The La Perouse/Kurnell coach tour on 25th May was a huge success. Not only was the weather perfect, our Hopkinsons coach driver, Gary, was very entertaining. We were amazed by how close we were driving to the various planes taking off and landing at Mascot airport, all of which Gary could tell us details of make, size, etc., but the real star of the show was Jenny, who with the help of her phone app. could tell us where the planes were going or coming from!
Also the La Perouse Museum and guided tour was so interesting. We found out that La Perouse’s real name was Jean-Francois de Galaup, comte de Laperouse, and that he arrived at Botany Bay not long after Captain Arthur Phillip’s First Fleet (we were nearly a French Colony!), he stayed 6 weeks then sailed off into the Pacific never to be seen again.
We enjoyed a tasty meal at the Yarra Bay Sailing Club before heading to Kurnell for a glimpse of the place where James Cook first landed. No one realised it would take ¾ hour to get from the La Perouse side of Botany Bay to the Kurnell side and we simply ran out of time. Thank goodness we were in a coach driving home and not our own cars, as the traffic was horrendous.
WATSON’S BAY FERRY TRIP
The 22nd June ferry trip to Doyle’s, Watsons Bay was another perfect sunny day with calm seas. Twenty of us went 17 member & 3 Guests. We had a plentiful & tasty fish & chips lunch at the wharf café, and after this many of us walked to the “Gap” where we could see numerous whales breeching out to sea. The views across the harbour to the city were also spectacular! What a beautiful harbour we have.
“Christmas in July” on the Nepean Belle
“Christmas in July” on the Nepean Belle was another wonderful outing. Cruising up the Nepean River in prefect weather you couldn’t ask for a better day with the food and service excellent. There were 34 club members on board enjoying each other’s company. Our buffet luncheon was delicious and plentiful, apart from the pork that some missed out on. We saw beautiful reflections of the gum trees in the water as we cruised up the river, disturbing dozens of beautiful little water fowl as we went along.
WOY WOY TRAIN TRIP
Yvonne Ford, Jan & Mel Gray waiting for lunch
August 24th’s train trip to Woy Woy - There were 25 members and 5 visitors on the train trip to Woy Woy. All enjoyed the pleasant scenery along the Hawkesbury River & the $10.00 lunch at the Old Woy Woy Pub. This was another great day out.
"Barefoot Bowlers - September 21st after our Gen. Meeting we had 16 members enjoy a game of Barefoot Bowls at Toongabbie Sports & Bowling Club. Few could last more than 1 ¼ hrs because it was just too hot.
OCTOBER'S ALL-INCLUSIVE COACH HOLIDAY TO MERIMBULA was a great trip enjoyed by all 45 on the coach. We saw a lot: Merimbula Aquarium/how oysters are harvested with a tasting at Wheelers Oyster Farm/Mogo Zoo, side trip on way back to Central Tilba/Drive back along Coastal Road/Town tour of Eden/boat trip where we saw whales jumping & flopping. Then across the border into Victoria to Mallacoota for a town tour, a visit to a radio bunker which was used during 2nd World War. All our site seeing was very interesting. Food was very good and plentiful, including 3 hot lunches.
Below are some of the photo's:
Jean Hill, Margaret Clark, Pat Welch, Heather Bell & Kay Withers
Elaine Birtles, Doreen Tanks, Jim & Joan Birtles , Roger & Joy Luck (friends of Les & Pat from Revesby Probus) with Les & Pat Welch at back
Beautiful Sapphire Coast scenery
Our Motel - The Comfort Inn Merimbula
Feeding time at the Mogo Zoo
Our Christmas Luncheon at the Fox Hills Golf Club was another very successful function, with all the delicious meals arriving promptly. Our tables were beautifully decorated for Christmas by members and many also dressed for the occasion. We even had Santa call by, complements of Tom & Ann Galvin and Rose Toman.
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