Trips To Australia
2005 - The Skippies
Marching to their theme song … “Show me the way to Amarillo”, the Skippies team made up of 19 Welsh & English lasses & lads, led by Pat & Adrian Cornelius, made an major impact on Australian life …. as the “Family” met Neighbours down-under !
Once Beth from Melksham , Sarah & Tiffany from Wotton Bassett , and Simon & Elena from Bristol joined the party at Leigh Delamere, the team quickly bonded into a family unit . The flight out via Dubai and on to Singapore was a hoot, with the bungee jumping at Clarke’s Quay, Singapore an early highlight of the trip. (Pat nearly joined them ! )
Melbourne, including the Puffing Billy ride was enjoyed by all the team, before moving on to Shiloh Ranch on the Bass Coast … wow! … 21 bodies in four bedrooms.. With one toilet + 2 x showers. This was outback living.. or was it back-out living ? How did Rhys manage to groom his hair? However although the accommodation was BASIC.. the food was good + the social atmosphere was tremendous … who needs to go to bed ? [Answer = Pat & Adrian] We also met up with Brendan & Matt, our CVA guides & drivers … ogle, ogle says the girls! In the light of each dawn …. tree planting arrived … each & every day … 10,000 trees in total … in rather muddy conditions ( or tidal conditions ) … in a land that’s short of water ! On one day some of the group didn’t walk far .. They cheated + rode a tractor.. In case they sank in the mud…. these were days for Wellingtons (gum-boots) .... not flip flops [ Who on earth would wear flip flops ? ? ]
[Then … Who decided to check out the electric fence ? ]
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At the end of each working day , the group hit the supermarket, the pizza cafe .. and the beaches .. led by Pat who insisted in paddling in every ocean .. even tho’ she had a bad cough ! Most of us also visited real live skippies on the local wild-life farm .. and koalas + tazzie devils … some young ladies stayed in the café and just ogled Matt .. again !
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Off then to Amarillo .. sorry .. to Sydney .. still singing … and wow .. what a time was had by all. The Harbour Bridge was conquered by all , visits to the Jewish Museum and meeting a holocaust survivor was a real experience … some folk dined at the Sky Tower …. and some went jet-boating in the harbour. One group of young ladies stayed up to watched the sunrise at Bondi Beach (no names) …..others danced ‘til dawn at the Scuba Bar. Following up the visit to Ramsey Street at Melbourne, the soap enthusiasts also met up with “Toadie + Harold” at a fun Neighbours Evenings…and Joshua danced for us ! After the party at Hard Rock Café .. next day it was time to leave Australia (tears) and some friends behind (more tears) ….... but some may yet return to Oz .
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Pat & Adrian would like to record how proud they are of the 2005 Skippies team ; it was our privilege to look after such a wonderful ‘family of young people’ .. who worked hard + played hard ! … maturing in so many ways… and making so many new friends. Thank you Skippies .... one and all … for a special experience this year… the best ever ! Everyone ….Parents & schools should be proud of the achievements of this remarkable bunch of “Oz Kids”.
