March
Tuesday 20-27Marion Bay Caravan Park
Ph 88544094
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Joy and Murray at Marion Bay
Marion Bay Trip Report
This was the first outing with ARPA for Don and myself and we weren’t quite sure what to expect. We arrived at Marion Bay Caravan Park on Tuesday 20th March and was greeted by Bob & Margaret B who introduced us to the rest of the Group at the ‘Happy Hour’ that same afternoon. We were to learn later that ‘Happy Hour’ occurred at least three times daily, sometimes four. The Camp Kitchen was a first class venue for people to get together and it was well used. The rest of the Park was of a reasonably high standard especially the powered van sites which comprised a concrete slab for the van and, in most cases, a large matted area formed from what appeared to be all weather tennis court material.
The weather was fine and remained that way except for Thursday which was very hot and stayed hot for most of the night, then rained on Friday morning! 36 members and 2 visitors attended.
Between Happy Hours there were plenty of activities, beach walking, preparing fishing tackle, just plain talking, golf practice and of course the fishing. Each day, from mid afternoon, most of the group headed off to the adjacent beach to hopefully catch a feed of fish and perhaps land the winning catch. I am a rank amateur at fishing and managed to catch two small mullet for the whole week (out scoring Don who only caught seaweed) but for the technically minded the catch details are:
Roly B won the yellow jacket for the longest fish. (53.5cm Snook)
Joy T won second prize. (37.6cm Whiting)
Congratulations Roly and Joy.
120 fish were caught by the group on Friday. (Record)
368 fish caught for the week. (Also a record)
Don C caught a shark which was cut up and shared by the group.
Tom F smoked some fish which, to all reports, was delicious..
Thursday night the group went to dinner at Rhino’s Tavern, Stenhouse Bay. We were served the largest schnitzels I have seen for a
long time and many required ‘doggy bags’ for the left-overs.
Margaret and Bob celebrated their 49th Wedding Anniversary at the dinner. Congratulations.
Ross M had the misfortune to hit a roo on the way home from Stenhouse Bay. Luckily there was very little damage but watch out for a brown roo wearing a black fog light cover in that vicinity.
Friday night was Games Night. Not everyone attended but those who did, played a variety of games including Draughts, Rummy, May I, Threes, and a game new to me with a strange title, Oh Something! Comments by Bob B and Bob J added to the evening merriment.
Saturday morning the raffle was drawn and drawn and drawn. First prize (14.5volt Ryobi drill kit) was won by Ross M but there were 18 other prizes to be won as well. Thanks to all those who donated prizes.
Sunday morning Happy Hour was special. Margaret B and Rae B cooked scones, and Devon-shire Tea was enjoyed by all. A big vote of thanks, Marg & Rae.
Don and I had to leave on the Monday because of a prior golf commitment so we missed the last day and night which we understand was also pretty eventful. Nancy had the group in raptures with her recital of the poem ‘Motionless’. Our thanks go to the Park Managers who supplied cheese, biscuits and wine to top off the evening and a great week.
Thank you to everyone for making us feel very welcome.
Happy Easter to all. Jenny Butler (new Member)
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June Friday 22-29
Berri Caravan Park
Ph 0885823723
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Group
Berri Trip Report
The roll up for the week was 39 members plus 2 visitors, Les and Rae.
Over the week only 11 “Fish” (carp) were caught and even these did not bite readily, however a great time was had by all.
Don L. and Ruth A. enjoyed birthdays during the week.
Saturday pm. we fished Martins Bend and Tuesday took lunch and tried the river just past Lock 4. The rest of the week various spots along the river banks were tried.
Thanks once again to Marg and Rae for the scones, jam and cream enjoyed by all for afternoon tea on Sunday.
Sunday evening Manageress Kay gave a talk on the establishment and ongoing management of the Berri Caravan Park, which is a community venture, followed by a very interesting talk by John from the Hook, Line and Sinker shop at Berri.
Monday night an enjoyable quiz show was organised by Bob and Claire and won by the team of John and Maureen, Don and Jenny and Les and Brenda.
Our night out was at The Big River Tavern where we dined on beautifully cooked beef schnitzels.
Thursday evening and our last meal together was a BBQ cooked by Don, Colin and Les Thanks boys. 100 snags, 40 patties, 2 kg onions and 2 loaves of bread were consumed by the multitude, as well as a small amount of internal embrocation.
Roger won longest fish, 44cm.
Jeanette won longest ladies fish, 42cm.
Winner of the raffle was Jenny.
Friday morning saw us all hail and hearty and packing up, saying our goodbye’s and looking forward to our next trip to Point Turton in November, 22nd – 29th.2007.
Many thanks to Bob and Marg and their helpers for a job well done.
Les and Brenda.
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November Thursday 22-29
Point Turton Caravan Park
Ph 88545222
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Point Turton Trip Report.
A great venue for our end-of-year safari - the combination of a good caravan park and genial hosts, makes for a successful and enjoyable stay.
The weather on the temperature front was good: mild days and nights - however the wind, except for one day, was on the strong side of breezy. However, this had the benefit of keeping the local and friendly flies at bay. It's an ill wind that blows no good!
As to the fishing!!! A total of 268 fish of various sizes from very small to not really big were landed with (as usual) Colin collecting the Men's Trophy and prize for the most fish caught during the year with a net bag of 125. Congratulations! Joy T won the prize for the heaviest fish caught from the jetty at Point Turton, and with a total of 44 also earned the Ladies Trophy and prize for the most fish for the year, with Claire J being runner-up with 35 fish. The "Yellow Jacket" and prize for the longest fish went to Roly B.
Although the fishing was not as good as most would have liked, the "Pleasure" aspect was first class.
Most of the group were "lined-up" for morning tea each day and for a quiet Happy Hour each evening. It seemed on occasions that one would run into the other! There were several well attended casual barbeques and on Monday evening we proceeded to the new Tavern on Turton for a more formal meal. What a view - a magnificent outlook taking in the whole bay. The work put in by a number of people to make the evening enjoyable for all was appreciated. The table decor - balloons, individual clown fish in blue and orange complete with photos and name tags represented considerable thought and effort. A relaxed evening and a good meal.
The Raffle Draw could have been seen as having been "rigged" with several names netting multiple prizes. In the finest sporting tradition these multiple winners donated their surplus winnings to be re-drawn. Joy T won first prize in the raffle with the booby prizes causing some embarrassment and hilarity.
Our collective efforts at emulating the choir of Hard Knocks was led by Kath who also assisted Margaret in conducting a unique version of Bingo.
A total of 36 members attended with Roly's sister Pat and husband Warren as visitors. With Roly's cousin, Les and Brenda in the group, it looked a little like a family reunion, and it is hoped that Pat and Warren join us on future trips.
Malcolm and Jenny hosted our final night barbecue and donated some of the prizes awarded during the evening. A few drinks were consumed and our ladies once again provided a wide variety of salads.
This was of course the group's third trip for the year and the ongoing success and enjoyment of our activities doesn't just happen. Considerable thought, planning and effort is put in by, in particular, Margaret and Bob, and to you "Both" our sincere thanks - your continuing enthusiasm and contribution is very much appreciated.
Bob Jenssen
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