11th July – Saturday
Last night was the country dance, preceded by an outdoor dinner – complete with a huge birthday cake! Drinks could only be purchased after receiving a special sparkly wristband, watched over very carefully by a couple of heft security guys. After eating and before the dance, we were treated to a wonderful fireworks display, with more planned for tonight. The Lion Dancers also performed again and moved around among the audience. Les received a huge laugh when the lion backed up to him and waggled its tail in his face! The dance was the usual type of dance where everyone sits around the outside and a few actually move around to the music. The band were very easy to listen to, but the electronic tempo wasn’t quite right for dancing, not that anyone seemed to care.
First up today was to refuel and restock the wallet. The general store attached to the service station was right out of the 1920’s, with a counter and stocked shelves behind. Even the old gas lights were still suspended from the ceiling.
A parade along the main block started the day’s festivities and it was marvellous to see the whole community get involved. Whilst it may not have been as big as the Ulverstone Christmas Parade, the youngsters had a ball. Cat was a bit disappointed that there were no fire engines, though.
Out to the rodeo ground for the supposedly 11.00 am start to the activities, which eventually began about 12.15 pm. It was a day of games associated with activities on a cattle station – no horse or bull riding. The first event was a relay and the final team member had to consume a can of warm beer and eat and half frozen pie after riding his/her horse a certain distance. The team events for men, women and children continued all day, albeit somewhat slowly, and included events like calf roping (Brahman calves are nearly as big as small Jersey cows!) for both men and women, fencing, hay bale rolling, sand bagging and rooster wrestling for the kids. With strict instructions that the rooster wasn’t to be harmed, he was released and as soon as the kids took off after him, the rooster went straight through the fence, closely followed!
It was a good day, something we have never done before. Guess who had to wear his Calgary Stampede shirt???
We have also made it to Lake Belmore, which is the towns water supply and water recreational facility a short distance from town. A lovely area with freshwater crocodiles only – no salties!
Last night was the country dance, preceded by an outdoor dinner – complete with a huge birthday cake! Drinks could only be purchased after receiving a special sparkly wristband, watched over very carefully by a couple of heft security guys. After eating and before the dance, we were treated to a wonderful fireworks display, with more planned for tonight. The Lion Dancers also performed again and moved around among the audience. Les received a huge laugh when the lion backed up to him and waggled its tail in his face! The dance was the usual type of dance where everyone sits around the outside and a few actually move around to the music. The band were very easy to listen to, but the electronic tempo wasn’t quite right for dancing, not that anyone seemed to care.
First up today was to refuel and restock the wallet. The general store attached to the service station was right out of the 1920’s, with a counter and stocked shelves behind. Even the old gas lights were still suspended from the ceiling.
A parade along the main block started the day’s festivities and it was marvellous to see the whole community get involved. Whilst it may not have been as big as the Ulverstone Christmas Parade, the youngsters had a ball. Cat was a bit disappointed that there were no fire engines, though.
Out to the rodeo ground for the supposedly 11.00 am start to the activities, which eventually began about 12.15 pm. It was a day of games associated with activities on a cattle station – no horse or bull riding. The first event was a relay and the final team member had to consume a can of warm beer and eat and half frozen pie after riding his/her horse a certain distance. The team events for men, women and children continued all day, albeit somewhat slowly, and included events like calf roping (Brahman calves are nearly as big as small Jersey cows!) for both men and women, fencing, hay bale rolling, sand bagging and rooster wrestling for the kids. With strict instructions that the rooster wasn’t to be harmed, he was released and as soon as the kids took off after him, the rooster went straight through the fence, closely followed!
It was a good day, something we have never done before. Guess who had to wear his Calgary Stampede shirt???
We have also made it to Lake Belmore, which is the towns water supply and water recreational facility a short distance from town. A lovely area with freshwater crocodiles only – no salties!
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