All the "criminals to be,"  turned up at Macca's Loganholme on Saturday morning in fine spirit as the sun and our faces were shining in anticipation for our " who killed Santa"  murder mystery theme for this years "Christmas in July."

A quick coffee, instructions given, introduce our Victorian members Rob and Beth, then time to mount up and head for the hills, ie. Woodlands of Marburg.  Ali was so happy because finally the C5 was finished and as it was her birthday she wanted nothing more than to do this run in the Tiger Shark, ( I made that up ).

 We did have to sing Happy Birthday to her for the first time of the weekend before leaving though. Up one Motorway and down another following 12 Vettes is always a great way to spend Saturdays. It's always good when Ernie leads in the ZR1 because it's easy to keep up.

 Arriving at the Kohla Gardens after an hours blat, we were ready for the picnic baskets to be opened and the barby lit, (not Barby Kelly).

Officer Dibble,( alias Ken Bobberman ) one of our newest members, proceeded to write us all tickets, including himself.  Mine said "Parking Fine," so I thanked him because I too thought the C5 looked great in the carpark.

Alan and Sue quickly scoffed their food down and were the first ones to head off on the nature walk, those lovebirds!

Ali and I had to join them to wear off the 4 chooks Carolee and Marina supplied for lunch,( on the walk that is!! )

The Vettes rumbled again, not our tummies, and we were then joined by a Sandman and an SLR from the Caddy Club who wanted to play with us for the evening.  Off to Woodlands Manor via the local bottle shop.

I parked fine again, checked in and everyone proceeded to congregate in room 2, that's right, my room. Geoff and Shannon in the smick black C5 arrived and were quick to catch up and join in and those missing the first sing along for Ali's birthday decided we should all sing Happy Birthday again. Everyone finally left to get into costume and character for the night except the chips and nuts, they stayed on my bed and floor with the empties.

Down the cellar we went.....oooohhhhh.... and there was the murder scene, Mrs Claus ( Barb ) was very upset and the mystery began unfolding.  The characters slipped into their roles, Dave was on about his plane, Geoff his pizza's, Ali's babies, Beth and Sue bitchin, Bob about his body, Reindeers saying Santa was just a fat bum, John spitting and spurting and the rest of us writing clues.  Hostess Sally kept us in line and in the end revealed the culprit, Carolee the murderer with her herbs and potions, Geoff said the part was written for her. 

 We finished the evening with coffee and yep, birthday cake for Ali, so we all sang happy birthday, again... 

Sunday morning, fully cooked brekky, stroll around the gardens, pack up then over and around the mountains to Boonah.  The GNA team in the black C5 enjoyed that and had forgotten how good the Vette's are!  Coffee at Boonah meant one thing, we had to have a cake!  Birthday cake for Ali, again, blow out candles and sing Happy Birthday.  I think Princess Ali got a lot of mileage out of her birthday this year.  And speaking of mileage, I was happy to be putting some on my C5, thanks to those who helped building the" Tiger Shark," what a great car to drive. 

Well that's another Christmas done, this year was murder.  Thank's to Ern and Sal for working with Ali and myself in organising the weekend, as well as the team up at Woodlands.  Also great to have the company of members we don't often see including Rob and Beth coming up from Victoria.

   cheers Peter Turner.......

PS  kids this was just a game, Santa hasn't been murdered !