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The Rat Pack
It was glorious crisp and crunchy sunny day today. Perfect for an Izzie grand adventure. Not only was a very pretty ship leaving port for a grand tour of Australia - not just any old ship but a very impressive replica of one that made the trip some 400 years ago - but the King of Rats was going to be there to give it the royal send off.
Yessss. How could we pass up the chance to see His Royal Rattiness in the flesh?
Could not find anything at all in yesterday's paper about the launch but consulted the Oracle of Google and found out the facts. Would have been most peeved indeed to catch our usual bus at 9.40am and arrive around 10.30 or so only to discover that the ceremony was half over even before we got to it.
Well - was supposed to be from 10 to 11 with the launch around 11 but as we know - the map is not the territory and the Duyfken ended up leaving just before midday
So, the Iz gets up extra early and arrives at the jetty just after 10am. As well as buskers and folks in stilts dressed up in pirate regalia and a Dutch choir, there was a motley crew of MUA wharfies - most with flags and banners and many wearing "Lying Rodent" t-shirts. Also a couple of greenies wearing gas masks and space suits who were protesting against the latest uranium sales.
After 30 minutes or so of various VIPs and volunteers turning up and taking their place in the party area near the boat (kept safely away from the common rabble) the Izzie is still expectantly looking out for her idol. A white car turns up and various dignitaries alight. He has got to be among that lot but we cannot quite see him. But the Rat Pack certainly sniffed him out and gave him a rousing welcome. So we did but spot his bald head passing by:(
PM gets stormy reception at ship launch
So, next thing was the various speeches. During the first one from Neville Collard - a local Nyungar elder - the wharfies kept chanting "Say Sorry. Johnnie!"
They were quiet for the Premier who is a Labour guy - so they got to be nice as they were too for the Dutch Prime Minister. But then our hero started to speak and the ranting began.
Was not quite sure whether or not to be annoyed by their rudeness (since they had already got their point across by the grand welcome parade) or amused by their comments - stuff like "War criminal" and "Sack him now"
From where we were standing - had an excellent view of both the boat and the speaker's podium so we did end up getting a good drool over finally meeting You Know Who.
But aside from having to raise his voice by a dozen decibels to be heard above the din, His Royal Rattiness gave no indication at all of being aware of his welcoming party. Izzie cannot help but wonder if he gets one of them everywhere he goes or is this a specialty of the west.
The boat was launched just before midday. Since the wind was not favorable at the time - two rowing boats guided it out of the harbour. Izzie walked around to get a better view and to see all the pretty flags and things fluttering. A most beautiful boat indeed. So peeved we never got a proper peek all the time it was here but had only discovered its location a week before it got moved for preparations for today's launch
After looking over the water to the wharfies and seeing another session of booing and banner waving - Izzie figures - the Rat has finally left the building. So went to the other side of the harbour hoping to catch the Duyfken on the way out to sea. Took no more than 15 mins to walk but it had already got the sails up and was moving at a most impressive speed. So, we sat on the rocks near South Beach and watched while it sailed off into the distance and became little more than a speck on the horizon before then pottering off to the ship wreck galleries where it had been built.
A most gorgeous day indeed. The folks of Freo never miss a chance for a party and neither does Izzie.
More Shipping Snippets
Yessss. How could we pass up the chance to see His Royal Rattiness in the flesh?
Could not find anything at all in yesterday's paper about the launch but consulted the Oracle of Google and found out the facts. Would have been most peeved indeed to catch our usual bus at 9.40am and arrive around 10.30 or so only to discover that the ceremony was half over even before we got to it.
Well - was supposed to be from 10 to 11 with the launch around 11 but as we know - the map is not the territory and the Duyfken ended up leaving just before midday
So, the Iz gets up extra early and arrives at the jetty just after 10am. As well as buskers and folks in stilts dressed up in pirate regalia and a Dutch choir, there was a motley crew of MUA wharfies - most with flags and banners and many wearing "Lying Rodent" t-shirts. Also a couple of greenies wearing gas masks and space suits who were protesting against the latest uranium sales.
After 30 minutes or so of various VIPs and volunteers turning up and taking their place in the party area near the boat (kept safely away from the common rabble) the Izzie is still expectantly looking out for her idol. A white car turns up and various dignitaries alight. He has got to be among that lot but we cannot quite see him. But the Rat Pack certainly sniffed him out and gave him a rousing welcome. So we did but spot his bald head passing by:(
PM gets stormy reception at ship launch
So, next thing was the various speeches. During the first one from Neville Collard - a local Nyungar elder - the wharfies kept chanting "Say Sorry. Johnnie!"
They were quiet for the Premier who is a Labour guy - so they got to be nice as they were too for the Dutch Prime Minister. But then our hero started to speak and the ranting began.
Was not quite sure whether or not to be annoyed by their rudeness (since they had already got their point across by the grand welcome parade) or amused by their comments - stuff like "War criminal" and "Sack him now"
From where we were standing - had an excellent view of both the boat and the speaker's podium so we did end up getting a good drool over finally meeting You Know Who.
But aside from having to raise his voice by a dozen decibels to be heard above the din, His Royal Rattiness gave no indication at all of being aware of his welcoming party. Izzie cannot help but wonder if he gets one of them everywhere he goes or is this a specialty of the west.
The boat was launched just before midday. Since the wind was not favorable at the time - two rowing boats guided it out of the harbour. Izzie walked around to get a better view and to see all the pretty flags and things fluttering. A most beautiful boat indeed. So peeved we never got a proper peek all the time it was here but had only discovered its location a week before it got moved for preparations for today's launch
After looking over the water to the wharfies and seeing another session of booing and banner waving - Izzie figures - the Rat has finally left the building. So went to the other side of the harbour hoping to catch the Duyfken on the way out to sea. Took no more than 15 mins to walk but it had already got the sails up and was moving at a most impressive speed. So, we sat on the rocks near South Beach and watched while it sailed off into the distance and became little more than a speck on the horizon before then pottering off to the ship wreck galleries where it had been built.
A most gorgeous day indeed. The folks of Freo never miss a chance for a party and neither does Izzie.
More Shipping Snippets