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Captain Chaos's Butler's Beach Button Tour Well it was the June long weekend, the last one before the long weekend drought and Captain Chaos (aka Dean) and Jan Pearce had elected to lead the small but intrepid band off to Butlers Beach on the York Peninsula. The little band of campers consisted of Gerry and Bev Paay, Denise and Stuart Grant with Miriam, Denise's mum. We planned departures for Friday with Gerry and Bev escaping early into the blustery winter weather. Dean and I took our cars and vans to work. The ladies joined us after work and saved us a fair amount of time in escaping the Friday night rush. The Paays arrived and set up camp late afternoon with the remainder of us arriving by 10.30pm. Gerry guided us into the campsite, we quickly set up, and we enjoyed a few beers in the chilly weather while the ladies retired to the warmth of tents and vans. Saturday morning Dean led us out to explore Innes National Park. The day although windy, the day remained fine and sunny for most. The strong wind had whipped up some heavy seas, which provided a spectacular coastal vista with huge Southern Ocean waves slamming into the cliff faces. While we tour we witness just how fast the ocean can change in this part of the world. By late afternoon the ocean had calmed, and fishing boats were heading out again. We stopped, ate our lunch at Inneston then toured the ruins of the town on foot. After the day of touring we headed into Marion Bay Hotel for "yes, the obligatory trip Pub dinner". A fine dinner was had by all with some fine wines and beer we partied on for some time. Capt Chaos then faithfully led us home to Butlers Beach were we enjoyed the remainder of the night around our campfire. Sunday saw another fine day, with cooked breakfasts for most, and then a leisurely tour around the property. After late afternoon showers at the amenities block we returned to camp, stoked up the fire and indulged in "Roast Night". Some of us even managed to eat on time. After a few quiet reds, two of the clubs noted rocket scientists attempted some aviation trials. Alas both attempts ended in tears but no children or small animals were injured only the pride of these fine men of science, that's if they remember. Monday had us packing up and heading back to town. Dean led us around the heel of the boot along the Troubridge Tourist road. Bev got to see a real lighthouse at last at Troubridge Hill. We reached Edithburgh in time for fish, chips and hamburgers for lunch. Denise has crossed off another eating establishment from her list, after they forgot her lunch. Mean time Bev and I incited a riot among the seagulls by sharing leftovers with the noisy little scavengers. From there we ambled up along the coast slowly winding our way home. The highlight of this part of the trip was Capt Chaos's introduction to the world of salt, Dean had recently did a job out at the salt works and obtained some notes which contained some very interesting fact, on the scale of the salt production in SA. In closing it was a very pleasant weekend for all, thankyou Dean and Jan. And, Jan he will never learn to button his lip, may we suggest a zip or super glue! Stuart Grant |
