Bearbrass celebrated Christmas with a cruise from Docklands to Port Melbourne and beyond aboard the MV Calypso Lady. The theme was Gilligan's Island, a TV series from the 1960s and we costumed up big-time, especially member Bill in a fetching sailor-boy outfit. Others sported naval caps and accoutrements. Many of our ladies took their characters to heart and there were more "Ginger" redheads with plaits than you could shake a shashlik at. It was a perfect day with views of a host of cargo vessels and container depots, along with a giant cruise liner at Station Pier. The boat crew provided a lavish lunch with so much fruit that many members returned home carting bags of cherries and watermelons. We enjoyed a trivia quiz on board and regressed to pass the parcel and other scenes of our childhoods. Congrats to all who took the initiative to organise a watery voyage and so much fun on board.
Mechanics wheeled out a battery starter to his beautiful Mustang with its shark-tooth nose. The 12-cylinder Packard Merlin engine burst into life with its 1200HP roaring and a puff of blue smoke. Jason sat for a while with canopy open, ensuring engine pressures and temperature were OK. Then he swung the iconic fighter around onto the strip – blowing away a few hats from the prop-wash. The engine blared and the prop howled as the tips neared the sound barrier, then his Mustang was into the air and climbing for its first pass across our small party’s sightline.
He followed with a loop putting 4G stress on his body – as if it weighed more than 300kg. Several more passes and rolls, then a waggle of wings as he waved us ‘goodbye’. Watch him go here!
The oldest plane there was a replica 1913 Bristol Boxkite aircraft that was actually flown 100 years later at Point Cook with former Air Force Test Pilot Air Vice Marshal Mark Skidmore (retired) at the controls. “Considering it’s mainly wood wire and cloth, Mark was a brave airman,” said Norm. We attach a video of the flight below, in case you don’t believe Norm.
The expected bracing sea air gave way to calm and warmth; thermal underwear and beanies definitely not required! Whilst not worn, Brenda’s multi-coloured hand knitted beanie won “the beanie prize” of a sustaining glass of red wine.
Walkers started off the stroll sipping much-needed coffee. Bronze statues, calm blue-grey water, clean sand, buildings, the old St Kilda pier and the construction of the new pier were admired, examined and discussed along the way.
Finally the hardy walkers-strollers enjoyed seafood and, of course, chicken parma at APYC. Books, writing, philosophy, knitting, grandchildren, football, holidays taken or planned were the topics of discussion whilst taking in the surrounding and calming beach and sea vista.
My thanks to the participants who strolled rather than walked at their normal fast pace and to Russell for organizing the yacht club.
- Pikes 2022 Clare Valley Riesling
- Pauletts 2016 Polish River Clare Valley Riesling
- LÁrtisan 2020 Pinot Noir France
- Artisans of Barossa 2021 Barrel Blend Grenache
- S. C. Pannell 2019 McLaren Vale Basso Garnacha
- Trambusti 2021 Chianti.
912 Collins Street
Docklands, VIC 3008
Australia