THE RaTTAToT TOUR
(Ramsay's Terrific Tag-a-long Adventure Tour of Tasmania)
For 16 November 2001
Report by Michael and Sylvia
Breakfast at the hotel saw various members extolling
the virtues of strategically positioned mirrors in their rooms.
Most were alongside the beds but Steve and Jan's room has
them on the ceiling ! The small shaving mirror was interestingly
positioned in the bath, and the hand basin was hidden in the
wardrobe, with mirrors on 3 sides. This gave you the ability
to see yourself multiple times shrinking into infinity (one
of me is enough I thought) and also see your face and the
back of your head simultaneously.
A short walk to the Brooke St Pier, in bright sunshine lead
us to our Cadbury cruise vessel where we were highly entertained
with a truly sardonic narrative along the beautiful Derwent
Harbour and River in splendid calm conditions. Many interesting
and inexpensive locations were pointed out. Arriving at the
wharf showed that old ferries can be like old Sporties as
the gear linkage jammed on the approach and had the skipper
conjuring up thoughts of all of us wading off a mud bank.
However, some tricky manoeuvring had us alongside and disembarked
for a short walk to the chocolate heaven.
A briefing had us replacing conventional hats with gorgeous
millinery - you know the ones - just like in hospital. But
wearing a paper hat around your beard had Jim and Syd looking
just gorgeous. No cameras or watches on the 1st floor as chocolate
covered watches and lens covers are not easy to market.
The chocolate sampling was a delight with Bev and Des deciding
that they needed to further purchase a 5 kgs box - for the
grand children we were told. All too soon back to the boat
with an improvised gear linkage repair and a pleasant return
and a pleasant return to our accommodation
Some quick snacks were followed by a delightful drive up
to Mount Wellington to see a magnificent panorama of Hobart.
It was an ideal day for this and surprisingly warm up there.
On the run up, Paul and Diann noticed Bob and Sue's gearbox
support housing hanging precariously low. A quick jack up
and some tightening at the summit showed a stripped thread.
Whilst this was being attended to on the way back to Hobart,
Norm and Steve both discovered some bodgey welding had been
done on exhaust systems in Canberra causing rattles and exhaust
leaks - - things will be said on their return no doubt.
Throughout all this, the Tasmanian contingent of 3 cars lead
by Geoff and Wendy Richardson had been awaiting our arrival
at his home in Sandy Bay. Geoff had offered his home for necessary
car washing and cleaning for Saturday's Christmas parade.
Geoff and Wendy are the proud owners of a 2000 powered 1500.
John and Elga Dagwell had just finished off their white 2000
- having had it registered that week in anticipation of our
arrival. Geoff Duggan had not brought has 2000 which had competed
in the Targa Tasmania Rally 7 years running.
Our host had invited us to the Derwent Yacht Club for drinks
and to show off our Sporties to his comrades. That evening
we dispersed to the various seafood restaurants for cocktails
and hearty meals. One particular place on the front called
'Muirs' was highly enjoyed.
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