An invitation to join Mike Honer for the launch of another St Ayles skiff was accepted and I wandered down to see what was to transpire.
A very pleasant morning with a bit of a bite in the sun still, while we moved into the memorial hall where the launch was to take place. A number of friendly faces and the feeling that everything was about to happen.
Mike Honer swung into the ceremony and had it moving along rapidly with an address from the Commanding Officer HMAS Stalwart III, Commander Mile Madarac naming the Skiff the Stalwart and a blessing of the skiff by Navy Chaplain Cornelis Bosch.
A round of rum or port was offered for the toast and the Skiff moved out on to the hard to be rolled down to the waterline before a few photos were taken for posterity.
The piper earned his dram several times during the morning but finished on a high note as the boat slipped into the water and the crew under the coxwainship of Mike took the boat to the presumed start line where visiting Skiffs were waiting for her.
The cannon roared (well- went Bang) and the five boats headed off around and into Blackwall Reach for a 4 km row. Only four returned, so we have to presume that the last of the Freshie skiffs headed off up the reach to go home. Fair enough, but its a long row to get a cup of tea, especially against the easterly.
By this time, I was ready to pack up, so I wished all well and slipped home to process the photos.
I would have stayed if there had been a cup of tea available
A very pleasant morning with a bit of a bite in the sun still, while we moved into the memorial hall where the launch was to take place. A number of friendly faces and the feeling that everything was about to happen.
Mike Honer swung into the ceremony and had it moving along rapidly with an address from the Commanding Officer HMAS Stalwart III, Commander Mile Madarac naming the Skiff the Stalwart and a blessing of the skiff by Navy Chaplain Cornelis Bosch.
A round of rum or port was offered for the toast and the Skiff moved out on to the hard to be rolled down to the waterline before a few photos were taken for posterity.
The piper earned his dram several times during the morning but finished on a high note as the boat slipped into the water and the crew under the coxwainship of Mike took the boat to the presumed start line where visiting Skiffs were waiting for her.
The cannon roared (well- went Bang) and the five boats headed off around and into Blackwall Reach for a 4 km row. Only four returned, so we have to presume that the last of the Freshie skiffs headed off up the reach to go home. Fair enough, but its a long row to get a cup of tea, especially against the easterly.
By this time, I was ready to pack up, so I wished all well and slipped home to process the photos.
I would have stayed if there had been a cup of tea available