April Happenings

April is here and it's all about preparation for Urunga regatta. The regatta is on Saturday 30th and Sunday 1st May. Titivators regatta is a great one to attend, held on the beautiful Kalang River, with plenty of clubs keen to show their prowess. It's a club favourite - always well attended, a great venue and view of the races, very well organised and run - so if you don't yet have your name on the list to attend be sure to go to the Regatta page on the website and click on the link to take you to the sign on page. If you are interested in the Saturday long distance race around the island, it's possible to join in with other clubs as an "orphan" paddler. Sunday will be the 200m races for men, women and mixed crews. We'd love to have enough men come along so that we can enter in both the womens' and mixed divisions. Come on guys, give it a go!

Thanks Marg McDonald for sharing this thought with us.

Those who attended International Women's Day celebrations in Yamba last month were treated to some interesting talks, great entertainment and food, and a very enjoyable social gathering. This month's social lunch will be at the Marina Cafe in Yamba on 21st April at 12 noon. It is on our Calendar page on the website. If you would like to come along, put your name down in the same way as for a paddling session before 18th April so that Janine can give the cafe the numbers expected.

Catching up with Special People    -   Gail Strickland
 
Recently I spent time in Victoria touring around various locations I have never visited before. 
Leaving the Gold Coast on a lovely cool wet day I thought "Great, it should be even cooler in Melbourne" – wrong, big mistake!  - so much  for my suit case full of nice warm snugly jumpers, jeans and scarves – Oh well I might have to go shopping (shame).  A few days were well spent touring around on Melbourne’s tram tracks and waterways and experiencing some very delicious food – so much for the waistline. 
Borrowing my niece's spare car and setting the GPS I had the foresight to pack along with my winter wardrobe, I set off for Phillip Island to see the penguins and more importantly my special friend and yours, Karen Morse, affectionately known as KK.  It was fantastic to stay with Karen and have lots of laughs, play cards and get badly defeated then get told to "suck it up princess", and share her busy life for a few days.  Phillip Island is beautiful and special, as is our friend KK.
Returning to Melbourne and returning the loan car to my niece the next part of the adventure began - the stress and agitation of the hire car office. Finally on the road again with the GPS set for Corawa.  OMG what a straight road with not a lot to grab the imagination. Destination Corawa was  
reached at 5p.m. – 38°C and climbing - a cold glass of wine and  Bron and Nigel awaited, how good is that - what is life without them in it?  We toured wineries, chocolate factories, ate at absolutely the best Italian restaurant ever and shared travel stories – what great friends.
I saw places with strange names, Bonny Doon (Oh the serenity) was one place that stuck in my mind.  It was a great trip and seeing special friends Karen, Bron and Nigel was just the best.
When flying into the Gold Coast on the way home and once again seeing so much beautiful green vegetation made me realise just how lucky we are to live where we do.  The constant battle with the elements to survive for those living in the places I had visited is heart wrenching. 
 
Meetings:
 
Board meeting - 14th April 1.30pm - Yamba Bowling Club Board Room
General meeting - 7th May - 10.15am - Riverboat Room, Yamba Bowling Club

Paddling times:

As of Wednesday 13th April, paddling times will change by one hour. The new times will be 2.30pm for 3.00pm on the water.
 

 A Kiwi, an Aussie, an attractive young mademoiselle and an old
fraulein are traveling in a train compartment through the Alps.
They enter a tunnel and suddenly a loud slap rings out.
When they get to the end of the tunnel there is a nice red hand
print on the Kiwi's face.
The fraulein thinks:
"I bet that young man made a move on the mademoiselle and got a slap."
The mademoiselle thinks:
"I expect he tried to grope me and got the old woman instead."
The Kiwi thinks:
"I bit thet duckhid Aussie tried to grope thet attrectuv gel and she
wecked me by mustake."
The Aussie thinks:
"Can't wait for another tunnel so I can slap that Kiwi again."

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