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SPRATTY SAYS 09-06-2007
Well folks it's official, the good citizens of the Clarence Valley have had the antics of an ex-Sydney automotive refugee disturbing their Saturday routine for the 100th time.
They say time flies when you are having fun, well that has certainly been the case for me, so much so that the 1000th edition is sure to roll around pretty quickly. A lot of water has gone under the rotten bridge since Cup Week 2005. My family is now well ensconced in valley life; in fact the Big One actually misses the place and is thinking of moving back to the Clarence after giving us the bird quite literally!
Over the past 2 years Mrs Spratty and I have had our ups and downs like everybody but we wouldn't swap the experience for quids. Sydney is now a haze of memories, the big smoke for us is now Brisvegas. While St George will always be the greatest football club in the world, my sporting interests have certainly altered dramatically. Apart from the havoc I have caused with my boating adventures, amazingly I haven't sunk or capsized anything and have actually caught a few feeds. My golf game has come on to a less embarrassing level, and along the way I have actually been useful on occasion around the house. All in all it's been a pretty productive couple of years.
Never before having played Hockey, and other than the odd Olympic highlight, had never really watched the game closely, I got a start last Sunday evening with a very understanding bunch of blokes (on both teams). Apart from my obvious technical deficiencies, I found it quite a strategic thinking game, where technique and positional play seem to matter more than speed and strength. Although there is the element of men (and women) armed with sticks running around with wild eyed looks, whacking around a cricket ball, that certainly captures the imagination. Anyhow, I hope to have another crack if selected!
On the rugby front, last Saturday did not disappoint. Two wins from four for Grafton against quality opposition was a fair result. Third grade did well to hold Ballina to 10 nil, after they raced to 10 nil after 10 minutes. Super Coach Chris Jackson did well with some pretty ordinary cattle, particularly in finding a second rower to support Physio Phil. The first grade game was a cracker, nil all for most of the game and an absorbing arm wrestle.
Superiority out wide proved the difference. U19s also just getting better with every outing, got over a fast finishing Casino outfit.
On the work front, prominent local pimpernel and defender of the thin blue line Tony King, brought a current series Hyundai Sonata home for us from Sydney in the last week or so. Tony was so impressed with the car he is happy to be quoted as saying 'its nearly the best car I have driven!' Well Tony we promise to find a good home for it. Also on that, among this weeks exports, ex-pimpernel Wayne Magann is in transit from a successful mission to Ulladulla. We often wonder what he gets up to on these forays as he always returns with a big smile on his face!
It is appropriate the 100th column contains something special. For some time now we have been working on what is probably Grafton's worst kept secret, our relocation to Spring Street in South Grafton. Somewhere along the way I got to know and develop a great deal of respect for Paul Winmill and his family who have developed a wonderful reputation in the region for their caravan business. Well the Winmills and the Spratts have now joined forces to create Mighty River Caravans.
Things have been pretty hectic over the past few weeks, but it is coming together nicely. Paul has patiently schooled us in the many aspects of the caravan business, with Tom Freebody already selling his first caravan. Building on a wealth of experience gained by Paul over many years, we have added the Goldstream range of products to the Millard range of vans Paul has sold successfully for a number of years and have an absolute Tsunami of stock on the way. I’m not exactly sure what I bring to the table, but Paul does seem to like me. We have quite a journey to go to get ourselves sorted out; however this is a significant step and a huge vote of confidence in Grafton's future. As Paul's business is even more export oriented than ours, hopefully creating more opportunities and jobs at home in the Clarence.
Finally it would be remiss of me not to recognise the warm welcome my family has received in the past two years, as well as the extremely high levels of loyalty and support shown to us by staff and customers at Mighty River.
Thank You and Happy motoring.
Happy Motoring,
Spratty