Wednesday, 16th November 2016
WRAP UP FROM THE CRUISE-IN-COMPANY TO R.G.Y.C./Q.C.Y.C. 29 October-1 November, 2016.
The annual Recreational Boating Melbourne Cup Cruise-in-Company to Geelong and Queenscliff was attended by 16 boats with 44 ‘boaties’ registered for a BBQ dinner at RGYC.
With a dismal weather forecast it was decided to still run the event with four of the power boats leaving on Friday. They enjoyed excellent conditions for their trip down to RGYC.
The remainder of the fleet left at 10:00hrs on the Saturday (some with a six hour trip ahead) with the intention of arriving at RGYC around 14:30hrs.
On arrival at RGYC the boats were greeted with a welcoming party headed by David and Kate McCutcheon who helped the participants find their newly allocated berths due to berths being changed to accommodate the weather front approaching. Once everyone was settled and secured in their berths we had a few hours sunshine to enjoy before the night’s planned activities.
Early evening, we all met at RGYC’s Soo’s Bar and Grill for pre-dinner drinks and then made our way into the Clubrooms for a BBQ buffet. The atmosphere in the room was excellent as Michael Kostos, Club Captain Recreational Boating, presented the evening’s performance which entailed each boat presenting a short story using the 16 C.I.C. participant boat names. It was amazing to hear the creativity of the stories that each crew put together in such a short period. The room was filled with plenty of laughter as each boat submitted their tale.
The winners of the ‘creative writing competition’ were Ian and Lyn from Meltemi who won a decanter and a bottle of wine with second place going to Michael and family from Moli who received a novelty gift of Halloween goodies. A great night was had by all.
Sunday was a day of “battening down the hatches” with many crews rising early and placing extra fenders on their boats and re-securing their mooring lines. Meltemi was affected the most after the wharf she was against started to destruct and fall apart. With help from fellow sailors they moved into another safer and more secure pen by first light.
As the wind howled and rain fell we all had a day to entertain ourselves. Some curled up with a good book, others quenched their thirsts visiting a local brewery for the afternoon whilst their partners in crime supported the local community with some retail therapy and others simply delighted in ‘boat hopping’.
At 17:00hrs we gathered for pre-dinner drinks and socialising with many participants using the RGYC fantastic semi-enclosed/all-weather BBQ amenities to cook their evening meal.
This was a great time to mix and mingle whilst making new acquaintances along the way.
After a decision amongst the skippers it was decided by most that the Monday was the day to leave and unfortunately due to the weather forecast we had to abort the plan to travel onto QCYC. Most of the yachts departed at various times on Monday morning and the remaining power boats departed RGYC around 17:00hrs.
Despite the weather and disappointment of not being able complete our trip and to enjoy QCYC the shortened C.I.C. long weekend went very well with a lot of laughter, the odd drink and great fellowship between those who attended.
Arriving back at SYC earlier than planned allowed many crews the chance for a debrief when they headed up to our Members’ Bar for lunch followed by joining in the very popular SYC Melbourne Cup Day festivities.
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Winning Story – Meltemi – Ian and Lyn
In the Nepalese village of MOLI, guided by THE SECRETARY, I met the great mystic CELESTE. Consulting her TOPAZ 2 crystal ball, we saw the 5 RHYTHMS of life.
“To CELEBRATE your ROARING SUCCESS” she intoned with a French accent, “you must achieve your OLYMPIA.”
“Allow your FREE SPIRIT to roam unaffected by the buffeting MELTEMI. Don’t ask POURQUOI? Be assured TI AMO!”
The great god ULUWATU then spoke “Your spirit’s PERFECT MIX is not 4 by 2. The Hitchhikers guide got it wrong. KEEP SCALING BASTION POINT and you will reach life’s ultimate goal – IV BY VII!”
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