On the first Tuesday in November there is a horse race called "The Melbourne Cup" which is very famous in our country and overseas in the racing world. Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and the whole state has a holiday on that day and at 2:00pm the whole nation stops work and watches or listens to the race unless they work in emergency occupations.
Those who attend the race or race parties all dress up. Some in beautiful clothes and a fascinator or crazy hat, some dress in carnival clothes. We had a Melbourne Cup lunch in the community centre put on by the staff. We had delicious prawns, chicken and salads with bread rolls. many dressed in their best with a fascinator or hat. One of our residents, Annie, makes the hats and rents them out for $10:00 and she donates the money to a dog shelter.
Since retirement, I have not had any public holidays during the year, but my beloved does. So we went to our normal lunch shop, wearing elegant hats to mark the special day. Your ladies really DID look cute.
ReplyDeleteA fun day there Diane. You all look good and congratulations for Bill.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun. Being part of a sweepstake adds that extra excitement.
ReplyDeleteYou look like you were dressed for Derby Day, in black and white. It looks like it was a fun lunch and celebration.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun event for you all get dressed up and wear those fancy hats.
It is the same with the Preakness race here in Maryland.
Love the photos! Take care, happy Friday! Have a great weekend.
Oh, it sounds like so much fun!! You know how to have fun Down Under! Those hats are great.
ReplyDeleteLove the hats. We have something similar on Grand National Day, though I think it's less universally popular than it was - and I've never worn a hat for it!
ReplyDeleteI only see these type hats on TV sometimes at the races and other places they wear them on the world news. I did not see you ladies on world news, but you deserved to be there. too cute.. hope he shared the 60 with you. great idea to raise funds for the shelter
ReplyDeleteLOVE this!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on winning some hard cash.
Everyone looks so fancy, especially you and your honey.
What a fun tradition.
Sue
Fun event and I love your hat, Diane. I was never a hat wearer as I have a big Irish head and hats never fit me well.
ReplyDeleteSounds a fun time, did you make your own hat?
ReplyDeleteDiane, the hats were fun to see and how nice to read that the rental fee is donated. You and Bill looked great and nice to see those winnings.
ReplyDeleteLove all the different hats! Fun Annie photo!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
Looks as fancy as Ascott Lady Diane !
ReplyDeleteAs a person who was involved in racing for most of my early life, I well know of the Melbourne cup. It sounds like you had lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteMy final eye check up is 1 December but I think all is well. The only change is from having never worn glasses, I now need them for reading which I find annoying, but the surgeon did tell me that would be the case. At least the cataracts have gone!
Keep well, t'other Diane
Haha had to laugh at the last photo. How clever you all look with these hats. Yeah the Melbourne cup is wellknown here and we have our own cup day this week. The people here also dress up like you do
ReplyDeleteA very impressive Melbourne Cup lunch. This year I went hiking at Springbrook with a friend. We decided a fascinator might not be appropriate. You and Bill could well have won the Fashion on the Field contest.
ReplyDeleteYou ladies did justice to the occasion in those fantastic hats. A win is always a bonus.
ReplyDeleteHi. I'm new here and having a look around your blog. Love that Bill won 60 bucks and funny about the friend trying to take it. Good bit of fun. Cheers, Ivy.
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