Rottnest Island

The day began with a sad and tearful farewell to Kerrie at the Airport, and emotions were high.  We had packed up the camper for storage for a few days, and spent a few hours at Fremantle while we waited for the ferry to depart.  (which ended up being used to purchase items we had realised we forgoten, such as toothbrushes) Eventually we set out on the Rottnest express ferry to the Island, unsure of what to expect.  

It was the best welcome we could have hoped for.  As we arrived at the Rottnest Jetty and wearily walked onto the Island, there was Brad - sitting at a table overlooking the most tropical water with drinks ready to order (he was, of course, doing business with an accountant from Perth.... Yeah right Brad!).  It was just what we all needed!  Familiar faces are such a treasure this year.  We took a deep breath and a relaxed mood began to take place as the minutes passed.  Thanks Brad, and thanks to Keith who generously donated to us his lobster from the day.

Nick discovering the Quokkas

 The following day we joined all the other people on the Island, and giving up the slow walking "Island pace", we hired some bikes and set about to see the other side.  Ben pulled Nick and Larina in the carriage, and Sam jumped on his bike as if a day had not gone by from riding at home.  We had not realised how many hills Rottnest had, and after an hour and a half of solid riding we thought we would take the shortcut back through the Island, past the lakes and to the general store.  Unfortunately the road was closed (for Fridays' bike race) and we hung around to discuss what our options were:
1. go back the way we came - which was not so popular with our heroic Sam - as we knew how tough this was.
2. continue around the rest of the Island - but there was not way we would be getting the bikes back in time...
3. ignore the barricades and enjoy the scenery of the centre of the Island.
Clearly, option 3 was the best, and with our feeble attempts to explain to the children why we were breaking the rules "just this once", we hightailed it through the closure.  Sam sure found some more energy, and his percieved danger helped him pick up speed... although i was a little concerned about our parenting when after five minutes riding he pipes up with: "so, what if the policemen shoot at us?"  hmmm

Upon reaching the other north side of the Island, we stopped in at Parakeet Bay - a sanctuary zone for afternoon tea on the beach.  It was glorious, and as I took footage, I realised that no photo would do justice.  

Following Parakeet Bay, we rode on to enjoy an icecream at Geordies Bay and gather some ingredients for dinner... garlic butter lobster.

 ps. apologies for the dot in the middle of lots of our photos - we do get it repaired soon!