While Olympic athletes were busy hurling themselves down icy mountains in Italy, us Ramblers witnessed a Gold medal winning performance closer to home, with our very own Lennox Family laid on a brilliant Valentine’s Event in Lisburn.
Friends School was transformed into Cupid HQ as motorhomes made their way down the M1 for a weekend of love and laughter. With Hosts Bryan and Jean sadly unable to attend due to van trouble (Get well soon Rapido!!!) their good friends Victor & Sandra Lennox stepped into the breach and made sure we were all well and truly in the pink. Not only that, but they also supplied two fresh hosts in form of Granddaughters Lily & Annie, and what a help they turned out to be.
Under the watchful eye of Sandra, Lily & Annie were soon booking in vans and handing out decorative welcome sheets. Meantime, Victor racked up the miles on his electric scooter escorting and parking vans at our wonderfully central and spacious site.
Duties done it was soon eyes down for a full-house over in the hall where our new Trainee Bingo caller was waiting. Taking the microphone in hand and not a trace of nerves Birthday Girl Lily called out 6 fun-filled rounds of “bingo with all the lingo!” like a seasoned professional. Well done and many best wishes to a young lady who has grown along with our club.
Saturday morning arrived and Gary was out the gate faster than a Jamaican Bobsledder and down the town to buy his annual peace offering (sorry Valentine’s Present) for his beloved. Meanwhile, those men with slightly better organisational skills took their wives for a romantic stroll around Wallace Park followed by a lunchtime drink in the nearby bars and restaurants at 2.10pm precisely. I am sure that those large screen TV’s and an Ireland v Italy kick-off was pure coincidence ladies.
With the party due to start that evening, Hostess Annie greeted us at the door with a lovely personalised gift of sweet treats before heading to our tables. The effort of our hosts was clear with hall decorations, a photo-wall and gift-wrapped raffle prizes. Joe Mac soon treated us to his usual selection of hits as we whiled away the night with great conversation and more than a few romantic waltzes. It was the perfect welcome for our new members Frank & Doris Dodds and Glenn & Evelyn Cotton who fitted right in and added such great company and craic to the occasion. It seemed they had been with us for years and we hope they will be joining us again very soon.
Sunday morning dawned and Victor showed his domestic prowess before Sandra and the ladies served out the refreshments. Joe then took to his feet to applaud our Olympian hosts for their tireless efforts over the weekend. Also to congratulate Seamus Cushenan, who like Lily has a birthday fast approaching. New members Frank & Doris and Glenn & Evelyn were not the only new arrivals this weekend however, with Ian & Viven Rankin having taken their lovely new Rapido van on the road. Happy smiles and mile to you both.
With New Year, Burns Night and then Valentines Night it has been one cracker after another. Can we possibly keep it going? This is The Ramblers….. YOU BET WE CAN…… see you in Magherafelt!!!
The Rambling & Lovestruck Writer