Out and About - Judy Carroll

When I moved permanently to Preston Beach, I was often asked "what do you do with yourself all day"?  I never really understood the question, as I've hardly a had a minute to spare since I got here and I'm pretty sure most local folk would say the same thing.  In fact, I don't know how I ever found time to work!

So, in answer to the question, which still gets asked from time to time, this is what we've been up to for the last three days...

Monday and Wednesday begins early with a water aerobics session at Waroona Recreation Centre, I'm a newcomer to this activity and some of the regulars have been going for over a year. The indoor pool is heated, so there's no excuse for not continuing through winter, although I'm told it gets a bit nippy between the change rooms and the water. At the moment there's a regular contingency from Preston Beach of up to ten ladies (men are only absent by choice and are very welcome to join in). Not everyone can make it to every session, but that's okay because there's no role call!

Preston Beach water maidens, Esmae, Pam, Elaine, Jan and Judy

Our water aerobics trainer is Debbie. She is amazing and always inspires us to do better, but never pushes anyone beyond their limits.  Some days there are as many as 25 people in the pool and they come from near and far, including Dwellingup, Harvey and Pinjarra.

If you want to join in for an hour of low impact, calorie burning, fitness building fun, meet us at the hall on Panorama Drive by 7.10am any Monday or Wednesday to join the car pool.  The session starts at 8am and ends at 9am and we are usually back in Preston Beach by 9.45am   Admission to the pool/aerobics session is $6 (concession). 

 

Wednesdays the new Stitch and Bitch group meet at the hall from 10am to noon for coffee, conversation and craft.  This is a newly founded group and we are still working out a format. Attendances have been great and we're all learning new skills and sharing what we know.  You don't need to be a crafter, in fact you need no skills at all, although it would be handy if you could put the kettle on and make a cuppa ;-)

 

 



Craft ladies put $2 into the pot each week to cover the use of power and consumables at the hall and tea and coffee supplies.  It's a great morning out and the group will continue to meet throughout winter.  Whether you're into craft or not, you're very welcome to join in. Bring along your projects, your ideas, your recipes or whatever you have to share with a group of very friendly ladies.  As time goes by we will develop a format which could include visiting artisans, workshops, outings, community projects and more.

Because we are flexible, the normal craft day will not be held on Wednesday 1 May due to a prior booking at the hall for a very informative day of information held by The Southwest Catchment Council - Coastal Rehabilitation Techniques. A workshop presented by Dave Bright (Regen4 Environmental Services), who has over twenty years experience as an environmental consultant with particular expertise in the field of Bushland Management and in particular, coastal dune systems.  The day also includes a field visit to dune rehabilitation areas and community brushing storage area, These visits will look at on ground examples of coastal rehabilitation, including management, techniques and future works.  If you are interested in attending please email chris.gibbs@agric.wa.com.au or phone 9780 6172.  Morning tea and lunch will be provided.  The day commences at 8.30am and ends at approx 3.15pm.  There is no cost.

Continuing on Wednesdays, visiting hairdresser Penny Fagan is keeping the residents of Preston Beach well groomed on a budget.  Penny brings her mobile salon to town every five weeks and has a long list of regulars.  If you are interested in this great service, there is a bookings list kept at the shop.  All you need to do is write your name against the appointment time of your choice (depending what is still available) and turn up for your hair cut on the day.

Penny Fagan, mobile hairdresser and happy customer Elaine Williams



Today is Thursday and we kicked it off with what will be a regular coffee morning hosted by Footprints Cafe.  This is another opportunity for local ladies to gather for a chat and catch up.  The coffee is great and the Cafe offer a different special each month when we meet for coffee.  Today it was fresh scones!  Yummo!

Scones with lashings of jam and fresh cream anyone?
 

The coffee morning is held at 10am on the first Thursday of every month.  This may vary depending on circumstances, such as Western Power switching off the town electricity supply as they did on 4 April!  If you would like to join in this very pleasant morning you can register with Footprints Cafe to receive an email alert by messaging Erin at  - manager@footprintsprestonbeach.com.au

Marita and Jeanette



Christine and Cheryll

 

All this interspersed with walks on the beach, fishing, shopping trips to Harvey, Bunbury, Mandurah or where ever you prefer, golf at various nearby courses and our own 9 hole course, lunch where ever it takes your fancy and more. 

 

Speaking of lunch, I can highly recommend the $12.50 Sunday roast at Waroona Hotel. The chicken salad is more than a mouthful and the sticky date pudding is super delicious!

 

What are the fella's doing I hear you say?  Well, my man has been very busy preparing new garden beds, so with the weather pattern slowly easing into autumn I think it might be a good opportunity to join him in the garden and plant a few winter vegies... when I get a moment to spare ;-)