Wet saturday

SAT
10am at the BGS boat shed and we are all putting boats in the water.  The first four were well organised and got onto the water and away quickly.  Chris has been promoted to the 4th four and I have been alocated to assist with the 10th four.  As we waited to launch the man in charge - Joe Rodregus, came and told us that if we saw any lightning we were to turn round and come straight back.  The boat before us managed to capsize at the ramp as no one had actually put their riverside oars in the roclocks.  Our 10th four had just placed the boat in the water when we were told Lighting has been spotted. I didn't see any but hey... So we began the task of backing up and putting the boats in the shed.  Our actual coach was dispatched in a tinnie to pass the message to other crews already on the water.  I supervised / assisted my crew to bring their boat in and wash it and put it on the racks in the shed.   People were dispatched to bring the tinnies round to the ramp where they are launched.  There a gazillion single sculls on trollies and these too were rolled in.

 It was a remarkably smooth operation that was completed without panic and just in time. 

The rain started and the roller doors closed.  Joe briefed the kids to let their parents know by text/phone and to not run round.  Then all hell broke loose around us the rain smashed on the tin roof and lighting and thunder exploded outside. 

Megan advised by phone that she thought based on the BOM radar that it would be over in about 20 minutes.

As the rain subsided the roller doors were opened to reveal water and sticks across the concrete apron.  Chris and I began our treck back to the car.  One medium szed tree had split in two and lay across the jetty at the southern end of the shed.

Chris and I drove home to pick up togs and then over to his frined Nick Wright for a sleepover birthday.  4 kids (Nick, Jai White and one other)

I took Marcus to Primavera where he works washing dishes.  I think I am going to sneak our ones from home in.  While at Primavera, I bought a coffee and sat at a table, pulled out my laptop and did some preparation for the motor boat license course I am doing Sunday.

Megan went to see a drama thing that Yani was involved in and Ainslie (ala Erin et al)

I exchanged texts with her and set upon a plan to join her for dinner.  I phoned the Mantheys and asked if Jemma could come over to play.  This was kindly accepted.

Somewhere along the way, Steven had phoned and organised to come over to play.  He wanted Dan to go for a sleepover.

Put Jemma in the car and drove to the Mantheys.  As I walked in the gate I realised that Jemma would need to have dinner with them and I had uncosciously avoided including that in the original RFT.  Luckilly Bob and jenny were OK with feeding. 

So I waived good by and went and retrieved Marcus and took him home.  I was running against the clock but luckilly Dan was ready and so he and Steve hopped in the Tiida and we were off.  Dropped them at Steven's house and continued on. 

Met Megan, Susan Edwards, Erin, Erin's parents, Yani, Pete and various others at the Kookaburra cafe.  Had a nice glass of red, bacon cabonara & nocked off some of Susan Edward's garlic bread to which she raised a protest and then it seems "we" were paying for it so "I" took out my wallet.  :)

We had two cars there and so we took separate cars home.  I dropped in on the Mantheys and everyone was keen for Jemma to sleep over.  So she did.  I assume Nighties and Sunday clothes were provided by the Mantheys because Jemma only had the clothes on her back and by now they smelled of smoke as they had had a camp fire while I was away.