctant to disclose their scores, then others were to travel out to the Barnbougle Golf House for lunch, which by all reports was excellent. |
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| Looking towards Bridport from Barnbougle | John and Graham playing golf at Barnbougle |
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We
were to have a few members leave today due to work commitments and it
was sad to see them go, the happy hour came and the numbers were reduced.
though it still was an excellent outcome for happy hour. Mick and Kaye
indicated that there was still plenty of cold meat and salads plus ice
cream and other sweets available from last night.