REPORT
TIME OUT 17th ANNIVERSARY LUNCH
27TH JULY, 2017
LONGRIDGE RESTAURANT
The day dawned very cold – my goodness must still be the snow surrounding us! Up early helping Brian load the car for the exciting day ahead and we both felt the ‘nip in the air’. However, nothing could daunt our spirits – Time Out was celebrating it’s 17th anniversary with Traveltime coming in at 10 years. A monumental time in our lives – life changing – but, oh so pleasant and thrilling.
We had 44 people to lunch at a mystery venue – we had organised the lunch to be held at Longridge Wine Estate near the R44 in Stellenbosch. What a show they put on for us! We had pre-drinks (Boplaas port and a grapetiser) set out in their beautiful herb/vegetable gardens on a fabulous day! Fortunately, it was not as cold as early morning and already the tension and excitement in the group was evident!
Mel with her fabulous style then took to the podium, welcoming everyone – she regaled a few stories of love about Time Out and Traveltime and ‘recalled the past’ saying how very different things are today to the past ‘listening to Squad Cars on the radio?” / “Having your milk delivered to your door”– knowing the generation we have all come from, we all loved listening to her. Thank you again, Mel for your input.
On these days, everyone looks so forward to the presentation Brian puts together – one lady admitted to Brian this is one of the reasons she never misses a birthday celebration! Brian looks at outings over the past year for both Time Out and Traveltime; with added humour! My goodness a celebration of note, and definitely the highlight for many!
Carol then presented her annual ‘report’, thanking everyone for their support – ‘The cogs of the wheels’ that drive Time Out and Traveltime! The exciting news of Traveltime was shared with everyone giving them all the opportunity to now do bookings for Trafalgar Tours / Thompsons / MSC / Cunard (The Queen Mary amongst others) and many of our country’s top private game reserves, given that Traveltime is now a recognised agent for these companies. Carol ended her speech with the words of Mother Theresa “Life is an adventure – Dare It”
Everyone got seated at their tables and ordered a bottle of their favourite wine and waited on their starter, a winter squash soup, cocoa Chantilly and croutons served with homemade bread. The first gift draw was done. Today there is a gift for all!
For ‘Main’ there was a choice of Pan roasted Silver fish, pomme puree, garden greens & citrus sauce OR Braised free-range Beef short rib, Jerusalem Artichoke puree, Potato gnocchi & cherry on the top – Bone Marrow! The majority selected the short rib and my goodness the comments of how absolutely delicious this was – was relayed to the chefs in the kitchen who very proudly shared their secrets on how they get the beef so ‘smackingly’ delicious!
A second gift draw and everyone seemed happy with their gifts. The immense generosity of a handful of sponsors and the Time Out ladies ensured this!
After mains comes dessert – the decadent cake baked by Cakes by Henno was cut and served! I believe that with the delicious meal Longridge had served us, many tummies were somewhat full, and many little packages of cake went home to be enjoyed later.
In summing up our anniversary lunch perhaps Brenda, one of our regulars, says it all in her thank you note!
Dearest Carol and Brian,
This is a tiny ‘little’ gift for you but comes with a HUGE thank to Brian and you for your very sincere love, care and effort that goes into arranging our, always great anniversary lunches. So glad I’m part of this ‘exclusive’ family!
Thank you, Brenda, and one and all for making our anniversary celebrations so very special.
We’re counting on you all to hang in there and help us celebrate our 20th (ONLY three years away)