J. Adrian Hope (G 69-76) writes:

“I read with interest the OSB note from Michael Ferns (SH 53-58) for I spent a month in Australia in 1986 with two business associates. After a short stay in Sidney we drove north to Shute Harbour then over to Hamilton Island where we chartered a motor yacht. I was amazed to discover that most of the islands were named after Cumbrian towns and places! I was told that an officer on Captain Cook’s voyage of ‘discovery’ came from Whitehaven, hence the naming. Our first trip was to Brampton Island and each day we would check the map to plan a visit to another Cumberland island. I vividly remember sitting on Whitehaven beach, 12 km of pure white sand, and seeing no other person. A 10lb fish which my colleagues subsequently caught we barbecued on the beach, sharing it with three delightful Australian ladies who had anchored nearby in a lovely sail boat. Happy memories. When St Bees Island came on the market, I tendered a bid, which was refused. On Hamilton Island was the holiday home of the late George Harrison. We spent a very pleasant evening as his guests. The next villa was owned by Rupert Murdoch, though we never received an invite. However he did zoom past our boat in his huge 200 foot motor launch, nearly sinking us in his wake! While anchored off Brampton Island we arranged to visit the Great Barrier Reef. We were collected by an old De Havilland seaplane and then flown to the reef. We walked ankle deep on the coral with the land in sight – an unforgettable experience and something not allowed now. In 2014 when I was recovering from a brain tumour, I was able to instruct my wife and daughter, who were visiting my brother-in-law, in how to hire a motor launch to Whitsunday Island and thereby visit in my footsteps.”

 

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