Letters to Ann

Dear Ann,

Two months ago it was announced at Prime Timers that there was to be an outing by bus to Chichester Dam, which supplies Newcastle with some of our water. At various intervals outings are arranged, but I have never felt inclined to take part in them.

However, when told of this one for some reason I made a snap decision to take advantage of the offer. One of our members, Terry, a lovely lass, was in charge of the bookings that could be paid in two installments, but I was flush with money in my wallet, so I went up to Terry & paid outright on the spot. Whereupon Terry announced to all & sundry that Dawn was the first one to pay in full & therefore I get the front seat!

So on the 31st October we were all assembled at our venue when Joan marched us down to the corner where the bus was to pick us up. The driver, Paul, pulled up right on time & we were underway by 8.30 a.m.

I must admit that the night before I really didn’t feel like going, but by the time I was on the bus I felt very relaxed & looking forward to what the day might bring.

It was a cloudy morning, not very warm & I actually did have the front seat. Maybe after Terry’s fun announcement that’s why everyone passed it by! Sandra came to sit beside me & away we went.

We travelled through the closer country towns that I had frequented quite often, but we were soon out in the more rural towns, passing by Tocal Agricultural College where David spent a couple of years until he decided it was not for him. Although he did manage to mow down the Headmasters Mulberry Bush before he left, which did not endear him in anyway to the Headmaster!

Dawn at Chichester Dam

We drove on to a lovely little old township called Paterson where Paul pulled into a park where we all alighted. Paul then set about making us tea & coffee from the urn stored in the baggage department under the bus. Within ten minute he had everything ready for us: a hot drink & home made cup cakes. We thoroughly enjoyed our morning tea.

Back onto the bus & I thoroughly enjoyed all the small towns we passed through as I had never been that way before. It really was interesting seeing all the old buildings built many moons ago & still in use. A lot of them heritage listed.

Paul gave us a commentary along the way, until we reached a cute little old fashioned town called Dungog, which is extremely popular as it is a great tourist spot. It was here where Paul let us off the bus  – the whole 47 of us – & gave permission to shop till we dropped!

We had one hour. Our first point of call was an op shop that sells used goods passed on to them when their owners have finished with the goods or had left the planet. I have never been in an op shop before even though they are very popular. I have seen some of the things that Charley has bought there & been quite impressed.

I didn’t let the grass grow under my feet as I soon found two delightful little Santa Claus dresses to fit little Elsie who is my great granddaughter by marriage & now six months old.

Then I saw in the decorated window a delightful Santa skirt in red fluffy tulle with a black buckled belt like Santa wears so I purchased that also for Elsie.

Then I wandered to where the jewellery was on display & was thrilled to get a lovely black filagree necklace which I could see sitting on Charleys beautiful bosom, plus a bulky purple & black one which also will suit Charley.

To top it off I found a lovely very fine wine glass for myself. The six items cost $8! What bargains!

It was a different story just two doors down the street where Cheryl saw hats & was inside in a flash. I thought it looked interesting so followed her in & my eyes set on such a pretty ‘diamond’ necklace & I loved the shape.

It only took two minutes & the proprietor had it on my neck complete with ear rings. I didn’t take it off, the credit card came out of hiding & I wore it all for the rest of the day. I thought I was worth it & word soon got around my pals that I had bought the crown jewels!

Yvonne, Ila, Dawn, Nola at Chichester Dam

Then it was time for the bus again with out next stop Chichester Dam. I remember Max took the boys camping there for a weekend when they were quite young, but I had never seen it. It is a huge dam with a depth of 121 feet, with the wall being 834 feet long including the spillway of 285 feet.

It has an area of 455 acres & holds 5,000 million gallons. It has to be a very hot summer before we are on water restrictions & when the central coast gets short of water it is pumped through 53 miles of huge piping to help them out. It was very impressive.

Paul had let us alight at the top of the dam where we took photos & then walked down to the park below. Paul had everything organised: buttered bread rolls, coleslaw, sausages on the barbie with the aroma of juicy fried onions. He did it all by himself & it was very much enjoyed by all his passengers.

All the while, as we ate our delightful picnic lunch we were carefully watched by a kookaburra who had two favourite spots from where he kept his eyes on us, flitting from one spot to the other waiting to pounce on any little titbits we might happen to drop.

The picnic at Chichester Dam

We arrived back home around 4.30 p.m. All the way home in the bus I couldn’t help thinking of Mother Nature as the serenity of the bush that surrounded us at the dam was absolutely unbelievable, we all felt it.

And I loved the front seat – anymore tours like this. I will be first again to book again & I don’t really mind if I don’t get awarded the front seat!!

God Bless & Much Love. Dawn X O X O