On Fri, 15 Nov 2002 15:25:16 -0500, M. Bevelhimer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>At 02:56 PM 11/15/2002 -0500, The Feeesh wrote:
>>You'll get your hug and pinch from Mark Bevilhimer in ... about 6 hours,
>>after you've had your morning nap while Strike take us to the dreaded
>>Shelly Beach.  :-)))
>
>Did I say anything about a pinch?  You're on your own on that one
>buddy!  But if she likes it, I'll take partial credit!  :-)
>-Mark

you can take partial credit, but I took the full pleasure!  :-))

I wish I had few pix to post, to save a few thousand words.  I actually
havea few digital pix, but don't know how to reduce the pic-size (in mb)
or put them on a public webpage for viewing.  I'll copy a few of them
on a CD ROMand give them to Strike (tomorrow) to see if he can fix and
post them.  Meanwhile, you'll have to settle with a few words.

"What a party!!!"

First, there was Sylvia's delicacies of kangaroo and emu meats, and a
dozen other dishes, preceded by Strike's BBQ prawns, all complemented
by three different varieties of Phyco-Plonk (Strike can probably post
the wine bottle labels for viewing), a jar of Georgia Moonshine, and an
assortment of winesand beers and other spirits -- not to mention the
many Happy Faces and great company of Viv, Julian and Helen, Poe and
Cynthia, Ralf and Simone, and John (Birdo) who had been quiet for awhile
until he sample a few of the spirited concoctions.  :-)

Before the festivities began, Strike met us at the exit of the Manly
Ferry at 10:30 and gave us a guided tour of at least six beaches in the
vicinity of Dee Why, including three different views of the legendary
Shelly Beach.  I touched the Holy Water at the beach, and Sue and I had
our pic taken with Strike at the beach to show proof that we've been
thar!  :-)

We then made it to Strike's Reef shortly after noon, waking Viv from her
morning nap until the Party promptly started at 13:00, with Poe and
Synthia being the first arrivals shortly thereafter.

The food, wine, and spirits were briefly interrupted by the drawing of
a few cheap "door prizes", which I'll leave to others to describe.  I'll
merely point out that I have the names of everyone (except Sue and me)
in a plastic container for the draw of each "prize", so that everyone
was eligible to win any or all of the prizes.

I promptly dismissed Strike as the official drawer-of-names from the
bowl when he drew his own name on the very first item!   :-)))  He didn't
win another prize thereafter.  <BWG>

All in all it was great FUN as to be expected for a mini-NEDfest at
Strike's Reef!  I am now the proud possessor of a bottle of "Special
Reserve" of vintage November 2002, which I hope will be shared with
attendants of a 03NEDfest in Choo Choo or Elsewhere.  :-)    Strike
MUST post the label (which is too long for my tired old eyes to copy
at this time) of this "Special Reserve" for all to see and appreciate
the work of someone who has too much time on his hand!!  <BWG>

Meanwhile, I must catch up on my sleep in preparation of another
expected exciting day of this mini-Sydney02NEDfest, to begin at noon
(today Nov 17) at the Sydney Hilton, followed by eating and sightseeing
until Viv's departure back to Perth this evening.

Talk about a jetset partying Featherless Kiwi!!

Goodnight, y'all.

-- Bob.