You couldn't get a much more apt tale of chance, circumstance and coincidence than that of a rowing boat in need of some tender loving care.

Known as the Lady of the Lake, Catherine Lakeman, who lives at Queens Lake Village (hence the name coincidences) came across a wooden skiff on a stroll and wanted to contact its owner with a quick-thinking plan to surprise her partner, friend and water-lover Jim Cleary for his birthday, even though it was some month's away.

Her investigations proved fruitful as she found out that a fellow resident Bob Emsell had built the skiff in the late 80s from marine ply when he was living in Caulfield, Victoria and brought it with him to West Haven in 2012.

"The skiff had been under cover by the wharf for two years so I approached Bob to let him know that I'd be interested in buying it, if he ever wanted to sell," Catherine said.

"A few months later I found a note from Bob in my bird bath telling me that the skiff, Eggshell, was for sale.

"I was over the moon, my heart started racing. And I thought of the challenge ahead."

And it was a challenge that started in May this year.

Catherine wanted to keep everything a secret and to do what she wanted to do meant getting the skiff from the jetty to her garage.

"With the help of six women and two men, muscle power and rope, we made the relocation to the garage, where the skiff remained until I had finished work on it. I can't thank those helpers enough," she said.

After hours of sanding, undercoating, painting, deck oiling, a few fibs, some white lies and stretching of the truth, Eggshell was back to its glory in August. It then had the finishing touch with its name and a scene of a pelican created by Laurieton's Don Gottke.

"In my eyes, Eggshell was truly a masterpiece," Catherine said.

Last Wednesday, Jim got his birthday present in front of many friends on the foreshore of Queens Lake.

"We told Jim that a friend, Betty Billson, was celebrating her 90th birthday and he was to present her with a gift on behalf of all the residents," Catherine said.

"I drove Jim to the jetty and he was surprised to see so many people and then heard a loud horn blasting."

His Eggshell was then unveiled.

"I was gob-smacked and somewhat embarrassed," he said.

"Catherine went to such lengths and I am overwhelmed. The thoughtfulness certainly overrides any secrets she kept.

"I can't wait to get out on the water."

That wasn't the only surprise Jim had for his birthday. His brother Ken Cleary from Bermagui made the trip to be a part of the celebrations.

"How does Jim know such an ingenious person as Catherine to arrange such a surprise?" he asked.

"I'm actually looking forward to sharing a row with him on the lake."

Naturally, a few glasses of bubbly were consumed in recognition of Eggshell's new look and new owner.