Wedding Anniversary and Dragonboat Regatta at Bundaberg June 2023

 

53 years of togetherness!  David has many medals for this achievement but I wouldn't let him wear them on the night.     😇😇😇

David surprised me, thus organised the special event.  We went to a place called Amore-on-Buderim, a gorgeous self contained villa set amongst a rainforest.  It was very private and cosy, complete with a wood fire and spa.  Restaurants weren't many as it was a Monday night but he found a great little Sushi joint not far from the accommodation.  It suited me fine as I adore Japanese-type foods, not so much Dave but he sacrificed his tastes for mine on the occasion.  I felt very spoiled and special on this lovely evening.  He can and is very sweet.

In the photo below, I think I look a lot like Bev but Dave reckons Val (poor sisters)

Dave and Jean 5 June 2023

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Also during the month, our Dragonboat Club participated in one of our Wide Bay Regattas at Bundaberg which is a couple of hours North of Gympie.  We drove up on the Friday night, paddled Saturday and returned home on the Sunday.  A nice break from home routine.

Our Motel view of the Burnett River up and downstream

              

An evening view of the river

Roomies - Laura, Linda and Elaine.  We tried to avoid a selfie but anyway, here we are,  in all our glory!

Elaine and Linda are long term mates and we travelled around China together as well.  Laura is a newbie 

and she was a virgin paddler on this trip.  She is also a really keen rower and does that at another venue 

about twice a week in addition to twice a week paddling with us.  She still has a husband too!

Being SILLY - Laura and I slept in the King Size and the other two were in an another bedroom.  Laura and I were snorers.

We had raced, only over 200 metres and came in second!

Like Brown's  Cows lining up to board the boat, it's social racing so no strict marshalling.

Toni, my paddling buddy.  The protocol is we number off when we first are seated and she is the one I must save if the boat overturns.


Anyway a fun weekend was had, but no medals.  Lots of enjoyment in the way of exercise, the camaraderie with other clubs and plenty of eating and drinking with mates.  

The Wide Bay Regatta series is between 4 clubs at their home venues in the last half of the year.  From January through to March we paddle at lake Kawana with different Brisbane clubs.  It's quite a full calendar and there are also novelty events.  Recently we had a long paddle with a sister club because they were training for the marathon Ord River event in WA.  Other times we go for a long leisurely paddle with a safety boat accompanying us and the destination maybe a picnic on the bank somewhere before we go home.  It's a great hobby and easy way to exercise plus it's very social too.

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