Shipmates!
This report deals with the last Working Weekend of 2006, and calls
for
volunteers to attend the first Working Weekend of 2007, which will
be
held from 12th to 14th January (next weekend).
Weekend of
30th December – 1st January:
The last Working Weekend of 2006 had to be special - and it certainly
was
special. Unfortunately I missed half of it due to Canberra
commitments, but
when I arrived on board late on Saturday evening I
found the ship's company
celebrating a hard but productive day's work
over a Gala Dinner in the main
saloon. As I tucked into roast chicken
with all the trimmings - followed by a
Bundock Special fruit salad and
cream - I heard stories of challenges met and
overcome, of successes and
failures, and of all the little dramas and
excitements that are part and
parcel of life aboard a ship under restoration.
Those whose efforts
during the day require acknowledgment included a group of
German
engineers and carpenters who had been working under Marcus'
cheerful
direction (I'm sorry that the names escape me), an equally happy
group
of 'deckies' who had been working on the starboard bridge deck
under
John Stokes and John Bundocks direction, and a couple of very useful
new
tradesmen-volunteers including an upholsterer and another
accomplished
welder (welcome on board, Arthur and John!) We usually take
the
efforts of the shipkeepers and 'Old Hands' for granted - but on
this
occasion let me mention the sterling efforts of Tim Elderton (who
kept
the air flowing), Peter King (who carried out a major
'de-rubbishing'
exercise), James (more chipping!), Shane (take a look at the
officer's
bathroom when you are next on board) , Adrienne and Anthea (kitchen
and
general duties), Daniel (everything imaginable!), John Walker
(radio
room, administration), Sam (engine room), and David Bruce
(air
conditioning).
Sunday was another full day of rewarding effort.
John Bundock, John
Walker, Daniel and I concentrated on the starboard wing of
the bridge
while Shane added some more finishing touches to his
magnificent
bathroom and the rest of the crew worked in the engine room.
About
midday, James and Yoko Stone came aboard, and immediately set-to
preparing a
magnificent New Years Eve repast for us all. They were joined
by
Adrienne and Anthea, and soon the saloon had been transformed into
a
veritable fairyland while the aroma of gourmet cooking drifted from
the
pantry.
New Years Eve on the harbour is something one simply must
experience to
appreciate. Roads leading to Balls Head were closed off to all
but
residents about 4.30, and by five PM the whole area was crowded
by
family groups awaiting the fireworks. When the show finally
started
(with a 9.00 PM family show) anticipation was a fever pitch - and
By
Jove! we were not disappointed! While most of us simply stood
and
gawped, young Bundock remained hard at work capturing the display on
his
camera. I hope that you will see the results of John's handiwork on
our
web page in due course.
Dinner - prawns (in pastry an au natural)
headed the menu, while there
was sauteed chicken and salad to fill in any
gaps. Champagne flowed, songs were
sung - and some hardy souls remained on
deck the whole night through. I
can say, ladies and gentlemen, that the old
Don saw the New Year in with
a bang and not a whimper!
But that was
not the end of it. As we emerged blinking in the clear
light of a new day,
Johnnie Walker presented us with a traditional Scottish
breakfast - haggis,
fruit sausage, Ayrshire bacon and eggs - and a
judicious drop or two of
Scotch to clear the head...
Call to Arms!
Well, it is on again this coming weekend. We will be once again regathering on the Don with our sleeves rolled up, with the early birds arriving on Friday morning. There will be tasks aplenty awaiting us, and there will also be lots to see. Alan Lark will be on board, presenting his amazing wood carving products – pens, salt and pepper shakers, bowls and Lazy Susans, all carved from the Cape Don’s weathered Oregon decking. Alan is starting up a small industry for us – beautiful hand carved memorabilia from the Don, each piece a functioning artefact. We will also be able to see – and perhaps try – the new addition to the radio room – a fully operational Apollo radio donated to us by the Waverton Amateur Radio Club. And the piece d’resistance? Nothing less than a fully equipped Saturn B Radar dome, kindly donated by P&O. When installed, this last item will bring the ship’s multi-channel radar/satnav/radio capacity up to world standard.
Dinner on Saturday night will be very special. Amongst a small group of VIPs enjoying the Cape Don’s unique brand of hospitality will be two Admirals (our own Rear-Admiral Andrew Robertson, and Vice-Admiral Chris Ritchie), a top Sydney surgeon interested in our mercy ship role, plus one of Australia’s most successful volunteer fundraisers – barrister Greg Underwood.
Be there or be square!
Cheers,
Derek