:cry:

On January 29th the Nor Cal Rabble held there 5th annual Burns Night Supper. As that morning had come an official announcement on XMTS that the new symbol of goodwill for the forum, a quaich, would soon be starting its journey the wee zeppelin, the XMTSAS Saltire made its last voyage to attend the celebration. One chapter ending as the next begins.

With better than 70 people in attendance the evening was filled with the laughter, good will, and spirit of fellowship that both Robert Burns and the Ladies and Gentlemen of XMTS would have welcomed.

At the end of the evening the Nor Cal Rabble stood with her for one last picture

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...s/DSC05869.jpg


Her logbook was entrusted to Kent to be scanned and published here on the forum

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...s/DSC05870.jpg

Lastly I paused and reflected about how far she travelled and how many friends she helped connect

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...s/DSC05872.jpg

In the morning haze of my younger days
I’d see her floating there
How real she seemed this vessel I dreamed
The airship I named the Saltire

Beautiful and bright clad in blue and white
Floating in the air
Representing an ideal, a wish made real
My airship called the Saltire

High she soared with all my friends aboard
There was plenty of room to share
Up in the clear with nothing to fear
In our airship called the Saltire

With helm steering true to the course I knew
Sat I in the Captain’s chair
O’er many a stormy cloud sailed my zeppelin proud
The wondrous airship Saltire

We traveled far following our guiding star
With winds that were always fair
Hands clasped with the friendships we grasped
Aboard the airship Saltire

Her task complete in helping friends meet
She pauses for a moment midair
Then the zeppelin alights away, making way
Farewell good airship Saltire

So on this night, ends her flight
And her travels to here and there
In honor retired with hopes she inspired
Goodwill because of the little Saltire


XMTSAS Saltire

:blimp:

Commissioned August 16th, 2008
Decommissioned January 29th, 2011


Cheers

Jamie

A fitting epitaph Jamie.
It was great to see Kent and Madeleine again in your photos at the Saltire's final event. Hopefully despite the retiral of the Saltire, friendships will continue and I will be privileged to meet you and the other members of your group some day.

Lovely set of final pics Jamie,

She looks as good as new despite all her travels,

And great news about the log! :cool:

It brings a tear to the eye. Farewell, our airship Saltire.

A fitting retirement party for the little blue blimp, I think. Thank you for sharing these Jamie.