It's show time

Clare's quilt

This time of year is Show Season and it is a very busy time for Lana and the girls. Although the boys used to put in some entries, the girls plan all year to put in entries and combined with Lana and her Mum we end up providing a reasonable share of the Pavilion entries at the local shows.
I put in my photographs for which I get some prizes, but Lana and the girls really collect the accolades.
This is especially true in the junior classes.  Over the years we have seen a steady drop in the number of junior entries.  Homeschoolers seem to represent over 75% of the entries, especially if you exclude the school entries which consist of 20 to 30 identical projects with minor variations to show each child's individuality.
It seems that young people are just not learning traditional crafts such as quilting, knitting, cooking, cross stitch, and so on. By young people I mean people our age and younger.  As the older contributors start getting past their ability to do as much crafty things, the number of entries steadily decreases.
This year we put in 39 entries in one show and 49 in the other main show.  That is a lot of work, but it is fine encouragement for Lana and the children to see their work put to the test and deemed worthy of praise.  It's not just me telling them it looks good.

Girls making dolls

The Girls and their dolls

Clare and Rose have been insisting I take a photo of the dolls they entered in the show, so they can start playing with them.  About 2 months ago the girls discovered a sewing book in the mobile library which visits our village every fortnight. So naturally they wanted to start making ALL the projects contained in this book of treasures.
Clare completed a knitted bag, a knitted cat, a few other things and the ultimate project - her own doll!
The outline of the dolls were traced onto quilters muslin/calico. Clare hand sewed hers, and Rose started by hand sewing about a leg and a half and reckoned it "was too hard" so used the sewing machine to finish it off under Lana's guidance.
Grandma helped the girls stuff the dolls using her experience making teddy bears.  The eyes, mouth and hair were sewed using back stitch and running stitch.  Rose used felt for the hair.  Buttons were used for ear-rings. Grandma supplied ribbons and Clare hand sewed, while Rose machine sewed the dress and top.
Clare entered her doll "Lady Daisy Chain" in Hand Sewn Article for children 10 and under.  Rose entered her doll "Daisy" in Machine Made Article for children14 and under.  Rose did well for a 7 year old.

Prizes! Prizes!

Clare's Jewellery Box - for Mum

The last two weekends have been show season in this part of the country.  Once more we entered lots of items in the "Pavilion" which contains all the arts, crafts, vegetables, eggs, photos, cooking and other items of interest produced locally.
Each of us entered a number of item according to their interests. I put in some photos, Lana entered much cooking and cross stitch, the other children entered cross stitch, photos, painted figures, and so on.
For example, Peter entered a zucchini we grew in the backyard and won first prize for the largest zucchini.
We all won prizes, which we will show in the next few posts, but here is Clare with a jewellery box she made for Lana.  On the lid were decorations with Lana's name and a butterfly.  Clare made the box with some tutoring from Opa, then painted the box and lined the interior with felt.  She screwed in each of the hook screws (mostly in a straightish line), and then I had the hardest part.
My mission - which I chose to accept - was to find some appropriate decorations in the department store.  This involved multiple phone conversations with me trying to describe the various decorations and hoping that I had translated the requests correctly.
Clare then applied the decorations in her own artistic fashion with some help from Grandma and Opa (as Lana was not allowed to see it before her birthday).  Initially Clare wanted to use EVERY decoration we had purchased.  But that would have made the box completely "Bling".
Clare wanted to put the words "Lana's Box" on the lid, but she agreed that "Lana" would suffice.

Mud, glorious mud!

Mud - the only way out

We had a great time at this year's Robertson Show.
Once again we put many entries into the pavilion winning first prizes for our muffins, scones and biscuits (cookies), prizes and champion ribbons for cross stitch and other craft projects and generally doing rather well.
We support the show at the shop by handing out plenty of brochures and they all know how to spell our name with all the entries we put into the pavilion. When the announcer noticed Lana and the children he happily made a number of impromptu announcements about how great our shop was and suggested all should visit.
I was working at the shop with Eric and we were to meet with Lana and the rest of the family at around 4pm.  On the way there the heavens opened up and the rain poured down in a torrent.  By the time we arrived the show was very wet but plenty of people stayed around in what cover there was.
Naturally Peter and James figured this was a great time to play outside and they ended up very wet.  In this photo you can see them squeezing out the water from their shirts.

Conserving Water

They didn't really think through the final results of their drenching.  We had a 45 minute drive home and they had to strip down to their underpants as they didn't bring any spare clothes.  I suggested we go out for dinner and for once the declined quite strongly.
The other effect of the dousing with water was the only exit from the car park (parking lot)  that had been set up in the field was a superb mud patch.  As you can see from the top photo it was very thick and gooey.  I was able to get through with my little car, but Lana wasn't even able to get close to the start of the worst mud.
But the locals were ready.  With simple efficiency they backed down the 4 wheel drive, attached the rope and pulled the bus through the mud and victory.

The Robbo Show 2008

Yesterday we attended the 2008 Robertson Show. This is a truly Australian Country show and it is great fun. If a rule interferes with a family enjoying itself in a wholesome manner it is ignored, over-ruled or changed. The main four commentators - Bruce, Bruce, Bruce and Paddy - keep up a constant banter and ensure no-one is immune from their friendly jibes. They always ask where a competitor comes from and then use that in their banter. "Oh from the US? You certainly swam a long way!" and so on.
Our first photo is of the Robertson Show Girls. As you can see they are sensibly dressed in the classic Robertson weather - unpredictable. The day was very sunny, but with a mean chill in the air. We all ended the day with sun or wind burnt faces - everything else was covered.
We entered 48 entries into the Pavilion in the categories for cooking, tapestry, knitting, vegetables, photographs and any other crafts the children wanted to enter. We ended up with 19 first prizes, 7 second places and 3 highly commended awards as well as Ariel being awarded Junior Champion Needlework and Eric received Champion Exhibit Junior Vegetables. Clare's photo we showed earlier won First prize. Peter and Clare won prizes for their other photos too.
Lana's cooking deservedly won first prizes all over the place, which is just as well as she is making Anzac biscuits and muffins regularly for the local shop.
There were also many events held on the day everyone could join in. James thought up a good pet to enter in the Pet show under the "Most Unusual Pet" category. Our skinned Raccoon. Somehow, in a judging controversy, we didn't win, so we re-entered again under the "Ugliest Pet" category and were awarded second prize. All the boys and I went to go into the Pie eating competition. Unfortunately the meat pies, which are apparently world famous, were full of meat and COLD. Have you ever tried eating a cold meat pie. We all could have eaten lots of hot meat pies, but as you can see by the photo, Peter wasn't too impressed.
Eric and I entered the Pumpkin Lawn Bowls competition. This is where you bowl a pumpkin and the closest to the marker wins. No practice bowls, the four pumpkins were all slightly different sizes and you were encouraged to hurry up.
Eric was the second bowler up and was immediately in first place. I followed shortly after and was in second place right up until the last bowler when I was pipped at the post. Eric won first prize. Lana took some photos and figured it was about time my photo was shown in Bruggie Tales.
We are now regulars at the show and the various stewards have learned how to spell our non standard last name as they have to write it down so often. We'll be back again next year.

Snap Happy Children

We're getting ready for the annual Robertson Show. The children are making lots of craft items to display and they have planned a massive cooking day just before the show.
All the children (except Martin) have been going around with digital cameras taking photos. After the first round or two, I showed them the results and explained important concepts such as standing still when taking a photo, lining up the subject with the little cross in the middle of the screen, waiting for the camera to focus and so on. Since then the results haven't been too bad. And being digital, there is no cost of developing or delays to seeing the photographs.
This photo is by Clare, capturing Rose taking a photo of the flower. Quite by accident it is a really nice photo. (Click for greater detail)

Robertson Races

We left the Robertson Show around 7:30pm, before the final smash-up derby and fireworks. We had all experienced a very full day.
I asked the children what they enjoyed the most and the boys all listed the events in which they had participated, Clare enjoyed watching the races and Ariel was still pretty excited at her victories in the pavilion.
The Robertson Show is a small show, and that is a good thing. We are well known in the pavilion (they had to write our names so often!) and also in the arena as our boys all wear their bright orange caps and are eager to join in whatever events they can.
This year they decided to NOT join in the bike race, realising that their bikes weren't good enough for racing and they probably weren't fit enough either. But that didn't stop them from entering:
Gig Race - Using an old trotting rig, Peter sat in the rider's seat while Eric and James pulled. You need to enter in teams of three. Next year we should be able to put in two teams - Ariel and Eric pulling James, and Peter and Clare pulling Rose.
Boot Race - Each runner's shoes were placed in a pile and the runners had to race from the start line, find and put on their shoes and race back. In the races for the older children and adults the commentators rummaged the shoes and if they saw larger pairs tossed them some distance.
Wheelbarrow Race - Peter sat in the wheelbarrow while Eric pushed him up and around a marker and back to the start. Notice Eric's look of concentration in the photo while Peter is having a good sight-see.
There were many other races and the boys didn't win or place in any of them. But it didn't matter. They reckoned that just running in a race in the middle of the arena or around the track was fun.
Other events included egg throwing, gum boot (rubber boot) throwing, Beer keg tossing, hay stacking, Ute (pick-up truck) pulling, lawn mower races, dog jumping, and more.
The key to making all these events work for such a wide selection of entrants were the commentators interventions. Bruce, Bruce, Bruce and Paddy (these were the commentators real names) imposed handicaps whenever they felt they were needed. They also kept up a never ending supply of banter which is like an impromptu comedy routine over the course of the whole day!
As you can see here, Rose was pretty tuckered out at one point. Another visitor thought she looked cute and took a photo too.

Ariel - Queen of the Pavilion

We all had a very good day in the Pavilion competitions. The Pavilion is a fascinating area filled with arts, crafts, plants and vegetables made and grown in the local area. The display is an amazing example of the skill and dedication by many people whose abilities are normally only appreciated by a few families and friends.
Each of the children's competitions cost 20 cents to enter with first being awarded $4.00 and second $2.00. When the judges have difficult in determining the place-getters, they often award "Highly Commended" certificates to let participants and visitors know that the judges felt the entry was very good too. Some competitions have special prizes, and the best in certain sections can be awarded "Champion" ribbons.
Out of our 34 entries, we won ten first prizes, seven second prizes and four "Highly Commended" certificates. Peter won a little trophy for his Scones sponsored by a local Pizza Parlour.
James' Lego city won first prize (see next story) and Peter's photo of the man thinking won first prize in his competition.
Although Peter's Stargate Glider didn't win (pictured here) it was a pretty good example of the type of things the boys are building based on pictures they have seen, using avaiable pieces but no printed plans. Lego is really good like that!
Lana's Ruana (as modeled here by the lovely lady herself) and her Comonos House also won first prizes. When Lana Lana handed in the Ruana the steward looked at it and remarked in amazement, "Novice?". "Yes," Lana replied, "This is only the second one I've done."
"Well," the steward said, "it looks pretty good."

But the star of the Bruggies was Ariel.
Out of the eleven events she entered, she was awarded five first prizes and three seconds and one Highly Commended award. All her cooking entries won prizes and she was awarded a very large and fancy ribbon: "Most Successful Junior Exhibitor - Cooking Section"
Her new Cross-stitched Baby Book for Martin (pictured) not only won first prize, but was also awarded the ribbon "Champion - Junior Fancywork Exhibit" It was very similar to the Baby Book she did last time but her cross-stitch skill is improving with practice.
The stewards managing the exhibits were very excited to have a young girl entering such a variety of events and doing each one very well. In three of her events she won extra prizes.
We went back into the Pavilion several times during the day just to look again at all the various entries and exhibits. While we were looking closely at some of the items, we noticed others peering all over ones we put in.
We'll be back again next year.

Little Lost Clare

We had one drama yesterday. Clare lost us. Technically we didn't lose her as we stayed where we were and she wandered off, but either way Clare found herself outside the pavilion and couldn't see any of us and began to cry.
A man came up from behind her and asked, "Where's your Mum and Dad?"
"I don't know," sniffed Clare.
The man took Clare's hand and said, "Let's ask, shall we?" and went up to the announcer's booth.
The announcer was talking about the world famous Robertson potato race. He stopped and he asked Clare her name and where she lived.
Clare said her name and the name of our car ("Wombus") and Mum's name (Lana). As to where we lived Clare didn't know what to answer so he listed a number of local areas. Clare answered "Melbourne." [I think we need more training regarding the place she lives!]
Meanwhile we had just realised Clare wasn't with us and began to search the pavilion. The boys had left the pavilion earlier looking for one of their friends. Eric came in and said, "Have you got Clare with you? I think they have Clare in the announcer's booth."
Eric had heard the announcer say, "We have a little girl here called Clare, her Mum's name is Lawna, she has a blue dress with cows all over it and a pink hat." That was enough for Eric to realise that Clare was being described pretty well and found us.
I went up and gave her a hug. She had been crying and was very glad to see us again.
When Peter was Clare's age he did something similar and so now we had the same discussion with Clare.
"We wouldn't leave where we are without you. If you can't see us just stay where you are and don't move. We'll find you."
Then we went and took this photo, being a re-enactment of when she found herself alone. Click for a more detailed photo.

A Bruggie Show

The house was filled with the delicious smell of cooking up until the mid afternoon. The children were creating their cooking masterpieces for the Robertson Show.
Each of the four older children made scones (like Southern US biscuits, but sweeter). We used half the recipe measurements, which meant after four children, we had the normal double mixture anyway. Six of the best were set aside and the remainder were used for lunch with the compulsory jam and cream. (yum).
Peter came up to Lana and asked carefully, "Which ones are we allowed to eat? Those ones over there?"
"No. They're Ariel's." Lana looked again and noticed there were only five not six. Peter had mistakenly picked one of Ariel's special scones. He was very upset. Ariel reassured him, "It's all right. This one should work," as she placed one of the extras in the middle of her remaining five show specials.
Clare made ANZAC biscuits (cookies).
"How come you're making such a small amount?" asked Ariel.
"This is the actual recipe. Normally we make double, triple or quadruple the recipe so it lasts longer than one afternoon." Lana answered.
"Oh." said Ariel
Ariel also made muffins and Caramel Slice. Eric made muffins, chocolate cake and banana loaf.
Lana had prepared a list from her email entry which contained 34 entries! This was the master list to be consulted when they left the house, left the car and passed each entry to the judge.
This was just as well as Clare kept asking "Do you have my stitching card?"
When Lana arrived at the office to collect the competition tickets, the lady recognised her from last year before Lana could actually say anything.
"Yes, Yes, we have got them all. Your tickets are all there: Bruggie."
Then Lana went throgh the pavilion with all the children, leaving each entry with the relevant steward, noting the details on The List.
The Tapestry lady recognised us and said "Hi." The lady next to her seeing us all standing there each holding boxes of exhibits said, "Are they your kids?"
"Yeah." Lana replied in a matter of fact way.
"What have you got? Five?"
"In about six weeks we'll have seven!" Lana answered with her disarming smile.
She shook her head and said, "You're amazing."
James and Peter sat down out of the way and fixed up their Lego entries. They explained their entries to the School Age Section steward as she walked over to see what they were doing.
Peter explained that his entry was a Glider. The lady looked at it and asked, "A Gao'uld Glider?"
"Yes!" said Peter, amazed that she knew about Stargate.
The steward also recognised the Stargate in James' Lego city. Both boys were very impressed with her knowledge.
We also entered a collection of photos including the two on this post - my photo of one of the priests from our local monastery and Peter's photo of a wargamer concentrating very hard, as well as Ariel's photo of a Cute Rose and Eric's photo of the girl's hair styles.
As Lana was checking off each entry, the photo steward was amazed.
"You're organized!" he said.
Phew. Entries are in. Now all we have to do is go to Robertson on Saturday and enjoy the show.

Not touching - looking.

The Robertson Show is being held this weekend. Last year we entered in a number of pavilion competitions as well as the outside events. We are hoping that we have less challenges in getting to this year's events, but plans are only guidelines.
For the biscuit (cookie) competition Ariel is making Molasses cookies. She is pretty sure that will do well as they both look and taste wonderful.
Ariel carefully read the instructions gathering ingredients as needed. Rose sat on the bench looking on, her legs dangling over the side, carefully supervising proceedings. Every time Ariel walked to the fridge or cupboard for ingredients she warned Rose with a pointing finger, "Don't touch!"
"Not touching," Rose would dutifully reply.
Just as Ariel added a teaspoon of baking powder to the flour in the sifter she realised she was supposed to add baking (bi-carbonate) soda. Oops.
She went straight to Lana who suggested Ariel should go back and quickly remove the soda from the top. But meanwhile, Rose had already turned the sifter handle carefully mixing the soda and flour just like her big sister.
"Don't touch!" Ariel repeated.
"Not touching," Rose replied with a serious expression as if she would never do such a thing. Again.
Lana then tried to consult the expert (her mum). Mum wasn't available so they consulted Google. The end result was that as it was only one of the four required teaspoons that was the wrong type, the biscuits should be OK.
However, when they returned to the kitchen Rose had emptied the remaining Baking Powder directly into the wet mixture!
"No!" cried Ariel to Rose.
"Not touching," replied Rose with her hands behind her back.
"How much was left?" asked Lana.
"Only two teaspoons or so," answered Ariel.
"Why did you leave the ingredients near her?" Lana asked.
"It was on the other side of the bench!" Ariel explained.
"Within sight is too close," suggested Lana.
Lana and Ariel removed what baking powder they could and added in the bicarb soda.
Then Ariel rolled the cookies and placed them on the tray. The first lot came out smelling great, but didn't look quite right. They had the right shape and tasted delicious but something seemed to be missing. Ariel showed them to Lana while the second lot was baking.
"Did you roll them in sugar before baking them?"
"Ohhh," groaned Ariel
The remaining lots were fine and look just like the photo in our recipe.
Competition cooking is always a strain. Having Rose help just adds to the challenge.

How much wood can a woodchopper chop?

Another of the events at the Berry show was the woodchopping. Basically a collection of blokes, young and old, use very, very sharp axes and saws to compete against each other and the clock. In the competition shown in the photo, each competitor has a handicap from 4 seconds to 33 seconds. Once the race begins, the announcer counts: 1..2..3..4 and then the fellow with a 4 second handicap begins. 5..6..7 and so on until 32..33 and the last guy starts whacking away with lightning speed.
The guy in this photo had a 31 second handicap. Despite the 27 second delay in starting, he won, chopping through the wood in 23 seconds. The log is about 50 to 60 cm (almost 2 feet) thick. There was a fellow to his right on 33 seconds who looked about 65, but tough as nails. He came second by about an axe swing!
Peter, Clare and Eric all had their own cameras (older digital cameras) and had a great time capturing events at the show. Sure, many of Clare's and Peter's shots were blurry or indistinct or missing heads, but being digital there is no cost. But they sometimes get the most interseting photos because they are in such different positions. Peter entered a photo in the children's photography section of a man concentrating very hard on a game at the games convention we attended.
I am sure the man didn't even realise he was being photographed and the angle would have been very difficult for an adult considering the cluttered nature of the area.
This photo of James was taken by Peter and isn't too bad. You can tell it was before the children bought their cowboy hats as those hats have rarely leave their heads since!

The Mowtivator!

Last Saturday we visited the Berry Show with Lana's parents. berry is about an hour's drive away over the mountains and along some very winding roads. Despite the gate guards not wanting to give us any type of family discount, unlike most other country shows, we enjoyed ourselves. The children and Lana won many prizes in the pavilion again, although Lana was beaten in most of the Cross stitch categories by her mum!
After wandering around the showgrounds, visiting the pavilion and traders and avoiding the overpriced rides(*), we watched the entertainment in the main grounds.
This photo is of the racers racing their hardest. The ride-on lawnmowers had names such as "The Mowtivator", "Mowna Lisa", "Mownaro" and so on. If you look carefully, you may be surprised that the rider on the left has no steering wheel. The bolts holding it on sheared off during the race but the fellow kept going using the pedals and the steering rod to turn the tight corners.
I interviewed him afterwards at his tent.
"Normally losing a steering wheel in a race would be considered a handicap, but you still won. How did you steer the thing?"
"I just know my vehicle really well," he replied with a straight face and twinkle in his eye. I waited patiently.
"Actually when the wheel came off I grabbed the post and used that with my feet on the pedals."

(*)"You can pay $6 for a ride if you want. From your money." The children thought about it and figured that four rides equals one cowboy hat. "No. We'll get a cowboy hat instead."

Moss Vale Show results

Here is a photo of the prizes awarded for our entries to the Moss Vale show. We didn't enter as much as we would have, in reaction to the show's policies and prices.
Clare was the biggest prize winner with her Teddy Bear, Balloons and Butterfly Card, each being awarded First place.
Peter's elusive Outlaw won First and Eric's Knight also won First place. Ariel's Baby Book was beaten by Eric's Knight and won second place. Her card also was awarded second place but her shawl was awarded first.
There wasn't much childrens' entries in the show. Normally the bulk of entries are from Homeschool children or the School based classes. These school based entries are where the teacher decides that the class will be creative so everyone makes a variation of the same thing.
Lana's Poppies and Topiaries were both awarded First in their categories, Seconds for her Peacock Baby and Celtic Spring.
The best part was when we went to pick up the items. The steward's eyes lit up as she realised we were the family with "so many entries".

Bruggies scoop the Pavilion!

All the prizes for jobs well done

Lana and the children put in many entries into the Pavilion of the Robertson Show. As in past shows at Berry and Bowral all entries did very well.
The Pavilion part of the show is to give locals a chance to display their skills in areas as diverse as needlework, cooking, flowers, photography, artwork, doll making, weaving, gardening and almost anything one can do with one's hands!
As you can see by the photo we received many prizes. All except me! I only entered some photos. Digital photography has resulted in a growth of interest in photography and there was a large number of entries and strong competition.
Lana received First and Champion Counted Thread for her Celtic Spring and also Highly Commended for her EMS Poppies. She was awarded First for the Ross Horse Head and her Rose was awarded Second (Both won prizes at the Berry show too). There was a full size version of the Horse and it was very large. As Lana did hers one over one, the normal two over two version was four times the size.
The Baby Animal Quilt was awarded First in Cross stitch on Aida material.
Ariel was awarded First and Champion for her Baby Book, as well as an encouragement award of a mug with a handle in the shape of a cat filled with lollies. "Oh no!" Ariel said when she saw the lollies. "It's Lent and I won't be able to eat any until Easter!" She was also awarded First in tapestry for Tom Mouse (pictured here) and First for her shawl which you saw in progress. Lana's shawl didn't win anything. :-(

Peter's Elusive Outlaw and Ariel's Tom MouseAriel also won First for her Christmas card (pictured here). When we picked up our entries we were told that the Judge was tossing up whether to award the champion award for Ariel's card or another entry.
Eric won First for his Knight in the 12 and under cross stitch, and First for his scones which came with a little trophy. His photo of Rose with a grape stuck on her nose was given a Highly Commended award.
James was awarded Second for his scones (against Eric) and First in Junior Photography - Family member for Peek a boo. His photo was also awarded an encouragement award of $10!

Ariel's Christmas Card and Clare's BearPeter won First for a plate of Anzac Biscuits and a small trophy and for that most elusive outlaw he received a Highly Commended certificate.
Last but not least Clare won Second for her bear and Rose was given a little sticker saying "Congratulations for entering good work in the show".
When Lana picked up all of our entries, one of the stewards asked her if she was "the lady with all those talented children?". Once Lana determined that it was indeed her, all she could do was reply with a blush and smile.

Robertson Show 2006 fun and games

Bruce and Bruce discussing this fine bikeThe Robertson Show is a great Australian country show. There is the traditional competitions for horses, cows, chickens, pigs, dogs, alpacas, and other livestock and farm animals and sideshows. The pavilion has displays of many, many arts and crafts (which we enjoy entering) and it is a good reason for all of the locals and anyone from remotely nearby to enjoy themselves.
Throughout the day there is non stop banter by four commentators - Bruce, Bruce, Bruce and Paddy. These four blokes go on and on and generally enjoy themselves. They announce upcoming events and provide information but that seems to be only a minor interruption to their interaction with anyone they see in the crowd. The central arena has a dirt track along the outside. To keep the famous red dust down they have the fire brigade ("firies") drive along spreading water via a sprinkler. Early in the day before the bicycle races Bruce asked if the firies were around to water the track. They weren't ready so Bruce announced, "Are they all in the toilet? We'll get them when they get back!" From then on, between each race or whenever they wanted the track watered, Bruce would announce, "Are the firies out of the toilet yet?" (Imagine all this banter in a classic Aussie accent)

James and Peter being caught on the inside laneThe part we participated in yesterday (seeing as we were there all day!) were the races. The boys all rode in their races and realised they weren't as fast as they wished. More practice will improve their chances next year.
Then there were gig races. This is where gigs created for shetland pony trotting races are used by the children with one pulling and another in the jockey's seat. They wanted to have children from the same school so we entered Peter and James together. Bruce asked each of the teams their school and then called the race using the school names. So we heard on the speakers, "Roberston is in the lead and Burrawang has cut off the Homeschoolers, but the Homeschoolers are pulling hard!" We didn't qualify for the finals but they had fun.
Later in the day in the gig finals, one of the finalists wasn't there so the organiser came over to us and asked, "Do your boys want to go in?" Eric and Peter said, "Sure!" and they raced in the finals anyway, ending up equal third.
The organisers have rules, but they aren't very rigid rules. If they could get more children in the race they would. If it didn't look fair they would apply handicaps, if that wouldn't work, they actively assisted the underdogs.

Next year I'll be biggerAt 3:00pm there were the Australian Championships of the Spud Race. It is an Australian championship the same way that the US World Series has international entries. The warm up races were the junior and ladies competitions where the participants had to carry a 12.5kg (27.5 lbs) sack around the track of 400m (450 yds). Eric had been practicing for the last four weeks, but as the age group was 12 to 15, he was one of the smallest. He made it to end and will be bigger next year, but he was very tired.
The Australian Championships had the fellows carrying 50kg (110lb) sacks of potatoes around the same track. There were a few spills from over balancing and one fellow decided he wanted a ride by the vehicle that follows the last runner. As first prize was $1,000 ($750 US) and locals get a bonus $300 for the first local to cross the line they had many entrants. The man who won was a local so he earned $1,300 ($975 US). "That'll get you a few beers, mate" announced Bruce and Paddy.
The Wheelbarrow races were next and Eric was talked into pushing Peter. They finished third and have ribbons as prizes.
As the organisers didn't have the correct ribbons for the novelty races Bruce announced, "We've run out of blue ribbons, so pick any ribbons you like. everyone gets a ribbon at the Robinson show!"
By the time we finished the day, Eric had ridden in the bicycle race, pulled the gig in two races, pushed the wheelbarrow in two races, carried the potatoes around the track and ran with me looking for Peter at the end. Needless to say, he did not make much noise after getting into bed!

Best Laid Plans

The Gig Race - Second prize winners!"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry" Robert Burns

It is interesting how we always make plans but often these plans do not come to fruition. We have mentioned this before in "The Perfect Home" but this weekend is a case in point.
Plan A: Sleep in on Saturday, have lunch and go to the Robertson show in the afternoon.
Reality: The boys noticed there were bicycle races they could enter starting at 11:00am, and you had to register at 10:00am. This meant leaving home by about 8:30am. We were woken at 7:30am anyway by Rose hopping in bed. OK. Off we went.

Plan B: We'll get some bread at the hot bread shop and bring all the bits so we can have lunch and dinner without paying show prices.
Reality: We did get the fresh bread rolls, and we did pack all the bits to go with it in cooler bags. We even stopped at lunch time and went to the car and had some rolls with ham and cheese. But dinner never happened other than some dry rolls as too much was happening! The children were too busy to think about food - other than chips and crackers and drinks we had brought with us.

Plan C: We wanted to leave early before the fireworks in order to miss the car park mess that always happens when everyone wants to leave at the same time.
Reality: Half way back to the car, we had to turn around for a toilet break. Then we couldn't see Peter, so Eric and I went back to the car to see if he continued on. He had actually made the first U turn and was already at the toilet block. Re-united we finally got to the car as the fireworks ended, but we did miss the worst of the car park chaos.

Plan D: We were to pick up all of our show entries and prizes early and put them in the car.
Reality: This all went pretty well except that Peter's Outlaw cross stitch had fallen out of Lana's pocket. We didn't discover the loss until after we were home and the children were all in bed, leading to ...

Plan E: We would sleep in and go to 11:00 am Mass and have a lazy day at home.
Reality: The show was open today from 9:00 am to midday so we had to get up and attend 9:00am Mass, the drive to the showgrounds to see if the cross stitch was either where we were sitting, in the Pavilion or in the car park. Someone had found it the night before moments after Lana and Ariel had left with all our entries and handed it in to the Show attendants. It was waiting for us safe and sound in the Pavilion.

As a great person once said "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans."
I figure that if God can make Good things happen out of evil, surely we have little option but to make the best with whatever reality throws at us. After all, most time and events are only parially in our control. Accidents and "acts of God" happen and it is up to us to handle the changed situation as best we can.
So the results of our changed plans meant we were able to enjoy the following:
- The children entered their bike races and lots more besides;
- We enjoyed a whole day (and too much sun) at the show;
- Everyone else saw the fireworks while waiting for me to return from my search for Peter;
- We had pies from the famous Robertson Pie Shop today; and
- Lana got a new lounge.
And we kept smiling and enjoying the life God has given us!