Rottnest Island

Very heavy rain last night for a while. Forecast today for 17 and showers but they haven't been right so far. After breakfast we are all on board our coach at 8.15 for a day trip to Rottnest Island. We get off our coach at Barrack St jetty where there are  major developments occurring. From memory I think they are building a 6 star hotel which means every hotel suite has its own butler! I think it is going to be an eyesore as the bell tower that is quite lovely is going to be right next to this multi storey monstrosity and in its shadow. Anyway, we get on board the Rottnest Express ferry and head off across the Swan River seeing all the multi million dollar properties along the coastline. As we leave Fremantle we are advised that it is going to be a rough crossing so everyone is being given a 'just in case' paper bag. I tell the attendant that I don't want one as there is only about 30 minutes left in the open sea and I refuse to be sea sick!!! Well, what a roller coaster ride it was but we all survived without incident. When we get off the ferry we then have a short walk to a small coach where we then have a great 90 minute tour around the island. The sun is out, blue skies, but very windy when we are at the Wadjemup lighthouse. Construction on the lighthouse began in 1842 but it's history is not something we should be proud of.
According to the delightful Jo who was our guide, Rottnest was used as an Aboriginal prison and Aboriginal men were being arrested over the most trivial things, like walking across someone's land, in order to fill the prison and provide free convict labour to build the lighthouse and various other buildings and roads on the island. At least 10% of them died whilst doing so. Anyway, the majority of the construction of the lighthouse was complete by 1849, but sourcing a light proved difficult because the Poms wouldn't loan a lantern without wanting to charge a toll on passing ships (must have been a few Scots involved too). So the Assistant Surveyor Augustus Gregory demonstrated his ingenuity and designed a revolving light for the tower, which was then constructed locally in Fremantle. So in 1851 the lighthouse was officially lit for the first time.  However despite having a lighthouse, between 1878 and 1891 seven ships were wrecked on reefs around the island so the decision was made to build a new lighthouse, twice as high as the current 16 metres and with a more powerful lamp. In 1896 the new lighthouse was officially opened next to the original one. All that now remains of the original one is its base. Lovely views out to sea. Saw a couple of osprey nests which were huge, but I suppose they need to be to withstand the wind and sea conditions. More look outs and each view of the coastline equally fantastic. If you haven't been to Rottnest before, or not for a long while then you need to put it on your bucket list.
After our tour we are taken to the Rottnest Lodge for a lovely buffet lunch. We have about three hours free time until we need to get back on the ferry for our return journey back to Perth. The wether is still fine so it's great being able to wander about the place. The island is 11km in length and 4.5 km at its widest. There are no private vehicles on the island so heaps of push bikes and walking tracks.  Probably was ready to leave an hour before the ferry time as there isn't much to do once you have had a good walk around and looked in the few stores on the island (they are a bit optimistic calling it a shopping mall) but fitted in a coffee at the bakery and petted a few Quokkas which are extremely tame, then back on the ferry for a 4 o'clock departure, with a very smooth return trip. Got back to Perth and on our coach to take us back to our hotel, when at that same moment it started to rain
heavily. We couldn't believe our luck. Back at the hotel, 3 decide that they no longer want to go to the Italian restaurant I had booked, so we remaining four head to the restaurant and each had a lovely meal (plus the obligatory Chardy for me...). Light rain throughout the evening so we were all pleased to get back to our hotel. I managed to get into my room and put the TV on in time to see the last 15 minutes of the footy where the Crows eventually came out winners of a nail biting too close for comfort finish! Woo hoo, how exciting.
For those of you who know me only too well, don't panic, I haven't been hit by lightning or totally lost my mind. I still couldn't care less about football. Just thought I'd throw that last bit in to see if you were still paying attention.
It's been a lovely day with my kitten herd, but I am looking forward to another free day tomorrow.