Hi Everyone,

Well another month has been and gone and still I don't have a lot to tell but I guess that's why we decided on calling this column "bits"!!

Our last monthly meeting was held on Sunday (11th) and it didn't get off to a good start!! We were fifteen minutes late getting started due to some of our members still eating their meals which were late getting to the table!! We had some guests there too, so this didn't give a good impression but they managed to have a bit of a laugh, thanks to Dave. Neil and Carmen (last name unknown) were an older couple (like Steve and I) who obviously love their Volkswagens. They have a '69 Beetle as well as a Tiguan which they are currently driving and Neil is fixing his daughter's Golf. The other guest was Ken Davies who some of you may know from our 'Shootouts'. He owns a '72 Beetle, '72 Type 3 and a new Beetle. Jeff (who was at our last meeting) was there also.

The meeting started off with Dave telling the story of our cruise to Berrima. This also would not have made a good impression as this trip was all about Steve and I breaking down!! Please read Dave's story, it's a heart breaker!! After this, Dan told us of his trip to Gympie. It sounded like they had a great time, seeing things like a pod of whales and dolphins and some wonderful places as well. 

 
We all had a bit of a laugh when I mentioned my "date" with Scott!! Of course everyone wanted to know how it went and for those of you who don't know, Scott took me to a Swans game as a belated birthday present. I'm sure you all know what a mad Swans fan I am so this was a dream come true for me and Scott was perfect in every way. Naturally there were jokes aplenty but my favourite was me being called a "cougar"!! Oh and the highlight of the day...........the Swans won!!!

I have been given permission by Dave to print this so I am pleased to say that Dave and Leanne have sold their house!! It's probably one of the quickest sales I've ever heard of I have to say.......it went on the market on a Friday and got sold the following Tuesday!! They're going to have to rent for a while but then when they get the go ahead they will build their new home down the coast.

The third thing that would not have left a good impression was the fact that Leanne, much to everyone's amusement, forgot to bring the raffle tickets!! Consequently there was no raffle this month and the prizes will be held over til the next meeting which by the way will be held on the 9th October, the week after Old Bar.

I am so disappointed because Murray won't have his teardrop trailer ready for Old Bar. It seems that the painting of it will take longer than the actual building of it!!! I do know that all the internal work has been done but as Murray is using marine paint, it has to be primed, undercoated and painted. It doesn't sound much but each coat has to be left for a week before the next coat goes on and then when the marine paint goes on it has to be left for two weeks before the second one goes on, so by doing the maths............there certainly won't be any time to have it finished before the long weekend in October :(

Speaking of teardrops, apparently our own teardrop will be making an appearance in the next issue of VMA!! We are still waiting to have this confirmed but if this is the case then Steve and I are very excited!!

Two of the youngest members of the Club, Jemma and Amy France have done themselves and their family proud by competing in the State Gymnastics Competition. Amy came equal 2nd overall in her level division and Jemma came equal 1st in hers. I'm sure you will join me in congratulating both girls on their wonderful performances. Well done kids.

"The Bus is back"...........these were the immortal words of Dave announcing that Leanne's Bus is back on the road!! It's been quite a while but boy is it worth it. "Bunty" now has her new motor and gear box which Dave assures us is unreal and Shane's tinware is awesome!! Unfortunately Leanne can't drive her yet as she has a bruised sternum, the result of a skiing accident. I have to say, when the meeting was over and we went outside to have a look at the work which had been done, we were all very impressed. The paintwork is fantastic and as usual Shane has done a fabulous job.

At last I can finally tell you that Corrin and Stuart's new dining room was shown on "Better Homes and Gardens". "BHaG's" got in touch with Corrin after she and Stuart entered a competition and they got their dining room decorated by Tara Dennis. If you missed it you can catch the video still on the website at http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/tv/-/watch/26631160/better-homes-and-gardens-sat-17-sep-series-17-episode-33/ (8mins 16 secs into the video).

While I'm on the subject of "celebrities"........on "Classic Restos" with Fletch, I saw Steve and Murray's big noggins as large as life on tele. I'm guessing TVS will replay this episode on the weekend but as a few of us will be in Canberra we won't get to see their fifteen minutes of fame again!!

Kevin, Amy and Maddi have gone off on holidays today. They're off to Bundaberg for a few weeks and will meet up with those of us who are going to Old Bar. I hope they have a wonderful time, poor Amy has been very ill with her pregnancy and Kevin had an infected eye last week so I'm sure they were looking forward to this time away.

Well I guess that's all the "bits" I have for this month. If you have anything you would like to share, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me, I'd love to hear from you. I only have one more thing to say now and that is..............

GO SWANNIES!!!

Until next time,

Keep the shiny side up,

Barb