Sunday, November 8, 2009

Melbourne Cup Day - Far North Qld style

*Dressing up for cup day Far North Queensland style.

 

By all accounts there is nothing like a good wager on a horse race. Well the gamblers just seemed to come out of the woodwork on Tuesday as the Lions Den put on it’s first major horseracing day. Although there were no bookies on site and the waging was done via our pub sweep, the saying goes….if you create it they will come. Forced by public demand the Lions Den management ran an A and B sweep with many more draws  begged for by the patrons. We limited it to the two sweeps and even then there was chatting and strategies being discussed over many a XXXX stubbie.

 

The fashions were not overlooked with many locals donning their caps, fishing hats and Akubras for the occasion. The ladies did not disappoint with a fine display put on by the Lions Den staff and a few of the more adventurous. Best dressed was won by Kerry and funniest hat (or head) by none other than Mitch. The passing traffic did not disappoint either with a lovely tourist couple putting on their spring best for the big occasion, including beads, a colorfully decorated straw hat and gorgeous Hawaiian shirt…well done guys!

 

After all the excitement true recognition must go to the wonderful horse ‘Shocking’ that took home the Melbourne Cup. Just goes to prove that no matter where you are Melbourne Cup day is a day for the masses and ALWAYS a good excuse to break out the bubbly.

 

 

Motorbikes Galore

About 45 motor bikers from far and wide made the trek from Cairns to the Lions Den Hotel via the famous Creb Track and Bloomfield Tracks as part of the annual DSMRA (Dual Sport Motorcycle Riders Association) ride. Fueled by a big day of riding the boys were geared up for some fun and managed to fall in love with the Lions Den backpacker barmaids.

It looked like a great turn out for the club, with a huge range in the ages and experience of riders. They all at least seemed to achieve what they’d set out for..…a bloody good weekend away. So with very few injuries and only sore heads to contend with Sunday morning the boys headed back to Cairns with plenty of dust but unfortunately no phone numbers!

 

 

TPI (Vietnam Veterans) jazz up the place.

Lance Peterson and twenty of his merry men from the TPI Federation of Vietnam Veterans brought a touch of glamour to the Lions Den in recent weeks, with a formal military dinner at the pub to conclude their yearly reunion. A hazy but entertaining two days was had by these young at hearts and it was a night of many laughs with elaborate candelabras, printed formal shirts and of course the customary port. Cheers boys!