\u201cAlthough I can\u2019t explain to Nola Tucker why champagne is wantonly sprayed to celebrate sporting victories (C8), I totally endorse it,\u201d declares Col Burns of Lugarno. \u201cHaving a vulgar, unsophisticated palate that favours beer to overpriced fizzy grape juice, I find any alternative to actually drinking it preferable. Nevertheless, if imbibing is absolutely necessary, recent victors have demonstrated that the flavour can be considerably enhanced by infusing it with the rich, fruity aromas of freshly worn footwear.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ungrafted Ron Schaffer of Bellevue Hill provides the antecedent: \u201cChampagne celebrations in sport were introduced in the 1930s, when champagne merchant Count Frederic Chandon offered bottles to winners of the French Formula 1 Grand Prix. These events were held on the famous Reims circuit in the Champagne district. More recently, however, US driver Dan Gurney invented champagne-spraying on the victory podium at Le Mans in 1967 when he intentionally sprayed onlookers, thus beginning the tradition that has since spread to other sports.\u201d <\/p>\n
George Manojlovic of Mangerton sees a more maternal side to it: \u201cThe champagne sprayers are simply saying goodbye to their Mumms.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been a bit of a common denominator, venue-wise, regarding the recent chance-meeting thread (C8). John Brown of Kianga conducts proceedings: \u201cWhat is it about the City Recital Hall? We were at a Brandenburg Noel concert and my wife met one of her nursing colleagues, whom she hadn\u2019t seen for a number of years. We had a lovely dinner with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDownstairs at the Belvoir always offered interesting opportunities,\u201d says Janice Creenaune of Austinmer. \u201cI remember seeing Bryan Brown (he stole the show, so I don\u2019t remember any other actors) in the wonderful play Backyard in the late \u201970s with my girlfriend from Sydney Uni. We, too, had a front-row seat (C8) with our feet on the \u2018stage\u2019. As Mr Brown rode his bicycle around the stage area, he took a wider arc each time. By mid-show we were \u2018sitting\u2019 with our feet and knees tucked up beneath our chins and holding on for the experience. He had that glint in his eyes even then, and we were his targets.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Woof family tree (C8) has brought out the doggerel in Alan Marel of North Curl Curl:
Jim Dewar of Davistown\u2019s right,
It\u2019s time to put Woofs out of sight.
Whether short-haired or hairy,
Neither one\u2019s scary
As their bark is much worse than their bite.<\/p>\n
Column8@smh.com.au
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