Skippy Island II - Photos by Robyn & Julie

For more of the arty, skeeenick shots by Robyn see her Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46673360@N05/

(Click on the pictures to see them at a larger size.)



Rod practicing his saluting. He could often be heard above decks mumbling, "Aye, aye sir, anything you say sir, anything, anything . . . just ask . . . please".



Do not look at the above picture.



Brenton: "No, I won't listen to another Smurf joke."



"Cheers"



Boot scooting practice. What else is there to do outside at 2am in the freezing cold?



'Achey Breaky Heart' causes that reaction in most people.



And now for a Strauss Waltz . . . Breanton leads . . .



"zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............................."



walk, walk, walk . . .



False advertising - there was no Thomas inside.



Rod: "Glad I took Burglary 101 at tech . . ."



"If you look long and hard enough the halucinations cease . . ."



The first two eliminated from the 'best bums' competition.



Our driveway.



Sal - "So the kangaroos just stand in the middle of the road, not even looking out for cars, no wonder they get bowled over. They're so stupid - we're so much smarter."



Lighthouse tour guide: "I'll take this photo but just to ensure it's truly memorable I want you all to stare directly into the sun and squint."
The group obliges.



Julie: "I told you what the penalty was if you 'sashayed' instead of doing the 'do-si-do' "



Brenton daydreaming, staring off into the distance admiring the view. He's thinking," I've got a full tank. I can nearly make it to the end of that beach over there before having to fill up again . . ."



walk, walk, walk . . .



Tools of the trade.



Awwwww.



Julie, Rod, Bryan.



Each bedroom sported a pair of lighthouse shaped bedside lights. They're there just in case you miss seeing the 80 metre tall one in the backyard; the one that shoots out a beam of light that can be seen for tens of kilometres. Yep, just in case you miss that one.



David: "And if I stand like this with one hand out just so . . . it looks like I'm making a very important statement."



Sal announces, "Let's go whaling!"



"No I'm not sharing the only chair - you'll just have to stand . . ."


Home sweet home - with lighthouse.

Words by Harvey. Complaints will be duely ignored . . . unless forwarded in triplcate . . . along with a paper bag filled with cash.

Skippy Island

(Click on pictures to see a larger size)



Above is a picture of Cape Willoughby on Kangaroo Island. You can stay in the lighthouse cottages, which is what QCar did over the June long weekend.

Organised by Brenton and Clinton (big thank you *mwah, mwah*), the weekend saw three cars and 10 people descend onto the unsuspecting isle.

We had a lovely crossing on the ferry, really calm - only took an hour. Rod's, Sal's and Brenton's cars - respectively a diesel Peugeot 306, a Kia Sorrento 4WD and a thirsty Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD made the crossing the rest of us leaving our respective 'means de transportatione' at home.

On the first afternoon we just settled in and took a look around the cape and environs. A brief heavy rain shower ended drinks on the verndah and saw us scamper. Luckily that was the extent of the 'weather' over the weekend. We had sun, sun, sun for the rest of the trip - but it was still pretty cold at night, or in the shade!

That night we had an entree of party pies, pasties and sausage rolls followed by soup - nice and warming.

The next day we visited Seal Bay and then travelled down to the end of the island to see Admiral's Arch and Remarkable Rocks. There were heaps of New Zealand fur seals at Admiral's Arch, more seals than were at Seal Bay and they were easier to see. Although the seals are Australian sea lions at Seal Bay.

Back at Cape Willoughby we had a curry night - we only got back there after dark and we had to take care on the roads not to run into any kangaroos. We saw several.

The next day six of us went to Kelly Caves and then we met up with the rest of the group at the Andermel Marron Farm. It's also a winery and a restaurant so we had a tasting before lunch and then we all tucked into the local cuisine. After lunch we visited the Island Pure Sheep Dairy, which was more fun than it sounds (due to two cute dairy men) and we had a taste of the various cheeses, fresh ones like haloumi and fetta. After that we visited a honey place, took a quick trip around Kingscote and then headed, again in the dark, dodging wildlife, back to home base.

The last night David cooked for the group. The dining room was set for 10 and he served the local haloumi (which Harvey fried) along with warmed Coriole Koroneiki olives and char grilled choizo. He then served a dish made up of layers of tortillas interspersed with layers of wilted greens and parmesan. Done in a frying pan, the cheese melts the layers together. He then served up a beef roast with a heap of different roast vegies and two types of leafy greens.

On our last day we went for a tour of the lighthouse. See panorama above - it's taken rom the balcony at the top of the lighthouse - a great view. Then we packed up and set off for Chapman River Wines which was on our way back to the ferry. It was the most beautiful place with great wines and they served one of the best platters ever. We did a bit of sight seeing around the area and by that time it was time to get back to the ferry and the trip home.



Above: There were dozens of black cockatoos feasting on pine cones at the Chapman River Winery.


Rod (bottom right), Brenton, David, Harvey, Clinton, Bryan, Robyn, Julie, Kay and Sal.

Pictures and text by Harvey