Bundanoon Barbecue

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Ah, the annual barbecue at the Bundanoon nursing home – it’s the event that makes our little village buzz with excitement. The sun was shining, the sausages were sizzling, and the residents were ready for a day of fun and feasting.

Doris, our cheerful postmistress, was the first to arrive. With her infectious laughter and an endless supply of gossip, she was the life of the party. She brought along a stack of envelopes, joking that if the food was terrible, at least we could all write letters of complaint. Next, we had Barry, the local know-it-all and self-proclaimed barbecue expert. He showed up with his ancient, smoke-belching barbecue, claiming it had cooked for royalty. Whether that royalty was human or kangaroo remained a mystery. Barry’s barbecue tips were as numerous as they were unsolicited, but his heart was in the right place.

Farmer John sauntered in, smelling faintly of sheep and hay. He’d donated a pile of lamb chops, assuring us they were from his happiest, most carefree lambs. John’s tales of farm life kept everyone entertained, especially the one about his sheepdog that thought it was a cat.

Mary and George, the nursing home’s dynamic duo, were in top form. Mary had her eye on the cakes, making sure she had first dibs on anything with icing. George stationed himself near the beer cooler, insisting he was on “quality control” duty. Their banter and laughter were the soundtrack of the day.

Bruce the Kangaroo made his grand entrance, hopping around the garden like he owned the place. At one point, he tried to make off with a tea towel, but Doris swiftly negotiated its return with a carrot. Bruce seemed satisfied with the deal, hopping off to inspect the rest of the festivities.

The Men’s Shed crew were the unsung heroes of the event. They set up the barbecues, manned the grills, and made sure everyone had a plate full of deliciously charred food. Their camaraderie and banter added to the jovial atmosphere, and they kept the barbecue running like a well-oiled machine.

Inside, the volunteer ladies from the coffee shop were hard at work. They served up an impressive array of scones, cakes, and an endless supply of tea and coffee. The scones were a particular highlight – golden, fluffy, and perfect with a dollop of jam and cream. Mary was in heaven.

As the day wound down, everyone agreed it had been a roaring success. There’s something truly special about a barbecue in Bundanoon, especially when it involves such a delightful cast of characters. From Bruce’s tea towel antics to Farmer John’s sheep stories, it was a day filled with laughter, good food, and wonderful company.