The Gazza Curse Strikes again, flashed through his thoughts as Gazza speed up State Highway One towards  “The Skippers” house , he shook his head to make this thought go away, surely not again surely.

After getting a dose of food poisoning Gazza found the strength to make his way to his mates house, “The skipper”. The purpose of Gazzas trip was to pick up his missus from the airport,  with careful planning it was just possible to sneak in an evening fish on board Sea Time with the lads before she arrived. The weather looked slightly marginal however the Skipper reckoned it worth a go.

Gazza wasn’t drinking, food poisoning and alcohol are a very messy mix. It was decided Gazza would be driver so our skipper could have his daily intake of preventative Alcoholic antibiotic. After collecting some cold pies ( Skippers favourite) they arrived at the boat to discover the key was not in its usual place. After a few explicit adjectives and a phone call to Dave a boat partner, he came down with a key and beer in hand. Soon after Geoff, Skippers mate, arrived with sufficient food and alcohol for several days.

Excellent….ready to go. Start engine one…yes….start engine two…..start engine two….bugger no go. Skipper proceeded down into the engine room where he tinkered, undid things, hit things for a good hour. Dave being mechanically minded was giving continued advise from above. The conclusion was the starter motor was buggered. However the motor being where it was, it would mean removing whole motor to get starter motor out or they could bang hole in bottom of boat ( Gazzas suggestion) to remove starter motor.

The Skipper by this time was near the end of his tether. However with one last cleaning of wire tightening of nut and hay presto…contact. By now some two hours and several beers had past. The wind had come up with white caps in the bay. It was collectively decided that fishing was off and drinking was on.

It wasn’t until the team arrived back at Skippers home and the story was told to Mrs skipper that she mentioned the “Gazza Curse” Up until this point Skipper had forgotten about such things. With bulging eyes his large hands made their way around Gazzas neck.

Gazza returned home with a speech impediment and the words the Gazza Curse Strikes again ringing in his ears.

Capstan Gazza