Tale 1:
On our first night in Albany - the eve before the sinking of the former HMAS
PERTH - Viv and I went for dinner at a nearby restaurant where we were
joined by Peter and Margie, (friends of Viv's), who were covering the
sinking for 'Dive Log' and 'Sport Diving Magazine'.

Close to our table and shielded from most of the rest of the diners was a
long table with a number of couples in their .... about my age! ... who
looked uncomfortable in civilian clothes.  One of them passed by our table.
I pointed out to Viv, Margie and Peter that he was wearing the Navy tie.  We
looked more closely at the table.  Many of the blokes had trimmed,
Navy-style beards.  We decided that they were, perhaps, former crew members
of the HMAS PERTH from its stint in Vietnam.

When they all sprang to attention when a distinguished, silver-haired
gentleman approached the table, we became convinced of the fact.  They began
hoing into the wine, and even although we couldn't overhear what they were
talking about, it was obvious that they were reminiscing about past
experieces as the silver-haired guy moved among them.

"How nice."  we all said.  "Coming down here to see the sinking of their old
home." :-)

Peter and Margie left the restaurant, leaving Viv and myself to dawdle a
while over the wine.  One of the guys - the person wearing what I had
thought to be a Navy tie - passed our table, looked at me and smiled.
" 'Scuse me."  I said.  "Are all of you guys are from the PERTH?"
"Eh?" he replied.
"Are you all former crew-members of the PERTH?"
"Wot are you on about?  We're nothing to do with any Navy.  We're all here
to celebrate Bert's birthday."

"OK!  Viv!  Let's say nothing to Peter until after his story's published."
:-)

Tale 2:
For those attending the CAIVNEDFest - get Viv to explain the wet-suit joke!
<BWG>  And then see who can get away with telling it without having their
features re-arranged!  :-)

Tale 3 and Tale 4 have been deleted in the interests of good taste!  :-)

Strike