Mystery destination a hit with coffee clubbers

By Petrina Wright | Posted: Wednesday March 8, 2023

Not knowing where they were going or what they would do when they got there, a 37-strong contingent of intrepid SupportLink Gore coffee clubbers boarded a bus and headed out on the road last week. (Wednesday, March 1)

The group was on a mystery bus tour organised by Enliven’s SupportLink Gore coordinator Patricia Officer-Young. 

The first stop of the day was lunch at the popular The Post Office Café and Bar in Clyde.

 After lunch, the group had the choice to go on a garden and vineyard tour at the boutique Clyde Village Vineyard or visit the Clyde Museum and do some shopping. 

Those that chose to do the garden and vineyard tour got to indulge in free wine tastings with hosts John and Chris Cockcroft and some light refreshments. 

The tour concluded with a stop off for real fruit ice cream in Fairview on their way home to Gore. 

Patricia said it had been a big day, but everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy it, visiting places they had not been to for a long time. 

“It was just lovely.”

One participant told her afterwards it had been the best bus trip she has ever been on, Patricia said.

The group showed their appreciation to the organisers and their driver Russell of Go Bus by singing - ' For they are jolly good fellows'.

Enliven supported living and community services manager Juliana Baxter and Pou Tohutohu Ahurea Māori Michelle Ryland joined the group on the outing.

“There were many tired but happy faces as we headed home after our big day out,” Juliana said. 

“A big vote of thanks has to be made to Patricia for going above and beyond to organise such a special day out for everyone.” 

This was the seventh mystery bus tour Patricia had organised since starting the coffee club 12 years ago. It was typically an annual event, but the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted the tour in the past couple of years. 

The first tour had been to Owaka. Other places visited include Riverton, Curio Bay, Alexandra and Te Anau. 

The SupportLink Gore coffee club, a social group for people aged 60 and over, meet the third Wednesday of every month. The coffee club started with 11 people in 2011. Twelve years later, the group now included 70 people. 

Patricia said the coffee club was a relaxed group where people could find companionship, enjoy good food at one of the four venues they routinely frequented, and hear from interesting guest speakers. A recent guest speaker was Gore’s new Mayor Ben Bell. 

To find out more about the SupportLink Gore coffee club, phone Patricia on 03 208 0864 or email pofficeryoung@enlivensld.nz.