What happens when you put 45 people on a coach and head into the blue yonder on a Mystery Tour? First off you have that wonderful expectation from those who didn’t enter our annual competition – “Hey where are we going” “I hear it’s Langebaan” “Is it close to the beach?” “Hope it’s not too HOT”
With a predicted temperature of +31 degrees, many were worried about where the lunch would be.
We headed out of Tableview (on schedule) at 10h00 and had a 20-minute stop at Vygevallei Farm Stall. On leaving the stop we phoned the venue and gave our expected time of arrival as “within an hour”!
As luck, would have it, just near the West Coast National Park turnoff we came to an abrupt halt with a traffic jam ahead. Black smoke billowing on the horizon, in the middle of the road. We all anticipated the very worst – “A head on collision” “How many are injured?”. After what seemed like “forever” (only about 30 minutes) we started to move slowly again, to discover it was a construction vehicle that had ‘caught fire’ on the side of the road. Thank goodness – no ambulances in sight and hopefully the truck driver escaped before the fire burnt out his vehicle!
On arrival at the Blue Bay Lodge, our mystery venue in Saldanha, we were thrilled to see a board welcoming all to our Mystery Tour! So very thoughtful of them – and this is how we experienced the rest of the day – extremely pleasant and helpful staff; everything going to plan; which made for such a happy, wonderful day out with so many people!
There was a gift for everyone, wrapped, numbered and set out on a gift table; a Christmas Cracker on each plate and the scene was set. A welcoming sherry or orange juice and a view-to-die-for – “Gosh we don’t have to head ALL the way to Mauritius for their views” was heard!
At 12h45 everyone headed into the private dining room which was very cool and comfortable. Carol gave out a few ‘awards’ to several of the ladies – she appointed two ‘nurses’ to look after everyone (as she has done so ALL year and needed a break today); some funny masks were handed out as well as ‘BEWARE Girls on Tour’ badges, an annual trophy which needs to get polished and brought back every year, to the mystery tour!! – all in the name of FUN!
A few fun items were introduced, from small confetti & streamer “poppers”, A ‘gangsters bankroll of money’, a mobile drum set, a device for increasing the heart rate (skipping rope) and a few chattering teeth, among others.
Our starters were served – 4 vegetable spring rolls with sweet chili sauce. Very tasty!
Brian gave out a few spot prizes too (Colored stickers on some hats). What was very popular was a ‘spray cannon’, a container which ‘sprayed’ little bits of paper over the table (with a big bang!) – and a few questioned where they were purchased so they could get them for their Christmas meal!
Cherry on the top was won by Dennis, who received ‘the little drummer boy’- a push toy with a little figure which plays a drum when rolled! “Coming with me to the States on my next trip” said Dennis!!
Mains were Chicken with Spinach and Feta Cheese/ Sirloin Steak / Garlic Roast Potatoes / Savoury rice / and roast vegetables, served buffet style.
Then the fun continued – Susan jumped in as a Father Christmas (with the requisite Santa face), and handed out the gifts – amazing how gullible everyone is in reacting to “kissing Santa” or “Give Father Christmas a hug” – oh it was great fun!
After our dessert of Bar One Cheesecake there was still time to go outside and enjoy the views from Blue Bay Lodge for ¾ of an hour before we returned to the coach and Petrus safely drove us back to the city.
To a joyful present and a well remembered past.
Best wishes for Happy Holidays and a magnificent New Year.