25 Years

www.peakystriders.org.au

VALE JENNY MOFFITT

Our beautiful Peaky Jenny Moffitt lost her battle with melanoma on Wednesday 13th September. Jenny’s life was lived with gusto and spirit, and she showed us what courage looks like. She loved and was loved very much by so many, as can be seen through a few of the thoughts expressed by some Peakies on receiving the news. “It was an honour to get to know beautiful Jenny. She will be missed terribly by all of us.

”A beautiful lady gone too soon. “I only knew Jenny a short time since joining May last year but was encouraged by Jenny's positive attitude and keeping up at Peakies as long as she did. I will miss her. “That is so sad. I played netball with Jenny 25 years ago. She was a fighter to the last. May she rest in peace. “Our thoughts and love are with all the Peakies and Jenny's family at this sad time. “Very sad, Jenny was always very positive, courageous and in high spirits. She will be sadly missed. “That's very sad to hear. She was such a trooper. Condolences to everyone. “We lost a dear Peaky I’ve known for over 40 years, when our kids were little we were in the babysitting club together. A courageous fighter was our Jenny and a loss to us all.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Moffitt family at this sad time.

That all important stamp

Throughout our celebratory year there have been several occasions when double stamps have been a very pleasant

surprise as one of our anniversary treats.

However the good news is we are still going to follow tradition and have 1 walk each

month during October November and December where you will get double stamps. We

won’t tell you in advance and the keeper of the stamp won’t know either. It could be any

day so you might have to come every walk! After all you don’t want to miss one walk and

then be told on the next one that that was THE ONE. That 1 stamp might make all the

difference to finishing your card. Are you game to risk not coming?

October 2017

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS start today and the annual dinner to celebrate the start of our summer walking is on Thursday 12th. It’s upstairs in the Masos and the committee pays for the pizza so you only have to pay for your drinks. If you haven’t walked in the dark with us, now’s the time to come back. Everyone is welcome, just put your name on the list or tell Gail as soon as possible if you wish to join us for pizza. Heads need to be counted to ensure pizza aplenty!

WITH PIZZA

This Awareness Ribbon was made by Anne Wilson and worn by Peaky mourners at Jenny’s Memorial Service. Thank you Anne for your efforts and thoughtfulness.

All aboard and raring to go!

Robyn’s Report: When I was asked to

write a short narrative on the Peaky

Striders cruise I was not too sure how I

could do it and keep it short enough for

this newsletter. I decided to jot down my

take on what I thought 16 Peakies got out of their little holiday. However, if you ask each of them they probably may

not agree, but this is my version………..

CAROL AND WAREN-would no doubt find the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary a highlight after dining in

the ship’s premium restaurant and being showered with gifts from Peakies, family and having the crew sneak in and

dress up their cabin. It’s a shame the flu caught up with both of them not long after but they soldiered on in true

Peaky fashion.

And one from Maureen on board who was watching them watching us (‘them’ being Tom, Shirley, Barbara, Terrie, Diane, Brian and Gail)

Taken by Brian from the Opera Bar

Mexican Night From Maureen

LIZ WHITCOMBE–soon found the

Serenity Bar (kid free) her home away

from home which she headed for each

day, Pina Colada in hand looking for a

sunbaking “pod” which proved to be

elusive most days. Ask her about the

umbrella collection she and Denice

managed to acquire during the cruise.

Quite impressive.

MAUREEN- impressed us every time

with her inventive dress ups and

reminded us that it was this talent that

was the reason Ray preferred to stay

at home! Zip lining seemed to be right

up there as a favourite excursion as

well as the tour of the Carnival Spirit

from Galley to Bridge along with

Robyn and Lynn Morris.

Jennie D spied Carol who was busy offering wine to Maureen but forgot to take the lid off. And it was still early in the night!

A sample from Maureen

DENICE–always a lover of children lost her heart to

the native kids on Mystery Island whilst back on board

it was the Red Frog Pub that drew her each night for

the music. Denice also managed her stage debut

during one of the shows. It took two of the stage

hands to show her the exit as she was beginning to

like the lime light!

Very rich, but

Maureen says

everyone tried it

at least once.

THE FOUR MUSKETEERS–i.e. Jan Coglan, Anne Wilson,

Jenny H and Lynn Brannock, never far from each other

and also looking after one another in true Peaky sister

style. They couldn’t contain their enthusiasm on their

return from an excursion from the cascades waterfall in

Vila – the pictures are great girls.

ANNETTA AND JENNY D – tried their best the keep their

heads up high but unfortunately the virus swept through

the ship and their excursions seemed to be to the ships

doctor more than anything else. They both managed to

make an appearance at dinner each night looking very

glamourous but it was often to bed early.

MARGARET AND MOIRA – guests of Peakies fitted in

with the group from the start. Margaret however, like

Annetta, spent a great deal of time having acupuncture

on a bad back but at least Betty got to show her how to

use the pokies. Moira was a natural doing the Macarana,

or was it the cocktails that made her so free spirited.

BETTY SANDERS (MUM) – she loved the way Peakies embraced her and were happy to include her in all the activities. She has asked me to thank you all. The poker machines became a magnet as did the endless supply of cakes and pastries. At this point I need to point out that Mum would rather have 2 desserts than a main meal. The highlight however was getting into a cossie for the first time in 30 years at the Marriott resort on the Isle of Pines. She was chuffed.

LYNN MORRIS – took advantage of the days at

sea to catch up on her reading. She tells me she is

a speed reader. Was it 4 or 5 books Lynn? Also

after a disappointing start to her paddle boarding

career in Noumea, due to low tides, she finally

got her SUP certificate on Isle of Pines along with

Maureen and a few others.

CRUISE SIGNATURE DISH

MYSELF–High tea on Mystery Island. I sat at sarong covered tables in a grass hut and the table service was second to none. Beautiful young women brought china cups (a little chipped but I didn’t notice) hot water in a small teapot and a jar of Nescafe to my table along with 2 Scotch Finger biscuits. The QVB Tea Rooms could not have done it better. I also loved my water taxi trip across the bay at Port Vila. For only $5 I got to see a part of Vila I would not have normally seen and I got to meet a great character by the name of Captain Carl. He owned the water taxi (a small runabout) and I enquired if he intended to increase his fleet. “Why” he said, “”I already have a boat. I thought it not much point in stating that maybe he could increase his bank account by growing his little business.

Collectively, we all enjoyed our evenings together, with most nights having dinner in the Empire dining room with each night being entertained by the crew. Our group stood out on dress up nights with pink wigs and Mexican moustaches making us all unrecognisable. I must say on Elegant Evenings we were a source of jealously amongst the rest of the guests. Stunning, ladies. In closing, the farewell given to us from the Opera Bar by a handful of Peakies, fantastic, as we left the overseas terminal on the upper deck dressed in our orange, it will

be something I will never forget as was the return sail-in to Sydney Harbour in the wee hours of the morning just as the sun rose. It made a fitting end to a wonderful cruise. Thank you everyone for your company and companionship and bring on the next 25 years!! ROBYN

Where: Penshurst RSL, 58a Penshurst Street

When: 25th November 2017 at 7.00 pm

Dress: Smart Casual with a Touch of Silver

Cost: TBA – will be included in invitations

Put on your glad rags and dancing shoes, add a Touch of Silver, and come join Peaky revellers in our end of year festivities that will put some sparkle into our steps. Shane is working on bespoke invitations that will be circulated shortly to start off the countdown to what promises to be a magical night.

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Remember Oktoberfest at Concordia Club Tempe is now Sunday 8th October at 12.30 pm

3D Show from Maureen

A big thank you from Carol K to Robyn for sharing

with us her observations on shipboard antics, to

Maureen and Jenny D for photos and to Brian for

a pic starting it off so well for this newsletter.

The Bush Telegraph

Help please ---

Lynne Brannock and Maureen are asking for any old ribbons, buttons, beads, motifs, yarn etc. to help create some

Twiddlemuffs which can then be donated to Alzheimer’s Australia.

What is a Twiddlemuff?

It is a double thickness, knitted hand muff with crafty

bits and bobs attached inside and out – and it’s this

tactile mix of buttons, ribbons, tassels and beads

stitched on the woolly tube that helps keep restless

hands busy and, in doing so, eases some of the anxiety

associated with dementia.

It is a great way to use up left over and odd balls of wool

and crafty stuff, and if you want to have a go at it,

Maureen has edited the English pattern below.

However, Maureen also has a simpler way of knitting 2 oblongs of 8 ply and sewing them together. There is no need then for double strands of wool which is perhaps better for the Australian climate. Pattern is also included below. Because of the simple nature of the patterns, measurements do not have to be exact and you can easily test them out as you go on your own hands. You can adjust the number of stitches to the size of needle used. The width of the muff needs to be about 30-35cm (12-14 inches), this will be the long side of the muff. Materials: 8mm circular or 6.5mm straight needles. Directions: Cast on 40 stitches using 2 strands of double knitting wool (you can also use 1 strand of chunky wool). Work in stocking stitch (knit a line pearl a line) for 11 inches (28cm). Muff body: Continue with stocking stitch using up oddments of various textures of wool (ie: chunky, mohair, ribbon) until work measures 23 inches (60cm). Cast off. Decoration/Finishing: Decorate the muff body with beads, flowers, zips, loops etc. Neatly join side sides together with pearl side facing you. Turn inside out. Push the cuff up inside the muff body. Neatly sew together the two ends. Maureen’s Way: 8 ply, cast on 3 stiches, continue in plain, increasing at the start of each row, until you have 85 stitches (or thereabouts), then decrease at the start of each row, until 5 stitches, then cast off. Knit 2 of these, sew together & decorate. This is the pattern that Maureen does for the squares in the Wrapped with Love blankets, her 10”square is 75 stitches, so she has increased the stitches to 85 to make it a bit longer.

Did You Know… ‘Striders’

in our logo, designed by past member Lani Byers via a competition, is shaped from the sole of a sandshoe!

Margaret left this

inspirational message before

she set off overseas

Happiness is like a butterfly, the more you chase it the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things it will come and sit softly on your shoulder…

Music in the Park - FREE Sunday 15th October in Evatt Park off Forest Road is the place to be for the Lugarno Progress Association annual Music in the Park. This is a free event with several jazz musicians including the Kenny Ansett Allstars making an appearance as well as the Lugarno Public School Choir. Go along with a rug/chair to sit on, some wine/beer/cheese/nibbles and enjoy a very pleasant afternoon from 3pm to 6 pm. Other refreshments including coffee and ice cream will be on sale as well.

Member Profiles These have dried up for now so please take your ‘to do’ list off the fridge and DO IT! Many members have commented on how much they enjoy reading the profiles and learning more about their fellow walkers, so how about it. Remember it can be as much or as little as you like – on family, on hobbies, on Peaky membership and walks, travels etc.

For Chocoholics - I fear there are some amongst us!

The Sydney Chocolate Walking Tour. Discover some of Sydney’s best chocolatiers, right in

the heart of the CBD. You’ll learn about how chocolate is produced, from a bean on the

cacao tree through to the hands of the chocolate makers; and the terminology used by

industry experts to describe the taste, smell, and forms of chocolate. You’ll be able to

sample the chocolates at each venue you visit, where you will also learn how the different

cacao percentages affect the taste of the chocolate. Tours cost $49pp and start at 10 am

from Wynyard Park and take about 2.5-3 hours. The tours are not gluten or dairy free! They

run fortnightly mostly on Saturday mornings but there would be time to hop a train after

our Peaky walks so if interested go to www.foodi.com.au for dates and bookings.

END

Have a go!

What is Zumba Gold? Zumba is a dance-based aerobic fitness

program created in the 1990s. Zumba Gold is a spin-off,

created as a specialized fitness class that addresses the

specific needs of older adults.

Many of our members have taken up the challenge to

improve fitness and co-ordination on Friday mornings with

Kylie Jebb, and love it.

Kylie has now expanded the class to Saturday mornings at

11am. The first class you attend is free for Peaky Striders and

after that the fee is $10 with no bookings required. Just come

along whenever you can and enjoy the music, the company

and a feeling of wellbeing.

The Friday class is held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church,

cnr Forest Road and Isaac Street, Peakhurst at 10.15 am

(there is also a 2pm session at Menai Community Centre),

and the Saturday class is held at the Oatley Anglican Church,

57 Rosa Street (cnr Neville Street) at 11 am. You will need to

bring your own weights or make some up using drink bottles.