Fishing and 4 Wheel Driving

Well, it has been a big, but wonderful couple of days. The blokes came back on the first night, very proud of their catch. They caught 8 blue swimmer crabs and 18 squid. They also went to the shop and picked up some magnificent oysters. What a feast we had with crabs and oysters. The crab meat is absolutely magnificent - so fresh and sweet!

Lachlan we were thinking of you with the squid.... knowing how you so much wanted to catch one last time we were here. We have had salt and pepper cooked calamari for breakfast for the last two mornings! The blokes cryovac'd the squid and put them in the freezer as, not only are they good eating - but great for bait!

Yesterday we got up and set out for Davenport Creek for a day's fishing. To get there we drove about 35 km on very corrugated dirt roads. Then it was off-road for some great fun 4-wheel driving through the sand dunes and along the beach. We arrived at Davenport Creek (very isolated and very beautiful!) and got our fishing gear out. Within 5 seconds of throwing my line in, I had a lovely baby salmon. It was my first fish of the trip.

We fished on for a while, picking up a few more little salmon and Mum got a flounder. As the tide was coming in, we decided to give it a break and have lunch.

It was quite funny as we moved the vehicles well up the track as the water was quickly covering the track. We thought we were well clear, but still the water came, creeping under Uncle John's vehicle and onwards towards us.

Eventually we gave up and sat with our feet in the water, eating our lunch.

After lunch we went back to fishing. Uncle John got a nice legal sized King George Whiting, and we threw a couple back because they were a bit small. I cast out into some deeper water and almost immediately my line got hit hard. I hooked a salmon - and what a magnificent fight he put up. My rod was bent right over as he fought, first one way and then the other. Several times he leaped clear of the water and, in the end, the only way I could get him was to walk backwards up the bank. This was the most fun I have ever had catching a fish as he put up such a fight. I will long remember this one. Soon after, Mum also caught a lovely mature salmon. So for today... we girls get the fishing trophy for the best catch! (Not sure that we will hold that trophy for too long).

At about 5 we packed up, ready for the trip home. We knew it would be a tougher drive out than in, as we had to climb quite a few sand hills with very soft sand. We fronted up to a huge hill, but despite 3 attempts, Uncle John couldn't get over it - so we retreated to find another path and to let our tyres down some more. We ended up letting them down to about 15 (which gives a broader tyre base on the sand). Once we did this, we had no problems powering up the hills. I was really thrilled to have my first real go at 4 wheel driving - and also really impressed with Fred's performance - he travelled solidly through even the softest sand and didn't let me down once. Go Fred!!!
Our final drive along the beach was just beautiful, with the sun setting on the horizon. What a wonderful day!

Once off the beach, we had to stop to pump up the tyres with the portable compressor. This took about half an hour, and then we were off back to town on the corrugated dirt road. We got home, had a very quick shower and then headed off to the pub for dinner. The Ceduna Pub has been completely renovated and is very beautiful. We had a wonderful meal and a couple of drinks, finishing the night with an interesting chat to a young shearer. He had come across from his family property at Keith to do some shearing. He said they get $2.26 per sheep, but it's hard work here as there sometimes seems to be more dirt than fleece on the sheep.

A word about Ceduna: it seems to have really changed from the somewhat sad place it was a couple of years ago. I think a lot has been done to try to improve conditions for the aboriginal people - we are not seeing any drunkeness on the streets as we did back then and there seems to be an all round happier atmosphere here (though I am sure there are still many problems to be worked with and more support needed.) Ceduna people are generally friendly and just a little quirky. Mum, Dad and Uncle John thought it hilarious to find the lady in the computer shop rearing a baby lamb. It had been found by the side of the road and she decided to save it. The lamb was wearing two nappies and had the run of the shop. Odd, very odd indeed!

Finally, to those at home. Thank you to Betty and Nicola for being clever enough to work out how to post comments to the blog - it's great to hear from you. For Lachlan and Sam, I am really excited now that we have booked your air tickets and can't wait to meet you in Darwin. To Sheree, thanks for the phone calls and the chance to talk to Eli on the phone - we miss you! Bethanie.... will try to call you soon. And to Pete - we really miss you and wish you were here on this trip with us. We think of you all the time and hope you can find a way to make it up to Darwin. And to everyone else.... hi, hope all is well... I am having a ball and getting stronger every day! Tomorrow its the Nullabor!!!!