On  Sunday, November 17, 2002 12:23 AM, Reef Fish wrote:

(snip)
> 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!!!"

Mate!  Viv, Sylvia and myself were a little late in waking and getting
moving this morning and as we're just dashing out of the door to meet you,
my response will have to wait a while - other than to say that we're all
embarrassed by the wealth of gifts that you showered on us all.  :-))))

Oh!  And the fact that the corn liquor was much, much, much more potent than
I thought!  :-))))

Strike

> 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.
>