Hello again everyone, I bet you weren't expecting another little note from me but after Sunday I couldn't resist!!

It was a day unlike any other, that is, the sun was shining!!   -   First bad omen!!

I was getting ready and Steve who had been up for ages went to get ice and custard. When he returned the deck lid went up and Steve was looking under the Bus!!   -   Second bad omen!!

Driving over to Koshigaya Park a terrible burning smell was suddenly emitted!!   -   Third bad omen!!

Pulling up at Koshigaya Park smoke was pouring out of said Bus!!   -   Fourth bad omen!!

Ringing frantically and unable to contact anyone with a tow bar for trailer.   -   Fifth bad omen!!

It was around this time that I was starting to feel very depressed. Rachel and the girls arrived sparkly and bubbly as usual and straight away offered us the use of their Colarado. Pod arrived with young Phil then Murray and Vicki turned up. After a bit of discussion it was decided to leave the Bus at Koshigaya and take up Rachel's offer of the Holden. I must admit that I lost it to a certain extent but if it wasn't for Vicki and Rachel I would have lost it completely!! Trailer in tow and seated very comfortably in the Colarado with air-conditioning on, I must say it was the best ride I've ever had to Stanwell Park!!   -   Sixth bad omen!!

Arriving at the park after an uneventful cruise we were pleasantly suprised by the amount of parking available!!   -   Seventh bad omen!!

Putting up the shelter in record time, getting everything out of the trailer, setting up banana chairs and getting comfortable again.  -  Eighth bad omen!!

Rachel and I enjoying the treats she had brought along and feeling very relaxed greeted Kevin, Amy and Maddi, and Stuart who had arrived with his Mum and sister in tow!! (Corrin and Lilly were at a party but would be coming later.) Dan was already there so things were looking good. Watching Kevin put up what looked like a cat tunnel and seeing Georgia, Maddi and "big" Lilly playing happily.   -   Ninth bad omen!!

Steve who had put the kettle on and Vicki setting up the tea and coffee but not bringing any sugar.   -   Tenth bad omen!!

Suddenly the sky began to get darker and darker, still sitting in the banana chairs the rumbling of the distant thunder started to get closer. Watching the clouds roll in very quickly and feeling the air getting cooler and cooler, hearing the thunder getting nearer and nearer and the lightning getting closer and closer, we knew it was going to be on for young and old!! Dave and Leanne turned up at about this moment and just about had time to run from their Bus to the shelter, chickens etc: in hand, just as the storm hit!!

Standing in what seemed to be a very small shelter watching and listening to the storm all around us was not mine or anybody else's idea of fun. Maddi wrapped up in a blanket, sitting in a chair, sucking on a dummy looked like she was thinking "what in the world were Mum and Dad thinking"??  Kevin was madly trying to dissemble the "cat tunnel" and Vicki suddenly realised that the cheese and biscuits were getting wet!! Those that had them had towels, rugs and blankets around them which was just as well because even though the shelter held up very well, water started dripping through the seams!! Meanwhile, Phil, Alison and the boys arrived but rightly, stayed in the car. It was about this time that someone noticed the small river of water coming down the hill heading straight for us!! When it hit it was cold and uncomfortable, nearly submerging our feet!! I really had had enough by now and made a dash for the car. Sitting in there, watching the dreadful weather and feeling quite isolated, I soon dosed off!!

The sound of diminishing rain woke me up. I looked up in time to see Stuart and his sister helping their mum to the car and I looked over to the crew to see what they were doing and much to my amazement they were eating!! I gathered up my courage and went over and over. Somehow they had managed to move the shelter, table, chairs and food out of the way of the mini flood!! I had some lovely ham on a roll and a piece of chicken as well as a cup of tea (without sugar) and felt quite satisfied. The worst of the storm was gone and it began to warm up again.

Santa made an appearance and all the kids got their Christmas stockings intact. Maddi, Georgia and Lilly were able to go back to the park and after a while we had our Chrissy pudding and custard although it was cold but enjoyable just the same. Not long after that it was decided to pack up and head on home. Bill who had arrived just in time for lunch in his lovey little Beetle, Rachel in her Ghia and Steve and I in their Colorado took off and had another uneventful trip back to Koshigaya Park. We hooked up the trailer to the Bus very disappointed that someone hadn't burnt it out or at the very least stolen it, and went back home, emitting that burning smell and sending out great puffs of smoke all the way there!!

So, this is my version of the Club Christmas picnic. I found out later that Stuart's sister who had made a dash to the loos just before the storm hit spent the duration of the storm standing on a picnic table under one of the brolley's!! Bill got lost at the roundabout coming down and Pod had to rescue him and still with Bill, he thought he had a stalker following him but it turned out to be Corrin and Lilly in the Ford!! I'll end this little rendition by stating that in all the years I've been in this Club, I can't remember it ever having rained at the Club Christmas picnic. I guess this one will be one to remember along with the one when "Macca was playing cricket and disappeared catching a ball"!! Oh well I guess you had to be there...

I can't finish off before mentioning a few things. First of all to Shane and Carmen who are getting married on the 7th January. Congratulations and best wishes for your big day. I for one truly hope the day is a beautiful one for you and that it goes off without a hitch. Is that a good choice of words??? To Amy, hope the last two months of your pregnancy aren't too rough on you and that we will see you at the February meeting. Congratulations to Amy and Jemma France who came 1st and 2nd respectively in their group level at their inter-club gymnastics comp, and to Amy, best wishes and good luck for your first year of high school in 2012.

Last but not least, congratulations to Lilly Zerafa who has been named as School Captain for 2012!

I want to thank everyone for their support, kindness and friendship this year and I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, happy New Year.

Until next time,

Keep the shiny side up!

Barb