This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
TONGUE & MEATS MID YEAR BASH......
Part One....... The shortest day of the year has been and gone and we're firmly ensconced in winter so the 5th of July was an ideal day to shed those winter-blues and get out and enjoy a little crisp, coal fresh air. Operating on “Rex-time". a small group of keen mountainbikers comprising 6 Tongue & Meats, 1 stray Hutt Valley and 1 ex-Social Convenor's mate assembled under. grey and threatening skies at the start of the Cannon Point walkway. Despite dire predictions of deteriorating weather from Lyndsay, we donned cycling apparel! and stood around awaiting Andrew's arrival. Lyndsay
volunteered to go in search of Andrew and the re st of us wate hed Gary swapping his road “slicks” for mud tyres
Lyndsay returned with Andrew and we set off up the track At this point Steve's chain gave an almighty crunch and snapped and then there were six.. I! We spun and skidded our way up the greasy track and a couple of us managed to leave a bit of skin and blood on some overhanging thorns. Whimpering noises went unheeded so we continued up the gut-busting zig-zag, puffing loudly and wishing we hadn't consumed so many beers at the Catchpole/Benbrook housewarming the night before but that's another story!!
We regrouped at the tno and were fortunate enough tn have some sight entertainment provided by an unconnected mountainbiket who came squealing round a corner and lost it tace-planting the mud. A speedy slimy downhill in pursuit of Gary followed and we gathered for a route assessment at the top of a greasy, muddy section of single track that leads to the dam Lyndsay set off in front with Claire close behind. breathing down his neck and — offering such words of encouragement as “Give it Death"ll No sooner had the words been uttered than she was observed doing a left-side headplant straight over a bank into the gorse On ascertaining that she had escaped injury, the’ remaining troops gathered on the track above regaling in fits of laughter Hysterical laughter could also be heard from the midst of the gorse bush as she was well and truely stuck and had to be pulled out by the feet! The remainder of the ride was incident free and six muddy mountainbikers returned to the cars after giving the bikes a bit of a scrub in the Hutt River at Akatarawa
The Mountainbikers were’ Anita Catchpole, Paul Driscoll, Claire Silcock, Gary Goldsworthy. Andrew McLellan. Lyndsay Fletcher, Steve Patience and Bill.
PART TWO...........
In keeping with past tradition a sizeable bunch of Tongue & Meats converged on "The Pines* for a little bit of let-your-hair-down fun and an enjoyable evening of eating and dancing was had by ail.
Some of those who are unaccustomed to straight girlie dresses and high heels fortunately managed to negotiate the extremely potholed carpark without breaking any ankles only to endure a barrage of abuse for turning up in a dress! Stranger sights have been seen before but not on a regular basis - reputations must be safequarded!! Trampers' apetites ensured ‘that little or no food was to go to waste and some people appeared to have bottomless pits when it came to the paviova and fresh fruit salad! Empty spaces filled and washed down with a beer or three and the band began to play. Some very energetic styles of dancing were noted, not naming anyone in particular........and those of us who danced the evening away were thankful when the band took periodic breaks. Time for a short sit-down or mingle for a chat another drink and then’ back to the dance+floor for another rage. An impromptu rendition of “You've Lost That Loving Feeling’ by the Chief Guide and the Newsletter Editor provided some amusement for the others at the table and their attempt at a waltz resulted in even more hilarity....not to mention crushed toes!!
According to the Treasurer, the Newsletter Editor's reputation has bean shot to pieces due to the fact that she turned up in a dress and was observed strolling around with a small baby in her arms. The baby was Paul and Marie Critchley's wee grandson, Andrew, who looked a little stunned at times by the dancing etc but he was impeccably behaved and made all of the girlies and several of the ‘blokes’ a bit mushy and clucky. Paul was spotted throughout the ‘evening cuddling and bottle-feeding young Andrew............. such a delightful picture of tenderness!!
All too soon the aching feet and tired legs told us that it was getting late and yet another successful Mid Year Bash drew to a close. Many thanks to Andrew McLellan and his social committee for organising this event.