Wednesday, July 02, 2014

CHAPTER THREE…COME SAIL AWAY WITH ME



  

                                        
                                         Eddy Grant's music played a big, loud part on the Saturday night


The resort was right at the tip of Cape Richards

View taken from top of Cape Richards looking down upon Orchid Beach; my little house was at the base of that rocky outcrop...at the lower right of the picture (out of the frame).

A couple of the visiting yachties.  The fellow on the left was the one who had something to do with Australia 11 - the winner of the America's Cup, 1983

Sundown views from jetty across to Garden & Goold Islands...on a peaceful, yacht-free afternoon!

The party, the hi-jinks, the music and the dancing continued through until dawn.  The tamer merrymakers chose to rest their feet. Groups gathered around the tables; some sat on the deck, or on the side of the pool.  Happy persons, mobile and stationary, were everywhere. Some still moved to the music; others were content to just sit; happy to share stories and laughter.  The population eventually began to dwindle as the revellers’ energy levels wavered. Winding down, weary, but contented, they began to wander back to their respective bunks or beds…whether it was to the cabins on their yachts, or to the resort’s cabins.  Quite a few hardy, hearty stalwarts, which included a couple of my staff and me, of course (I always seemed to be the Last of the Mohicans), were left to hold the fort; to ensure the mainsail remained hoisted, and the gangplank lowered. Never let it be said we were party-poopers!  Never!  

Like the captain of a boat, I was the manager of the resort; it was my solemn duty - my happy duty - to remain until the very end...whenever that might have been....

At daybreak a few stragglers were seen strolling along Orchid Beach, nonchalantly wading in the shallows at the water’s edge. 

Putting on a brave front showing he was not defeated, my bleary-eyed breakfast cook arrived at the kitchen. I knew it was a façade, but he carried it off successfully, having had myriad past occasions in which he'd done similar. He'd had much practice; many rehearsals. A hearty hot and cold breakfast he would prepare for all and sundry; for all-comers.  And after the previous evening’s boisterous activities, there were a lot of hungry bodies to feed.

Around dawn I'd raced home to have a refreshing shower; otherwise known as a “wake-me-up” shower. After another change of clothes – I think I had more changes of clothes that day/night/morning than model Miranda Kerr during a catwalk appearance – I returned to my office to write up the day’s work-sheets for my staff, and to attend to other necessary office duties, such as….and then my mind went blank.

Where do I start?” 

I had absolutely no idea who my island guests were; which of those guests staying in the cabins were yachties; and who were my holiday-making guests; those who’d arrived by sea-plane or were delivered to me from the mainland via the “Reef Venture”; guests who had absolutely nothing to do with yachts or yacht races.  Who was staying on and who was departing?  I had no idea; none whatsoever!  

On any "normal day", I never had to face such a dilemma. Not that there were many normal days on the island, but at least during those other times,  I knew exactly who was who, and who should be where; who should be leaving; who should be staying and who should be arriving! When, where, what and who; but this was no normal day; no normal weekend!  I hardly knew who I was, other than I knew I wasn't normal!

Not one to fly the white flag of defeat; not one to give up or in easily, bravely I forged forth, having faith that somehow, some way, it would all work out in the end, even if only by bluff, smoke and mirrors!

I completed the work-sheets to the best of my inabilities; handed the sheets out to my staff, and wished them good luck. It was akin to tossing a boxful of bits and pieces up into the air and allowing them to fall at will.  

I said to myself - “to hell with it – I’ll leave it all in the laps of the gods” - I went for walk down along the beach.

My brother, Graham – not “Graham, my breakfast/dessert cook” – worked for me at the time, too, as I mentioned in Chapter Two.  Before I left for my brisk, bracing, mind-clearing walk, Graham came to me for his work-sheet.

Expecting a list of the cabins from which he’d have to load the guests’ luggage onto the island’s one an only vehicle, an old Toyota ute, for transfer down to the jetty, and then onto the punt in readiness for their planned departure later in the day via sea plane, he was slightly bemused when he tried to decipher my hieroglyphics. Little did he know that the next day's work-sheet would go down in history!

I told him to... “play it by ear, or by series of elimination because I have not a clue who is coming; who is going, or who is staying! And try to look intelligent and knowledgeable while doing so!”   

To be concise, I had no idea who was who; or where they were or were not going!  I tried to follow my own advice regarding keeping up the appearance of intelligence and knowledgeability.

I figured everyone could and would, eventually, work out their movements; their own comings and goings. It was up to my staff and me to make sure they were fed well, happy, comfortable and their thirsts quenched while doing so; with as little visible upheaval as possible.  Smooth sailing....

Sunday’s mood was much more mellow than the previous day and night’s had been.  We’d all partied beyond human limits, so a quiet, restful, peaceful Sunday was the order for the day. 

A couple of new, unsuspecting arrivals did step out of the sea plane into the punt around noon, their eyes opened wide in amazement.  There had been nothing in the holiday brochures at their travel agents warning them about a flotilla or fleet of yachts being in the waters off from the resort as a welcoming party to greet them as they disembarked.

Manager-mode took over immediately.  I knew I had to instill a sense of calm amongst the newcomers to dispel the wild looks of panic in their eyes. I explained the events of the past 24 hours or so. Assuring them everything would be back to normal at the resort by day’s end, if not, by the next day at the latest. I informed them they’d missed the majority of the boats, because many had already left our fair shores.  I crossed my heart and gave my word to my not-yet-disgruntled vacationers that soon the madding crowds, along with their yachts would be gone; sailing an ocean wave way out in the blue yonder. The peace, harmony and solitude they expected would once more descend. Before too long they’d become willing, carefree captives; caught under the gentle, mesmerizing spell of the island….or something like that.

As I’d expected, during the day quite a few of the yachts upped anchor and sailed off to their next destination. Not all were returning south to Townsville; not all yachts were Townsville-based. To some, the race had just been a minor portion of their cruising agenda; a bit of fun to add to their adventures.  But there were still a lot of people milling around; many more than “max. pop. 30”.

Sunday night in the restaurant was far more subdued than the previous night.  Dinner was served and eaten quietly, just the way a Sunday night should be spent; not that we had any set rules on the island. Most times, things happened spontaneously at the resort; which was more than half the fun of it!

However - “early to bed and early to rise” was the unspoken motto everyone followed on that particular Sunday evening…thankfully. 

I welcomed my bed.  I realised I’d not slept since the previous Thursday night!  Obviously, I’d been running on adrenaline…and on the fact I had a million guests under my care, and, hopefully, watchful eye.

Come Monday morning, I was refreshed after a solid night’s sleep. I was in my office shortly before 6 am trying to compose sensible, intelligent, legible work-sheets.  My brother Graham arrived to collect his, and immediately began shaking his head when he saw all my deletions; crossing-outs; additions; scribbles, scrawls and scratches.  He looked at me with a stupid look on his face, and immediately we both broke into the giggles. Our chortling grew into uncontrollable hysterical laughter. Our mutual sense of insanity was bouncing off each other.  The more we tried to stop, the worse we became, until we just gave into our out of control hysterics.  Graham slid down the wall and sat on the floor of my office.  Unbridled laughter engulfed us. We laughed and laughed until tears poured down our faces. We couldn’t talk. I laid my head on my desk, exhausted, yet exhilarated by our unrestrained, uninhibited mirth.  

Other staff came in to collect their work-sheets. After taking one look at Graham and me, they left, speechless, thinking we’d lost it and were best left to our shared, inherited insanity. Graham and I were siblings, after all.   I think they were right in their assessments.

When we’d exhausted our laughter (and were feeling a little exhausted from our unable-to-be-checked behaviour), I told Graham to do the best he could; to wing it.  Work it all out himself and whoever was left over at the end of the day would be our island guests, not yachties.

Graham kept that work-sheet.  He told me he didn’t have the heart to toss it away; he was going to have it framed! He treasured it, reckoning that one day, because it was so unique it would be worth a lot of money! He didn’t have it framed, but he did keep it, safely stored away in a book about Hinchinbrook Island.  I’m sure I still have the work-sheet here somewhere amongst some of my/his memorabilia.  Graham passed away in 1998.

Every time, in the ensuing years when Graham and I recalled that particular Monday morning on the island, in my office, we laughed our heads off once again. If his work-sheet had fallen into the hands of the CIA, MI6, ASIO or any other secret service agency, they wouldn't have had a hope in Hades of deciphering it!

Others probably didn’t/wouldn’t see the funny side of it, but to us - the moment - and my efforts of trying to fill in a workable work-sheet, one that could be followed to the letter, were hilarious. 

If only the guests had known…..it was better they didn’t.  They were totally oblivious to all the inner machinations and mayhem!

It was a wonderful, unforgettable, fun-filled weekend.  It was a hectic time, no doubt, but everyone who participated one way or the other, had an absolute ball.  I met a lot of interesting people over those few days; I heard so many great stories. I made many memories; and I shared much laughter. 

A crew member of one of the visiting yachts had been part of the crew on Australia ll; the Aussie yacht skippered by John Bertrand, which, three years earlier, in 1983, had won the America’s Cup; famously ending US domination of the racing series. I can’t remember his name, or what his exact role was.

By Tuesday afternoon the bay was empty of yachts. The only craft left at the resort were “Lady of the Island”, the yellow Abalone, the powered island boat; the AIMS punt (The Australian Institute of Marine Science) – the punt the AIMS folk left tied up to the resort’s jetty; the punt we used for the collection or depositing of guests to and from the sea plane; and the Topper; the small, single-person (and I don’t mean “unattached”) sailing craft mentioned in an earlier post. 

All other water craft, big and small, had left our precinct.  Life on the island, at the resort returned to normal; peace reigned once more; and the only footprints we saw on the beach were our own – or those of our resident wallabies.

It was then, and only then, I discovered who my true-blue holidaying guests were; those who were left on the island...that's who....

And this is the tail end of my sailing tale.....the stern....

31 comments:

  1. Love your stories - and laughing until you cry is the very best exercise I can think of.

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  2. Hi EC....I'm glad you enjoy my tales. And yes, a good laugh does one the world of good.

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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  3. Lee ~ you describe a special bond between siblings ~ shared history, memories, common experiences that no one else knows about or can understand.

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  4. I was thinking of my own dear brother and how we laughed at certain things that no on else would understand---and that was true till the day he died----two years ago! What wonderful memories of a special time, Lee.....I know the Resort was hard work, but it sounds like it was great fun, too....!

    And, by the way.....I ALWAYS watch TV from my bed, and have, for more than 60 years....Comfort! That's my motto.....And having those lovely furry's with you----That is The Best!
    I lost my dearest "Sweetie" 2 1/2 years ago.....I miss him more than I can say.

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  5. G'day Carol...yes, there is always that bond...it's special and unique. Siblings recognise the nuances of each other; and sometimes when they're being total pains in the proverbial...you feel free to tell them so. ;)

    Thanks for popping in. I hope all is well with you.

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  6. Hey there, Naomi...my time on the island will always remain special to me. Some of my staff and I are still in regular contact, still friends...which says a lot about the time we shared back then.

    I'm glad to see I'm not alone, Naomi re the TV watching, Naomi....it makes good sense to me. I can understand how much you must miss "Sweetie". They're so precious to us. Remy, my male cat, is sitting here up close and personal to my keyboard as I type. I'm going to have to buy him his own computer!

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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  7. Great account! I have also experience laughing hysterically over really nothing when beyond exhausted. So, we might actually be related.

    I can't remember if you can get Netflix there or not. If you can, Netflix will broadcast (exclusively) the fourth and final season of The Killing around the first of August here. I assume that they will release the entire season at the same time, which is their custom.

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  8. Hi Jerry...."The Killing" is on here every Wednesday night. I watch it religiously. Well, I have it on automatic record and then watch it at my leisure. It's a very good show.

    Thanks for dropping by. :)

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  9. What a great story. We've all lived it a little with you. Loved the bit about the hysterics with your brother, a lovely memory.

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  10. Hi Helsie...I'll always remember that time, that Monday morning in my office. That work-sheet was worth framing! Graham and I just cracked up. We started off serious, but that state didn't last long! :)

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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  11. I was exhausted after reading of that weekend, Lee. I could have gone that long without sleep when I was a few decades younger, but I'd hate to do it now! It sounded an absolute blast of a weekend though. But the organisation needed made my head spin! Good on you for taking it on...what an experience.

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  12. Never fear, I couldn't do now what I did then, either, Robyn! lol

    It was a fabulous weekend; and without good staff, I'd still be there cleaning up after it!

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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  13. Tough life, having to stay until the end of the night with guys that looked like that! :)

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  14. Yes, I know, Riot Kitty. But someone had to do it, so I forced myself to step up to the plate. It was tough...but....what can I say? Sometimes one just has to go above and beyond the call of duty!

    Thanks for popping in. :)

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  15. Thanks, now I have "Electric Avenue" stuck in my head. Actually happens a lot since we drive past an actual Electric Avenue on the way into Austin.

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  16. It could be worse, Dexter...it could be Patsy Gallant's "From New York to L.A."! ;)

    Thanks for popping in...keep singing! lol

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  17. True blue is always the best! Love these stories.

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  18. Hey there, Lynn....I'm glad you like my stories. I enjoy the memories and writing about them.

    Thanks for popping in. :)

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  19. I'm enjoying these stories and loving the scenery photos, it's such a beautiful part of our country. You've led such a varied life.

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  20. I enjoyed all 3 chapters and the fact you were sleep walking was a hoot and you did not realize it. The fact that you and Graham shared the hilarity of the moment and did so as often as it was recalled is a great memory. It was a tale of Bees swarming the island and then leaving a hush behind. Peace

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  21. Hi there River....I'm glad you're enjoying my stories, I enjoy relating them. Thanks for coming by. :)

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  22. Hey Lady Di....you described it well, likening the visit crowd to a horde of bees! So true! lol

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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  23. After watching the staff at the Best Western in Dublin handle every odd complaint imaginable while we stayed there, you have my undying admiration. That's great that you had fun as well as your guests. But the age at which we could have stayed up till dawn ourselves has long passed.

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  24. Hi Dave...I've long passed that age, too...but I've not been put to the test for a while...so one never knows what one is capable of until face to face with a situation.

    Nice to hear from you...thanks for popping in. :)

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  25. I've often burst into giggles laughing at the mess around me but I think that was panic rather than anything else.

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  27. No, it wasn't panic, Adullamite...it was the completely unintelligible worksheet I'd created. It had more hieroglyphics than the Rosetta Stone; and more than Arabic, Chinese characters and hieroglyphics put together. That plus the fact I hadn't a clue who my guests were and who the yachties were.

    I have an incurable affliction; I've suffered from it all my life. I tend to see the funny side in most things. It's an inherited family affliction. ;)

    Thanks for coming by, Mr. Ad-Man. :)

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  28. Your job sounds a lot of fun, making sure people on holidays had a wonderful time! What great memories...

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  29. It was a lot of fun, Molly. My time on Hinchinbrook Island was very special, and unique. And I cherish my memories of that wonderful time. I'm still friends with some of my staff from those days, too.

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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  30. And another captain (resort manager) goes down with the ship. lol. I was grateful for every shower you managed and each bit of sleep you were able to grab. That worksheet should be framed.

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  31. Hi Granny Annie...by the time I finally got to bed/sleep on the Monday night I was grateful. I think I probably hit my mattress and pillow around 11 pm...which would've been an early night for me in those days!

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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