Gulf tour

Before the last September holidays Bonnie had mentioned that she and her sister Glenys were taking a day trip to the Gulf (of Carpentaria) - did I want to join them? Yeah - sounds good, but no - can't afford it. Remember I was flying home for the holidays to be with Rob after his back operation and air fares from Horn island to Cairns are ridiculously expensive. I was trying to be careful and conservative with my spending.

But as the end of term got closer and holiday mode loomed, I began to rethink my conservative approach to spending and at the last minute sent Bonnie a text saying "count me in"! I'm so glad I did :-)

Up bright and early - the ferry leaves at 6am - and kitted out with water bottle, sunscreen, hat, camera and walking shoes, the three muskateers met at the wharf and waited for Peddell's ferry to arrive. It did and on time.

The Gulf tour starts with a 45 minute ferry trip to Seisia Jetty on the mainland where we are met by our genial host and mini bus driver and guide Jeremy. He obliges us by taking our photo standing in front of the bus to mark the beginning of the tour.

First up is a drive through the township of Bamaga and onto the Loyalty Beach caravan park for a very delicious breakfast - more so for the view than anything else.

Seisia Jetty - the little white ferry next to the big barge :-)

Breakfast - simple, help yourself and very delicious



Breakfast with a view. Glenys on the far left in red. She and Bonnie started chatting to the two guys in the middle - turns out they all went to the same school in Sydney!

Then it's back to the bus and for the next hour and a bit we experience a very bumpy but interesting drive to the tip of Australia. Jeremy is a very knowledgeable and pleasant guide and has lots of stories and historical information available to make the rather tedious drive just that bit more enjoyable.

Once at the Tip, he parks the bus on the beach and then we have about a twenty minute walk over rocks to the top of Australia.

Over rocks and crannies to get to the top all the while enjoying this most magnificent view

Bonnie (left) and Glenys at the Top

Me! at the Top

The day doesn't end there. After that amazing adventure Jeremy whisks us off to lunch - and a more gourmet experience I have not had in a long time. We might as well have been in a multi star restaurant - the ambiance and the taste of our meal were beyond compare.

Jeremy drove to a beach - pristine white sand, turquoise water lapping gently onto the shore and ..... he set the table. The side of the bus folds down to make a bench/table and from underneath he retrieves a portable fridge and picnic basket. We are each given our own lunch box - a delicious roast lamb salad, juice, fruit, crackers and cheese - more than enough for a healthy appetite.

He then asked where did we want to sit - at the picnic table or on the beach. We all opted for the beach, so Jeremy - amazing guide that he is - opened the back of the bus and took out 3 folding camping chairs which he insisted on setting up for us himself on the beautiful sandy beach.

I sat for minutes just taking it all in. We could have been anywhere. I wish I had a photo but unfortunately my camera died that day so the pics I had taken of the bus, Jeremy, lunch - they don't exist :-(  

We would have loved to have taken a swim or at least paddled but - you guessed it - crocs. So not a good idea in that part of the world to test the waters.

After lunch, a short walk along the beach to visit some historical graves, then back to the bus to make our way back to Seisia. On the way we stopped at the Croc Tent. This is a shop - well, actually no, it's a tent - in the middle of nowhere that sells souvenirs, t-shirts etc. It's run by a delightful young couple who have taken a sabbatical from their well paid jobs in the big city. They were enjoying their sea change, or should I say bush change, with their 7 month old baby. Don't know if I could have done it with a baby -but then again I never thought I'd ever live on TI either.

The day ends back at the Jetty, a few more pics, fond farewells to Jeremy and a leisurely ferry ride back to TI. Thanks Bonnie and Glenys for your company - it was a great day.

Rethinking spending habits - life is good :-)

TI Wharf

My friends - you're going to have to induge me for a little bit longer. I still have so much of TI in me and I want so much to share it with everybody.

Last Wednesday came too fast for me. It was a bitter sweet day - bitter for the leaving of my island home and sweet for the homecoming awaiting me back here. The day dawned very overcast and grey and by the time I'd had breakfast and finished packing it was pouring rain. The wet season is about to start - if it hasn't already. I told Rob that TI was crying because I was leaving - he sort of laughed :-)

All too soon Maggie arrived in the Silverleaf Taxi. This is a great service - the two ferry services, McDonalds and Rebel, also provide free taxi pick up from either wharf to house or house to wharf. We always used McDonalds - you always got a smile and a bit of friendly banter - and that goes a along way anywhere.

Last Christmas Eve when I left the island to meet up with Rob in Cairns, I caught the ferry and was greeted by the crew wearing Christmas decorations and handing out candy canes. Once on board we were treated to cold drinks - beer, wine and soft drinks - and a cheese platter.

Daniel, who owns and runs the service with his wife Rhonda, is a graduate of Tagai high school and is truly  a role model to our students. In fact, a few of the kids have part-time jobs with McDonalds as crew members.

McDonalds ferry - a great way to get to TI. You can also hire the ferry for twilight cruises, either fully catered or BYO food. Downstairs is quite roomy once the seating has been removed.

The wharf was very crowded that day - lots of people were leaving, most of them teachers. Our much loved principal Craig and his family was also leaving TI after 17 years on the island. He and his wife Robyn met, married and had their family here - they are such a big part of this community ..... and the community came out in force to say goodbye.

Friends came to farewell Craig (front left wearing black) and Robyn (cute blond lady next to him).

And I had a small contingent come too - Prainy, Nola, Zips ... oh, and Rob :-)

David and Rob. David is the fire chief on TI. I met him through Rotary but actually knew of him before I went to the island - we have a mutual friend.

 

Nola and Zips - two of my favourite people

Gosh, I'm going to miss her. How will I cope? What's it all about? I'm so lucky - she's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

All too soon, the ferry arrived, we boarded and it pulled out on its way to Horn Island. I've done that trip quite a few times now - and I always come back. It felt surreal - is this really the last time I pull away from the wharf?

No - it's a small yawo - "small goodbye" ....... life is good

My TI friends

I'm loving being home. I love our little house, green leafy garden, welcoming front deck and the lovely array of potted plants that give it a warm , friendly feel.

True - it's still early days. I'm used to leaving the rock every three to four months, staying here a few weeks and then heading back. So I guess the test will be in January when my body clock will be getting ready to go north ..... and I don't.

TI is still vivid in my mind - the streets, the beach, the church. And the people - the beautiful, gentle, loving people - our wonderful friends who supported us for better or worse, in sickness and in health till McDonalds ferry do us part.

My friends:
Ron, Robyn and Ben
When I met this loving family I was immediately taken by their generosity. When Rob and I had to leave the pilot house, Robyn without hesitation offered us a place in their house. Robyn - I'll miss your blingy glasses and your smile. Ron - I'll miss your stories. And Ben - I'll just miss you.

Jan and Colin
Fun, loud, down to earth, caring ..... and mad - that's Jan. When Rob spent time in hospital after he'd hurt his back, Jan and Colin were regular visitors. It was also not unusual to have them call in of an afternoon while out on their daily walk. And it wasn't unusual for them to sometimes stay and share a glass of wine - great company and good fun.

Jan and I doing our thing at the Wongai Ball. She loves wearing red - it's her colour. She's also mad, loud, fun and a good friend.

Marina
Accommodation on TI is very hard to come by, and when I was thinking of staying on TI while Rob commuted around the globe, Marina kindly offered me a room in her house. I'm kind of sorry I'm not going back now - I think we would have had fun.

Pat Jones
This lady is an island identity. Pat is not ..... young, but gosh I wish I had half her energy and drive. She is actively involved in Rotary, the church, teaches RE at the primary school, volunteers at the nursing home, babysits her grandchidren regulary and helps out whenever and wherever she can. A very generous, warm lady.

Nola
Creative, fun and generous Nola is one of the very first friends that I made on TI. She couldn't come to drinks on Tuesday night because she was home making me a necklace.

On the wharf with Nola saying farewell to Peter - my dancing partner.

My island sister
Zipporah - Zippy, Zips - my sissy. I knew of Zippy before I met her - her brother Patrick was one of the coxswains at Reef Pilots where Rob was working at the time. He told me he had a sister who worked at the high school and once I started working there I would see her around the campus.

This year we ended up in the same staff room office - and apart from the fact that I absolutely loved my job, it was Zippy who made me want to come to work every single day :-) To say that we clicked is an understatement. We were so in sync - we felt each other's joy, pain, delights, frustrations and fun. We had a lot of fun.

I miss her already and can't wait for her to come and visit ... after all, we are family :-)

My sissy Zipporah - see the resemblance?

My TI friends, my wonderful TI friends ....... life is good!

I'm back!!

Hi everyone - it's been a while, hasn't it? I don't know why I stayed away. So much started happening the minute we got back to TI after our last trip to Brisbane and it seemed easier to just let it happen.

In a nutshell:
* Rob went back to work at IBIS on light duties after his back operation. He lasted less than a week and had to take more time off until the pain in his back settled. With the help of physio and a few mild pain killers he returned to the servo and has worked there ever since.

But he was not happy. So after sending off a few job applications one finally came to fruition and he happily quit IBIS,  his final day being last Friday.

* I went back to work at Tagai as public relations officer and hit the ground running. My predecessor, when doing a handover, had told me that speech night preparations later in the year, would be hectic and crazy. I thought - yeah, OK. I had no idea. Hectic? Crazy? Yes - and more. But what a ride :-)

Long hours, long lists, long phone calls, early mornings, memory jolts mid-sleep, panadol at the ready and a much awaited glass of wine in the evenings - it was all worth it. You know that saying "it will all work out on the night"? - well it did! It all ran like clockwork and no-one noticed the hiccups except me :-)

After that, things slowed down but only a tad. We then had to think of Graduation and after that the general winding down of the school year which also finished on Friday - being remote we finish before the other schools.

So what's happening now?

We're leaving TI - for good. Rob's new job is based in Brisbane. And while we both toyed with the idea of me staying and he commuting in between projects, in the end I make the choice to leave too. Let me share some special moments from the last few days.

* My good friend and work colleague Bonnie left on Sunday. Although not in Brisbane she has been transferred to a school in a nearby town, so we have promised to visit each other regularly. I'm looking forward to having her first stay over :-)

At the wharf to farewell Bonnie (in white top)

Waving goodbye to Bonnie.  My friend Zippy is on the left.

* Tuesday night was my last night on the island, so Rob and I invited a couple of friends to join us for a drink. What better venue than the Jardine - the very place that Rob took me to when I first came to the island 19 months ago :-)

Farewell at the Jardine with friends (from left) Rob, Colin, Jan, Robyn, Ron, Pat (hidden) and Marina.

Rob and I sharing a drink at the Jardine



Outdoor area at the Jardine

Dining room at the Jardine

* Saturday night saw most of the TI community strolling through Anzac Park, enjoying the breeze and soaking up the atmosphere at the pre-Christmas night markets. Food stalls, music, Santa arriving on a fire engine and a few craft stalls - all made for another memorable experience. 



Rob and I on the foreshore enjoying the night markets



The Torres lit up for Christmas adding to the atmosphere at the night markets





At the night markets last Saturday. From left: Deb, Robyn, Craig, Me, Bonnie and Susie



Tuesday was my last day and there was a lot to do - go to the post office to organise the mail, see AQIS about the mat that was given to Rob, final packing of boxes ready for pick up by Silent World (carriers) - and of course lunch at the Fed with friends :-)

And after lunch who could resist a swim in the beautiful turquoise waters of TI? This is what I'll miss - this view which is all around you, is never far away and is so soul nourishing.

Last swim on the last day - isn't it beautiful?

Ah my friends - have I told you lately that ..... life is good?