Toy run

Dear Family and Friends

The toy run I mentioned in my last blog took place on Saturday morning. We arrived at a little Park in Tolga at 10am and by that time some of the church people had everything set up and ready to go so it wasn't long before we were soon put to work. Ken and Robin were on the BBQ. Four hundred sausages were waiting to be cooked so that kept them occupied. I was on the gravy, others set up the serving area and the coffee and tea from a trailer.

Last year they had around 250 people turn up. They were hoping for similar numbers this year but only 150 turned up. A truck was taken out to Lake Tinnaroo where the toy run was to commence. A group of Bikies were waiting for them and from there they set off on a route that took them through a number of small places, including the main towns also like Mareeba and Atherton. At each stopping place more joined in.

It was quite a site to see the truck lead them through the gate and into the park. The back of the truck was opened and the bikies brought the toys up and they went into the truck. Their was also three or four vintage cars that I spotted that had come along for the ride. There was storms predicted and some rain and they believed that was the reason for the drop in numbers.

Once the toys were safely stowed in the truck it was time to feed everyone and that took some time but it all went very smoothly and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The toys were taken back to the church and sorted out ready for distribution. Not all of them were new so the second hand toys were put aside and will be used at some later time.

We enjoyed church on Sunday and as the C.O.'s will be away we have been asked to do the service next week. We regret leaving the printer behind and we wish we had brought a commentary with us.

We had plans to go to Innisfail this week but had to postpone it as one of the people going with us wasn't able to come so we will probably do it next week all being well.

Robin is an avid pilot and has one of his own small aircraft here. He has been working on it since we arrived. Today the motor has gone back in it and he and Ken wheeled it out of the shed, tied it to a tree and started up the engine. Robin spent 7 years in New Guinea and did a lot of flying over there. He is also a helicopter pilot as well so he spent a lot of hours in the air.

Did I say that we voted ?. The voting papers only arrived on Friday and I was getting a bit worried that they would not get here in time. Our votes had to be in the mail by closing of trade that day so I was very releaved that they came when they did so we filled them out straight away and put them back in the mail.

I also got another letter to say I was called up again for jury service but soon got my name taken off the list when I said we were in far north QLD. I want to know why Ken's name never gets picked.

That's about it from me for the moment

Love to one and all

Ken and Lyn