TREASURE HUNT REPORT by Rhonda Jennings

November 2008 (Photos)

On the weekend of the 15th & 16th November the Club held a Treasure Hunt.  Eleven boats attended and the Treasure Hunt began around about 10.30 am.  Our mighty Commodore had fashioned up a hunt which was specific for each boat participating with each boat being sent off in differing directions.  The aim was to teach some of the clubbers to read a map or GPS without the assistance of those, whom the mighty Commodore thought had advanced abilities in navigation.  Each boat collected their envelope of destructions and proceeded to decipher them to a point prior to their stated starting time.  We, (The Mighty Commodore and I) ensured the boats commenced on time (not that this was effective of a winning place).  So, off each boat went and we (the Commodore and I), sat back and listened to the interactions on the VHF. 
It was interesting to see boats head out of Marine Stadium and suddenly reappear back into the Stadium to detect their first treasure spot.  After the first hour there was a call over the VHF “well I am damned if I can see anything at this location” stated Mr Tuton, or some such commentary.  I thought it was an appropriate time to join in the conversation on the VHF and declared that “It must be beer time”!   Conversation appeared to fade at this point, so we (The Mighty Commodore and I) proceeded to sit back and relax with the paper or our books.  Arfur, of course, demanded time for a wander on the Marine Stadium beach and of course his demands were met.

Apparently, the waterways from Marine Stadium to Tipplers on this fine and sunny day were flourishing with the hundreds of boats as usual, especially those boats that plough through the waters, and create a tsunami with their wash.  Whilst all this frivolity was unfolding we (the Mighty Commodore and I) proceeded to relax after a comfortable journey to Budds Beach after which we had a siesta, as did Arfur.
The boats began to appear at around 3 pm.  The first boat which arrived was Petra and Brian Bell in Sea Pet.  They handed over their findings and stated that they had their grandchild with them and he was getting inpatient or some such excuse.  The truth was discovered at a later event when Petra let the cat out of the bag and informed all that “Brian had spit the dummy”!   Well we, (the Mighty Commodore and I) could not comprehend this to be true, as we expected others to be more likely to do so.  Suffice to say that those who left first came back last and the atmosphere within the confines of these vessels appeared far tenser than one would expect.  Of course, it was expected by us that those who would have “spat the dummy” and come back with divorce proceedings well in advance were no other than Artie and Lisa.  Well be blowed, the pair returned smiling and laughing.  Handed over their answers and low and be hold the truth was out of the bag.   Brendan was left to do all the hard work and the evidence was written for most answers ….. “Water”.
Overall, it appears that all enjoyed the exercise and the winners (there were three of them, one being a new member) we hope enjoyed  their winnings.  A BBQ was held in the Budd Beach park to finish off , yet again, a great day of relaxation on the water!  Our (The Mighty Commodore and I) only fear is the repercussions yet to be hurled at us for a future Treasure Hunt adventure.