With Ozlanka reporter DOUG JONES on board

Sydney Harbour has to be the best in the world, bar none. Maybe along with a few other million Sydneysiders, I am biased. Can you blame me? Cop this if you can. Sunday October 18 was a glorious day. A teasing temperature of 23 degrees C with a breeze gentle enough to nudge a dozen or so yachts hither and thither on a rippled sea and soothingly caress 140 Bellbirds and friends aboard the cruise boat Blue Moon .

That was a great turn-out and somehow the Bellbirds Club has the knack to dish out a darned good show for a small outlay by the guests. Value for money is the operative phrase. And much praise goes to Vice-President Angela Jansz who coordinated the cruise and her efforts were duly acknowledged and applauded.

For a while leaden skies seemed to predict inclement weather as eager cruisers gathered in and around Birken Head wharf (at Birkenhead Point) for the cruise boat to pull up. And by 11.30 AM the vessel , well laden, set sail and everybody began scuttling for much sought-for refreshments and bites. Before long, giving lie once more to the myth that Elvis is dead, up came Elvis and swung and twisted his way as he rendered popular hits of the King.

Maybe it was a rocking bit too loud for some; thanks to an upper third and open-air deck that served as a retreat, for a few, from the high decibels).

As we cruised along on a magnificent Sunday Sydney Harbour, lunch came up with a. lavish spread of BBQ chicken, roast beef with generous lashings of salads and sauces that satisfied the hungriest. And there were many, I assure you.

Those so inclined stomped the decks with jubilant toe-tapping while others were content to sit back and take in the fetching views of Federation-style buildings juxtaposed with a backdrop of the cityscape looming far and above. Permanent homes and weekenders of the rich and famous en route provided a talking point.

The Bellbirds have done overseas trips, bus tours to the Hunter Valley and this was the first time the club launched on a harbour cruise. On all counts, another harbour cruise may well be on the calendar of activities for 2010. Shiver me timbers, me seafarers. Keep a weather eye on them Bellbirds o'er the horizon as them days roll on.

Click here to enjoy an album of photos submitted by Doug Jones