2011 CARCAMAN OUTING WITH VAUDEVILLE EXTRAVAGANZA…!

Organising a Carcaman Outing is more complicated than discussing a wage contract with our Sindicato. I was unable to get Barney Miller’s dates to coincide with Kenneth Murray’s and Alejandro Castro plus Tommy Hudson’s so, after several unsuccessful attempts, we, sadly, had to accept defeat - - Barney would not be able to join us...

Participating Dragons:

The weather forecast was good but uncertain for Thursday October 10, and the day before was forecast rainy all day. Well Wednesday DID rain all day with howling winds and a stormy night so the prospect was not auspicious for Thursday. Several Dragons were of the opinion however that we should all squeeze into My Way considering the weather appeared to be OK but my dear wife Norma, a very meticulous German, was afraid that if we crossed a wake, at a time when a very willing but inexperienced OG was at the helm, a Carcaman, standing, like some like to do, with a whisky glass in his hand, might get bowled over - - and perhaps break a hip bone. We had a small discussion with close friends and finally decided that we should keep the number below 20 so there could be a seat with a view, topside, for everybody.

And everybody showed up correctly on time. Jacquie Coutris arranged for OGees to draw lots in order to determine who would ride the Cascotito each way.

When we arrived, uneventfully thank you, we DID manage to get the group picture, and out came the Choripanes. We then all took seats in the Dining Room, and then stood so Kenneth could say Grace - - again in his inimitable style. I did not manage to get my camera set up in time, but I DID manage to catch the tail end of this solemn occasion.

Out came the chorizos, and right after, the salad bar was made available, and the mixed grill was “bandejeado”.

Tommy Hudson delivered a careful message from our Club President John Lucas in which he addressed this very special group of Senior Old Gees telling us that the Club was being ably run by a very competent and younger Committee, and that they are very busy introducing innovations and truly rejuvenating the Club.

The dessert table came right after - - then more Vaudeville, then coffee.

Alejandro Castro was very annoyed by the low roof on Cascotito, our accompanying boat, the fact that My Way is way too small a boat for the average Carcamán Outing obliging OGees to be annoyingly separated, and that my camera is not wide angle enough and has a lousy microphone. So I promised I would try to get a bigger boat for next year. And maybe a better camera.

Neither Tommy nor Kenneth complained about anything, thank you, and all 3 performances were absolutely superb. Plenty of life left in these dogs Tommy told me a couple of years ago, and quite true really…

Attached to this email is the famous Group Picture which was so difficult to obtain, and also a spitting image of Ikey Jackson beside Bobby Helguera: Una Jackson Morley, who came all the way from Entre Ríos for the Show!! I didn't know our Theatre Talent had such ticket-office drawing power...

This year we requested everybody to sit still during docking manoeuvres, and stay out of passage-ways in case we have to run - - which can be the case when there is strong wind or current, or a passing wake. In previous outings we were frequently surrounded during manoeuvers by very willing OGees asking what they could help with and, in general, being more of a hindrance. As Norma does the rope handling expertly, we requested please this time nobody offer to help, just please stay sitting down, and keep legs tucked in. And yes, please help - - if we ask. Jackie put on her best bulldog fizz and made very sure nobody wandered about the passages during docking.

Luis Masi showed up with Gilbert and Sullivan music and proposed we all singalong but our congregation this time was more intent on catching up with each other’s history than singing. The idea is an excellent one, waiting for the right opportunity!

Charlie Puleston was the only OG from out of town. He DID manage to adjust his schedule so as not to miss this year’s "Vaudeville Extravaganza"…!

Everybody came aboard with very clean keds, stayed out of the way and behaved like truly well brought up ladies and gentlemen whose education cost our parents a packet. The usually delicious goodies came in also, but this time were quite judicious in quantity and posed a lesser threat to our dietary efforts than previously. Norma and I are very grateful for this exemplary conduct and restoring the boat to normal service, this time, was indeed simplified.

Thank you very much OG Carcamanes for having been such a wonderful crew!!!

Hope to see you again next year!

Norma and Mike Reed
Buenos Aires, 25 de noviembre de 2011