It was up and at ‘em ready for tennis this morning. Everyone seemed to pull up pretty well after a biggish night and we donned our version of athletic gear, grabbed some balls and racquets, and it was off up the track for 100m or so until we got to the tennis court. Wayne stayed home, Russ & Sue joined us, Gaz decided to be an umpire from the bleachers and the rest of us were ready to set the court alight. Kev & I sat off first and the other four began the warm up. It became obvious quickly that there was something wrong with the balls (it couldn’t possibly be the players) and Kev was sent scurrying back to the cabin to gather some substitutes.
An
incomprehensible rotation system devised by Kevin to try to implement a points
scoring system failed early on and the pairing of players became ad hoc. Vicky
was the first to succumb to injury, straining her upper calf (we think). I went
in as a super sub. Sue was later subbed as she was almost hopping on one leg
(she’s due to have a hip replacement shortly), and Russ, Kev, Maz & I
settled down to battle. It was a pretty tight match but due to the aforementioned
complicated points scoring system I have no idea who won. Sue bravely returned
and replaced Russ who ripped off his shirt and dived into the adjacent swimming
pool a la Jim Courier diving into the Yarra after an Australian Open win. Time
will tell how we pull up tomorrow.
After a
short rest period everyone headed into Cowes – the girls walked the shops, the
boys walked the foreshore and then found a pub, Gaz washed the car. The others
grabbed a bite to eat in town but Gaz and I had left over steak from last night
to finish off so we headed back. A fairly quiet afternoon. I took a walk and
found another games area with another pool, tennis court etc.
Other than
that we just rested and then headed to the North Pier Hotel at Cowes for what
was a lovely meal for dinner. Gaz had decided he didn’t need to see the
penguins again – after all, he saw them 30 years ago – so I drove him home
after dinner and headed to the Penguin Parade area on the other side of the
island and met Kev, Maz, Wayne & Vicky there. Sue & Russ also gave it a
miss as they have been many times.
When we went
30 years ago we froze! It is the coldest I have ever been in my life … and we have
lived in Orange, Lithgow and Canberra. So, this time I went prepared. I brought
my warmest coat on the trip just for tonight and I can’t imagine it will be
used again but gee I’m glad I wore it. I also grabbed a picnic blanket from the
car which was useful to sit on with the cold stainless steel seats. Did I
mention I found a pair of gloves in my coat pocket? I was so prepared! We huddled
together as we sat in the stands set on the beach after a reasonably long walk
from the car park and visitor’s centre. Poor Vicky was feeling her earlier
tennis injury but soldiered on like the elite sportswoman she is.
We waited
about 45 minutes for the penguins to start to appear. There seemed to be less
penguins than I remembered but it was still great to see the spectacle,
particularly walking back along the boardwalk and seeing them up close. The
most bizarre occurrence was a flock of seagulls that kept swooping and hovering
over the stands as people started to leave, apparently searching for leftover
food. This is such a dangerous place! Possums last night and now killer
seagulls!
Heading off
tomorrow morning and farewelling Wayne and Vicky as they head back to Melbourne.
It was great catching up with them again.
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