Merry Christmas to everyone, hope you all have a safe and festive season, whether rain, shine or snow! Look forward to more paddleducking in 2008.

Michael has expressed it well, my best wishes to PD`s everywhere.  Oldie

Well said Michael.  All the Best to all PDs

May you all have a good Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Here is a personal greetings from my family and myself, it might take a bit to download.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1727369413

John & family

Last year I posted a photo of the dining room of PS Marion, set up for a 'Christmas in July' cruise.

This year: the cover of Fenton & Williams 'Mission paddlesteamer Etona', a heartwarming book.  This photo shows the boat, not only restored, but set up to be a mission boat again for the series 'All the rivers run'.

There is some licence.  There had been a harmonium organ in the chapel (the rear cabin, inset into the hull).  This would have been placed on the bank at times for large ceremonies, but I doubt that the vessel ever cruised with the chapel on the foredeck, like a New Orleans jazz paddlesteamer.  It did run with a crew of two: the engineer, and the minister (who wrote his sermons while he steered).

The book may be unavailable now.  The second edition (which I own) is isbn 0 646 185230 6.

Merry Christmas,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone