NEWS from the EAST
Email Female (aka Kaye) of the Scarlet Women of the Camden Haven cannot believe they have celebrated their 'July' luncheon !!! Where has the year gone !!!
The food and company was fabulous at Tao's Relish by the River and it is a favourites spot to hold their regular monthly luncheons. To top off this particular day they had a visit from one of the local "prospective" politicians, who just couldn't pass up the opportunity of having a photo shoot among the bevy of beauties!!! The birthday gals for the month were Queen Linda, Rosemary and Lola.
The Bruns Babes, are situated at Brunswick Heads near Byron Bay, far north NSW. Their inaugural meeting was held earlier on this year and although they are a very small group so far they have only had a couple of outings but those activities have been lots of fun! relays Queen Marie. “We celebrated with colour themed cakes for our 2nd meeting! Our next outing is to be a visit to an art gallery in Murwillumbah followed by a nice lunch, of course!"
And what is planned for The Blue Mountains Red Hot Hattitudes with Attitudes? Going by the latest newsletter they are taking a train trip to Manly, picking up red hatter at various stations on the way to Sydney. This is always an enjoyable day and the fish and chip available at Doyles is famous. Then there is the Morning Melodies at the Joan (Theatre) at Penrith which is a monthly event and the ladies usually follow it up with lunch at the Red Cow. Queen Maureen is hosting an International Food and Games day at the Palace which sounds like another fun day. Guests are asked to bring a plate of food from another country to share and they will partake of some board games. A tour of the recently restored Town Hall at Sydney has been booked for September. This 2 hour guided tour is very interesting and the ladies will find somewhere for lunch after, perhaps at the nearby Queen Victoria Building. Again they will travel down the mountains by train.
The venue was decorated in travel posters and lots of cardboard daisy flowers adorned with pictures of different parts of the world. Everyone had bought a little gift for some Duty Free Shopping exchanges. The mood was light and welcoming and everyone joined in the fun of the day.
The M’Ladies of the Lake held a “Trip to Nowwhere” event at Queenie’s abode and the M’Ladies all came armed with their tales of travels that become the “In House entertainment”.
After gathering for morning tea in the Garden Boarding Lounge, where the birthday gals Vicki and Robyn were serenaded “Happy birthday”, Queenie, suitably attired in her Security outfit, made the “last boarding call”. Armed with their Boarding Passes, the passengers past through the security check and found their seats. Only two passengers where cautioned for flowers in their headgear. No quarantine items were confiscated!! Everyone had prepared their Passports with their usual flair, or last minute construction with a little indication on the front of places unknown. After a quick change of hats, Hostess Queenie, decked in her look-a-like Emirates hat and scarf explained the travel procedures and quiz processes that featured famous places, flags of the country and the disguised passport destinations. Captain Matilda Rose took control of the vessel.
The In-House Entertainment commenced and everyone learnt a lot more about the travel tales of the M’Ladies and also about different parts of the world, and the recommendations to visit various places should we get the chance. For the lunch stopped-over the tourist adjourned to the Cobybean Island which was decorated in hula skirts and island posters, where they availed themselves of the hospitality of the Island Maiden (Queenie in another quick wardrobe change), and partook of the selection of yummy treats. Duty Free shopping (via raffle ticket selections) took place. And then it was back to the journey for the afternoon where the travel tales continued. There were CD presentations of photos and music on New Zealand, tours around the France and Spain, a trip to New York, a slide show of a Famous Gardens tour by Madam Zelda and M’Lady Pelicano kept all entertained with her “funny things that happened” on her tour of Italy. M’Lady Tom Cat had her scrapbooks of her many trips around Australia and gave an interesting talk about her Dick Smith Tour to Innamincka and the Coopers Creek area in SA. And the most hilarious talk was (of course) Princess Pauline’s. Dressed in her beautiful kimono, which was her actual outfit for her granddaughter’s christening in Japan, she entered the room sporting also a long black wig, HUGE false, buck teeth and glasses! She carried a travel clock and supported her “tale of woe of missed flights” presentation with a photo of herself and her daughter’s Japanese mother in law, taken under a cherry blossom tree. The room erupted!! At the end of the day Queenie’A again thanked everyone for making the M’Ladies of the Lake such a diverse and fun-loving group and reminded them that she so appreciates their friendship and support.
There were 11 lovely Sisters with a Twist of Canberra at the Belconnen Morning Tea which included four new ladies who were introduced to the chatter and frivolity that comes with the group. When they kazooed at this event it was about the sunshine because it was a lovely autumn day.
Elizabeth, Jackie and Rose reported on their participation at the Gosford Red hat day, commending Queen Mother Denise and her team of helpers who put on a great weekend. With Nerida (the Naughty) and Lady Suvander also reporting on their attendance at the second gathering at Norfolk Island. The scenery was absolutely beautiful and the locals very friendly. Many shopping bargains were to be had and the entire tour was indeed enjoyed by all.
When eight brave Red Hatters ventured out to Bruce to find Ellacure Restaurant on a very cold evening, the dark night set the pace/ mood/ challenges of the activity. Princess Alison Margaret reported on the event: “The secluded location and lack of signage resulted in some panicked mobile calls with the lighting in the restaurant described as intimate, romantic, minimal, sparse and certainly challenging for mature eyes. Waiting for the chef to flame a steak was the answer to reading the menu, finding your food and where to insert your knife and fork. Our glittering ‘bling’ added another bright spot in the restaurant. In usual style we took these little challenges in our stride and enjoyed good food, cheerful waiters and each other’s great company.” 
Also on the SWAT events program was a visit to Adore Tea House in Nicholls where they specialises in tea, having hundreds of varieties such as Pina Colada, Summer Pudding, Turkish Apple etc. Of particular interest was the chrysanthemum tea ordered by Kazzy B which started as a ball of string and ended as a full flower in the pot. Fascinating! The cakes and treats were well appreciated and the savoury platter was awe inspiring. The birthday girl on the day was ceremoniously kazooed much to the bemusement, as usual, of the other patrons and a visit to some of the shops in the square finished off a very enjoyable day.
The relatively new group 'Red Hat Feathers Fun and Follies' is off and running at Molong. Their membership has quickly grown with their latest tally at over 15. They recently met at the old Court House which has been converted into a restaurant for a "Just getting to know you" affair. “A lot of good ideas came out of our meeting, the most important one being that we have fun, companionship and be aware of others who are on their own and need our friendship,” relays Queen Barb.
Queen Carolyn sends news of The Shirettes of Sydney. “Our bowling activity was lots of fun even though only a few played. Our new member Lady Pam won the event and she was quite pleased seeing it was her first time bowling. We enjoyed lunch later at Taren Point Bowling Club and then some of the members headed on to the local hospital to brighten the day of some people we know. It seems we have an increasing number of acquaintances that are having a stopover.”
It was a wonderful setting with games and prizes a good afternoon was had by all. The Red hatters vowed to put some extra effort into hats for next year as the lass that won wore a seagull with an empty chip bucket - it was so well done and typical of the area. There has been talk about bronzed lifesavers aboard boaters or boats creations for the 2011 activity??