R-R Rottnest Raiders
September 2007
Report by Lynette Whyte

Roy Whitchurch, Brian Tilbury and Lynette White enjoying the apré-cycling festivities.

On the weekend of Friday 7th September - Sunday 9th the RR Body Club pedalled around Rottnest Island and raised $400 for the ACTIV Foundation charity.

There were 16 of us and although we ranged in age between 40 - 80, you would have thought we were young teenagers again. We had a lot of fun, much laughter, good food, wine and company as well as relaxation and exercise.

We booked accommodation in 4 Villas in a row at Geordie Bay and because it was "off season" and we were "seniors" (except for our Immediate Past President Neil Williamson) we got a discount. Again on the Boat Torque ferry "seniors discount" plus an additional 10% off because we mustered 3 RAC memberships between us. Neil is still smiling at being "passed off as a senior" and couldn't wait for Monday to tell the boys at Guildford Grammar.

We carried a table from one 6 bed Villa into the other and combined our crockery and cutlery so we could all dine together. Our R-R Restaurant was marvellous - gingham tablecloths, candles, CD player (especially carried in a back-pack with the 60's and 70's music).

Friday night was a BBQ and Saturday night was Italian. The Italian dinner was complimented with a fabulous dessert made by Glenice Matthews, topped with passionfruit from Ross and Jan Jones' orchard in Jarrahdale. Where else could you dine with such luxury overseas?

There is one thing for certain, when you book Rottnest, you can't always organise the weather. On the whole we were pretty lucky except for the Friday landing. As the ferry pulled into the Rottnest jetty, it started to rain. We grabbed our bikes and rode down the jetty to the Visitor Centre to sign in for our Villa keys. The rain seemed to ease slightly whilst this took place, so we saddled up and headed for Geordie Bay. Geordie is 2.2k from Thompson Bay. Well, we had hardly left the Settlement and the heavens emptied out on us. It was certainly something very different to experience - the driving horizontal rain was prickling on the face and as for me, I could hardly see where I was going, as my contact lenses don't have inbuilt wipers.

One lovely salvation for 4 of us (because our Villa key wasn't ready from cleaning) was that Nick & Kerry Pusenjak, who had gone over several days ahead for a week's R &R, had the gas heater going and we were able to dry off considerably.

Saturday was a great day for riding our bikes and we headed out past Thompson Bay to Kingstown. Neil was our educational leader and he had photocopied hand-outs of the early history of the old Army barracks for us. After Kingstown, we headed in a clockwise direction around the Island to Parker Point, Little Salmon Bay, Salmon Point, passed Oliver Hill, up the centre of the Island and back to Geordie for lunch. Colin Barns is still our hero - he may be a wee hill behind, but he keeps up with the pack. Good on you Colin!

Of course, one can't possibly go to Rottnest without having a Rotto pie at the Bakery - and so we did... amazing list of flavours. The "shopping mall" as it is called has been revamped - tables with benches to sit on and eat your bakery delights under the trees, whilst being entertained by the strutting male peacocks displaying their gorgeous feathers and showing off.

After lunch a few people had "little nanny naps", which for a few with stressful jobs, was welcomed.

3.30p.m. and a small group headed off for another bike ride. (I have never seen Ron Magrath's legs before ............) (A photograph would have been enlightening for all of us!….Ed) This time we went to Parakeet Bay, Little Armstrong Bay and on to the Wadjemup Lighthouse in the centre of the Island. You can go on a guided tour inside the lighthouse and climb the intense staircase and step out on to the balcony for breathtaking views. The view from the base of the lighthouse suited us and Perth city was very clear.

One of the rules on Rottnest is helmets are compulsory and the police will issue on-the-spot fines for non-compliance. Jan Jones was lucky - very lucky ... she was riding Glenice's bike when the tube exploded and she came off grazing her knee - luckily not as bad as it could have been. So she decided to go to the Nursing Post to obtain a second dressing for her knee to use on Sunday. I lent her my bike but neither of us gave the helmet sitting on my head a second thought. The Nursing Post was a good 10 minute walk from the Settlement. Off she rode, passed the Police headquarters and got caught. The officer must have thought she was "a good looking chick" and just cautioned her. So there really are some nice people in the world!

Sunday morning after our wonderful Italian night, we restored Rottnest to what it was when we arrived and headed for the Dome Café, before catching the 11.30a.m. ferry back to reality.

Rottnest is certainly a great place for fun, exercise and relaxation. It has a unique beauty - a little paradise just off our coastline. There is certainly plenty to see and do. You can go on a scenic train ride to Oliver Hill including the Guns and Tunnel Tour. If you don't want to ride a bike there is a bus tour of the Island and Jan Jones and Lesley Barns took advantage of this marvellous facility.

By popular vote, we all had such a good time, it will be on again next year. Come and join us. If you would like to come walking with us each month in the R-R Body Club - phone me on 9257 1315 or email me aerophoto@bigpond.com.

In conclusion, it gave us all a great feeling to raise the $400 for the ACTIV Foundation for the benefit of others not as fortunate as ourselves.