20170414 – Friday – It Is The Day – First Day Of Camp

20170414 – Friday – It Is The Day – First Day Of Camp

After a wonderful sleep last night, I woke up feeling really well. To my surprise the flat was covered in mist and it looked as though it was going to be an overcast, cool day. Seems like the weather bureau is wrong because it is supposed to be a perfectly warm week end. .

I changed into my bathers and crossed the track over to the river’s edge and climbed down to the water, using my trusty walking stick. The water was cool but not too bad. It wasn’t long before others joined me in the water. Colin Jeffress’ daughter Julianne, I think her name is, was one, and Daniel Edgecombe and Matthew Bennett. Julianne shared her shampoo and conditioner with me, so my hair will look better than expected today!

I dressed and drove to the amenities block and took some photos of the upper flat where the majority of the caravans will be. Mark Lunn has a big van and a large set up which looks very professional. He built his van himself. He is an amazing person, well named “Gadget.” I knocked on their door and went in and sat down next to their bed and we chatted. Little Ezra was sleeping peacefully across Natalie’s chest.  Abbi and Matilda were there and Nick but they disappeared soon after to find all their friends. Nat said that it had been freezing in their van last night but Mark soon noticed that it was because realised it was he had left the vent in the ceiling open. Mark was wondering how his parents, Pauline and Bill Lunn were getting on on their trip to NZ. I was able to tell them that their plane had been delayed for 8 hours because NZ is receiving the backend of a number of tornados. How did I know? Well, Bill Lunn had posted that information on facebook. Facebook is amazing for information transfer.

When I left the Lunn’s I decided to drive to Waikerie and have breakfast at the Viewpoint Cafe. I had scrambled eggs, tomatoes and bacon and a hot cup of coffee. Lovely! I had just finished eating my breakfast and was half way through reading the Advertiser when I heard a voice, “Hello Aunty Fay.” I looked up and saw a tall man in Lycra – a bike rider. I thought at first that it was my grandson Ben H because it looked so much like him, but it wasn’t. It turned out to be Tim Hall, whom I have not seen for a long time. I showed Tim a photo of my grandson Ben, and he could see why I had mistaken him for Ben, they have the same dimples, teeth and chin, and because he was wearing dark glasses, without seeing his eyes, he looked just like Ben.

I asked Tim where he had been on his bike this morning and he told me that a whole group of the men who are at the camp have all been on an 80 k bike ride this morning! And it was not even 10 am!! There are thirteen of them all together, and they keep in touch on Whatsapp for mad keen bike riders. Tim Gore is the organizer, that is one of Kevin Gore’s boys, and he arranges where to meet and where to ride.

Those on this ride are: Tim Hall, Peter and Kym Gore, Tony Lines, Nathan Luke, David Luke, David Temple, Brad Temple, Nathan Lines, Tim Baddams, Josh Johns, Andy Arnold, Jarred Mansfield. Their group they have named “Rather be Riding.” I took photos and they named me an Honorary Rather be Riding” member for the day, and they loaned me a bike for the occasion.