Jan-March & Keswick Island Independence Day!

Hi there!

After receiving so many requests to update the blog by interested readers, I thought I'd better put my novel on hold and keep everyone happy by updating the blog again. ;-)

Sorry about the wait... Since January, we've had a ton of rain! The wet season was a bit of a drag -- as usual -- but we did our best to make the most of the visitors we had, and to have fun indoors. We were all ready for Survivor Keswick Island, but we were rained out... So much for the beach challenges we had planned! Well we will be having it some time during the year when the weather's good.

Please make sure you read right through, because there's a news update at the end of this post.

House guests: In January, Jessica came to stay for one week. Then we had Clayton & Kerry up for 5 days, and Derek & Ben for the next 5. February saw the return of rocking Rob Stuart! (aka Robbie).

Here's Jessica clowning around on Clayton's shoulders.


Here's Jess & I at the airport. Little did Jess know that she was leaving via the helicopter... which was quite a thrill for her (and us - just to see her face!).


Here's Derek & Ben arriving in the chopper... They were pumped after that ride!


Brian took Derek & Ben out on the kayaks, and they went a long way out in pretty rough weather. Derek suggested that they paddle to New Zealand!


Derek loved Keswick Island and said he'd come back any day!


Here's our nephew Ben looking very cool in his John Lennon sunnies.


David & Caroline Berck were kind enough to invite us over to St Bees for the day in January. They came and picked us up, including Brian & Lyn from the Keswick Island Guest House. We had a lovely day there.

Here's a shot of David & Caroline (mid right) with some of their friends who were there for the day.


This is the northern house that the family normally stay in. Check out that stone barbeque area! What a work of art!


One of the things I like about St Bees Island is the lovely palm trees that line the beach. It makes it so tropical. And Homestead Bay, where the houses are located, is a beautiful swimming spot.


But what we love most about St Bees is the local celebrity, Peter! He's a great bloke for a yarn or 3, with some amazing stories about the history of the island. If you ever get the chance, pick up a copy of The History Of St Bees, written by his father, Lionel Berck. It's rivetting reading.


We were challenged to a game of boules on the front lawn of the Keswick Island Guest House. Our first time, it was lots of fun... even though Brian & Lyn thrashed us -- as usual!


In early February, our Scottish cousin Robbie came back! (Can you blame him?) He brought up a new guitar for me, and he gave both Brian Kinderman and I lessons. We're very lucky indeed to have such a talented lad showing us how to play.


Even the monitors like the beach and come to see what all the singing and laughing is about!


"I'm determined to catch a fish!" announced Robbie. So Brian took him out on one of the kayaks for a fish, even though a huge storm was brewing... I watched them from the beach and was a little worried about the lightning. I jumped at one stage when I saw a flash of light, then I realised it was their camera! doh! lol (Notice the Mingu Mingu buff he's wearing?) Oh sorry, they didn't catch any fish -- but they had fun. ;-)


Did you know we have a barber shop here on Keswick Island? Well we do, and I'm the barber! lol. We even provide refreshments! Here's Brian Kinderman getting his ears lowered.


It's amazing what you can find when you go hiking around the island or in the rainforest here. Brian & Robbie went for a hike around the rocks back from Arthur Bay and found a frisbee! Here's Robbie & Brian K having a toss!


Who said there are no coral trout here? This is a shot Robbie took while he was snorkelling of a nice coral trout.


We had the residents over for dinner one night, then presented Mike & Lyn with their buffs (right). Mike makes a good pirate!


There were several occasions this year when I wished I had a boogie board here. There were actually waves that we could catch down at Basil Bay! (We've seen bigger ones that these too!)


As always, we often meet lovely guests from the Guest House. These 2 were no exception. Alex & Mariza from South Africa. Mariza had some unbelievably decadent recipes that she's going to share with us! Mariza, where are those recipes you promised? lol (Not recommended for people on a diet).


Ever tried Kangaroo with cashew nuts? Just one of the delectable delights served up at the Guest House. Lyn is an amazing chef, and this tender, lean meat just melts in your mouth!


The island finally sold on the 1st January, and it was officially confirmed in March. So what better excuse for an Indepence Day Party? Newcomer Jerro Andrews invited us up for a shindig and we had a thoroughly enjoyable evening at Reef Outlook.

Here Lyn K, Jerro, Lyn S & Mike toasting the momentous occasion. Mike even brought out his home brewed apple cider!


Here's Barry and I. Barry's been on the island for a long time now and does a lot of loader and excavator work. This was the first time we'd socialised with him - and hopefully not the last.


We had a close call at the Guest House in March, when their generator blew up and burst into flames. Luckily it's located outside away from the house and not underneath. Brian's quick thinking put that situation under control. A new, bigger generator is on its way...


One of our local characters, Peter Morris, brought out his new boat which has more room and more grunt! Isn't she a beauty? Aptly named Sirrom. ;-)


Speaking of boats... here's Craig Gilberd's yacht, Sidewinder. It was made in NZ and he's sailed around the world in it several times now. Peter Morris is currently building Craig & Karen Cooke's house on the top of the island. We all think it will be the 'crowning glory' of the island when it's completed.


Here are the 2 boats together, so you can see their real size. Taken from our deck.


The wet season often means no work for my Brian, so he applied himself in the back garden and did some clearing so we could sit under the magnificent fig tree. (Don't the bats love that tree when it's in fruit!) He did a great job and really opened up that bushy area so we can see even more beautiful water views from our bedroom.


Down at the beach at Easter with some guest from the Guest House. From the back left, Julian and his wife Robyn sitting at the front in the middle, then another Julien and his girlfriend Nina at the front left hand side. With proud host, Brian Kinderman.


Here's Jerro & Brian at an impromptu get-together at our place... Doesn't it look like they're wearing one big t-shirt?


Well we're up to April already... The wet season's over, the butterflies are out -- and so are the orchids. Look at this splendid specimen that bloomed outside our bathroom window for about 3 weeks! (Yes of course I love the colour!)


If Jerro isn't riding his mountain bike down the hills (because I haven't seen him peddling up them yet haha!), you'll see him riding on his blow cart. Well it beats walking! Now you need a lot of hot air or wind for this sport... and blow carting has quickly become the new rage on the island. This is just a snap of him riding it down the hill without the sail on. But at Easter time, around 13 people had a go, (including guests from the KIGH), and they all report that it's a blast! I even heard that Lyn Sunderland had it up on 2 wheels on the beach at low tide. What a thrill seeker! So windy weather... watch out. It's blow cartin' time!


But wait... There is more news of course!

• Ron & Marian Brooks are coming back to the island today. Yay! We've missed them.
• Trent isn't coming back to finish Ron & Marian's house unfortunately... But for very good reasons! His wife Kim is pregnant with their first baby. (Congratulations you two!)
• We had a meeting this week with Scott & Edward from Keswick Developments P/L, the new developers -- and the future of Keswick Island is looking very positive.
• Yes there was recently a plane accident at Brampton Island, but none of us were on the flight and no one was hurt, thank God. The new owners of the island were very lucky, as they had taken the previous trip before the incident. Many thanks to all who enquired to make sure we're safe and sound. (Horizon airlines is still looking good - fingers crossed!)
• B1, B2 & Mike have launched their new business K-I-L-M (pronounced "killem"), and they've secured a contract to clear all 38 blocks of land down near Basil Bay. (Congratulations boys & many thanks go to Karen Cooke!)
• Kevin Boyle is leaving the island tomorrow, and his house is much further along after a heavy work schedule over the past 2 weeks with Brian. (Bring Loretta next time Kevin!).
• Things are looking bright for Kevin to bring his Steber, Mako, in survey, up to the Whitsundays in the near future. (Yippee! More ways to travel!)
• I'm off to Sydney this Sunday unexpectedly to do some contract work for Modular Mining! It'll be great to catch up with my old work mates again, and check on our house at Gorokan. (Not sure about driving a 'real' car again though! lol)

Well, I think I've covered everything today... If not, I'll include it in my next post. Until then, take care, stay healthy and happy, and most of all --> keep smiling!

Feel free to leave a comment so we know you've dropped by!

Warm regards
Eva Browne-Paterson