Cheeky sign a gem of a greeting for cruise ship passenger at Geraldton marina

Retired farmer Maxine Keeffe usually volunteers as a tour guide at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial when the cruise ships are in port.

However, on Thursday, November 5, she set aside her official duties to personally welcome an old friend when the Diamond Princess made its first visit to Geraldton.

The widow greeted Bob Chrystal, 87, from Melbourne, with a handwritten sign that made reference to a cheeky joke the pair had shared.

“I met Bob on a trip to Vancouver in 2008 and we’ve been in contact by email over the years,” Mrs Keeffe said.

“He emailed to say he was going to be in Geraldton today and asked if he was still my ‘stud-muffin’.

“I’d forgotten about that joke but I thought it would give him a laugh to see it.”

Mrs Keeffe said her arrangement to meet Mr Chrystal was a bit vague so she waited anxiously as the ship’s passengers came off the various tenders.

She described her penfriend as a nice gentleman.

The Geraldton Guardian was able to welcome Mr Chrystal before we embarked on our own encounter with the Diamond Princess.

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