JULY DINNER IN THE VILLAGE

This month's dinner didn't have a theme. It was a Roast Dinner Night to keep us warm. We are having a very cold snap for Queensland weather. It was 3°C this morning.
When guests arrive we pick a number out of a box and that tells us which table we are sitting at. They mix up the single people and the couples.

The two ladies at the back organise the dinner nights.

But before sitting people mingle and visit the bar run by volunteer residents. 

Friends catch up. These two couples met in the village and they had been friends years ago when their children went to the same school.

Then it was time to be seated. Our Residents' Committee Chairman is the MC.

The main course was Roast Lamb with Homemade Minted Chutney or Roast Pork with Apple Chutney. Served with Roast Vegetables.

Then we had the most interesting Guest Speaker, Alan Burrell, Managing Director of Mercy Ships. Learning what this organisation of volunteers does was incredible.  They have a fleet of hospital ships, that visit poor nations and provide surgery and health care including dentists free of charge. Did you know that 93% of the world's population doesn't have access to a doctor.

The chef, Brian Pozzey at work feeding over 90 people.

Dessert was Baked Berry Cheesecake and Rocky Road on Fruit Coulis.

At our table we had very nice residents. Rhonda in red just recently lost her husband to cancer. The other two are Carol and Rob, retired pharmacists. They love cruising and are missing it due to Covd19.

As usual, the Rochedale High Catering Students served us and cleared away the dishes as well as helping in the kitchen. 

OPEN DAY GARAGE SALE

We had open day at the village and it coincided with garage sale day in the district. So we set up tables in the shade of some of the residents' caravans/motor homes. Some set up outside their garages. It was a good chance to get rid of stuff sitting in the garage for months/years. The CEO was pleased to see so many visitors in the village, some of whom were interested in looking at units that are for sale.

One of the entrances to the village looking out towards the main road.

Each street had a central stall but some residents sold direct from their garage. We gathered together in the middle of our street. Bill is doing a good job at selling our trash as someone else's treasure.

Coffee time. We needed the shade because the temperature was in the 30'sC

Our CEO/owner bought a bike.

Bruce and Coral deliver coffee to stall holders.

Coral also drives Beryl around to see the stalls because Beryl, a very active gardener, has a sore leg.

Some of the residents manned the BBQ and sold drinks and sausages.

We had the Coffee Truck and Japanese Food truck visit and the Local Radio Station

It was a fun day and now we have more room in our garage.

LET'S PARTY

It is that time of the year when we have lots of parties or Christmas lunches or break up parties or whatever you want to call a get together of friends from various groups like U3A classes, tennis groups and village parties.

We had a street party for the people who live in Tranquil Ave in our village. We call ourselves the "Tranquilizers." It is a casual get together where we set up a few tables for food. Everyone brings their own chair, drinks and a plate to share. We had so much food that we couldn't eat it all.

It was a great way to get to know new people who have moved into the village and to consolidate old friendships. We were pleased to see that every person in the street attended.

An uninvited guest

Bill made a short video of us having fun.