It’s hard to believe the 4^th annual Jack Daniels New Zealand BBQ has come and gone. As we get into this account of what happened we must be aware that the 5^th anniversary is a mere 364 days away and planning has already started. As I listen to your feedback I am sure the 2011 BBQ will be a grand occasion and we all have a responsibility to grow the member numbers in 2011.

 

Friday 12 Feb.

 

It was awesome to meet up with everyone at the Taupo All Seasons Holiday Park. Moz had arrived safe and sound from Australia. As we settled into the campground it was time to get ready for dinner at Ploughman’s. The group jumped into the Taxi and we headed out for a catch up of old times over dinner. Moz got the front seat which in New Zealand means you pay the bill as everyone piles out of the back of the van and into the restaurant. Apparently in Aussie they do it backwards which doesn’t surprise me. We were greeted by our hosts and invited to grab a couple of drinks and head upstairs to the special room they had set up for us. The meals were top quality with Martyn “the machine” and Moz “the destroyer” ordering the lamb shanks. After dinner Moz thought he was going to deliver a baby after the enormous serving. Well he didn’t deliver a baby but he did surprise everyone with an Aussie “cane toad”. The steak and fish meals were outstanding. On our way out we were greeted with a complimentary shot of Gentleman Jack. A big thanks the Ploughman’s and to Shane and Ang for arranging the dinner. We jumped back into the Taxi where further “cane toads” were discovered and guess who got the front seat? Me! I guess I wasn’t the sharpest spade in the shed that night. Lol.

 

Back at camp we sat around having a few laughs in between a few showers. Some headed of to the thermal pool for a soak while others sat and chatted to end the night in style.

 

Saturday 13 Feb.

 

It was an early start as my 2.5yr old daughter thought it was time to get up and when she gets up we all get up. It was time to start setting up for the Amazing race; others got up and had breakfast while the rest of the group travelled to make the 11.00am start time. It is so cool to meet the new group and to see old faces to arrive. Clint didn’t fair to well over night coming down with a bug which put him in jeopardy for the start of the race. We managed to get him some medication and after a good sleep he came right for the afternoon events. The first event of the Amazing race was the Dart board challenge. Each member of the team had to throw three darts from the distances and the group total would determine the starting position for the second event. It was a funny start to the day with a maximum of 15 darts counting the highest team got 7 to stick in. Team 2 amassed the biggest total which allowed them to start the mini putt challenge. Each member hits 7 balls into the hole, if a hole in one is made then the team can get the next clue otherwise all members must hit the 7 balls. It was pretty even at this point. The next clue to solve meant they had to replace numbers with letters, e.g. A=1. Not too hard, so we wrote the clue backwards just to checking if the teams were onto it. The clue led them out to Huka falls where they had to use a picture that was taken at the falls somewhere and they had to get a tourist to pose for a photo with the group. As you can imagine some of the tourists were weary of a group of people asking where they were from and would they pose for a photo with them. Lol. The next clue got them to go to Reid’s farm (no it’s not my farm or my families farm, it’s a council owned camping ground on the Waikato River). Teams had to find the Camp sign board and pose for a group photo and write the third rule of the board down. (No fires permitted). The next clue got the teams to travel to Kinloch to an address where a package would be waiting for them nailed to the fence, teams needed to bring that package back to camp unopened. Once teams hit State highway 1 again they got the next clue. Inside the envelope were nine pictures of shops in Taupo. Teams had to locate the shops and write the shop numbers down. One team thought of using a phone book which was a great time saving idea, the only problem was one of the shops has shifted which meant the shop number was different. Points for thinking though. Once all nine shops were located the next picture was of an internet café where a Google challenge awaited them. Teams had to get a receipt to prove they went to the shop. The shop worker was hesitant about giving a recipe for $1.00. Too funny. Next, teams had to make there way to the Hole in one Challenge. They had to hit a bucket of balls into the lake. If a ball hit the pontoon teams could leave and get the next clue. Teams could also choose to hit the rest of the balls but they couldn’tt get the next clue until they were finished. The next clue took them to the Super Loos where one member had to make a deposit while the rest of the team solved a word find. The remaining letters spelt out the next clue which took them to Liqourland where they had to buy a JB mini. Teams also picked up an envelope with a card inside it to be used at prize giving. Sorry guys I had to try and trick you but you all got it right. There was an issue with Moz and a Car tyre and his foot. Not really sure what happened but I think he was in a rush and the car was backed over his foot and then stopped. Luckily he had safety boots on. Don’t know why? He must have known something we didn’t. Lol. The final clue bought them back to camp where they had to throw a double to finish. Team 2 was the first team home, Team 1 was second and Team 3 came third. 

 

After this rush, individuals were given 30mins to have the entries into the Bake off on the tables ready for the judges. Two sections are available to enter, a sweet and a savory section. This year saw an outstanding effort in the dishes that were presented to the judges. It was a credit to all entries. Once judging was over we could all taste the various dishes.

 

It was getting into late afternoon and the bake off was cleared away to make room for the Trade/Auction table. This is another of the highlights as fellow collectors go head to head to bid on the various items. A master list is given to an independent person. Collectors go and make bids on paper and hand those in to the independent person who checks off the lists. The person closet to the reserve price gets the chance to buy it for the reserve. E.g., if the reserve is $100. Person A bids $95 and Person B bids $101. Person B is closest they pay $100. If the closet bid is low they choose to pay the reserve or the Seller can take a lower offer. If there are two people with the same then they are asked if one will drop out. If both people want it, then a coin is flipped.

 

After the auction the BBQ was prepared by our two cooks and we enjoyed a great feast.

After dinner prize giving got underway.

 

This is were we say Thanks to a lot of people. Firstly to our Main Sponsor Hancock’s NZ. They have stepped up every year for the last four years to sponsor this event and we appreciate the ongoing and support of Jack Daniels Collectors in New Zealand. Thanks to Moz for coming over from Australia for the 3^rd year running and bringing over freebies for the group. Thanks to the BBQ cooks and Bake of Judges for the hard work you put in. Thanks to Super Liquor Putaruru for sponsorship of the Bake Off and for the 15% discount on gift packs to members. We look forward to developing an ongoing relationship.   Thanks to Steve for arranging the Shirts and Hats for the event, Stella effort mate. And finally to all the members for making this event what it is, without you we wouldn’t have an event. Which brings me back to the start, lets work on getting new collectors to the 2011 5^th Anniversary BBQ.

 

Hancock’s Amazing Race Winners – Team 2. Leader Ang, Members, Moz, Duane and Sharla.

Putaruru Super Liquor Bake Off Savory Winner – Ang

Putaruru Super Liquor Bake Off Sweet Winner – Christine

 

Black Jack Card Run Winners – Team 3. Leader Mike, Members, Melinda, Martyn, Shane

 

Hancock’s JD Member Gifts – All participants received a JD T-shirt, JD Scarf and JD Scroll poster.

 

After prize giving we sampled the sponsor’s product and relaxed into the wee small hours of the night. Steve and Shane went and put a couple of chickens on the smoker for a late night feast and they were thoroughly enjoyed.

 

Sunday 14 Feb

 

Clean up, pack up, and say good bye and head home was the order of the day for some of us. The rest are staying on another day to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather and all Taupo has to offer. All the best in 2010 and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2011 for the 5^th Anniversary.

 

Signing Off

Brian “ Tokboy” Reid