Date: Sunday the 18th of October 2009.
Time: 12.30 - 4.00 pm.
Venue: The Wheelers Hill Hotel ( for lunch ).
Present: All 20 of the amazing group of people who toured China together last year.
Just after this photo was taken we realised that Anna and Pat were missing.
We found them and they were duly shot ( with Beth's camera ). See next pic.
We have been really blessed with great tour parties over the years. Every group has been a pleasure and I wouldn't want to compare tours - they are all different. Having said that, we have never experienced anything quite like this groups genuine affection for each other and their absolute desire to have a go at everything.
The 'catch up' moment was extraordinary. 20 people standing in a dining room, hugging, kissing and all talking at once. I stood back for a few seconds and just soaked in the atmosphere.
The other diners had a look that conveyed a degree of annoyance at being disturbed but massively tempered by a kind of empathetic jealousy. This was very much a rite of passage.
We had booked two tables but no one sat down.
As you can see - we eventually did sit down.
The food was OK, the view of the Dandenongs was good and the company was great.
We had prepared a China tour questionaire. How much do you remember about your holiday? Shirley took out the Brownlow with Beth and Janice a close equal second.
It was firmly established that you would not attempt a tour of China under any circumstances with either George or Werner as your local guide.
Many of us browsed through Beth's photo albums of the tour. Wonderful photos and magnificent memories.
Anna and Pat raised questions about a future Penang tour. The concept gathered momentum and we will definitely explore the possibility of another China 2008 tour reunion ( in Penang next year ).
I guess that means that in 2011 we'll have to organize a Penang 2010 tour reunion.
Penang is a very unique place. It's our passion and we get butterflies just thinking about showing people around our 'second' home. I would love nothing better than to spend 2 weeks there with this group of people. It would be a hoot.
4 O'Clock came around so quickly. Sue had organized for 14 of the group to go to the movies and watch Mao's last dancer.
It was a wonderful afternoon. Time spent with people you just want to spend time with.
China 2008 Tour Group:
Frank Spooner
Morrie Spooner
Margaret Dorrington
Werner Golz
Jenny Sim
Judy Dixon
Sue Huckins
Janice Cowburn
Shirley Sullivan
Beth Graham
Eric Stinchcombe
Dawn Stinchcombe
Anna Van Caem
Pat Watts
George Bath
Carol Bath
Jenny Lang
Donald Lang
Veronica Greer
John Hanna
From little things, big things grow.
In 2007, Janice happened to mention that if we were prepared to organise a tour similar to our 2006 China Tour itinerary then she may have some people interested in coming.
Thanks Janice.
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