Wades Retirement Party – 23rd January 2013
A superb celebration to mark the end of an era…Mrs. Gosnell very generously hosted a surprise party in Antigua for Phil and Anne to celebrate the 21 years of sailing and cruising that the Gosnell family and Timoneer have spent together. Many friends of the Gosnell’s who have sailed with us over the years travelled to Antigua, together with crew and race crew, past and present, for an evening of fun and friendships, tinged with nostalgia and just a little sadness. The dress for the evening was Loud Caribbean shirts, and the venue was The Admirals Inn, Nelsons Dockyard, Antigua…a unique and very special setting. The evening started with a presentation by Mrs. Gosnell of a Royal Navy style shirt with epaulettes (as worn on large powerboats) to Phil …something she has been jokingly threatening him with for years, printed with Admiral on the back to denote his new status! The guests, all dressed in yellow t-shirts performed a “variety act” with a poem/song written by Nancy Lee, and hilariously rehearsed earlier in the day over lunch at the Admirals Inn.
Kelly Riley, ex stewardess, delivered a poem written by Bevan, a deckhand of long standing aboard Timoneer and now Mate/Captain of a large sailing boat. Sadly he was on charter and unable to be there himself, but Kelly made a grand rendition on his behalf. There were many tributes and speeches from ex crew and friends, and Jeff Robinson, ex Engineer, was an enthusiastic MC. Rick Tomlinson, yachting photographer and friend, delved into his archives and contacted many friends to unearth photos covering the span of Phil’s career. These were compiled into a slideshow, and below are a selection of photos that he took at the party and during the Superyacht Regatta that followed. We dined on juicy spit roasted suckling pig and the rum punch flowed. Later there was dancing to an excellent local band “Itchy Feet”. A memorable time was had by all, and we went on to superb and exciting sailing for three days of the Antigua Superyacht Challenge.
Phil and Anne will still continue their association with Mrs. Gosnell and Timoneer but in a lesser capacity, and she will sail on with Captain JC and her crew with cuisine, as always, by Chef Penny Bell.
