Christmas Party & End of Year Celebration

President's Cup winners: Marg, the Nolan  'Gong Team (cyclists), Georgia

The Uringa Christmas party is one of the club's two big annual social events (the winter dinner being the other). This year's event was yet another highly successful mix of orienteering (the President's Cup), socialising, eating, and, of course, Santa Claus. The venue this year was provided by Matt and Helen (all renovations complete), along with the pool at St. Joseph's College across the street.

The President's Cup
The traditional afternoon start (3.30pm-ish) was not a hot one this year, with the temperature moderated by a cloudy sky. The map offered a hill, water views and crossings, and St.Joseph's College campus.

The course offered 21 controls for a 40 minute score event, with a question to be answered at each. Much discussion afterwards on some of them: what is a chimney stack and how does it differ from a chimney pot? what is a goal post (when seen from a distance)? and even where is south? and, oh yes, I was distracted while I was counting the bricks.

President's Cup mugs, made by Jitka, are awarded at the discretion of the club president. (For a complete history of President's Cup awardees, go to the 2015 November postings in this blog.)

The Eating and the Socialising

You didn't have to enter the President's Cup to enjoy this aspect, though you did have to bring your contribution to the meal.

The club provides the barbecue cooked by Aldo and Ron  (meat and vegetarian options) while attendees bring a plate, coordinated by Gayle. It was a feast! Again.

Best of all was the opportunity to catch up with old friends, get to know new friends better, and start the wind-down to the end of the year.

 

And, of course, there was Santa