Nanga Bay Resort - 50km south of Denham, Shark Bay
A lovely week, small day trips, including the Oceanarium, Peron Historic Homestead with artesian spa but it the day was too hot to have a dip. We spent a full day driving out to Steep Point stopping for lunch on the east side. A beautiful bay, lots of fish swimming along, all the anglers amongst us had their rods out but no luck. Out at the tip we posed at WA's most westerly point. Great excitement when turtles were spotted over the cliff. Deanne delighted us all by her enthusiasm at this sighting. Malcolm was keen for a repeat performance and was on the lookout for more, which he did. Don't know what I enjoyed more, Deanne's excitement, the actual turtles, or Malcolm's 'sightings' ! It was a long day, made slightly longer when shortly after quite a steep sandy descent Tail End Charlie radios in he has a possible puncture. By this stage Michael has shot ahead and is out of range. In the ensuing confusion, 4 of us co tinted on to the airing down/up point, the other 3 staying to help. Eventually the mob regrouped, I had heard on the radio someone had overshot a turning and had to back track. This despite the fact I had 'marked' the corner with quite an obvious puddle. All back safely an hour or so after dark, not too bad.
The main mob went for an overnighter to the Peron Peninsula. We stayed behind as we were planning on spending a week or so after they had gone home. We had gained some local knowledge of good fishing spots so we checked these out. The first one over on the east side on the peninsula just south of Monkey Mia. The directions weren't too clear, there was 4 salt pans to cross not 3 but we got there. A small creek, was rather hot, no shade, lots of flies, although not when stood in creek. However, when fish are biting it is amazing what you will put up with. Ad bite they did. Even I had a go and reeled in a couple. It was an incoming tide so we had to keep retreating but it was a wonderful day. Eventually we had to call it a day, we did have 4 Tarwhine in the fridge. Good job we did set off then as my chauffeur decided, against local advice, that he would drive across a salt pan instead of skirting it. We nearly made it, just a car's length from the edge we broke through the crust and the back passenger wheel sunk to the axle. As good a time as any I suppose to see if the Max Tracks still unscrew from the roof. A few grunts of frustration when the nut dropped down into the box underneath, but once the shovel had been put to good use, the tracks slid into place we were out in a jiffy. Fortunately there was a hose back at camp to rinse off the salty mud. All was soon forgotten when we tucked into our fish supper.
Next day we checked out the second 'local' spot. On the west side about 10 Km north. Quite lovely. The fish were hungry, but they still needed feeding up themselves so chauffeur had to release most of them. We had learnt that what we had caught the previous day and thought was a spangled emperor (38 cm) which needs to be 42 cm so had released it was in fact a black snapper which only needs to be 32cm. So delighted to pull in another size one today. Not quite set up for filleting and whilst chauffeur was scouting around for a flatter rock, a seagull snaffled the first fillet. Hmm, last time that is going to happen, we will be more vigilant with the pesky birds.
The mob returned and we learnt that the Peron was worth a visit, looking forward to it. We had a look at Hamelin Bay Telegraph Station, which used to be the main 'town' until Denham took over quite recently. A fascinating museum, just love the history of telegraph stations, what a tough life. It is also where the stromatolites are. The oldest living things on earth. Only other place is in the Bahamas (or Bermuda?). The ones at Clifton south of Mandurah, forget the real name, similar family but much younger. Boy was it hot, check out the photo of the candle, and it isn't even summer!!
Theme night arrived and great fun was had dressing up and acting like red necks, complete with Guy who ripped his shorts, quite unintentionally, to blacked out teeth, (someone didn't even have to black out theirs, just remove their plate). Mullet wigs, Orville hats, short cut off jeans for the Mary Lou's. Glen showed off with his music and quality of his car stereo whilst Helen and Richard showed off their dancing skills. The coon bags were passed around to wash down the Black and Gold fish fingers, perfect.
All too soon the end of the week arrived and we had to part company, and very good company it had been. Hugs and kisses all round and we headed north to the Peron Peninsula. Guess what, that wretched bakery had made another pie with my chauffeur's name on it.
Day 1
Thursday, 28 March 2013After a great night Chez Le Brinkley's, we set off to find the rest of our mob at Lake Indoon. Straight forward run up the north west highway, brief stop at Muchea, yes you guessed it, the bakery had a pie with my chauffeur's name on it.
Heard our mob on the radio before we got to the first campsite, they were coming back from the Stockyard Cave. Set about familiarising ourselves with our 'routine' of setting up camp and it wasn't long before we realised the sun had gone over the yard arm. Medicine chests dutifully opened then Glen mentioned something about brakes not feeling right. Music to men's ears, before the first beer was downed the tyre was off, you would have thought the bees had found the honey pot. Without going into all the boy details, basically the pad had debonded from the shoe and there was much debate as to the best way to fix this - even some advice from Ben as I happened to be chatting to him on the phone. Some sort of glue (girls terms here), clamps and rivets and Bob's your uncle, fit for another 10,000 Km.
Early start next morning, so early in fact we forgot our new members who were still acquiring their routine, and shot off without them. Tail end Charlie stopped to wait until they caught up.
Quick top up in Geraldton, bit of a wild goose chase finding the place to pick up spares for Glen's brakes (just in case) - as it was Good Friday, Auto One had hidden the parts in a secret place behind the closed store. Spent the afternoon setting ourselves up comfortably at Nanga Bay Resort.
Day 14 - Bottle .bay
Wednesday, 10 April 2013Getting into the rhythm of beachside living. At first I felt uncomfortable with sandy/wet feet all the time. Now quite at home with living in my kini/sarong. Fishing in the mornings, sheltering from sun during the siesta time. Afternoon constitutional in the arvos.
Losing track of the days, how wonderful.
Think it was yesterday we walked along the beach to Gregories and chatted to the group of campers there. Seven of them all from Busso on an annual fishing trip (left wives at home working). Told us the ghost crabs were good bait, so after dinner (had to eat fish AGAIN) we donned torches, a leather glove each (good job I am a lefty) and bucket. Thought it would take us hours, but we had a bucketful in no time. Still alive in the morning, but not much luck, think they might be better out in the boat, deeper water bigger fish? Conditions changed, quite a swell and before long my hunter/gatherer was out of sinkers. So crabs released. No problems, we still have fish to eat from yesterday.
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