EVER GONE TOO FAR?
Finally, I am on my way up north to run RST courses, although with a slightly modified schedule this year due to the later departure date. First stop is actually Kununurra, just a short 3600 kms away and then we will work our way south to Port Hedland, finishing up with a stint at Wagin before returning home. And yes, I have locked away some neap tide dates to chase Barra, but more of that next month.
But this story is not about going too far up the coast, but possibly going too far with a joke. Clint Noakes rang me last week, after he had done a course a few weeks ago, asking about setting up the anchor system on a new boat and I mentioned I was heading to Kununurra. Clint had worked in Kununurra years ago, reckoned they were the best years of his life and had an interesting croc story worth sharing. He lived close to the local tavern in a house that was well shaded in the front yard, with a nice big verandah where they would have a few beers on Friday nights. However, they also had an inflatable croc that they would position on the front verge with fishing line attached. As the tavern emptied late at night, people would be walking by and they could hear them questioning if it was real or not. That’s when they would jerk the fishing line and you can imagine the reactions. Some would be scared out of their wits, others would have a good laugh and a few of the more irate ones even threatened to jump the fence and take revenge. Almost a big too far that one?
I too have played a few jokes in my younger years that probably went too far. One time I sent a letter to a mate, on an official looking letterhead, thanking him for offering to accept refugees from other countries. He said nothing for a few weeks, so I followed up with another letter advising of the impending date of arrival and that it would be nice if he could organise some chooks and vegies in his backyard to make them feel more at home. When he rang me somewhat concerned, asking if I had received any similar letters, I burst out laughing and had to admit to the prank. Another time I went a little too far was when I arrived unannounced to see my mum and dad in the eastern states, while they were booked into a hotel with my sisters. I dressed up in a concierge outfit, complete with a tray of drinks and knocked on the door to announce room service. My sisters were in on the scheme, so let mum answer the door, but she was so shocked to see me she almost fainted. All future visits were announced after that one. But definitely my potentially most dangerous prank occurred at the Busselton Post office one day. I saw a friend at the counter and without thinking, walked up behind her, put a finger in her back and asked for her money. To avoid her being too scared, I immediately came around to the front of her to say hello, but alas, it wasn’t her. Fortunately the burly husband wasn’t exactly sure what had happened and just as well or I would have been on the receiving end of a right cross, rightly so. I profusely apologised to her as best I could and whilst she was understanding, that time I definitely went too far.
