1/01/2014 =
Nature’s wonders, where the bloody hell are you?
I thought that our sailing around Australia adventure would be
filled with examples of getting up close with mother nature’s sea life. Leanne had
great visions of us living off the land, catching and eating the fish we caught
each day and generally living a Swiss Family Robinson type natural lifestyle on
board.
On our local trips like Mandurah to Becher point or Rottnest Island
we would usually be accompanied by up to a dozen dolphins who would play and
frolic just off our bows or show us all manner of tricks off the stern as we
sailed along. One of their favourite things to do is to swim along upside down
under the bows. It seemed as if they were as interested in watching us as we
were in them.
On another occasion, we were sailing between Bunbury and Busselton,
with friends Noel and Sue, April and Wayne on board. It was a beautiful day.
One of those where the sea was as flat as a carpeted floor and there was just a
faint breeze. After spotting a disturbance in the water about 200 metres from
our bow we changed direction towards the bubbling water.
To our delight, we found a group of five or so Whales. They seemed
to be resting or sunbaking, or perhaps getting to know each other as they lazed about
on the surface of the water.
Amid cry’s of wow and ooh, I was given instructions to steer here or
there, go over there and get closer. But having just seen the front end of the
whale well off the bow, and the rear of the whale well off our stern, I decided
that I would very casually, but quickly move away from the wild animal that was
bigger than a bus, and obviously far bigger than our boat.
Since we left Mandurah Marina on the 6th November, and
accompanied by the usual dolphin escort until Dawesville, we have not really
seen any sign of sea life. We have rounded Capes (including Naturaliste,
Leeuwin, Vancouver and even Cape Knob ) sailed into numerous bays (Koombanna,
Hamelin, Two peoples, Cheyne and Peaceful Bays) and harbours including (Windy,
Princess Royal, Oyster and several Boat or little Boat harbours). But we are
yet to see any whales, dolphins, seals or even sea birds of any note. Fortunately
too, we have swum several times in the beautiful clear water of these places and are yet to see
hide nor hair of the sharks that we were told litter the waters.
At several of the places we have visited we have been teased by the
Whale watching, Diving adventure and fishing charter boats that occupy
the available moorings. So obviously nature is out there somewhere.
In fact I think our only brush with real nature was here in Dillon
Bay. Just snuggled up after a rough day sailing, we were visited by a hundred
of the local inhabitants. Mozzies!
So we took to them like any roman invaders would. We murdered as
many of them as we could see. Leanne yelling “HI YAA” as she slapped at
them like a true Bruce Lee Kung FU warrior. Before long she had wiped out the
whole welcome party battalion, single handedly.
Post battle, as calm was restored all that was left was the blood spots
on the white walls of our bedroom cabin and our sheets littered with parts of
flattened mosquitoes. Another big job for the Ajax spray and wipe.
Leanne has only had a small success in the fishing side of things. A
couple of whiting that were only just legal size has been her contribution to
our Swiss Family Robinson adventure thus far. Perhaps ours is to be more of a
Gilligans Island style adventure. I am sure that B2 can do a pretty good
Thurston Howell the 3rd impression and B1 is a dead ringer for the
professor. Only problem with that is I am left with the role of Gilligan! ??
B2 has scooped the pool this week. He has managed to be carry
over champion of the awesome award. He caught 7 good sized whiting which Eva
the wonder chef has turned into breakfast for us all.
We will be looking forward to
keeping an eye out on our journey onwards to Esperance in the next week. Hopefully we will see some form of sea life
out there.
So, come on nature’s wonders, where the bloody hell are you.
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| Getting away from it all at a nice remote, secluded beach...not! Dillon Bay new years day. |
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