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topjars · **Posted:** Wed Nov 19, 2025 1:46 pm

SITREP

Well, I made it to Jacksonville, Florida via Auckland and Houston using Business Class - good trip / flatbed sleep and 3 ample filled glasses of cognac to take me to the land of nod :count:

The food was delicious, the AirNZ were superb the screening checkpoint through Houston was bedlam :burkab:

The grandkids have shot up and matured nicely; Im as worn out as a poorly sharpened thickneser blade...phew
Fly to Philadelphia on Sunday - wish me God speed through the screening process :run:

I hope Albo and Bowen have been drawn and quartered in my absence :badgrin:

and some bastard with balls has applied for the vacant LEADERSHIP position
over and out. :turtle:

Chippy Ned · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2025 6:32 am

Enjoy Fraddy, I agree, airports in the US are an absolute pain.
The political shit is still going on unfortunately, we will save you some. :haha:

Graeme Rhodes · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2025 10:23 am

What Ned said!!

topjars · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2025 6:01 am

Chippy Ned wrote:

Enjoy Fraddy, I agree, airports in the US are an absolute pain.
The political shit is still going on unfortunately, we will save you some. :haha:

No no it’s all good
Have any leaders emerged yet?
I read somewhere Pauline asking for the burka to be banned if they don’t want her wearing it; has she done it again? :burkab:

BC · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2025 6:31 am

Yep, she's done it again. The Senate sanctioned her for wearing a burka, but it's okay for anyone else to wear one!!

Chippy Ned · **Posted:** Tue Jan 20, 2026 4:39 pm

Ellen and I had a visit from my old mate BC today. He's down on the South Coast for the next few days for the funeral of his termmate Leigh COSTAIN. :tear:

We spent several pleasant hours catching up on old times, but I must warn you that he may come up with a fair bit of bull shit about me. :rocket:

Please don't believe him, he speaks with forked tongue. :finga:

BC · **Posted:** Tue Jan 20, 2026 5:43 pm

Bloody hell, he's posted this before I even left his driveway!

But, have I got some stories for you. :hoho:

Shep · **Posted:** Tue Jan 20, 2026 10:16 pm

He gave me a couple of good ones about you at dinner tonight BC. Sorry I missed you and have previously booked appointments for tomorrow. Hope tomorrow goes well for you.

BC · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2026 8:53 am

Yes, you were also mentioned a number of times yesterday. But Ned has made me swear that I am never to repeat what he said. They also said that they were having dinner with you and Polly that evening.

I started the day with a drive out to HMAS Creswell, and using my ex-Defence Force ID card, I infiltrated the base. I roamed around checking out the old Senior Sailors Mess. I did notice that Ned's Playground is still there.

Actually, that area used to be a BBQ area with 2 big BBQ's. I remember dislocating both my thumbs manhandling the replacement of those thick plates!

I roamed around the waterfront and noticed that there has been a lot of extensions to the west of the old Marine Section building. A new concrete wharf has been built and all the old workshops are either being restored or replaced. These were the Engineers Workshop, Chippy's Workshop and The Sail Makers Workshop.

After leaving Creswell, I did a drive out to Green Patch, Hole in the Wall and Murray Beach, before heading to Ned's. I was impressed that Ned had painted his driveway for my arrival, and flying the White Ensign:

Ellen made us a lovely lunch and we had a few hours belly laughing as were reminisced our naval careers. Far too many names to list here, who provided many of those chuckles during our chats. That valued time was much better that any medical treatment!

Ned then took me to the local Sanctuary Point Men's Shed. I say "shed", it's more like a huge factory. I goes back a long way and I have been told, that Ned was instrumental in turning it from a small shed to what it is today. It has a large active membership and very productive. It has large different sections with, Chippy areas, Project Area, Metal Fabrication & Welding, Engineering, Electrical, 3D Printing and even a huge Model Train Room. Most impressive, I wasn't allowed to take any photos for security reasons. I will assume they don't want any other Men's Shed to know how good they are and how much equipment they have!

Right next door is the Community Gardens, which both Ellen and Ned are involved with. Ellen with the flora side and Ned looking after all the structures and accessways. Another impressive operation, never a dull moment with the Kelly's.

Ned and Ellen, it was only a few hours, but it was decades of great memories. Thank you again for your hospitality.

Graeme Rhodes · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2026 10:26 am

You guys!!!
:hoho:

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