A Message for Hock

Hi Grant,

I think its time that we had a little one on one chat……we can do that here because you’re the only one still visiting! It’s time we all moved on and found new hobbies……Round and Brown could be a place for you to start. Get on the web and look it up then let me know how you go!

Cheers The Moderator

Melo in Oz

Well the adventure is over and although the weather was not that friendly and the waves could have been better we still caught a lot of glides and had a lot of laughs along the way.

The talk has quickly turned to where we should go on our next old mans surf adventure with Byron Bay starting as hot favorite for next year. Telo is also in the mix because you couldn’t score those conditions 2 years running and we have tasted the potential of the place.

Anyway thanks for tuning into our little adventure and until the next time remember to always stay MELO!

Cheers “The Boys”

We came; we saw; we “surfed”; we got rained on; and now we’re going home ….. we think !

Yes viewers this is possibly our last post…..or is it? The cruel irony of this whole situation is that if it continues to rain the plane can’t get in and so we stay here in the rain until…….yes you guessed it, we get a sunny day. This means that day will be offshore and probably a new swell……AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Back to the day at hand.  It did start with little to no wind and sunshine.  After a quick breakfast, the boys all piled into the boat in anticipation that the third attempt in 2 days would lead to a successful channel crossing back to Schoolyards and yes we made it.  2 to 3 foot and offshore.  However, before the boys could enjoy the waves under a sunny sky, Sunny and Cher started singing and Ground Hogg day was back.

A wild storm hit us and the heavens opened up bringing with it a strong cross shore wind.  But to the credit of the surfers who have worked hard to maintain their resolve, the surfing continued until the conditions stabilised and a return trip was possible at warp speed (egged on by Anthony) much to the total enjoyment of those at the front of the boat who managed to defy gravity on several occasions and managed to stay in the boat.

Unfortunately another afternoon session was missed due to poor weather with only one more scheduled opportunity for a classic surf session tomorrow morning before flying out.  Chances are slim but but while there is a surf god that could stop being such a @**^$$3## damn ##$$@(&^%$%% !!! then anything is possible.

Roger the Dodger

Channeling the SS Minnow

Wednesday morning was always going to be slow …… the cup festivities had dragged on way too long, ending in rounds of liquid hilarity involving shells and table slapping ……. and even Rog got generous after cleaning up at the hermit crab races following the main event. Crossy and Mungo spent way too much time hosing down insects late at night but all in all it was great day with lots of laughs.

The team eagerly awaited a lighter wind morning and a return to surfing …. anyone smiling yet ?? What’s that little tune we can hear in the background …… “they started out on a sailing trip ..”

Well, after brekky the team assembled with a grimaced glance to the south …. surely the wind had settled and the ocean would co-operate ….. the trip to schoolyards, whilst uncomfortable, would only take around 30 minutes. With boards and bodies piled in we headed down the lagoon, into the channel, past the village and out into the crossing.

As we headed past the left (which we have never seen break) eyes headed down and out ……. the sea was at least 2 m and the wind swell 2-3 m …… here we go ….. another drenching – or as Mungo likes to call it – “like jumping into a washing machine on the cold cycle”

Fifteen minutes later and another storm front was upon us, winds were easily 40 knots, the ocean was white and we weren’t a third of the way to the break …. the Skipper saw fit to consult Gilligan after Mr and Mrs Howell and the Professor each needed a change of speedos up in the front seats and Maryanne and Ginger down the back were not exactly looking cute, rather like a couple of late raceday flameouts looking for their heels under the stands at flemington.

The Minnow turned back and headed for Gilligans, sorry that’s Telos Island, a big following sea presenting Skipper Gus with nasty driving challenges ….. but we got back in one piece, looked to the heavens and thanked (not) the weather gods for another morning in paradise ………..

Not to be beaten, we enquired as to a bit of light fishing or snorkelling around the lee of the island ….. Mungo was visibly distressed when we were informed that those pursuits would be limited by the crocodiles mingling around the shallows, to which Goofy Pete responded that “when the gods are against you in this part of the world they really let you have it !! ”

After lunch, with the wind settling a little, a selected crew drew on the kind of blind optimism that typically only freo dockers supporters can muster and headed out again …… the camp waited anxiously only to welcome the customary quiet putt of the SS Minnow dual 150 Mercs quietly slipping back into the lagoon 30 minutes later.

Fortunately Chateu Le Bin Tang was open for business as usual and Steve’s video selection provided some very unfortunate highlights ………..

AEW

 

A wet track where illusions carry the day

After a night filled with high excitement during the sweeps draw and subsequent horse auction, the team went to bed with high anticipation of an early surf, followed by high fashions in the main marquee on Telos.

Melbourne cup day dawned to what was clearly going to be very wet track. The riders were greeted by 30-40 knot winds, grey skies and regular rainstorms. But the riders and punters were not dismayed. Far from appearing glum at the pending day without a surf, the punters and locals assembled their canoes in the carpark, opened the local champagne Chateau Le Bin Tang, and proceeded to enjoy festivities soon after breakfast.

The writer took a journey out through the lagoon to pray to the weather gods only to inspire even more rainstorms and wind. With the trek almost complete he worked stunning patterns through the lagoon with a local fisherman’s canoe, inspiring joyous hilarity from the main tent and carpark attendees – yes, the party that was Melbourne Cup at Telos had begun ………

After studying the form guide and noting the early scratching of Bauer – Steve the surf guide’s horse  – the crew decided to allocate Steve one of the staff’s nags: yep …. you guessed it ….. Americain !! So after getting a bit excited that his horse had been scratched young Steve was last seen disappearing around the back of the island with his winnings. Rumors have him at Nias this afternoon; looks like the crew are taking over the centre console driving to the breaks.

Rog and the writer recouped some outlay through the result as did Natural Pete from Sydney ….. in the ensuing races Crossy came out on top, closely followed by Mungo and the other crew made small donations back from their winnings. A couple of DVDs later and its onto the balcony for the next chapter.

At this point the crew are perched on the balcony, enjoying a G&T and creating illusions of barrels out the front on the right hander that stubbornly refuses to break – at least in any ridable manner. Rog got the last wave, got a bit deep but pulled into the close out and claimed it only to be penalised for wearing his jesuite sandals whilst riding ; the writer ended up on the reef again (when will he learn) ; crossy stalled for a very low pig dog barrel which (no really !!) he made but was penalised for commentating and scoring his own barrels and drowning out the loud speakers on the beach ; Mungo has just rifled down the line with a G&T in one hand and his sunnies still on, pulling off the shoulder and stepping back onto the balcony after keeping his speed up through the lagoon and takes the points …..

Epic really …… we’re having more fun surfing now than we have all week ….. can we get some more lime ??

AEW

Ground hog day

We awake this morning a little bleary eyed after being battered by lots of wind and storm front the night before. We all look out the window of the bungalow and wadda you know…..it’s ground hog day again. That’s right a carbon copy of the day before and the day before that. We make our way to another heavy three course breakfast of toast and eggs, cereal and fruit. The surf guide slithers down the steps of his bedroom, looks out at the wind and the swell and says ” it’s gonna be Schoolyards again today guys”. Unfortunately Schoolyards is the only offshore wave around in these strong SW winds. We look at each other over our breakfast bowls and reluctantly agree to have a morning surf at the same place we have been surfing for the last three days.

The morning surf would ideally consist of a leisurely 20 min boat ride to the break, but in these winds it’s a 45 min slog in heavy seas with huge storm fronts hitting the boat and bouncing it like a ball in a pin ball machine and totally drenching us with what equated to big buckets of cold fresh water being thrown at us from close range. We made the crossing in one piece although the heavy breakfast in our stomachs had been bounced up and down so much that it wasn’t clear if everyone was going to keep theirs.

Paddling out to the 2 to 3 foot right hander felt like we were stuck in ground hog day. Rog was looking decidedly dejected and Crossy was casually paddling towards the break as if time was not important. We surfed the outside right for an hour or so which was not too punchy and a little inconsistent. Crossy suddenly hailed the boys across to the inside peak and a few sets came through in succession. Both Rog and Crossy got good wave, the McTavish UFO and the Strapper stick hitting lips and carving turns. Suddenly Rog had a grin on his dial and Crossy was paddling with intent. The boys got a good half hour of good quality peaks before they paddled back to the boat for a 2 litre bottle of water and a well deserved Bintang.

Lunch was another local culinary delight and we had  to decide if we would do a short tour of the main Telo island to look around our laze around and watch a few movies whilst our tired bodies recovered. We opted for the movies. (By the way opting for the movies according to Rog also included multitasking on his tech toys so he stays on top of his ongoing work commitments……..commitment Rog!).

As I sign off the surf movies continue to roll in the background and the boys are in recline position around the screen preparing to be feed again……….only to face the possibility of another ground hog day tomorrow.

Mungo on behalf of the boys.

Bintangs at Sunset

This is what we came for …… we keep reminding ourselves of this sunset !

Shelo in Telo

How the hell did Woolsey end up in there. Standing in shin deep water on the reef is probably not the best idea if you intend to continue to enjoy the trip. Crossy was heard to say to Mungo and Rog “You’d have to be doing something very silly to end up way in there”.

Moments later……”How the hell did Crossy end up in there in shin deep water…….what a knuckle head!”

Today we woke to more crazy weather, rain, wind and yes you guessed it still no increase in the surf. The decision was made to head to School Yards again where it would be offshore at least. Even before we made it to the boat the heavens opened up, so it was head down to avoid the rain and waves belting the boat.

We finally arrived to find offshore 2′-3′ right handers, so it was over the side into the 30c water to warm our cold rain beaten bodies – who would have thought you could get so cold when you are sitting on the equator.

The boys quickly organised the priority system and proceeded to catch everything and anything that looked like a wave. It was then that we heard it………a roar coming from the jungle fringing the beach. What could that be? The sky went black the wind picked up and the roar got loader. Was this how it was all going to end! Then we sore it a massive tropical rain storm was about to unleash it’s anger on us. Within seconds we could no longer see the boat let alone where the waves were. The only thing we could do was huddle together and hope the boat would re appear once the rained cleared.

Back to the priority system to ensure all were getting waves……..Wooles makes the call……”My Priority get out of my way”. How did he end up in shin deep water on the reef?

Cheers Crossy

Harsh penalties handed down

Telo Island surfers are considering laying an official complaint for harsh penalties handed down by Indonesian Surf Gods.  Without any video evidence (that we know about) penalties of onshore winds and 1 to 2 foot swell was handed out on Saturday 30th October to the visably shaken surfers.

After a breakfast of a mix between hash browns and scrambled eggs, the unsuspecting surfers boarded the Telo SS minow and headed out for a 3 hour tour (yes a three hour tour).  Soon it became apparent that heavy seas, torrential rain and howling winds would test the metal of all on board.  After a painstakingly slow trip to School Yards the surfers were met by a dropping 3 foot swell.  Several hours of paddle practices netted a few small waves and thankfully only a few reef cuts before a more accommodating trip back for an excellent lunch of fish and rice.

After much soul searching the boys have decided to take an early plea for having way too much fun, drinking too much (but in moderation), and testing the local internet filters (just in case).  We are hopeful that this honest approach to the Indonesian Surf Gods will see a return to 3 to 6 foot swell and offshore winds in the next 24 hours.

Cheers Rog

 

Forced lay day

Friday morning dawns after yet another early morning storm that threatened to come through Roger’s window again. The boys have been very slow to get going. Breakfast was a sombre affair consisting of poached eggs and fruit with limited conversation. Everyone nursing very sore bodies after the surfing marathon yesterday. The surf guide, Steve indicated the on shore breeze was blowing out all the surf spots and we would be forced to rest and await for another weather reading later in the day. In the meantime this has forced a morning of rest.

Crossy has medicated his back, with perhaps too much medication and has fallen comatose back into bed. Rog and Woolsey have spent the last few hours with their tech toys talking to the rest of the world. (Their idea of a holiday is to construct email dialogue or blogging whilst sitting on the balcony of a world class surf resort watching the outside reef race in front of them at 100 k’s an hour……unsurfable!!!). Mungo reading his book and letting the anti inflams kick in.

The PM hasn’t offered much improvement in the surf department so it was back to the Penthouse with the over water balcony for a quiet Bintang followed by a G&T or 2……..very civilised, or so you would think. Rog reciting the Woody Allen Moose story got the afternoon moving and the stories flowed from there. Many laughs were had as well as one or two too many G&T’s. By the time Dinner was served we were 4 very tired boys. A big plate of spag bol did the job and after sitting through the mandatory surf movie it was off to bed.

3.30am update: After scaring the daylight out of AEW the night before Crossy got up for a pit stop only to realise that the man was in the throne room ahead of him……..aaaahhhh the chance to do it all again, but what if he collapses with fright? I may have to give him mouth to mouth, Crossy thought. Not worth the risk!!!!

That’s all for now cheers Mungo and the Ghost writer.