Warminster Ball 9th

When our neighbours, Andrew and Charlotte, asked if we would be interested in joining them for a Summer Ball at the Warminster Infantry Officers’ Mess we naturally jumped at the chance; after all, it is not everyday you get to don a ball gown or dinner suit (looks at bit odd at the pub). Interestingly, the theme of the night was The Titanic while the dress code mentioned decadent and daring and 1920’s attire. Trust an Infantry Officer not to clue on to the fact that by the 1920s the Titanic had been underwater for half a decade! (In Andrew’s defence he is an Army Lawyer and not part of the organizing committee.)

Making the bold assumption that we were not intended to go as frozen corpses, Nathan and I opted for a semi 1920’s approach with Abbey very keen to acquire my feathered head band for her dress up box once the Ball was over. As luck would have it the weekend of the Ball was the same weekend Sarah and her kids were visiting so we actually had a baby sitter! I will admit to feeling very cheeky asking Sarah if she would mind us going out for the evening but being the fantastic friend she is she told us just to have a great time (and not to expect a sleep in the next morning!)

When the mini bus arrived to pick us up at 1845 we were glammed up and ready to go. Along with Charlotte and Andrew we were also joined by Rich and Vania and we were all ready for a great night out.

Personally, I thought we scrubbed up okay

The LOLs!

And our dashing dates

The evening consisted of pre dinner drinks, a seated meal then entertainment in the form of live music, fairground rides, a Casino and a roaming magician – not your average Australian ball.

Rich and Charlotte

Andrew and I

Nathan and Vania

After a meal which consisted of more puddings than you could poke a stick at it was time to get down to business. What followed has got to be one of the funniest spectacles I have ever witnessed. It was like watching some grown up version of the telly tubbies – Charlotte (AKA Blue Sumo) vs Vania (AKA Red Sumo).

It really was a spectator sport!

Not to be outdone, Rich and Nathan decided to suit up. It was at this stage that Nathan chose to flex his Sumo muscles and announced that he had split his pants (for any English amongst you, read ‘trousers’). Nathan was not in fact joking and it was just fortunate that he had chosen black underpants and that the night was dark or we would all have been in for a real treat for the remainder of the evening! As it was he just enjoyed some fresh air.

Like any self-respecting adults in Ball attire we continued trying out all manner of activities – not that we are a competitive bunch! (only slightly drunk!!)

Andrew hangs ten

I was incredibly frustrated not to be able to score beyond 50

Rich as ever a steady hand

Diana, goddess of war!

The Roberts get rid of some frustation!

We moved indoors for some more ‘grown up’ activities. Neither Vania or I had a clue what we were doing but we had a great time betting (fake money) on the roulette table.

With Charlotte whispering tips from behind

She was rather a dark horse when it came to gambling!

Once again Charlotte appears from the sidelines at the Black Jack table

Time now to abandon all modesty, kick off those heels and hit the dance floor

By 0130 we were all feeling our age and very much aware of the children who would be waking us up early the next morning (actually this morning and only in a few short hours). It was time to board the mini bus and head home to bed