"Aloha Winter Rendezvous 2002"
 2nd March 2002, at Saffron's, London, Ontario

To the Photo Album

The Aloha Winter Rendezvous 2002 was held Saturday, March 2nd during the afternoon and evening, at Saffron’s, a restaurant located on the Fanshawe College Campus in London, Ontario.  The facilities provided a very comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

The event was superbly organized by Stuart and Annette Spracklan, owners of the Aloha 34 (10.4), “Windy”, with the assistance of Les and Carol Harrison, Aloha 34 (10.4) “Enchantment”.  Guests received a warm welcome at the registration desk and each received nametags and lei’s. Many of the people had met before while others were familiar with each other only through e-mail exchanges over the years.   It was nice to finally be able to put faces with some of the names.  Ample time was provided to allow everyone to get acquainted during the first few hours of the event. 

This was also a good time to browse the display tables that had been set along one side of the room.  Since the group consisted mainly of Aloha 34 (10.4) owners, a majority of displays were made up of charts, logs, and photograph albums of the many long voyages the owners had taken.  Other displays consisted of custom parts made for modifications to the vessels as well as photo journals of major repairs and refits of several boats.

At about 1600 Stuart Spracklan, who outlined the evening’s agenda, officially welcomed the group.  After introductions, the floor was turned over to Les Harrison who gave an excellent demonstration of the capabilities of digital navigation using the Nobletech software that he recently used during his trip to the Caribbean.

Carol Harrison offered another perspective concerning long distance cruising.  Her presentation was humours and filled with anecdotal information on what every long distance cruiser should bring with them as absolute necessities as well as those things best left behind.  Carol walked to the front of the room wearing a Tilley hat and she was covered in a heavy-duty green garbage bag (the worlds best disposal foul weather gear). She had a backpack which containing all the necessities of cruising life slung over her shoulder.  Her outfit was completed with a pair of ruby slippers.  At the end of her presentation, there weren’t too many dry eyes in the place… mostly because of the laughter that everyone shared… but also due to the last two items she considers necessities…. A small photo album of family and grandchildren and her ruby slippers… Carol’s final comment… ”There’s no place like home”.

Frank and Eve Collins of the Aloha 34 (10.4) “True Love”, who made the trip to London, Ontario from Mount Royal, Quebec, presented a slide show of their trip through Lake Champlain, the Hudson River to New York and then north, up the U. S. east coast to Canada’s eastern provinces and through the St. Lawrence River to return home.  The presentation and photographs were excellent. 

Dinner was served at about 2000 hours and was excellent in quality, preparation and presentation.  Guests had a very tasty puree of squash soup followed by jerk chicken salad.   The main entrée was a choice of chicken breast stuffed with spinach and sun dried tomatoes or oven baked mahi mahi.  Both were served with grilled vegetables and gratin sweet and white potatoes.  All items had a very Caribbean flair.  The meal was followed with coffee and a fantastic chocolate-hazelnut pate served with grilled pineapple in a pool of chantilly cream. 

A draw for two door prizes was held after dinner with the winner of the Aloha Owners burgee going to Geoff Travers, Aloha 34 (10.4) “Water Music”, who made the trip from Mississauga.  Gloria Basden, from Windsor, Ontario, won the second door prize, a cookbook, “Feasts Afloat”.  Guests were invited to stay as long as they desired and the social activities continued well into the wee hours.

Thank you to all who attended.  You all helped make this event memorable.  And also thanks to those who traveled long distances to attend the event.  Bettie & Bill Sirine made the trek from Hampton, Virginia, and as mentioned above, Frank and Eve Collins from Mount Royal, Quebec.  I’m sure there are others who also came similar distances.

Special congratulations to all who helped organize the event and to those who did such a fine job of providing the entertainment.  It was a fantastic afternoon and evening of camaraderie and friendship and will be an event to remember for years to come.

Perry & Gloria Basden
Windsor, Ontario

Last updated  09 January, 2006 - © Aloha Owners Association