Forum Flashers meet at Maleny
July 27 2007
Match the names with those in the pics below.
Ian, Bev, Colleen, Col, Noeleen, Snags, George, Molly, John, Heather, Arthur, Wendy, Mike, Joan, Salty, Anne, Chris, Ted, Julian, Ali, Charlie, Barry, Dianna, Brian, Doreen, Ray, Sue, Saucy Geoff, Mate, Brett, Angela, Val, Sue, Chris, Nola, Ian, Kay, Laurie, Timmy, Rod, Elaine, Rod, Mimi and Neil, just to mention some of the HAPPY Forum Flashers. MiKe left himself and Joan off this list to confuse me.
Photo credits to:
MiKe, Julian,Arthur and Laurie
FORUMITES GATHER AT MALENY
Last year and for the first time, 11 CMCA badged rigs gathered at Canungra, QLD. It was an opportunity to swap tales of common interest, particularly to the do-it-yer-selfers and those who tinker in the mystical realms of electronics and pretty well anything that makes a motor home or camper function.
It wasn’t a CMCA sanctioned event but simply a congregation of CMCA web site forum users. These are like-mined motorhomers who prefer to discuss the guts of technical matters without the organisational constraints of a rally, a chapter event, or even a SIG group. One soon discovers that forumites enjoy a healthy aversion to formality while at the same time observing well the natural laws of generosity, mutual respect and cordiality.
This year, as the last days of July faded with the bulk of winter, no less than 19 rigs and 34 CMCA forumites found their way to the Maleny Showgrounds nestled in the magnificent hills which sets that town as must visit for all travellers.
Perhaps only Den Mother Laurie knew of the surprising number of rigs expected to arrive, as she was a tour de force behind the gathering. It was Col Higgins, Mike and Laurie who kindly researched the many possible venues over several months of research. No one could complain about Maleny as a destination. With enough room for any size rig, clean facilities, a plug-in for everyone it proved a gift at $10 per night.
The town, a short walk along the meandering boardwalk where platypuses and other wildlife dwell, offers fine dining, abundant supplies and many excellent purveyors of gourmet essentials - not to mention worthy wines for the serious oenophile.
Some players arrived mid week and by late Friday afternoon, without command, a group circled their camp chairs and chortled of times at Canungra. The circle multiplied as new arrivals revealed their identities putting a face to their forum names. BB Barry, Ray, Mr. Val, Mike, John, Arthur from sunny Qld. and their spouses, to name a few. Biscuits, bowls of dips, platters of cabanossi and various goodies plucked from pantries appeared on fold-up tables and the circle grew in more than happy accord.
Without ceremony and from his modified WAECO chained to his rig, John produced the much spoken of “home brew stout”. Both delicious and very stout it was a seemingly endless supply kept all with glasses brimming.
The Gastronomic Adventure
TO BE CONTINUED.
Sauceman
John, Mike and Paul (Salty). John brought 30 bottles of that excellent stout. He can come again!
Elaine , Joan and Sue
Barry, Kay, Val and Angela
Col and Ian, Rod and Elaine. Bev and Colleen
Brian, Ray, Noeleen, Brett, Rod,Ali and Ian
Mike,Ian ,John, Barry and Brian. MiKe and Rod at secret men's business
Charlie, Molly and Timmy
Brett, Laurie, Chris , Val. Wendy and Heather. Ian explaining icebergs.
Sauceman telling us a shaving story. Brett and Ray and Val at business
Diana and Doreen. Heather and mystery photographer. Nola and Chris
Mike Susan, Angela and Sue
MALENY PART 2
One of the great moments at a Forumite’s rendezvous is the excellent standard of food served at cocktail hour - or two. Mr. Val had previously established a reputation (culinary that is) as a purveyor of fine prawns. That expectation was met at Maleny as sufficient crustacean was offered to all players. As Mr. Val lives on the Gold Coast I’m told that all he has to do is drive down to one of the marinas with the big cruisers and with one dip of a bucket simply tip kilos of jumbo prawns into the esky. Just as well, I reckon there must have been about $500 bucks-worth – so tasty!
However, there has to be a resident food critic and as I enjoy the exultant title of “Charge de Missions du Bailliage de Montreal, of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs” which was founded in 1248, I claim right to judge and be critical of any epicurean morsels served at such meets. It’s sort of like being poison taster for the Queen. Having established that, the “Golden Pot” award must go to Brian for his wonderful prawn dish and Doreen for her unfailing attention to peeling heaps of the little buggers. Their supreme presentation of, “le crevettes à l’ail, à la provençale avec sauce ou crème”, which Doreen claimed to be Brian’s old standby of “prawns in garlic and cream sauce”. Nevertheless, it was so delicious that the recipe should remain a secret. It’s not the sort of dish you want in the hands of culinary heretics who only eat to live instead of Forumites who live to eat (and drink).
Meanwhile, the affable John Hunt (thank heavens he was not named Michael) generously plied his addictive stout among all who dared. Small groups formed, including the dogs, and camaraderie was the order, except for Molly who seemed put out having to share her master’s affection with those pests begging more stout.
Forumite friendship was extended to Ted and Chris from Germany when they happened upon us and stayed. They are travelling Australia and plan to settle down under. I think they were “lurkers” on our forum (just like Brian and Doreen) whom we hope will jump in and make postings as needed. As we know, there are many CMCA members who follow our forum banter but choose to remain silent. Perhaps they are speechless from our writings.
For quite a long time “leds” have been popular forum subjects. I think BB Barry holds the record on those posts. However, through info swapping and serious research, most Forumites now have some form of led lighting. BB Barry gave everyone a beaut little key ring led – perfect for the loo. His dog wears a flashing version. I can't remember which one "flashes"!
I noted that while all the prawns had been gobbled, the stout still flowed and several fellows amused themselves with driving the various Robertson screw samples into anything wooden. They’re all handymen, you know! As darkness fell the group melted away to their rigs and dinner preparation – surplus to requirements, I believe.
All to soon it was Sunday morning and many serious discussions were had about the best phones, modems, lighting, batteries and everything that makes our rigs work. By mid morning a few folk began to pack up and wander away. Some headed home and others continued on yet another leg of their motor home adventures.
Those who couldn’t get to Maleny missed a darned good time. I’m sure the next one will be even bigger and better as the “lurkers” read our accounts and see the great photos on BB Barry’s web site.
Can’t wait for the next one,
Sauceman.
EDIT. Geoff left out mention of his own contribution brought to share. Those bananas, mandarins and oranges filling his rig bins.
Ray, Noeleen, Col,Ian and Bev and Colleen
Rare pic of Arthur with Wendy.
Laurie, Chris and Ted,Nola. John with yet another bottle of stout.
Joan, Sue Angela and Brett
Kay, Julian, Ali, Susan. Free gift flasher to person identifying Friar Tuck head. No, not photographer Rod, the fellow with the little crown dimple. EDIT. Prize won by John, but we decided to keep the mystery like the one of the unknown photographer with Heather above. Definitely no prize for identfying the mystery photographer. Too easy!
The group waiting for Flashing time between Mike and Joan's rig and Arthur and Wendy's new ride(Adventcha B4 Dementcha) If you do not see much of Arthur in the pics it must be because, he is inside the bus trying on that frilly little pink number.
Sauceman Geoff telling us a story.
Just the thing for eBay,made by Salty the blacksmith along with many other wonderful shapes he makes from rail spikes from the old Ghan line.
The dog is hanging around the wrong table. The table in the foreground has the good stuff. Kangaroo, cow, pork. The black pudding must have all been eaten quickly.
More food and looks like Ann is a vegetarian at that other table.
.
The rigs. Clockwise from left
Rod and Elaine.( fifth wheelers), Laurie, Ian and Kay ( by a nose) ,Chris and Nola, Mr. Val and Sue, Brett and Angela,Brian and Doreen hidden, Sauceman Geoff and mate ( loaded with oranges mandarins and bananas) hidden, Barry and Diana, Julian and Ali, MiKe and Joan, Arthur and Wendy were in here,John and Heather ,Col and Noeleen with George and Snags out front.
bravenet.com