Studio Christmas Letter
Dear Studio,
The WEBMASTER (that’s him in the picture) is currently undergoing a task of creating a web page for our studio. He encourages you to take a look at the attached form, complete and return it (a nice holiday project for you) ASAP. He would greatly appreciate any photos (which will be returned) that relate to our studio that you may already have (or are in the process of developing).
For the Studio Adults, if you are interested, there is a function that you are invited to attend. The Sandton Burns Club are hosting their 26th Annual Burns Supper. This supper will be held on Saturday 27th January, 2001 at the home of Ross and Sally Allan in Broadacres (directions available from Rob). This is a black tie function which usually goes on into the wee small hours. The tickets are R250,00 per head and includes as many "drams" as your liver can take ! Proceeds from the supper will be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Africa. The main speaker who will give the toast to the Immortal Memory (of Robert Burns) will be Stewart Morris of Nedcor. The Master of Ceremonies is, as always, Scott McRae (you don’t want to miss Scott). The supper will also feature the Welsh Male Voice Choir of South Africa as well as Highland Dancing (Elinor used to dance at this function for many years). If you want tickets (and I suggest you book early as there is limited space) please contact Scott McRae on 788 4610 or 082 600 7582 or by fax on 880 1117. You can either pay by cash, cheque (ifo The Sandton Burns Club) or deposit into the account of R S McRae - Standard Bank Hyde Park - acct no: 20 086 302 9 (then fax copy of deposit slip to 880 1117). So far I have a table of 11 confirmed (plus another 4 as yet unconfirmed) and you are welcome to join our table - just specify that you want to be seated at Rob Boyes’ table when ordering your tickets) - This is an "evening of note", I have been to many.
Our congratulations go to Jo who recently got married to Clint Jansen. As you know, they were married aboard the
SS Monterey on Saturday 2nd December. This was a weekend of note as well. Elinor and I motored down to Durban on the afternoon of Thursday 30 November and we overnighted with an old school buddy (Steve) whom I "grew up" with. Mind you, Elinor keeps telling me that I have NEVER "grewn" (Scottish for "grown") up - and long may that continue ! We had s very nice supper under a thatch boma and paid serious attention to one of Jamaica's finest liquids (Rum) and Coke and caught up on "memories distant and not so distant". On Friday morning, Elinor and I moseyed to the Pavilion (Durban’s answer to Sandton City) and she gave her Edgars card a mighty workout. To recover, we sat down to coffee and cream scones. Later on that morning, my buddy Steve loaded us up and we proceeded to the harbor. Joanne met us at the passenger terminal and we proceeded to party our way aboard the Monterey. Lunch was taken after a number of "sex on the beach" sessions - darn sand gets in everywhere ! OK, for those who may not understand, "sex on the beach" is a rather nice cocktail that was being dished out in volumes at the pool deck bar - and who are we to refuse such hospitality.
We singled up and slipped our warps ( a naval term for leaving harbor) at 3pm and commenced our "Cruise to Nowhere". The rest of the afternoon was spent chatting to the rest of the "wedding party" and a continuation of the "sex" education. Dinner was formal and was preceded by cocktails where we met the Captain. Being an Italian ship, the cuisine was suitably biased - not that that is a problem for Elinor and I, we love Italian grub. The post dinner party on the pool deck was beckoning and we joined in accordingly. And then bed - our cabin was "compact but wonderful" and the gentle pitch and roll of the ship lulled one into the land of nod - some of us were not feeling so "lekker" and motion sickness pills and patches were popped and stuck in abundance.
Saturday morning started with breakfast at the Cafe de Paris which overlooks the pool deck which is situated aft (at the back of - you landlubbers). The sun was "sommer boiling, boet" and we test drove a deck lounger next to the pool. While those who were energetic, there was a "sports" event hosted by the ships entertainment corps. Us, we spectated with a "blue Hawaii" - which is the sequel to "sex on the beach". The sun was hot enough to challenge a Factor 30 sun block and some of us (no names mentioned) turned a subtle shade of red.
After lunch - a nap was in order so that we could build up reserves for "the wedding". At 2 bells into the afternoon watch (5pm for you landlubbers) spruced up in our No 1’s (kilt and black tie for me) - and Elinor looked stunning in a long soft purple outfit with a low rounded cut back (which I still claim she insists wearing back to front). We were led up to the bridge (where the ship is conned (steered) and commanded from - landlubbers). We gathered on the portside (left) bridge wing and were allocated (served) a glass of "chilled Charlie" (champers) while we awaited the bride. Clint was in his best bib and tucker and had a tartan (Royal Stewart) waistcoat and a Prince Charlie jacket. The "grooms party" were all dressed alike. The "maids of honor" were dressed in a satin like frock (I am not well versed in the description of ladies garments) which was cut to just above the knee and in a beautiful shade of green - sort of British Racing Green if you know what that is - and looked stunning.
The guitarist changed tune and Jo glided (well as best possible with the ship in motion) in on the arm of her dad. She was (is) stunning - the photos on the web will prove - and her dress was beautiful. I’m not going to try and describe it. The vows and rings were exchanged and hugs and kisses all round. While the photos were being taken, the "rabble" were lead to the disco - which was for our exclusive use and the party commenced. Rob Du Toit was also there in his kilt and he brought along his bag pipes. (if you ever frequent the Vagabonds pub on a Sunday evening, you’ll see and hear Rob piping and you’ll see Jo, Elinor, Sharon, Leigh-Ann and Colette dancing Irish like you have never seen Irish dancing). We formed a column and Rob piped the bridal party into the disco. The speeches were said, the toasts drank and the party commenced in earnest. At 9pm (or 2 bells into the first watch for us naval types) we did a "grand march" to the main dining room, led by Rob on the pipes - the ship did not know what hit them as the march from the disco to the dining room went up 3 decks (floors) and along from fore (front) toward midships (middle) - so a "bit of a walk" and with the skirl of pipes leading us, the rest of the passengers popped out of cabins and saloons to see what on earth was going on. The Italian dining staff were equally flabbergasted - and we were applauded all the way to our seating area.
Supper was taken and thereafter we joined in on the "Tropical Paradise" party that was going on at the pool. It was rather warm in a kilt so after a while Rob and I slipped off to our respective cabins to change into shorts. And we partied on and on and at 3am (6 bells into the midnight watch) we eventually "lashed up and stowed" and retired to our cabin. As for the journey - the ship went up as far as the Mozambique border before coming about (turning around) and headed back to Durbs. We arrived at 06:30 hrs (5 bells into the morning watch) and went alongside (docked). We were up at 7am (OK, you work out how many bells that is) and had breakfast. We disembarked at about 10 am (how many bells into the first watch ?) and said our good-bye’s, wished Jo and Clint a wonderful honeymoon (somewhere overseas, only Clint knows - we’ll find out when they return). Steve was waiting for us and whisked us back to his house in Westville - it was too early in the morning to revisit a rum and Coke so we said our "cheers boet’s" and we motored on back to "Joey’s". What a wonderful long weekend and an occasion to treasure. OK Jo, the honeymoon will soon be over and it will be back to lessons on Monday and Thursday evenings - and no more chicken salad and wine during these lessons either - well at least until RSG, that is ! From Elinor and I we would like to thank you ever so much for inviting us to the most wonderful wedding.
So much for SURPRISES - Elinor can spot a "surprise" before it even becomes a "surprise". The studio braai is what I am referring to. First and foremost, I must thank all of you who attended and helped - it was a wonderful day and it will be a regular date. The present that you gave Elinor is wonderful and "thank you" to Jo (our studio "mother") for organizing. A "big thank you" from Elinor for your kindness and for attending the braai.
OK, so school has been out for 2 weeks and Christmas is around the corner. May we (Elinor, Genevieve, Caitlin and I) take this opportunity to wish you all a joyous and peaceful festive season and we will see you back in January. AND THE WORK STARTS AT THE FIRST LESSON !!!!
Yours ‘aye,
Rob
The "WEBMASTER"
Check out the web site on www.geocities.com/roboyes
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