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Imagine a day once a year where you can break away from you normal routine and have a fun day with a group of ladies. A day where you get spoilt rotten. That is exactly what we had. The day was sponsored by one of our suppliers and every year they surprised us with their originality. This year was no exception and we got invited to attend a day at the horse races in Johannesburg.
I have never been to the races and was quite excited. To attend the races you have to dress the part. I remember scenes from the movies where the ladies dress in designer gear, high heels and off course the HAT! I did not have a suitable hat in my cupboard so I decided to rent one.Hats off to the ladies in my office! They looked beautiful and elegant. We had the heads turning and before we left the office we had to pose for photos.
The men came out of their offices and whistled and one even grabbed my hat and posed for a photo!
We were in total about 60+ ladies and you can just imagine the noise.Everybody was talking about everything – from hats to babies! Our host went all out and the tables were exquisitely decorated with fresh flowers. Lunch was served not long after our arrival. A delicious three course meal and drinks were included. We chose a superb Merlot for our table.
After we finished our lunch it was time for the fun and games to begin. We each got handed an envelope with money to bet on the horses. I cannot remember exactly how much it was but it was enough to bet on a couple of races. I had no idea how it worked and after some explanation we all knew what to do. It was fairly easy. You chose your favourite horse and bet some money. If your horse won, you were lucky. It was all about luck!
The talking never stopped. These ladies days are great fun. You didn´t have to worry about the office or home and could relax and enjoy the afternoon uninterrupted and without any men around!
I was so excited that by accident I tore my bet up – in pieces! The whole table went quiet and then burst out into laughter. We tried to piece the small bits of paper (yes I really did tore it into pieces) together but without any luck!
While we were waiting for the races to start we had a competition for the best dressed lady and one of my colleagues won! It was an excellent choice because she really is a very stylish lady.
The races were starting and we moved outside to our own private area from where we could enjoy view.
The whistle went off and the horse racing started! We were enjoying a horse racing event at one of the oldest horse racing venues in South Africa. It was built in 1887. The excitement was building as the horses came around the corner and close to the finish line. My horse did not win. In fact none of my horses won!
Horse racing is indeed an enjoyable event. This is if you are not betting too much money or take it too seriously!
In between we were having fun and experimenting with new hat designs!
But like the saying goes “All good things come to an end” and we got drawn back to reality. Children had to be picked up and supper had to be cooked for the family. We posed for one last group photo and then said our goodbyes until next year for another Ladies day!
Where: Turffontein Race Club, Johannesburg,South Africa
When: 13 October 2005
Nelieta,You look like you enjoy you life to the fullest. It is so nice to see and read your stories of your travels. It shows in your pictures that you are doing what you want to in you life. sounds like the ladies had a beautiful time out in Johannesburg and the men found away to enjoy the time as well.xoxoxJessica
This sounds like a whole lot of fun and the evidence is in the pictures :)) How very stylish you ladies look!
Hi Corinne we had a lot of fun! Sometimes it is nice to play dress-up!
Hi Jessica, your comment brought a tear to my eye because you hit the nail on the head. For me travelling is not to an exotic location in a remote place but the simple things in life. Like in this post, a journey to the race course. That is what I like doing and in that moment I live life to the fullest and without regrets. xxxPs. The men actually missed us, can you believe it?
It looks like your having a great time in SA.Man your gifted coz u travel everywhere !!! I love it Photos looks great..ah i read one of your fri comment were she stated living life to its fullest thats the theme of my website !!I want to enjoy life like u …so what should i do ?
Hi Sheril, I wish I was in SA right now 🙂 These photos were taken in 2005 when I was still living there. The dates on my blog are all mixed up. I blog according to label :)Great theme for your website!!! My advice: To enjoy life you have to live in the moment. Don´t think about tomorrow live for now. Also take joy in life's small pleasures – a walk to the park for example. Take photos, sit down and enjoy the nature or speak to the people. Live in the moment. Then life will take on a deeper meaning and you will see life from a different angle!
I love Ladies Day! And what an amazing fun you had with the bunch of ladies I must say… I was smiling all the way as I went through your story as well as the pictures and that man over there in that second picture is just wickedly hilarious….By the way, you look gorgeous…:)xoxoxo
I agree Nelieta, take a stroll around any garden, photograph the flowers, the birds, even insects. Or just the light filtering through the leaves.And while you stylish ladies have your day out together, when my mates get together we don't want women around either! 🙂
Nelieta, this looks like so much fun. I can only imagine the excitement and noise among a bunch of women all in one place, whew!I had always wanted to see a race until I got more experienced working with Thoroughbreds and found out how young they start them off and the stuff they do to increase their running power. Saddened me:(
Hi Jim, yes there is so much beauty around us and that in itself is an adventure. LOL..ooh I can just imagine when the men get an opportunity to out together they will not be missing the women. Sometimes it is nice to take a break but we cannot live without each other 🙂
Hi Jorie we always looked forward to this "Ladies Day" in October. It is something we didn´t want to miss. It was fun and relaxing. Oh yes the guy in the photo was the clown of the office. He does look hilarious in this photo! Makes me miss the bunch at work 🙂
Hi Mary, I know very little about the sport because it is not something that I follow. What you are telling me is indeed very sad. I think there is so much happening behind the scenes that we don´t know about. So sad!Oh you can just imagine how the room was buzzing with noise. Women can talk a a lot..imagine 60 in one room! I have nice memories of this day.
hi nelieta.. why not, even your betting money is provided for,,,so no worry, just enjoy and have fun watching the horses race
Hi "Cooking Varieties" I agree! It was such an amazing day and we had a lot of fun! It did help that money was provided..lol!
Beautiful blog. I never got a chance to visit the African continent but may be someday…
Hi Sailor a visit to the African continent is quite an experience! Do explore it if you get the opportunity 🙂 Thank you for the compliment about my blog. Your blog is just as beautiful!
Hi Sailor a visit to the African continent is quite an experience! Do explore it if you get the opportunity 🙂 Thank you for the compliment about my blog. Your blog is just as beautiful!
Hi Jorie we always looked forward to this "Ladies Day" in October. It is something we didn´t want to miss. It was fun and relaxing. Oh yes the guy in the photo was the clown of the office. He does look hilarious in this photo! Makes me miss the bunch at work 🙂
Hi Jim, yes there is so much beauty around us and that in itself is an adventure. LOL..ooh I can just imagine when the men get an opportunity to out together they will not be missing the women. Sometimes it is nice to take a break but we cannot live without each other 🙂
Hi "Cooking Varieties" I agree! It was such an amazing day and we had a lot of fun! It did help that money was provided..lol!
Hi Mary, I know very little about the sport because it is not something that I follow. What you are telling me is indeed very sad. I think there is so much happening behind the scenes that we don´t know about. So sad!Oh you can just imagine how the room was buzzing with noise. Women can talk a a lot..imagine 60 in one room! I have nice memories of this day.
Hi Sheril, I wish I was in SA right now 🙂 These photos were taken in 2005 when I was still living there. The dates on my blog are all mixed up. I blog according to label :)Great theme for your website!!! My advice: To enjoy life you have to live in the moment. Don´t think about tomorrow live for now. Also take joy in life's small pleasures – a walk to the park for example. Take photos, sit down and enjoy the nature or speak to the people. Live in the moment. Then life will take on a deeper meaning and you will see life from a different angle!
Hi Corinne we had a lot of fun! Sometimes it is nice to play dress-up!