Flag Officer Fleet, Admiral Phillip Schoultz telephoned Steven Eriksen, naval liaison officer for the festival, with the news that the Navy had been ordered to cancel arrangements to attend the oyster festival. They were to stand by to move to Pretoria in the event of the ailing former president Nelson Mandela's passing. This meant that the SA Navy Dance Band could not appear at the ball.
Eriksen set about ensuring that an admiral would indeed be at the ball. The services of a local band, Signature, were secured, and the indomitable Di Pepler of Cruise Café rose to the occasion. The ball would continue at the Featherbed Resort after all, transport there and back by the MV John Benn.
The Sea Cadets stood by to support the serving staff as stewards, and the super four course dinner was served with aplomb. The ball attendees danced with enthusiasm after having been told by the admiral attending, Director Naval Personnel, Rear Admiral A Kubu, that the Navy regretted the changed plans, but looked forward to its normal support at the 2014 festival.
His wife, Miriam Kubu, very elegant in white, danced with the admiral to set the tone for the evening, Captain Daniel Phillips was also present, very dashing in his mess dress.
During the dinner the lucky numbers were drawn for the prizes that had been donated by Simola, Gondwana Game Reserve, Tsala Tree Top Lodge, Timber Village and Body Essence. This produced lots of fun and laughter as the winners were announced. When the ball was over the happy crowd boarded the John Benn for the return trip to the Cruise Café sailing on a glasslike lagoon, reflecting the lights of the town and the Eastern Head.
Happy dancers at the Admiral's Oyster Ball.
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