As we had not been to a Motorhome Rally since our return from our Cape York Odyssey we decided to make enquiries about visiting the Blue Gum Rovers, Chapter of the Campervan & Motorhome Club, at their annual Christmas Rally which was to be held at Willow Court, New Norfolk. We were informed that we would be most welcome and advised the cost of the xmas dinner would be $21.00 per head.
So we left home on the Thursday and travelled to Kempton and parked up for the night. We went walkabout for the town has some of the best 18th century architecture with buildings built of sandstone blocks. Even today the small town has maintained the overall ambiance from yesteryear. Happy hour arrived and then other happy campers drifted in and we all had a good old chinwag.
Friday
After a goods nights rest we started out toward New Norfolk and then as we approached Bridgewater we saw the signs to the shopping centre so we dropped into Shiploads and bought a few bargain priced items for Xmas.
When we arrived at the rally the Disc Bowls competition was in full swing; we set up and wandered down to say hello and watch the many games in progress. This Chapter has held many championship trophies and it was easy to see why for they take the game very serious.
Happy hour arrived and we gathered around under a beautiful large tree and we were welcomed by the President and as we knew nearly all the members there was a fair bit of friendly chiacking going on.
For our evening meal we all trundled down to the Chinese Restaurant. The meal was excellent with plenty of food for the price and we did not hear a bad comment about the service or meal. We had nearly completed our meal when the members of the Huon Pine Pioneers, another chapter of the cmca, came into the restaurant. There was plenty of friendly banter and chiacking between the Chapters. Like the Blue Gum Rovers they had also chosen New Norfolk for their Christmas Dinner Rally.
Later in the evening we gathered in the hall at Willow Court and played many board and card games before retiring for the night, it had been an excellent day and the friendship extended to us was wonderful and appreciated.

Saturday
After a good nights sleep we awoke to a wonderful day with clear blue sky's and brilliant sunshine and before the end of the day the temperature would rise to 35 degrees celsius. After breakfast we mingled with the group and it was great living old times together both at previous Rally's and on the road. The Farmers market commenced on the village green at 10 am so we went over and was surprised at the amount of produce, plants and trees, gifts and other yummy food. We were to buy freshly dug pink eye potatoes and a few other items and then had a nice boysenberry ice cream to top it all off. Mingling with the crowds always has it funny moments and this market was no different.

11am and it was time to go to the Christmas Parade through the streets of New Norfolk. The Blue Gum Rovers where to be part of the parade and they rode in the Lions Club train, which to many brought back many child hood memories. What a wonderful parade with so many floats depicting Xmas scenes and to see the many children involved was especially great. The time and funds that must have been expended in creating the many themes and floats must have been enormous. There were so many children involved in various costumes reflecting the Christmas spirit. There were also vehicles from the many service's plus plenty of old cars both restored and hot rods.
The streets were lined with spectators and there must have been at least two thousand cheering on the parade. They were hanging out windows at the hotel's and from many balconies and lining the footpaths which was great for it made it all worthwhile for the parade participants.

There was no doubt the Christmas spirit was high in the streets and when we left our train transport as we walked down the street there was so much laughter and goodwill. We visited the Lions Club Barbecue where we purchased sausages and hamburgers for lunch with plenty of onion and mustard sauce, very nice indeed. We then had a pleasant stroll back to our Rally site and we were working up sweat for the temperature had reached 32 degrees celsius with little or no breeze. The temperature was to peak at 35 degrees by the end of the day.
Most of us elected to sit under the shade of a huge tree to keep cool for the rest of the afternoon, whilst a few hardy souls were to continue to play disc bowls.

We had our happy hour and then the Committee were to go to the kitchen to prepare the Christmas Meal and set up the tables. We all gathered and were called up by table and what a meal it was. Roast Turkey, Beef, Pork along with roasted potatoes plus carrots, peas and beans and for desert it was either plum pudding, pavlova or fruit salad with either cream or custard.
What a excellent meal it was and there was plenty left over for returns if you wished both in the main course or deserts. It would be true to say that the Caterer's and the Committee did an excellent job both in amount served and presentation of the meal.
After the meal the entertainment started with song sheets of Carol's being handed out and we were to hear many fine renditions. Then many opted to have a sing along with a Karaoke machine and others were dancing the night away. What a wonderful friendly atmosphere. It was pity it all had to end and it was around midnight before the last were to go off to bed.
Sunday
It was warm during the night and we were throw off a blanket or two. We finally arose had our breakfast and went outside to where small groups were standing about saying their farewell's for people were to start leaving the rally as early as 9 am. We were to leave at 10 am and we had decided to take a leisurely trip home via the East Coast staying out for a couple of nights.
We were to say our farewells and thanked all for the friendly reception we had received over the Rally, it was second to none.
We left New Norfolk heading for the Tasman Bridge and the East Coast. At Cambridge we pulled into the very large shopping complex and went again into Shiploads and purchased a few more items and then onto Sorell.
We re-fueled and then we drove on up to Triabunna to a spot we stopped many years ago on the point which gave good views of Oyster Bay and during the afternoon we were to see fishing boats coming and going. We were to read our books before happy hour and then after our meal and when darkness descended we went inside to watch television for a few hours.

Monday
We awoke to a fine sunny morning and decided to go around to the Triabunna wharf area for breakfast. On arrival the two boats that go to Maria Island were departing and fishing boats were to arrive at the wharf with the nights catch. Speaking to one fisherman he indicated that they had caught three tonne of Squid and were now looking for a buyer for the catch. We were to head out just after lunch and then drove onto Cameron's Beach which is a day use area just before Swansea. It was so good we decided to stop the night and we were alone with just a few visitors coming into inspect the beach and its environs. Happy hour again and then television for awhile and then off to bed to read our books.
Tuesday
Another sunny morning and we had our breakfast and then decided to go into Swansea to both shower and see friends, we said farewell to Cameron's Beach and the beautiful peaceful night with only the crashing of the surf to lull us to sleep and then we dropped into visit Len & Sandra plus Ken & VI. After we said our farewell's we purchased bread and rolls from the supermarket and then drove to our next stop up at Lagoons Beach.
There were a few happy campers and others that appeared to set up for Christmas and the holidays, we elected to set up in the southern end where there were fewer people. During the afternoon we walked around the camps saying hello and then down to the beach before happy hour,
Wednesday
We slept in this morning it was nearly 9 am before we hopped out of bed and had our breakfast and then it was time to head for home. Picking up the mail really ruined the week that we had been on the road for there were many bills that needed attention and a few Xmas cards. We arrived home and unpacked and this has to be the worst weather we have had for it is cool and very overcast. In all we have enjoyed our time away in the Motorhome and look forward to doing the same in the near future.