OUTING REPORT
Time Out is 18: Celebration held at Atlantic Beach Country Club / Thursday 26th July 2018
(239 trips with 6519 passengers (Time Out) and 131 trips with 1386 passengers (Traveltime)
GOOD REASON TO CELEBRATE for sure with stats like the above, everyone boarded the coach in Constantia at 09h30 and Tableview at 10h15. Many could have guessed we were not going very far, leaving the city at these times. And RIGHT THEY WERE – only just down the road from Tableview to the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate in Melkbosstrand.
A banner at the gate welcoming Time Out and Traveltime to the Estate set the tone for the happy day to follow. Enthusiastic drivers of golf carts were waiting to take the ladies up the ramp (if they didn’t feel like walking!) and soon we were all out on the patio enjoying a welcoming sherry or juice and enjoying taking photographs.
Our theme for the day was BLING and initial reaction was “I don’t wear Bling” “Oh No Carol”!!! BUT on the day, everyone excelled themselves. This was ably assisted by Bridget who bought a card of silver stickers from the Crazy Store which were such a HIT. Very shortly everyone was sporting silver glitter on their foreheads / noses – thank you Bridget – a lovely touch!
At 11h30 we were all called inside & the Singing Companions did their musical numbers. Musical hits from Ag Pleez Daddy to Mein Herr seemed to be the most popular and were upbeat and funny; also Charlie Chaplain who, being someone we all know, added to ‘his’ performance! Rosemary who at 93 sang “Can’t get a man with a Gun” and “I love a Piano” added to their musical rendition.
Then Mel very ably introduced everyone to the luncheon – thank you Mel for your consistence and just for being You – you are indeed very special to us all. Carol followed with her thanks and her speech taking everyone through the 3 phases of women. Certain people who contribute to the smooth running of the trips were thanked – Heather and Elaine for getting the Constantia bus list always running efficiently. Carol also called up another angel – Ingrid Fearns who quietly and without making a fuss, extends her love & caring to many on the outings – Brian then offered his video presentation on the activities of past tours – something which is always SO enjoyed by all!
Sadly, we had to start this presentation with a report on the life of Ronnie Vogt who passed away just 2 weeks before our luncheon. Ronnie has been such an integral part of many of our outings and will be surely missed. Our condolences to Marie and family – a fantastic gentleman – we were all so very fond of Ron!
Our starters were then brought to the table
Panzanella salad with pan fried ciabatta, tomato, olives, basil leaves, capers and marinated peppers
Butter lettuce salad with grilled pears, roasted baby beetroot and goats cheese
Caesar salad with garlic croutons, bacon bits and roasted garlic mayonnaise
Mains were served Buffet Style
Grilled chicken supreme with spinach and feta crust and mushroom veloute
Roasted sirloin of beef with a mustard and herb crust served with sides of
Oven roasted seasonal vegetables with garden thyme
Honey and thyme glazed butternut and parsnips
Roasted baby potato with garlic and parsley butter
Dessert was brought to the tables
Black forest tiramisu
Churros served with chocolate chilli ganache
We had fun calling all the BLING contenders up and having our competition! Ingrid, Jenny and Tinie had the task of deciding who had the MOST ORANGE STICKERS on them and very shortly the winners were announced.
HEATHER won the competition for the lady with MOSTEST BLING, followed by LINDA & LAURA (who very cleverly came as Hollywood Bling wearing a swimming costume wrap – and looked fantastic)
The winners were all awarded their prizes for their efforts – I personally believe there were more than these 3 who had made the effort, and all deserved to be prize winners! Thank you, one and all, for the great effort which in turn added to the overall tone of our day making for a HAPPY, FUN day!
Small goody bags were presented to everyone with the main gift being a luggage label encouraging everyone to travel more in the coming year.
Atlantic Beach Country Club, you guys really excelled yourselves today– Matthew (chef of note) & his team; all the waitrons who were at our beck and call, and Abigail (who sadly is leaving to move to JHB – your efficiency at the Country Club will be sorely missed) & Mariska who were the backroom girls making sure everything was noted with fantastic efficiency.
So, it’s onto the next year – our 19th year of day tours and 12th year of ‘away’ tours – may they continue to bring much joy and happiness to all who join us.
We have many challenges ahead of us – The economy is forcing us to re-look at the way we do tours as prices have sky rocketed almost out of control – our daily challenge is to try to get ‘as many’ people as we can out there to enjoy ‘what we all enjoy!’
THE WORLD IS A BOOK AND THOSE
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