Dorado Downs Attendees: Andrew, Sarah, Bob ("BP" Senior) & Avril Andrew, Jocelyn, Joshua, Kaylah & Malachi Tony & Sandra John & Kym Dean, Deb & Chelsea Chris Alan & Ineke Paul & Barb Ian, Bec, Caitlin, Ryan & Ruby Graeme & Sharon Paul, Paula, Kaiden & Daniel Jacquie Friday night we arrived at 6 pm and it was already dark. Luckily Tony & Sandra had already arrived, so at least we had someone who could guide us in as this was our first time to Dorado Downs. They had the campfire burning, so after we set up, we got to sit around the campfire. Chris arrived not long afterwards, with Paul & Barb, Paul & Paula with Kaiden & Daniel coming in as well. Chris realised after a while that he had forgotten to put his flag in, so he was going to have to improvise. After a while of chatting around the campfire John & Kym arrived around 10pm. Saturday morning Tony took a couple of different ones out for a bit of training. It wasn’t long before Jacquie, Deb, Dean, Chelsea, Alan & Ineke all arrived. They were told that we were about to go out for a drive so if they wanted to drop off trailers etc, we would go out in 2 groups before lunch. Alan soon realised that he had forgotten his flag, so the latest thing in visionary goods came out to go on top of his pole. Red Jocks!! The more experienced drivers all took off as a group and the rest went off with Tony leading. Paul Francis’s job was to tend the fire during the day, so that we would have plenty of coals for our evening meal. While we were out driving around Paul came over the radio to say that our visitors had arrived. Graeme & I decided to leave the group and make our way back to camp. When we arrived, we looked everywhere for our friends (who had not actually even arrived). Ian, Bec, Katie, Ryan & Ruby had come in and were setting up their tent. We decided to wait and it was not long before Andrew, Jocelyn, Joshua, Kaylah & Malachi arrived at Dorado. While they set up, it was not long before the group came back in for lunch. Tony took the 2 new comers out for a drive and then we all went out again. Our group got back in around 5 pm to find some of the camp ovens were already cooking. On Saturday evening we had a great feast which started with Dribbles at 5 pm, and then Home made Soup, Roast Beef, and Lamb & Chicken with corn on cob, potatoes in their jackets, pumpkin, peas, and stew and beer bread. For desert there was cheesecake and teacakes with custard. John & Kym, Andrew, Sarah, Bob ("BP" Senior) & Avril all ventured home after the meal, while the rest of us sat around the campfire and talked over the days activities and whatever else that came up. Next morning as it was a bit gloomy, a few decided to leave for home while a few of us decided that it would be good for another drive. Tony & Sandra, Paul, Paula, Kaiden & Daniel, Andrew, Jocelyn, Joshua, Kaylah & Malachi, Ian, Bec, Caitlin, Ryan & Ruby, Graeme & Sharon all ventured out. We finished by driving up the big hill and there was Paul who got up the top first of all. Then Paula went up and made it to the top, Andrew tried to get all the way up, but Jocelyn did. Then it was Graeme who also did not make it up there either, but Sharon did. We then all went back to camp around noon, had some lunch, packed up before heading back home. It was a great weekend and enjoyed by all who went. A big Thanks to Tony & Sandra for a great weekend of sand driving. Even better, the weather ... and our first camp fire for the year. Graeme and Sharon Disclaimer : please note Home Page