Hello to all my friends at Flat Four.
            

Well it's been a long time between drinks! We've had a bit of a delay getting our web page up and running after we shut down our printed newsletter but things are on the up and up at last and I think you will agree with me that Scott has done a wonderful job with the new site.

In my first and last newsletter in February I mentioned that Amy's sister was getting married. Well she is well and truly married now and she looked absolutely beautiful in one of the most "frothiest" dresses I have ever seen!! Amy as matron-of-honour and the other bridesmaids looked stunning in what I call pearl-grey. Maddi was one of the flower-girls and she looked so cute in a long white dress with a grey ribbon around the waist that she almost stole the bride's thunder!! Of course the hit of the day (as far as I'm concerned) were the VWs from Flat Four!!
 
I mentioned that Lilly made her debut at the first Club meeting of the year but my goodness has she grown. Lilly is now seven and a half months old and weighs 10 kgs! She has been christened since then and Steve and I were thrilled to be invited to attend. It was a lovely ceremony and the day was just perfect although a little chilly. Lilly was a star as the minister announced her officially "Lilly Anne Fleming-Morris". She looked adorable in a long white christening gown with a bonnet to match that Nanna Vicki bought. There was a reception held after wards at Corrin and Stuart's home and a fantastic day was had by all.

Leanne and Dave have had some ups and downs over the last few months, what with the new motor for "Bunty" not being what they thought (but that has been sorted) and as I write this, the motor is having major work done on it. I don't think Dave can wait until it's finished so that he can pull "Ted" up a steep hill in "Bunty" without him having to worry whether he's going to make it or not!! On the other hand it's all systems go with the new house that they are planning to build in Bulli. Leanne is going crazy trying to decide on what colour schemes and the like but knowing her, the final decisions she makes will be just right and I really hope I get to see the finished product.
 
Huge congratulations to Phil and Alison on the birth of their third child, William, in April. A timely birthday present for Al' by the way! Mother and son came through the birth with flying colours and I think Andrew and Nick are two very proud big brothers and of course Phil who is once again the father of another cute little boy.

Everyone had a great time at Kangaroo Valley over the June long weekend. Yes it rained and yes it was cold at times but in true Flat Four spirit the best was made out of a bad situation! We were very lucky in that we were able to keep a roaring fire going over three nights with the help of Dan, Kevin, Murray and Dave. Saturday night was terrific with Murray and Dan cooking the perfect stew for us all. I will take time here to thank on behalf of the Club, Murray and Vicki who shopped for and carted all the ingredients and Dan who supplied (with the help of his good friend) the two pots to cook them in. As if that wasn't enough, Sunday night was dessert night and again it's a big thank you to Murray and Vicki who cooked the perfect bread and butter pudding.

On Saturday morning we trooped over to the markets and toured the local shops. After that everyone did their own thing and Steve, Kev, Amy and I had a delicious lunch at the local pub. Then it was back to the campsite where the Flat Four Bocci tournament got under way. It was great seeing everyone get into the spirit of the thing with a round robin being played, then semis, finals and eventually the grand-final match between Murray and Phil being fought out over the best of five games. Phil was the overall winner defeating Murray four games to one. He now gets to keep the perpetual trophy 'til next year when the championships will be played all over again.

It was generally understood that in the evening we would all gather at the campfire where talk, laughter and a little something to drink was the order of the night!! It was on this night that the lovely Carmen and Shane announced that they were going to have a German themed wedding and Shane got his new nickname of "Sir Longshanks"!! Don't ask, you had to be there!!

Sunday afternoon saw Amy and Kevin bring out a fabulous "princess" themed birthday cake complete with cup cakes for Maddi's 2nd birthday. Unfortunately I wasn't there for the "mouse" episode (being in Corrin's cabin watching my beloved Swans play) but it seems that Leanne had an altercation with a mouse which she demanded not to go into her tent but which completely ignored her and went in anyway!! It was very funny at the time apparently and I'm sorry I missed it but not sorry that I got to watch the Swans win again...

While I was watching the game, Corrin, Stuart, Shane and Carmen were having lunch on the verandah and I got to ask Carmen if she really was having a German themed wedding where upon she replied no they definately were not, which was a disappointment because I would have loved to see Shane in a pair of laderhosen!!

It is at this point that I have great pleasure in announcing that Shane and Carmen have set their wedding date.......7th January 2012 at the Camden Valley Inn.

Packing up on Monday was a bit of a nightmare what with the rain and the mud but we all managed to get it done eventually and were ready to leave at about the same time. Shane hooked up "Ted" to his ute (saving Dave the worry of getting up the mountain) and we all left together. We cruised up the mountain with Shane taking off first and disappearing into the mist, Pod was next with Steve and I behind then Murray and Vicki, Dan and Rochelle and Dave and Leanne bringing up the rear. Murray and Vicki overtook us halfway up the pass and revealed to us later that he had lost second gear!! Dave met up with Shane at Fitzroy Falls and the rest of us having nowhere to pull over kept on going. We eventually pulled up in Bowral and it wasn't long before Dave caught up to us and we said our goodbyes. It was an uneventful trip home after that and everyone got home safely, thank goodness.

Another great weekend away with the best bunch of people I know, can't wait now for Old Bar to roll around and do it all again!!

I can't leave it there without mentioning Rachel, Bill, Georgia and Lilly. I am sure you will join me in welcoming them into the Club. I believe they enjoyed the weekend and I know we enjoyed their company as well as Rachel's slices!!!

Well as most of you know, Steve had been building a tear drop trailer. It was finished and was supposed to make its debut at Berry. Unfortunately Berry's show got cancelled and so it made its Club debut at Kangaroo Valley. Steve and I are very happy with the outcome and it proved its worth over the weekend. We were fortunate to be able to buy ourselves a new tent from Just Kampers and were delighted that we were able to back the trailer right up to it and use it as our kitchen without getting wet!! As the rain poured it was quite a new sensation being in a tent that didn't leak!!!  As Amy said, "that has to be a first"!! Pod has our old tent and I think overall he was quite happy with it. I must say he looked very cosy sitting at his table having breakfast! I believe he will track down the leak and waterproof the tent again and get it to his satisfaction. I certainly hope so.

I would like to take the chance now to thank everyone for their positive comments when they had a good look at "Penny"! Yes we have decided to call the trailer "Penny"......'cos that's all she cost!!! It was really great hearing you praise Steve's work and not hearing one negative word. It really means a lot to both of us but as Flat Four members I guess we wouldn't expect anything less!! Everyone usually is so positive about what other members do or have or whatever and it makes us feel doubly grateful to be in this Club with so many good people who also happen to be very good friends as well.

Well I guess that has pretty much bought you all up to date except to say that I hope everyone has a great time at the cruise on the 19th (June). Unfortunately Steve and I won't be there as Steve has had some bad news concerning his Dad and he is currently visiting his family in Moruya indefinately.

I hope you have enjoyed my little sortee into technical territory, so until next time.

Keep the shiny side up.

Barb