A short story by Susan Doust

Trip to Herring Island

On the 29th of October the Arderians, commonly known as Jeroen #1, Jeroen #2 and Susan, set out on their heroic journey to cross the sea ice between Ardery and Herring Island in order to fulfill Susan's birthday wish of finding some seal pups. Assuming this would be a short and enjoyable trip on skis they cheerfully set out that morning. They were soon joined by some Adelie penguins, who having mistaken Jeroen #2 for a larger penguin - due to his crafty nose disguise, decided to follow them in the ski trails.

After more than two hours of progressing like Antarctic fleas in jam, much stumbling and many bruises it was decided to remove the skis and walk. At last they reached Herring Island where they were suprised by John Burgess and Debbie - the Queen of Jollies, luxuriously zooming around on their quads. After recieving a delicious parcel of birthday treats and being informed by John that it was time to head back, the Caseyites departed and the Arderians continued their endless search for the seal pups. They soon circumnavigated Herring Island and after finding three seals and no pups and becoming delirious with hunger they gloomily began the 15km trudge back to Ardery.

Herring Island Take 2
One and a half weeks later

This time the quest for seal pups was assured of being a success due to the kind assistance given by Debbie, Trevor and Shane on the skidoos. Having been invited for dinner at Robbo's Hut that Saturday night the Arderians once again set out, fully loaded with survival gear onto the sea ice. But before they could walk even 100m they were whisked up on the skidoos and driven straight to the Robbo's doorstep. After a delicious four course meal with a twist (as the four courses were all mixed together) and a few wines everyone settled into a good nights sleep, especially Susan who had a straight bed for one night. The next morning everyone was woken to the tantalising taste of Tricky Trevor's Special Milo Energy Porridge, which managed to sustain them for the remainder of the day. Soon after, they all arrived at the seal pup nursery at Little Herring Island, which was most unluckily bypassed by the Arderians the first time round.

After spending several hours taking photos and meeting some more Caseyites on the way, the Ardery/Casey jolly troop headed down to the Browning Peninsula and up to the Petersen Island summit to get a brilliant view of the Vanderford Glacier. It was then back to Robbos to collect the precious Mango Tango (with Jeroen #1 managing to become airborne several times on the back of Shane's skidoo) before returning to the Ardery Apple Village.

The moral of this story is - a jolly to Little Herring Island is not really a jolly unless you have a skidoo.