I retired from active parish ministry three years ago at the tender age of 72. I really had run my batteries down and needed a break. Archbishop John Bathersby was very decent about it. Mondays to Saturdays are my time. Weekends I “supply” wherever, within reason. My weekdays are filled with all manners of things and I was coping with the load fairly well until dear Sally asked me to write an article for Swag. I rush to explain that my so-called journalistic talent arose from crazy articles that I have been writing every two weeks for our Brisbane Clergy newsletter. Just to brighten the thing up a bit. So may you feel brightened!!

Long before retirement my leisure interest was boating. My boat is about forty years of age, marine ply with a recent model of 50HP Mariner on its transom. It’s a lot of fun. Fish? Not plenty. Crabs? I had my pots stolen some years back at Maryborough parish. Fun? Plenty. Safety? It has it all…marine radio, epirb, lifejackets, V sheet, mirror, common sense, and luck. I have touched a few sandbanks but have not yet lost a crew. My favourite sea place is seven kms off the coast at Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. I have never known sea sickness which must mean that between the ears is OK. The boat is just under 16’ and was built by my boatbuilding cousin, Roy Bliss.

Roy and I are great mates and have been since I first met him when I was twelve years of age. I took the boat back to him a few years back after it developed some worrying leaks. Says cuz Roy: “You’ve been bloody well taking this boat out in the ocean again, haven’t you?  I’ve told you it wasn’t designed for ocean swells. But I’m wasting my time with you mate!” He repaired it. Way back in 1955 I told him of my intention to enter Banyo Seminary to become a priest. Roy was a fully fledged Mason. “Harry” says he “don’t let those b…’s get their hands on you.” It could have been the end of a beautiful friendship but he got over it, visited me at Banyo on visiting days and attended my first Mass. Since that time Roy has met many priests. A Belgian theologian named Fr Piet Franzen visited Brisbane at the request of Father (now Bishop) Putney. That was sometime about 1974. I was asked to take this special guest for a run in my boat on the Brisbane River. The river was rough and nasty so instead

I took Peter over to Roy’s boatyard for a yarn and a beer. They took to each other like long lost pals. Roy still brags about that day.

Taking that boat for a run really brightens my day and gives great joy to whomsoever makes bold to come with me. My boating log shows that since I first purchased the craft in 1982, there have been all manners of satisfied customers. There have been bishops, priests, seminarians, rellies, brothers, sisters, bird watchers, friends, kids, and parish secretaries. Sitting at anchor off Mooloolaba with Bishop John Gerry the fish were obliging. Of a sudden I spotted a trawler headed for us. It helps to know that some of these sea going cowboys turn on their automatic pilot and go downstairs for a sleep. Such was the case this day. Retreat for us was out of the question unless I cut the anchor rope. That we are both alive today is testimony to the fact that I cut the rope! And this is where I cut off from your attention and look forward to meeting up with you in print in the next issue of The Swag.

Harry Bliss