Tasman Island Working Bee February 2014
Day 1 6/2/2014
I meet the others at Taranna at 8.00am and left for Safety Cove at 9.00am.
After dropping off the others I returned my car to Taranna and was driven back to Safety Cove.
The helicopter arrived at 10.15am and after a briefing we flew to Tasman Island.
The helicopter returned to Safety Cove to collect our gear and deliver by “heli-lift”. The gear was bundled into a net and slung beneath the helicopter and dropped outside the back door of our accommodation.
After a walk around to ensure that we has power and water we had a briefing and lunch (1.00pm).
After lunch we started the whipper snipping and mowing around Quarters 3 and up to the lighthouse.
We stopped at 3.30pm for afternoon tea which was followed by a walk through Quarter 1 and then to the haulage way and tip.
We got back at 5.30pm, had a shower and tea.
After tea we sat around and talked for a while. I went to bed at 8.45pm.
Day 2 7/2/2014
Awoke to a fine day with a good breeze.
We continued the whipper snipping and mowing.
After lunch we went for a walk long ‘Tim’s Track” and the cliff line at the north eastern side of the island.
We had a BBQ for tea and went to bed early.
Day 3 8/2/2014
Another great day with a still morning.
Again continued the whipper snipping.
After morning tea we took a walk/climb down the haulage way to see the remains of the landing, winches and crane.
The climb was not as difficult as expected but it was very steep.
There were a lot of seals below the landing and it was relaxing to see them playing together.
I got back to the top at 2.30pm and headed back to Quarters 3 for a good drink, a cup of tea and a late lunch.
After lunch and a rest I helped to dig out and move some of the large rocks that stop the mower.
Day 4 9/2/2014
A very foggy morning this morning.
We completed the “rock wrangling”.
I located an additional bed frame and removed the wire, then built a set of bed ends for the bed.
We rested after lunch as it was literally blowing a gale. The wind registered 142 klm. Karl was actually blown over while coming from Quarters 2.
Day 5 10/2/2014
This morning I cut a path to some weeds so that Bob and Nell could get to them and remove them.
I finally finished the whipper snipping, serviced the whipper snippers and packed them away.
After afternoon tea we took a walk to Jedda’s grave and the north western side of the island. Jedda was a pet wallaby that was brought to the island but it died. It is the only known grave on the island.
Day 6 11/2/2014
Another beautiful morning
I painted the bed ends I built and sourced some timber to build the legs for Jan’s bed. Her bed was resting on bricks and was a little low.
Again after afternoon tea we went for a walk. This time to the south western side of the island particularly to see “The Monkeys”. This a rock formation at the southern end of the island. Nobody knows why they were named “The Monkeys”.
We got back late for dinner that day, much to the annoyance of Jo. She was sounding the mealtime horn but no-one was responding.
Day 7 12/2/2014
After breakfast we took a walk to the Zig Zag track. This is the only other way on or off the island and involves a walk down a very steep and narrow track on the western side of the island. To get on to the island you have to jump from the boat to a rock. The reverse to get off the island.
This was used before the haulage way was built. Everything had to be carried the 250 metres (850 feet) from the water to the top of the island.
Only four went to the bottom, the rest of us waited at the lookout just before the last steep section (Trouties Rock). We returned early as it was starting to rain.
After lunch I completed the beds and assisted with the removal of the rusty guttering from Quarters 1.
I also sources the timber and made some facia supports so that the existing facia boards could be re-nailed.
Day 8 13/2/2014
I had to redesign the facia supports I made the day before as they could not be fitted without lifting the roof, which, being corrugated fibro and very brittle, could not be done.
The new supports worked well and the existing facia boards were securely nailed and screwed on.
We also replaced a section of the facia board which was rotten. The new section and re-nailed sections were primed ready for painting.
I did not do a walk this day as they were going to be scrambling up, down and around the cliffs looking for weeds to remove.
Day 9 14/2/2014
After breakfast I puttied up the nail holes in the new and re-nailed facia boards on Quarters I. We could not finish the painting as the weather was to damp. It will have to wait for the March working bee.
I packed up all the tools and paint that had been left at Quarters 1 and packed them away. I then assisted in disassembling and packing the scaffolding erected at Quarters 1.
After lunch I went for another walk to the north eastern side of the island to get more photos and movies.
On my return I packed up my room in readiness for the going home tomorrow.
Day 10 15/2/2014
The morning had banks of fog rolling through and we felt that there may be some difficulty flying.
After many phone calls we found that it was fine and clear a Safety Cove (our destination) but the island was fogged in.
Eventually the helicopter arrived but due to the fog could not leave.
At 11.00am there was a break in the cloud so the first group (including me) boarded the helicopter but by the time we were taking off the fog had rolled in again.
It was an interesting flight, we drifted west just above the the tree level but could not see much. Suddenly there was a break in the cloud and we could see the water so down we went until we were below the clouds.
We had to fly at about 400 feet to stay below the clouds so we got a good clear view of the ground all the way back to Safety Cove.
Due to the fog the helicopter could not get back to the island. The pilot had two goes at getting back but could not see the top of the island.
At 4.30pm the pin was pulled and those on the island had to stay for one more night.
They were safely brought back the next morning, no worst for wear.