Brooms Head Outing – September 2023
Well, this was something different. Because most of us aren’t beholden to a 9 – 5 boss anymore, it was decided to try a weekday outing for a change. I think it worked pretty well, other than having to fit in with doctor’s appointments which so many of us are needing to do these days.
We had 11 units come into the Park, with 21 people, plus three-day visitors, Margaret,
Graham, and Don F, who were all greeted with much happiness. The carefully prepared agenda by Marilyn had to be thrown to the winds and the early setting sun, however, we managed to fit most of the activities in for the week. Most arrived on Monday and set up camp, although most awnings didn’t go up due to the Strong Wind Warning we had almost every day, which meant the early packing away of the marquee. There were many walks along the windy beach, and kites were well and truly a colourful feature for those strong enough to hold the strings. The walking group managed to snaffle plants from a garden being tended to by a kind lady.
There were Craft sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, run by Nola, making both leis for our outing, and flowers to go to the National Rally in Dalby. On Tuesday, after a group photo of those dressed in Hawaiian attire was taken, we all strolled down to the Brooms Head Bowlo to enjoy a lunch made available by the So Yummy Restaurant, with the owner coming in on her day off to cater for us. Although it was a limited menu, I don’t think anyone was disappointed in their meals. Some even went back on Wednesday for another go. After the raffles on Tuesday, there was a Hawaiian-themed trivia competition, with the equal winners being the teams of Tim and Lorraine, and Harry and Helen.
Wednesday was spent strolling around in our Hawaiian shirts and Hula dresses to compete in a ‘Travel to Hawaii’ theme contest, with a backpack holding a hat, sunnies, and a beach towel which all had to be unpacked for customs inspection, repacked, and handed to the next person to do the same. Even though the ladies had eight members, and the men only seven, the women thrashed the men 8 to 4. Just shows who does the packing in the family.
That was followed by a Hula dance competition, which Nola won comprehensively with her skirt around her ankles. There was an attempt at a Limbo Dance, but none of the bodies would bend as they used to.
Thursday was a busy day, heavily leaning into the wind to stay on foot. After a few rounds of Disc Bowls, the winning team was Marilyn, Harry, and Don T., second was Shirley, Tim, and Don B. The Washer Toss was won by Shirley, with Chris second. An entertaining wind-affected game of Finska ended up 1st Helen, 2nd Shirley, 3rd Don B. The final happy hour was held beside the President’s Coaster, mainly out of the wind.
Some had to leave Thursday, most left Friday, and some stayed on until Saturday, so the weekday event seems to work for most of us, we’ll just have to find somewhere out of the wind.
The next outing is at Ebor, 06 – 08 October. There is no power or water available for the
vans, although toilets, showers, a kitchen, and a great meeting room with a huge fireplace is on site for us to enjoy. To get there from the North, go through the village, cross the Guy Fawkes River, and as you go up the hill, don’t turn right towards the Ebor Falls, but a little further up, on the left is a free camp with toilets. There is a gate into the camping ground itself from the free camp.