06 November 2007

The Race That Stops the Nation


Yep, it was Melbourne Cup day today...when we have sumptious lunches at work, champagne and sweepstakes for the race and everything stops while the race is on. Even the patients are in on it...there's a TV in the waiting room.


Today started off wet and cold, the train was more crowded than usual and I had a couple of difficult questions to sort out when I got to work. I couldn't face anything until I had made a plunger of coffee and while I was doing that, G came up to where I was making my coffee, threw a butter knife in the sink and muttered, "I had a difficult patient." It took a couple of seconds then I laughed like mad, which earned me some strange looks from other staff members until I explained what he had done and said.


Later, the money was taken for the sweepstake, lunch time came around and we put all the goodies out on the table. B wondered out after the horses had been given out and was going on about a loose zipper. I thought he said he couldn't sit down because he had a loose zipper. However, his horse's name was Zipper! Unfortunately, he didn't zip fast enough, nor did my horse and we blew our money...all of $8 in my case.


However, we had a beautiful luncheon, the champagne went down well (too well for S, who knocked her glass over...before she'd even taken a sip!).


We're happy in Queensland as it was a jockey from the Gold Coast who won. Because of the horse flu, there were no horse races here, but that didn't stop the punters. They raced camels instead or, oiled by a few drinks, ran themselves.


So, four o'clock came...the one glass of champagne had made me less enthusiastic for work than usual, and I went home. I was able to get a seat on the train...until two stops later when we were held up by a "police incident" and had to change trains. Probably someone who had lost too much money or had too much to drink...idiot! Consequently I was home half-an-hour later than usual...sigh...oh well, you get that.


I hope you had a profitable Melbourne Cup Day...it's a pity the Reserve Bank met today...interest rates are sure to rise.

12 comments:

Pear tree cottage! said...

Puss-in-boots sorry no winners here but did take the moment to lisen to the race and had a little bubbles but our town Kyneton is not on Holiday today we have tomrrow as a holiday as it is the "Kyneton cup" all the punters and the horses come up here for the day bus after bus travel up the road to Kyneton and the town loves to see it!! lol lol.

have enjoyed reading your blog posts today after such a long to between drinks "oops I mean visit's" lol lol just kidding.

Lee-ann

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

Robyn, sounds like you had an exciting and different day yesterday!! I suppose that it is night there now as it is early morning Tuesday here in the States!! I just got up and feel like I need to go lay back down. Work yesterday was busy and now i am pooped from it. Guess it gets harder and harder to start a new job at our AGE!! Smile!! I wear out easier than I should!! Thanks for stopping by and remembering with me. Sandy

Carole Burant said...

Hello dear Robyn:-) Back from my trip and trying to catch up with everyone...I feel like I've been away a month instead of just a few days! lol I so enjoyed seeing those pictures of the cicada that had just come out of its shell...how fascinating! I was thinking of you this weekend...when Steve & I went to the Niagara Parks Greenhouse, they had a lot of Australian flowers in there:-) xox

Unknown said...

Not long ago I read an older novel by Dick Francis that has the Melbourne Cup as a major element in the plot. I’m glad to learn he wasn’t exaggerating about everything stopping while the race is run. (It was during the running of the race that the protagonist set the trap that snared the bad guys).

Walker said...

Sounds like work can be real fun at times.

To bad about the horse flu keeping other horses from competing.

Unknown said...

We had a winner and picked up over $300! Yay...

Andree said...

You have the most interesting life, you really do. You do all sorts of stuff there. I never even heard of the Cup, but your other commenters have! I didn't even have a beer for the world series! LOL

I'm all better now, thank you so much, Robyn. It was a nasty heavy cold. But after two weeks, I woke up Monday with all my energy and power back. Just like that!

Merle said...

Hi Robyn ~~ Glad you had a nice day for the Cup with food and drink, if no winners. Me neither. Mine were 6th & 16th.
Thanks for your concern for John, I think he will be OK.
I see Peter put a better photo of you on for you and me !!
Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.

Karen said...

Hi Robyn, This is the first year I have missed the cup and it wasn't even for a very good reason. I was in bed after being up all the night before. Oh well, I guess it saved me a few dollars....

Jeanette said...

Hi Robyn. no winner here either. sounds like you had a lovely day. with all the food and drink...
BTw.. When I repotted my fuchsia i added a heap of water crystals to the potting mix to help retain water I also have a water tank and in between allowered watering i use a little from the tank, we had a little rain last friday which topped up my tank...

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

It sounds like a fun day! :)

Tammy said...

Laughing "like mad" here at the "plunger of coffee"...I just had a cup myself, it is bone shivery here today!

Have a great day!