Location: Pine Lodge Resort & Conference Centre, Port Elizabeth
Dates: Fri 2 Dec - Sun 4 Dec
Theme: Christmas Outing

FALALALALA LALALALA!   And so the Christmas outing started off on Wednesday for a few eager beavers. We were pleasantly surprised by the new mode of transport made by Dustin for Father Christmas and his very merry clown.” The Laager express” Oh what fun is to ride on the Laager express sleigh, Hey! Well, I tell you this ride does not disappoint, Well done to Dustin. The fire was lit - drinks were poured and the Nells, Louw and Roberts families got comfy.

Thursday arrived with many more Laager family arrivals. After settling in we gathered around the fire once more doing what we do best! Braaing, eating and of course drinking. An awesome evening to kick off the weekend.

TGIF….. Well who would have known this evening was full of surprises, stunts and vanishing items. Piano man shocked the heck out of us when he braaid his own meat, needles to say some of it was still frozen. Watch out Gayle, you have competition for the frozen trophy. Come they, told him, "Pa rum pa pum pum” And so carols by firelight followed with a few merry voices and some voices that disappeared into their full tummies. Needless to say the harmonies of all made it a night to remember. The evening continued - wind gusts and all. Was it a Silent night , Ho Ho Ho….. No !!!!!!! Some of us were standing around the fire enjoying the warmth and glow of the flaming hot fire, when Brian thought to add another bag of wood which sent coals flying to the ground along with the blazing hot Vonkel-maker. Brian even though you continue to surprise us with your stunts and irreparable volume button, we still love you so please practice a little more safety around the fire.

Saturday proved to be a very busy day - some were busy with prep work for the kids party and others for our Christmas dinner. Kids spent their time on the laager express, swimming , riding bikes and chasing monkeys away. Some went off to Ziggies for brekkie while some of us were entertained by Susan’s anger at the loss of her shower scrunchie and her husband Swys gave us a demo of how to be Susan’s shower scrunchie Bwaaahaaaaa !!!!!! Never a dull moment being their neighbours, we had more than a few good laughs. The awning went up and that’s all...as the flag had gone astray once more. Lady made a plan, not our traditional flag but all in the spirit of Christmas we raised a HO ho HO! Some of the kids gathered around for tree decorating and some fun photies with Christmas head and eye gear .

PARTY TIME ARRIVED. Susan entertained kids with a little game, while waiting for Father Christmas and the Clown to arrive from their worldly travels, on a motorbike pulling the sleigh. What an entrance they made with kids running after excitedly. Fairy dust flew, sanitizer was sprayed and before you knew it we had a rainbow nation. Settling in with their drink-o-pops, the pair got busy with handing out gifts and fooling around. An exciting afternoon for all.

Pilates was next on the itenary for the arvie for Kevin, Bonny and Gayle showing us their moves. Not gonna say anymore than that. Moving on…… late afternoon fires were lit and the cooking began. Thanks to the crew who made us amazing calamari starters and the committee who prepared and cooked the mains. One thing about our Laager is for sure - we love to eat and so everyone tucked into Christmas dinner at their beautifully decorated tables. One big family - a special time of the year. Lucky draws and gift exchanging were next on the cards. Fun Fun Fun with BRIANS Ball and cup game.

Some met around the fire for a bit of winding down. Thank you to Nola for the melktertjies as it was just what we needed to sweeten the evening. Sunday was the usual packing up. Shanana and Leftovers for lunch Yum!

Another wonderful Christmas weekend with the Laager IX family.

May you all have a blessed safe Christmas with your families .

This scribe was written by Lindsey - Laager 9