Rottnest Reflections
After a week of catch ups with family and friends under our belts, it was back to Port Coogee and to our home, Singularity. We were joined by local rock star and all round good guy, Tim Scott. After meeting at Woolies - where we had two trolleys packed to the gunwales - we snitched a lift for the groceries with Jane and loaded up the boat. Tim (Pete’s nephew) and Pete had been messaging for a few months about having a sail, so it was great to have him on board where we could learn more about his band, Foothead, playing bass, and what really happened at Leavers…. Naturally the wind was dead on the nose (north west) all the way to Rotto, so it was a bit disappointing that we couldn’t have a sail; instead motoring all the way to Longreach.
And, so it was that we returned to Rottnest nearly 20 years to the day that we had moved over in 2002, after our stint in Broome. We were keen to get some work, so we put the word out around town, and soon we were down in the Programmed yard convincing them that a couple of 50+ year olds had what it takes to join the luggage crew and whatever else they could throw at us.
Pete was happy… you can drive the luggage trucks; you can drive the recycle truck… how about a forklift? Nicky was all excited too; no truck driving initially (that came soon enough though), but it was the big steel cap boots that won her over. After her feet heeled - which took about two weeks - she was in her element doing the vehicle and forklift checks (which meant checking the oil and hydraulics and other stuff), and impressed even herself. We won’t mention the time she signed the forklift off as ‘ready to go’… until someone pointed out that one of the tyres was flat. Only flat on the bottom, she said with a grin :)
We loved being part of the luggage crew at Rotto. A fun team environment with a bunch of young crew to help keep us on our toes. Chucking bags, driving around the Island (hard to believe this was part of our ‘work’) and dropping off and picking up everyone’s stuff. We worked hard and grew some muscles as a result. Definitely a case of getting a workout whilst you work. Seriously, though, these guys and gals work hard; be sure to thank them next time you stay on Rottnest and have your luggage delivered/collected.
The luggage crew generally has about 8 - 10 people working at any one time on various shifts from 6am to 7pm everyday. As we were living on the Island, we had the opportunity to complete early and late shifts - early being our favourite with a 6am start, skip lunch break and finish up at 1.30pm, giving you the afternoon to do what you wish. All in all, a great experience; working outside, driving around the island, and interacting with the holidaymakers who were relaxed and happy because, well, they were on holiday!
It was awesome getting back into it on Rotto and reconnecting with a bunch of people who were on the Island 20 years ago and still going now. We were regularly running into so many friends and acquaintances that we had met over the years in our work and travels; always bumping into people we knew… we would leap out of the truck and say g’day before heading back on our way.
Pete had the opportunity to do a few different activities as he has a truck licence, so before long he was getting trained up on the rubbish and recycle truck. Let’s just say the rubbish truck wasn’t his favourite - something about the smell? - but he did enjoy the recycle truck which was a bit bigger and more modern. One of the advantages of this gig was that you were on your own and could work your own routine to clear all of the bins across the businesses and other areas during the duration of your shift. The trucks are a constant source of awe and wonder for all of the little kids around the Island; as well as a source of fascination for many young teenagers who were interested in the mechanics and engineering side of things. It wasn’t uncommon to be followed around by a few boys who were keen to watch the bins getting picked up and dumped. Pete even had his five minutes of fame on Youtube where he starred in Ben’s Bins as Epic Peter, the Rotto Garbageman.
Even on the luggage trucks, we would have a few kids wanting to tag along and help load bags. Generally, everyone you dealt with was super friendly and happy - that holiday vibe at play again! We were often amazed by the amount of stuff people would bring to Rotto for their holidays and were glad we weren’t working on the day one unit set the record; 56 items!
Our Rotto stint also meant being close to family and friends and, as a result, we had a steady steam of visitors come and stay on board. It was awesome to host Bron, Pete’s big sister from Melbourne, who hadn’t been back to WA for four years due to covid. Bron spent a week on the boat and was able to immerse herself in, and share some of the lifestyle we love. We’ll have you driving the dingy next time, Bron :)
The arrival of the daily doctor meant that downwind season was in full swing. Pete certainly had some FOMO going on with the Shaw & Partners Doctor Ski Race leaving from Thomson Bay, Rottnest to Sorrento. We were anchored in the perfect spot and got to witness the spectacle as the field paddled right past us! Pete had paddled in the last race, there being a few years gap due to covid, and with a perfect forecast there is nothing more exhilarating than a big downwinder. Ultimately, it meant we were able to catch up with a few more friends, as well as cheer on Linda, Tricia, Tash and plenty of others.
The festive season was well and truly in swing and it was time for us to return to Perth for the week of Christmas….. this would be a special one as it was the first time in a while since the four of us had been together. Sweet!
Christmas Eve was spent with Pete’s side of the family and Christmas Day was spent with Nic’s. The usual swim and meet up down at City Beach on Christmas morning provided the perfect opportunity to catch up and chew the fat with friends we hadn’t seen in a while.
After way too much eating, drinking and socialising, it was time to head back to the Island for the mayhem of the New Year where we would do it all again. New Year’s Eve was spent hanging out and watching the fireworks with friends. It was the first time we had had five guests staying on board at once. A little cosy, but very doable with a lot of laughs in the mix. Linda and Haydn got to christen the double bed which had not been used since purchasing Singularity.
Boats, boats and more boats, plus a few dozen jet skis (eek!) and people galore converging on the Island. Sadly, Rottnest hasn’t changed in the way it is treated and respected by some people, but it seems to always pick itself back up, dust itself off and carry on.
Jemma, Kalani and Marty were able to come and spend some time with us at various times during our stay at Rotto. We got into all of the usual fun activities; SUPs, snorkeling, bike riding, walking and quokka hunting, as well as a few fancy dinners to celebrate being back on our island home. These special moments together are precious. Being away from our girls is one of the things that makes this lifestyle challenging. If only we’d made the decision to go sailing sooner…. they could have come with us!
One of the highlights of the season was Nicky’s quest to catch a cray in Longreach Bay. After months of scouting, she had spied a few crays on a small piece of reef close to shore and literally ten metres off the back of a boat sitting on a mooring.
Greg and Jen came over to stay, so Nic declared that she was going to get ‘that’ cray which she had been eyeing off since we first arrived way back in November. She took Jen along for support whilst Pete and Greg (radiating significant pessimistic vibes) stayed on the boat. With the thought that the chances of catching a decent cray in this part of Longreach was very low, Greg declared, ‘Nicky Scott, you will be the queen of Longreach if you catch a cray here…”. Feeling sorry for Nicky, Greg handed her his trusty cray loop, armed with a torch and a super smooth action and sent her on her way.
Literally, forty five seconds later Nicky emerged triumphant with a great size cray secure in the loop and shouting, ‘Start the car!’ at the top of her voice. Well, that got the attention of the Longreach crowd! There was much mirth and even the old fella on the mooring came over and declared that in his 33 years of using the mooring he had never seen anyone catch a cray from that piece of reef. Good one Nic!!
Before long, a sense of calm returned to the Island. The rapid exodus of boats, people and all things kiddie paraphernalia signaled the end of the school holidays. Things wouldn’t be quite as frenetic and the island could breathe once again. This also meant that it was almost time for us to head south to Busselton and reacquaint ourselves with Geographe Bay and all our friends down that way.
