MOOMBA

I haven't been to the Moomba parade since I was a student at RCH. My memory is of warm days and sunburnt neck!

Today was also perfect 24 degrees, sunny a little overcast so not hot!

The train in was packed, standing room only! And their mob then started walking along St Kilda road. When I went last, the parade travelled down Swanston St. to the Victoria Gardens, now it travels north from Dorcas St to Linlithgow Avenue. So I walked on down towards the shrine looking for a good vantage point. As did many others.

The Parade itself was rather disappointing from my memory. That was always a laugh at some of the 'home made' floats and the often political messages.

STORM TROOPER

 This was a more professional job. The theme was obviously multiculturalism with all our community groups represented by a national emblem and loads of dancing girls and music. Seemed every dance group in the City was there. But it was interesting colourful and fun.

On the way back I was walking along the river to the bridge and to the station when i saw the River boat cruise for 30minutes. It was going downstream to the Bolte Bridge, as the waterskiing was going on upstream.

So considering such a beautiful day I hopped on.

Liam's Wedding

Liam is the brother between our sets of twin god-daughters, and as close to us.
Celia and I were invited to the wedding and Celia flew home on Monday to attend and left today!

The wedding was in Drummond as they (and Fran) live near Daylesford or Trentham.
Pauline opened her own salon last week so we went there in the morning for a bit of indulgence.

Annemarie getting the favours ready 

Tara (she & Grant flew in from Virgin islands where they run a holiday charter boat) and Annemarie and Michelle dropped in as well (Pauline was bridesmaid so busy elsewhere.
So we started early but had a great run up and then some chill out time followed by lunch at the Farmers Arms whose menu is known area wide.

The wedding was at Mingela Homestead which you hire the space not an actual reception structure. We were (not entirely) amazed that Liam had made all of the furniture bower, bar, tables etc that we had outdoors.

The sun came out as the bride came down the aisle and we had a perfect setting for a moving ceremony Including a story of how Liam proposed, including staged instructions,  candles across a stream and a tent and picnic in the bush.
Liam and Megan met when Liam was doing cross country instruction.

Liam his best mate Tad and ?Megan's brother 

Lauren(Megan's sister) Michelle and Megan's brother 

Mr & Mrs Hartz

My Goddaughter and Bridesmaid Pauline.

While waiting for the wedding party to have photos done at the nearby Malmsbury Botanic Gardens, we hung out beside the Marquee enjoying the weather, the bar, the food and company. Set up were things to keep people busy including a Photo wall that Liam had built, with lots of props for pics! and bocce!

The photo wall and camera set up

he even made the barrel table 

The bar

The Reception was in the Marquee with 80 guests, it was a lovely intimate space with dance floor and band.

The cake with interlinked horseshoes and HARTZ as a theme 

The highlight of the reception was the Video! Forget the jazzed up wedding dance, when the time came to introduce the Bride and Groom a video started. At first it looked like its was to be a show of the photos but it started with them having a last photo then realising their driver had left. So started a chase /trip to get to the reception. Very funny and smoothly edited by Lauren. Seems Megan and Liam are kindred souls. Not many partners would be keen to chase across the countryside in a long white dress., or sit in a towel in a laundromat while their wet clothes (had to swim across the lake) were drying, but I gather it was her idea!

Look for it on Youtube sometime. It will go viral!!

Pauline, Fran & Michelle

We had a great time chatting to everyone, then after the bridal waltz, bouquet and garter toss we headed home. Celia snoozing briefly en route.

125 Celebrations at PMYC

The build up to this over the last 6 months escalated in the last 4 weeks and caused me stress, sleepless nights and seething. On Friday morning I received a text from  a past Flag Officer (invited to a welcome reception before the BBQ) a man who still sails every week, asking me-
Firstly "Have i replied, and can my wife come?" then "Is it at PMYC or elsewhere "
I bluntly replied " Have you not been listening at any briefing all season!!! Downstairs 5pm!"

But as in all things planned at PMYC it went off brilliantly!!
It was a warm muggy day with a storm forecast that hit about 9pm, not causing any havoc, except the 71 knot winds had the Catamaran guys scarpering outside as a boat blew over. How many times are they told to tie them down? But no harm done
The force of the wind battered the roof, and with waves coming under part of the base of the club we could feel it thrumming under our feet! And rain drumming on the metal roof it was a bit deafening for a few minutes.
The racing went off well in a good breeze but they came in a bit earlier than planned , but all hung around the bar or sat out on the deck.
Sue Spicer did a great job scanning photos people had brought, and from about 430 all the past members rolled up. We had about 40 people at the Reception and Eddie from Rowlands was fantastic. He helped set up the trestles for the food and offered to bring up all the donated salads, where we had stored them in their kitchen. He stayed to help clean up and sort out their glasses and crockery from our (usually I get left doing this)
Upstairs we had an introduction of the Past Commodores and Life Members and each spoke briefly of their time at the Club. It took longer than planned but had lots of positive feedback later, people were interested in their anecdotes and they had many members approach them later. So just what I planned!
The guys organised the BBQ and I had nothing to do for a while.
After food the band started up (Geoff Rowden and Zac) Club members and we partied on till 1030.
My back and feet felt it, but worth the stress!

We focused activity upstairs 

though it looks like a crowd we had plenty of room
and it created a good atmosphere

Lots of reunions of past members 

While the new ones ate cake!

Sue, Bev and Marlene, long time members 

Colin and Myrtle were a popular appearance!

The band got people dancing

Today we have another 2 races then presentation.

Peter Bartels (Commodore)  Georgia (Women's Regatta winner) and Ray (Race management )

Some of the crowd waiting on results on Sunday 

Bernard and Julie (a sailing school grad) Won Division 2 

Michael and Greg