Sunday 6th June (Lini’s Journal)

Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Wed 23 Jun 2010 16:20
Why is it I never sleep well before we go offshore? I was extremely
tired this morning when from the shore came shouting voices. Si
peered out the side port and announced there were two guns pointing in
our direction!!!! The military had two field guns set up along the
harbour all ready to fire a salute to……..The queen’s birthday? I’m
guessing (how outrageous I that I don’t know). As we ate breakfast we
could hear early morning marching music from the town and riffle fire
and then boooooom! If the habitants of Hamilton were hoping for a lie
in today they were unlucky!
We commenced the pre-departure tasks that always seem to be so
stressful for Si. Finally ready to leave Si went to the club office to
check out: There was nobody there! It was the manager’s day off and
there was nobody covering him! We were now in limbo, everything packed
away for sea and no idea if we would depart today or not. Si left a
message on the manager’s mobile but by the time he turned up on
passing Si had decided we’d now leave tomorrow: Not so good for us
with high winds forecast.
The plus side of not being able to leave today was being able to
catch the monthly concert on the bandstand in Victoria Park. Si wasn’t
too keen, saying he’d rather install the upgrades for the
chartplotter, so I grabbed the camera and walked through the deserted
streets towards the park. Some way off Latin music filled the air and
‘Summer in the Park’ was in full swing when I arrived. In front of the
live band people danced on specially laid flooring. A large gazebo had
been erected to shade the seating beneath where large elderly ladies
moved in time to the tunes while eating treats from the surrounding
stalls. Throughout the park families sprawled on picnic rugs and
children ran around blowing bubbles that glistened as they rose
towards the glorious sun: What a wonderful sight and a perfectly
chilled Sunday afternoon atmosphere! While the bands changed over I
wandered around taking photos then slumped in the shade of a tree to
enjoy some of the next act. When guilt got the better of me I left
swirling dancers, swaying crowds and the excellent band playing the
classic Bob Marley ‘I Don’t Wanna Wait in Vane for Your Love’. Chilled
tunes and happy voices faded away behind me. Back by the ferry
terminal another band was now setting up ready for the Sunday evening
religious service. Back on Brindabella the atmosphere wasn’t quite so
chilled: Si was having a stressful time with the chartplotter.
We made the most of another night moored and had two G&Ts then wine
with our fat free roast dinner, then, still jetlagged Si was ready for
another early night.