FAREWELL FONSTER
Part 1: Going, Going, Gone!
On Friday 31 May there was a flurry of activity as Dave and Fonny Ewart made their final preparations to farewell SoPYC on MV Fonster to embark on Dave’s dream of doing a two year trip across the top of Australia, visiting the islands of Indonesia and PNG, before cruising down the eastern seaboard.
At 4pm the traditional popping of a champagne cork was heard as Dave and Fonny said their goodbyes to friends Troy, Jeff, Jan and John at the start of their amazing adventure!
There were big smiles, and fond memories all round as Fonster departed SoPYC for the last time. Where did those last four years go since Fonster arrived at the Club from the USA via Singapore!
Part 2: Mindarie Marina “Farewell Fonster” 3 Day Party!!!
Singing, dancing, a continual 3 day jetty party with new and regular Cruising Section members, and absolutely stunning weather – a great way to spend the Cruising Section long weekend – at Mindarie Marina to Farewell Fonster!
In perfect ocean conditions 15 boats cruised to Mindarie Marina on Saturday June 1, arriving at midday in time to open the bar!
As we all settled in, boat hopping, popping of bubbles and cracking open the odd stubbie soon became the main activities of the afternoon. The perfect weather was so conducive to sitting on stern decks soaking up the “winter” sun, having the odd tipple or two mixed with banter and conversing, on a most relaxing afternoon.
At 6 pm around 40 of us headed over to the ‘Indian Ocean Brewery Company’ for a wonderful dinner. It was a great fun night with lots of chatter, catch up, and story telling across the tables and of course the mandatory night caps on board Fonster! Some even made it to bed by 3am!!
Sunday morning turned out to be another spectacular day. After a lazy morning with lots of sleep ins, more boat hopping was had with morning teas and coffees being offered up and down the jetty. A very casual BBQ lunch on the jetty started around noon with an enticing aroma of BBQ onions and sausages enhancing the social atmosphere.
At 2 o’clock our fabulous ‘resident’ entertainer, “Steve Keene and The New Reflections” group set up their music equipment on the back deck of Sea Eagle and began singing fantastic songs of the 60s, 70s and 80s that we all know and love AND know the words to! As one of Frankie Valli’s songs says “Oh what a night …” well, we can say – “Oh what an awesome afternoon and evening and 3 days!!!”
Steve, Cara, Jody and Dianna gave brilliant renditions of songs from Elton John, Abba, Roy Orbison, The Beatles, The Archies, Del Shannon, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, and many others over the next few hours. The SoPYC folk, friends and family, were really bopping and singing along to a great array of upbeat songs, for the next 5 hours on the jetty! As other boats came and left the marina, there were many onlookers and shouts about “Wow – what’s happening there and how can you be so lucky!” Yes we were so lucky to have had first class entertainment – thank you so much Steve, Cara, Jody and Dianna!
After lots of dancing, with tired feet, and muscles we didn’t know existed, the paced slowed with more boat hopping and night caps on Fonster! On Sunday evening, most of us over a few night caps (or more than a few), said our goodbyes to Dave, Fonny, and Gary Morrison, although some of us will be lucky enough to join them in the months to come for different parts of their journey.
We woke on Monday morning to another glorious day! After more goodbyes to Fonster and crew and many envious comments, the rest of us reluctantly cruised south to head home – again on flat seas with no wind. We are already looking forward to our next Mindarie long weekend in June 2020.
At 4pm on Sunday Dave, Fonny and Gary left Mindarie Marina and headed north for their big adventure. This final picture was sent by them on their way to Jurien Bay, cruising off into a beautiful sunset!!
Thank you again to Daniel Shields for organising this weekend event, to Dave and Fonny who sponsored “Steve Keene and The New Reflections” performance, to the Cruising Section committee who continue to organise these wonderful events which build relationships, comradery and keep our club strong. And, thank you to all those who come along to Mindarie and helped make the long weekend event such a great success.
Check out our great photos that have already been uploaded to our Cruising Section “Team App – Ahoy!” Please feel free to upload your photos of our weekend so we can all relive our wonderful memories!
Don’t forget to read “Coffee Pointers” and/or download the Team App [www.teamapp.com and search for “SoPYC Cruising Section App”] to get notifications of Cruising Section Events.
The Cruisy Scribe :)
