Flinders Day at Coochie

We went over to neighbouring Coochiemudlo Island to take part in the annual Flinders Day celebrations. This was to commemorate the day when Matthew Flinders set foot on Coochiemudlo.

Obviously, he took one look at Macleay, the tide was out and he chose the sandy beaches of Coochie instead. Story of our Halfwit Lives!!!

Coochie really do a great job of the whole thing. Lots of locals dressed up as various olden day people and even a little cannon to set off. But why, we ask? Didn't they want Flinders to turn up? Or was it to scare off the visitors from Macleay?They also had markets (mmmm, retail therapy!!!) and the good news is that I bought a lot of Christmas presents there. All very tasteful ... I did not get sucked into the tie-died petticoats.

But I did get sucked into trying out Dragon Boat racing. Hmm! Nobody mentioned it was really hard work and that we were expected to paddle for over 2km. I was totally stuffed! Luckily, the girl behind me was ready with the snakes, always a necessity at all sporting events!!

I become a fiasco ...

It was the 14th anniversary of the day we met ... something Guy and I always celebrate. This time I was told we were going out for dinner at the Blue Parrot ... the most upmarket cafe restaurant on the island.

So I dutifully got dollied up and was ready to go (5 minutes to spare) when the doorbell rang.

"Darn! Who is it at this time?" I thought as I hurried downstairs.

It was Sid and Barb. "Great!" I said to myself "Guy has asked them to join us for dinner. Good idea!"

But behind them were more guests. And more guests. AND MORE GUESTS!

Woohoo! A surprise party!

All our friends from all over the island turned up, bearing plates of food and lots of drinks. Clever Guy! He didn't want me to know about the party, so he organised everyone else to do all the work.

The party really started with a bang and everyone was having a great time. Joanna called us to a halt at one stage to point out that Guy was a man in a million, who not only remembered our anniversary but threw a party to celebrate it.

In honour of this, she presented Guy with a medal. All the ladies cheered and nudged their husbands/partners and the men growled and sneered. (I clapped ... I know he's one in a million!!)

So we continued eating, drinking and generally making merry. Then Guy stood on the stairs and asked me to join him. Obviously a toast, I thought.

He produces this wonderful scroll and waves it to the assembled guests. "Funny", I thought, "Why won't he let me read it over his shoulder?" (I'm such a nosy person!!)

I could catch glimpses of it and I recognised the work of our friend Ruth, a gifted artist and calligrapher.

Guy reads out this poem, which he had written and had asked Ruth to reproduce for him:

Our dance of love

Began long past,

Our lives and hearts enmeshed

We’ve raised three boys,

We’ve travelled abroad,

Played hockey with the best

Long times of bliss,

Long lives ahead,

Let’s be married for the rest

What a wonderful proposal! Of course, I said yes!!

The night continued with much eating, singing and dancing and, of course, the occasional drop of celebratory wine.

Thanks to all our wonderful island friends for coming and the date is set ... 6th February 2010.

Can I have its pup?

Just had to slot this phrase in!! I'd never heard it before I came to Queensland!!

I was wearing a black knitted poncho wrap last night (I call it my Clint Eastwood aka The Good, the Bad and the Ugly). This woman came up to me and said "Love that wrap. Can I have its pup?"

So much better than "Give it to me in your will"

A Star is Born

Yes, Guy has finally made it as a TV star. Well, almost. Stay tuned on Sunday 14th June on Channel 7 Queensland - The Great South East. (I keep calling it The Great South West ... too long in WA!!)

The crew came over to the Halfwits to film a luxurious B&B owned by two of the Boat Club members and then came down to film some sailing.

Guy got to take the presenter Liz out on a Vagabond for half an hour whilst Mark the camera man took shots from the safety boat.

Rural Firefighters

Well, here we are, both firies! Having signed up as volunteers just before Christmas, we have been trainees for some time, learning the ropes ... or lines as firemen call them ... and generally getting in the way on more than one occasion.

We have not been allowed to attend any real fires but had one exciting Controlled Burn. The school had to clear a block for future classrooms and we were requested to burn the piles of logs and debris that resulted from the clearing. I was allowed to use the drip torch to start one pile of logs and WHOOOOOSH, up it went. Quite scary really, seeing how quickly a fire takes off.

After that, I got to use a hose and direct it to keep the remaining trees safe and control the blaze generally. All of which was fun. It wasn't fun standing around for the next two hours waiting for the blaze to die down and eventually go out. But there you go!!

Our Assessment Day for our FM1 was yesterday. We arrived at the station at 7.45am, all dressed in our PPE (yellow trousers, jacket, white helmet, black boots and leather gloves). Our Assessor Graham arrived from the mainland and we were joined with trainees from nearby Russell Island and Karagara Island. Graham explained what we would be doing for the day and we then divided up into teams.

Guy and I joined with Bev from Karagara and were directed to our first test. This was Coms. We each took a radio and a typed scenario and had to call in to base to report an incident, etc. Very basic stuff but something we need to know, so it was important to show that we could do it. I had practised HEAPS for this, memorising all my phonetic alphabet. So I was pretty despondent when our Assessor didn't ask me to spell anything. Darn!!!

Next test was to check a truck inventory. Unfortunately, they had picked the one truck in our station which was not up to scratch. We are going to replace it very shortly so lots of the equipment on it has been commandeered for other trucks. So the inventory was short of a great many things. Another problem was that there is equipment on top of the truck. One safety aspect which is drummed into trainees is the 3 point hold when you are climbing up or descending from a vehicle. Well, I had got up on top of the truck but when I came to descend, the Chief Assessor (just call him GOD) was standing there watching me. Sigh! There were no handholds, I knew that. I waited. And waited. He waited. And waited. So I jumped. He looked at me ... I looked at him. He smiled and turned away. Whew!!

Then we had to go upstairs for an oral test about fire footprints and where to stand, be safe, where the fire was heading, changing wind directions etc. We managed that one easily and headed outdoors to do our last test of the morning, a Case 4. This involves a team of three getting water from a tank or dam and taking it into the truck and then use a Case 1 hose to put out a fire. We all got through this well, although I did overwind the Case 1 hose back onto the reel, wetting the instructor. Sigh! (Will I pass with all these mistakes?)

Lunch was a bright spot. All supplied, we had chicken and salad, coleslaw, quiche, scones with jam AND cream, home-made bikkies ... woohoo!!

The afternoon was the BIG SCENARIO. Three trucks left the station, with 14 firemen, driving to a designated area which had been set up as a grass fire scenario. We were instructed to go to various parts, to talk to the controller on the radio and to set up. Lucky me got Coms. Guy and Bev wheeled out the case 1 hose and we found a fire hydrant to connect. The dramas continued, with us having to send water to one of the other trucks, meaning connecting hoses all over the place. I forgot to talk on my phone which probably meant we all got burnt out. Bev turned her hose off which meant she got burnt out. Guy tried very hard to do everything for all three of us but failed, so he probably burnt too.

Finally, we were told to mop up and pack away. Hurrah!!! We headed off down Piccannini St towards the fire station. Just as we drove along behind one of the small station FWDs, we saw the woman on the verge tending a small fire. Well, unless you have a permit, fires are illegal on the island so she looked a little nervous when she saw the two fire trucks. Guy gave his flashing lights a blast and she did this fantastic dance on the spot, arms flailing, eyes bugging, jaw hitting the ground. We totally died laughing!! She's probably still cursing us.

Anyway, WE ALL PASSED. So now we get issued with beepers to tell us when to rush off to the station and attend real fires. On the island, we also have to help out the ambo from time to time and attend car accidents. As a driver, Guy has already been called out once to attend an Ambo. He had to drive the paramedics from the helicopter pad to the house of the patient, where the Ambo was in attendance.

Anzac Day, Picnics and Canoe Races

Wow, troops, things are livening up here!!!
During the last two weeks, Guy has been getting ready for the Inaugural First National Macleay Island Canoe Race on 26th April 2009... run by Lions International ... a proposed canoe race around the island ... some 15km. Lions not being very nautical, they had asked the Boat Club to assist on the water so Guy as Sailing Master had got a volunteer team together. Nine boats with eighteen crew, a dozen or so club members on shore in various roles ... it was a BIG ASK!!!

DAWN SERVICE
But first, it was Anzac Day and as firies, we had to attend the Dawn Service in our spekky yellow uniforms in the Big Red Truck. NO PHOTOS!!! We set the alarm for 4am (GROAN!!!) and got up in the dark to dress and be down at the Fire Station by 4.45am. There we found several sleepyheads drinking instant coffee and enjoying Chrissie's bacon and egg muffins (wow!!). Collecting the gang together, we set off for the top of the island at 5am.

Once there, we parked the trucks until the march was ready to commence, when we fell in behind the marchers. (Who was the person who let off a little beep on the siren as we followed the march?) Ross's little granddaughter did this incredible three steps in the air ... had to laugh!!!

The service was wonderful, attended by about 500 people. We stood in Pat's Park at the top of the island as the dawn came up over Stradbroke. There was a strong tide ripping down the Canaipa passage and the only sounds to be heard were Tom on his bagpipes and the morning birds. Very moving. After the service, the RSL handed out traditional tots of rum and milk ... and people actually drank it!!! Stunned, I am!! Yuk!!

PICNIC ON PEEL ISLAND
We headed back to the trucks and drove to the Fire Station before returning home to pack for the Anzac Day Picnic. The Boat Club had managed to get 7 boats going over to Horseshoe Bay on Peel Island for the day. 5 yachts including ours and two power boats.

Perfect weather on the way over ... we sailed all the way. On our boat, we had Chas and Barbara, who both seemed to enjoy themselves.

Horseshoe Bay was absolutely perfect despite the enormous number of boats. I counted about 130 at one stage and that didn't include tinnies and tenders. For those interested, Peel Island used to be home to the last leper colony in Queensland.

We had a bbq on the beach and several glasses of vino. Some of us went for a swim whilst others lazed in the shade and chatted. It was a lovely day, over all too soon, as we decided to head back
to Macleay. The tide was well out by then and we could nearly wade out as far as the boat.

It was very rough on the way back. With the tide out, the many banks and shallows in the bay were a hazard and we were thanking our lucky stars that we had a retractable keel when the depth (or lack of depth) showed at 5.5 feet. If we had a fixed keel, we would have been well and truly aground like one other luckless member of the club.

But we didn't escape unscathed. First of all, Barbara was knocked off balance and grabbed our aerial. SNAP! Woops, didn't need the radio, did we? Then we did an accidental slam gybe and half a dozen slides on the mainsail snapped. Suddenly, the mainsail was loose from the mast and threatening to tear away.

Guy took control of the helm and shouted instructions for somebody to go up and take down the mast. Who could that be? Yup, you guessed it ... pick on the novice!!! "Alene, get up in the bow and get that mainsail down. NOW!!" (Thanks, Guy!)

So there I am, terrified, standing up by the mast trying to pull down this b..... sail in pitching seas and strong winds. Suffice to say I was very glad when it finally came down and I could crawl back to the cockpit, making a mental note to drink copious quantities of alcohol as soon as I could get ashore.

With the sails down, we had to motor back to Macleay, a slow process as we only have a very small motor. But we finally pulled into Dalpura to drop off Chas and Barbara. More troubles, of course, for it was still very rough. We couldn't pick up a mooring so had to drop anchor. Guy took Barbara and Chas in to shore on the dinghy (two trips) whilst Little Miss Worrywort sat and fretted in case the anchor slipped and she had to Save the Day.

Guy returned and gave me my next mission. "I will pull up the anchor whilst you start the motor, put it in gear and hold her steady until the anchor is up. Then steer us out of here." Yes, master!! The novice who has never started the engine, or put it in gear will hold the boat steady in these huge waves whilst you exhibit great strength and dexterity by hauling up tons of mud from the bottom of the bay. Then I will try to avoid several dozen large swinging craft of various shapes and sizes as I steer out of the mooring area ... another thing I have never done.

Sigh.

But it went well. We didn't hit anything. Guy didn't fall overboard and we finally got back to our own mooring. Almost dark. Now we have to get ashore ourselves. This entails throwing everything into the dinghy ... now it is dark ... and heading towards shore. We think we can see the Boat Club and we are now in 3 inches of water and probably 3 feet of mud. Someone has to go over the side to pull us ashore. WHO COULD THAT BE?

Sigh.'Nuff said.

Ashore, tired, bruised, muddy (very muddy) we toiled to put the dinghy away in the shed in the dark and headed for home ..... ah, home ... hot showers, large glasses of alcohol, sleep ..... to hear the phone ringing ... "Alene, can you come down to the Boat Club to help me set up for tomorrow?" .... "Guy, I need you to bring me my radio for tomorrow."

Sigh.

CANOE RACE

Guy rose at 5am to get started on his role as Safety Officer. I slept. And slept. Not rising till 7am when I staggered downstairs and started with a BIG cuppa coffee.

I got to the Boat Club around 9.30am to help make sandwiches for the afternoon function which followed the race. It looked pretty savage out there and I was exceptionally glad I was on dry land and not on a canoe. Quiet day for me ... nothing much to do until noon when I opened the bar and people started arriving for drinks and food.

Guy had a mad day organising all the safety boats and volunteers but there were no disasters and everything went well. The winner paddled round the island in one hour and ten minutes.

About fifty people turned up at the apres race function which lasted until about 6pm. Why so early? Our liquor licence only goes to 6pm on a Sunday. Simple really. But was I glad to close that bar!!! Looking forward to a quiet week!!!

A Visit to Stradbroke

Guy had booked two nights at a resort on North Stradbroke as a birthday present for me. As we couldn't get in till Easter, this gave us the opportunity of asking Karla and Bec to come with us.


We picked them up from Cleveland and caught the vehicle barge across to Dunwich, the town at the top of Stradbroke where the ferries and barges arrive. We drove off and headed towards Point Lookout on the other side of the island, some 20km.



We were stayed at Whale Watch Ocean Beach Resort and Guy had chosen the best apartment ... overlooking Main Beach and all the way down towards the Gold Coast.







After unpacking, we went for a long walk along the beach and came back to the apartment in time for a glass or two of NZ sav blanc on the balcony, admiring the pandanus palms and the dense vegetation below.

The next morning we walked down to the shops at Point Lookout and then clambered down to the first beach, Frenchman's Bay.

We followed this north to Deadman's Beach (I don't think I would like to swim here .....) and up the rocks to Cylinder Beach where we sat for a while watching the surfers out at sea.

Walking down to Cylinder Beach, we stopped for a swim. The water was cold and the waves incredibly close together, pulling across the beach with a strong undertow. I was glad to be "swimming between the flags" ... thank goodness for lifesavers!!!

Guy and I left Karla and Bec in the water and walked back via the shops (for an icecream). In the evening, we went out to one of the many restaurants in the area. We chose a Fish Cafe within walking distance. The food was very reasonably priced and ocean fresh. I had Szechuan salt and pepper squid with salad and orange and ginger dressing. Super yum!!!

Sunday morning, we had to be out of the unit by 10am, so we packed and took off. We found the Sunday markets open and stopped for a browse. Lots of the usual tatt but I managed to find a couple of books to read and we contributed a few $$ to the Local Ambulance Committee for a new defribulator. We have just bought a new one on Macleay, so we know how hard it is to raise money for them. (And like why don't the Government pay for these essential items for ambulances on islands???)

From there, we drove to Amity Point and (shsshh!!) drove on the beach. You are allowed to drive on the beaches on Stradbroke but are supposed to have a permit. We only went about 10m just to turn around and go back the way we came so I guess we are pretty safe there. Then we stopped and had a look at the beach, which was long, white and not a soul in sight.

We had lunch in Dunwich after a quick drive inland to Brown Lake, a freshwater lake in the centre of the island. There were certainly a lot of visitors there. Perhaps that's why all the beaches were deserted?

And finally it was time to board the barge and return to Cleveland. There to say a temporary farewell to Karla and Bec who are job hunting and house hunting and to get on yet another barge and return to our own island, Macleay.