Young Laurie, Young Geoff Young Clive

...at Hamelton Island Race Week quite a few years ago.

"Baby Doll" - The Italian Speed Boat Project

At an Extra Ordinary General Meeting held today, Master Boat Builder Sir Ratty Gilbert from Ratline Boat Builders Ltd presented to the committee the plans for "Baby Doll" the Italian Speedboat along with a half model which he used to experiment with different build methods and options for build materials.

After Sir Gilbert's presentation and close inspection of the build methods by the committee a vote was taken to proceed to Stage 2 of the build process. It was agreed unanimously that the resourceful craftsmanship displayed fully 'rat'ified the committees decision to use Ratline for this rare project.

Sue has found a method to manage her credit card...

.... but stil manages to secure flight to Sydney for the weekend.

Gaye Arrives Back Home

Left work a little early to pick Gaye up at Tullamarine airport. She was due to land at 3:05 29th July after flying from Vancouver to LA to Auckland then across the pond to Melbourne. Its a long enough trip when flying straight from LA to Melbourne without the added the leg down the West Coast from Vancouver and the additional stopover in Auckland.

Gaye is used to long haul. When returning from Colorado Springs to Melbourne one time, and using frequent flier points to do so, she had to fly CS to Fort Worth to LA to Hong Kong to Taiwan to Singapore to Sydney to Melbourne. I flew direct, left a day after her and arrived in Melbourne a day before she did.

Caught up on all the goss on Eila and her new appartment, John, Maria, James, Carol, Peter, Uncle Albert and extended family on the car trip back to Geelong. Looking forward to more when she gets over the jet lag.

To avoid smoking out the kitchen...again..

...Steven bravely volunteered to do the cooking outside last night.

Gayes Garden

Just in case you are missing it Gaye.

Quick Trip to Sydeny

Had a great weekend with vic and John in Sydney. Flew up on Friday afternoon in time to catch John and his mates for an after work Friday beer. The back to their apartment to watch Stage 13 of Le Tour. didn't see too much of it, the couple of Kilkenny's at the pub meant an early night. Who am i kidding? bed time is bed time. Come 10:30 that's it for me.

Saturday ride up to Church Point, then back thru Terry Hills on a beautiful Sydney winters day, then an afternoon at the Dee Why Tappas restaurant on the beach. Sunday saw up up on Long Reef looking for whales. Sharp eye Vic saw on right in near the beach with a couple of surfers floating nearby for a closer look. It was a little distant for us, but I think I saw a mom and calf.

Sunday a game of golf at Lane Cove Golf Club. A lovely course in a steep sided gully with a creek leading down into Sydney Harbour. Very enjoyable. All good things must come to an end, so John dropped me off at Mascot to catch you 6:35 flight back to Avalon.

While I was away Steve and Regan hosted a murder. Sounds like they had a great evenings entertainment.

Some Windsurfing after 4 Months Off

Last weekend I got out for a sail after not having done so for about 4 months. I blame the weather mainly. At this time of year it is calm and there is little wind. Last Saturday didn't make up for it, but it was a step in the right direction. I wasn't on my own, there were a lot of the crew hanging out for a sail. I counted 12 guys trying to get a sail in on the Northerly at Barwon Heads.

The pic is courtesy of Pat. More here http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=52902

Red Letter Day for Steve and Regan

Thursday 9th July 2009 they signed the contract for the building of their home. More details at their blog http://reganstevenmonty.blogspot.com/2009/07/up-date-on-land.html

Regan is by far my most favorite daughter-in-law.

Last nights gnocchi proved it. Non of the fast 'out of a can' sauce. It was the real deal oven roasted capsicum and tomato sauce - prepared from scratch. Very yummy.

On Our Own ...Again

Looks like Steve, Regan and I are batching again. Gaye is off to visit her Mom and family for a couple of weeks. No photos, just too brain dead at 5:00 am in the airport after getting up at 2:00am to make the flight.

Dropped an EOI off at GMW

On the 23rd June, I drove to Goulburn Murray Water's offices at Tatura in country Victoria to drop off an Expression of Interest. Gaye joined me for company and we took a couple of photos on the way back.