THE BASIN, PITTWATER, SYDNEY – When Sondal and Alice Bensan arrived at The Basin at the north-western end of the Pittwater north of Sydney, they had no real expectations for the day that would unfold.
Scott Dillon and the team at R Marine Pittwater invited Sondal and 14 other Riviera owners as well as their families and friends to a day of fun, entertainment and camaraderie at Beechwood Cottage on the edge of The Basin picnic area. Appropriately, it was named the R Marine Pittwater Culinary Soiree.
Beechworth Cottage was built in 1882 in an era when sailors, convicts and even pirates lived in the area. It has been beautifully restored and is surrounded by a white picket fence.
“We had not been to any R Marine event before,” said Sondal. “We had no great expectation, but the entire day was exceptional!
“Our family normally loves to go fishing aboard our Riviera 48 Offshore Express, Pro-fish-ent, at weekends. But this weekend we decided to relax instead and to find out what the event was all about. It was a wonderful day. Even though we didn’t know anyone when we arrived, we were greeted like part of the family. It was more like going to a friend’s place for a barbecue than anything organised.”
Ross Scoble has attended a number of R Marine Pittwater events.
“They are always so well organised,” he said. “I have come to know most of the people who were at The Basin. They are like old friends now. And it is always great to see new people join the Riviera Family.
“Before I purchased our Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht, Passport, my boating experiences were on my own. Riviera is a far better environment.”
Gerard and Ellie Stevens received a surprise visit on the morning after The Basin afternoon.
They joined the event aboard their Riviera 47 Flybridge, Freedom, from their home marina at Bobbin Head a trip of about 14 nautical miles along some of the most scenic waterways in Australia.
“It was the first time Ellie and I had gone out alone aboard Freedom in the 12 months that we have owned her,” said Gerard.
“We decided to stay on a mooring overnight as did a number of the other Riviera owners. I phoned Scott Dillon about a different matter early on Sunday morning. He said ‘wait there, I am on my way to see you’. It seemed a long way to come – 25 minutes on the water – just to answer my question. When he arrived, he had fresh croissants for every Riviera. That was a wonderful way to start the day!”
Gerard and Ellie particularly enjoyed the giant paella dish served for lunch on Saturday.
Renowned chef Miguel Maestre and his team created a culinary delight for the 75 guests. Miguel is best known as a co-host of the TV show The Living Room.
“Chef Miguel was fantastic,” said Ellie. “There were a number of ‘stations’ of very tasty food, a little like a tapas meal. It was excellent; very tasty. And, of course, there were plenty of drinks for a warm day.”
As the sunlight left The Basin, some families retuned home while others including the Stevens stayed on board overnight to extend the enjoyment.
“We were delighted with the entire day,” said R Marine Pittwater Principal Scott Dillon. “It is a pleasure to host our wonderful clients and to know how much they enjoy the our unique events bringing the Riviera Family together.”
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