The Great Rottnest Rally
(or the R-R Body Club goes to Rotto, 27-8 May 2006)

by Colin Barnes

Suddenly it came around the corner from Stirling Highway into Archdeacon St and there it was, Lyn Whyte’s orange Kombi, and pulled up in our driveway. Lesley and I had only been standing a few minutes with our overnight bag (which contained 4 sheets, 2 pillow cases, 2 towels and our overnight gear)and we were under instructions not be late as we would be cutting it fine to get to Freo in time to catch the 10 o’clock ferry. The Kombi pulled up and out sprang Roy, who grabbed our bag, slid back the side door and in it went between Jan and Ross Jones who were sitting in the back seat. In went Lesley, who got the milk crate with the old wheat bag over it...and your’s truly, being slightly invalided, scored the front passenger seat.(Hmmmm...Ed)

After a bit of difficulty starting, Roy then took us on a trip, that at least 4 of us had not taken before, which took us through a maze like road of great piles of shipping containers to the ferry terminal at Rouse Head. The ferry people certainly have the whole loading bit down to a fine art. (Organised chaos, but I am sure they have done it before.) Lyn had got luggage labels for all of us and, in fact, had some spares. (Thank goodness, for your’s truly had stuck his on wrongly...well some mothers do have them!!) Unfortunately we were missing two couples, Murray Davison had fallen ill with a wog and Maria Tilbury had just fallen, which was bad luck for all. The sea was very flat as we flew along at about 25 plus knots. There was the same organised chaos as before and we all got our bikes, the luggage having been delivered to our digs for us, as organised by Lyn. The units were not ready for us initially and we all wandered around for a while and eventually gravitated to the coffee shop to wait. I volunteered to go and see how the cleaning of the units was going and upon my return to the coffee shop, there was no one present. Eventually, I was given a key to a unit and a map, which you seriously need, hopped on the bike and found my way to Geordie Bay, to be greeted by the rest of the mob, who had found their way there and already set up house.

Well, it was not long before Lyn ordered all of us out onto the frog and toad on our bikes. "We’re off to the West end" she said, "It’s only 12k’s up hill there and 12k’s up hill back, it won’t take long!" Well it did not take long to sort the men from the boys and the ladies from the girls, and walking up some of those hills seemed the sensible option to me. It was an absolutely perfect day for us, warm sun and a light breeze at our back with a great bunch of like minded friends.

It was a perfect time to visit Rottnest, calm weather in winter and very few people. There were probably no more than 300 people there which seemed about right. The West End was magic. There is an extensive board walk constructed to various points of interest and with such calm weather, it was great. A great bonus for all of us was the fact our President, who was with us, is an authority on the island, having, on many occasions, taken school boys there during another life as a school teacher. We were treated to informed comment and history as we went, which makes a great difference. On our return trip, we took a slightly different route in order to inspect one of the huge guns left from World War 2 and, as you can guess, it was on top of the largest hill, but Neil knew a short cut through the brush, so we parked our bikes and walked. It was a pleasure, as by now I was a little saddle sore. Neil explained the background history of the guns, which is quite remarkable. After the gun inspection, it was home time and we headed for Geordie Bay and the dwelling units. We sat on the balcony to watch the sun go down over Geordie Bay with a beverage of choice plus nibbles.

It was now fast approaching dinner time, which was scheduled to be a BBQ, so a group of ladies swung into action and as usual organised everything (we all know that they run the world, and the men burnt the meat), but...what a party! So, there we were, overseas, miles from home and this amazing banquet is spread out, what a right royal time was had by all. Camaraderie at its best among a group of friends, brought together by a common interest in Rolls- Royce cars and not a car to be seen!

The next morning, our luggage had to be outside the units by 8, so it meant early rising and packing, and then it seemed as if the weather was going to deteriorate, so it was decided to catch the 11 o’clock ferry home and break fast at the coffee shop. After a quick crossing to Fremantle, we concluded a rollicking right Royal Rolls-Royce Rottnest Rally...very well done, Lynettes’s ladies, and the R-R Body Club.