Much to say and report on, but we're getting behind on the blog and time is short again tonight, so will try to be a bit briefer.

Journey to Denham was reasonably easy and steady with a stop of at Hamelin Bay to see a very early telegraph station and some stromatolites. What the heck are they I hear. Well they're some of the oldest living things in the world. They are found in only a few places in the world at the edge of an ocean (very salty) and grow 0.3mm every year. They create oxygen which you can see in the form of tiny bubbles and they absorb carbon dioxide. Could do with a few more of them.

Spent all day looking emus without success and then there on the seafront as we drove into Denham was our first sighting crossing the road in front of us After that saw many including on the tennis court at Monkey Mia. It was a bit too hot for a game anyway.

The next few days were full of sea life. Fantastic views and adventures with dolphins, dugongs, sharks, turtles etc. Angie & I got to feed a fish to a wild dolphin when it came to the shore at Monkey Mia. Feeding is now very restricted because the dolphins were getting fat and lazy and not showing their babies how to feed properly resulting in premature deaths. The bay is called Shark Bay after all, with some reason.

Went on a catamaran to see all sorts of sea life but the crewman saw a shark with some accompanying fish and quickly slung in a line (Thought it was an eco tour! That's Aussies for you) After about 30 mins of amusing watching, a 35kg Cobia fish was pulled in and filleted later that afternoon and everyone on board got some. Tasted great and we've more in the freezer. Snorkelling very disappointing only saw ray fish and not keen on them.

We didn't manage to see a dugong (sea cow) on the first boat trip so the captain invited us back the next day and said he'd go to different areas which had more sea grass. He had his crew up the mast trying to spot them and amazingly they did. Lovely peaceful animal of which 10% of the world's population is in Shark Bay.

Visited what must be one of the remotest oceanariums where they feed the sharks every hour and explain what you need to when paralysed by a jelly fish. Apparently someone needs to keep giving you cpr to keep you breathing and you'll be OK as opposed to the other thing that poisons you and which you have to put into very hot water immediately or you may die. Hope we can remember which is which if the time comes.!!!

Had a meal at reputedly the most westerly restaurant in Australia which also happens to be made of shells. Only small but very pleasant. Tried that catch of the day, but were later told it wouldn't have been caught in Denham.

Had our first 4WD try out, lowering the pressure in the tyres to about 18 and thought we'd done well to get right to the tip of Point Peron, where we watched a shoal of large eagle rays (possibly manta rays) cruise around in the shallows below the cliff along with a couple of turtles and dolphins. Superbly remote only for the quiet to be shattered by one idiot on a jet ski going along the shore line to frighten the birds away. On the way back we got thoroughly bogged to the axle and had to dig our way out and used some broken scrub in front of the wheels to get some grip. Took about 30-45 mins of scrabbling in red dirt getting throughly filthy. It seems that sand gets 'softer' as it gets hotter so you're more likely to get bogged late in the afternoon. Did feel a bit stupid but at least we got ourselves out. Never change down a gear when in the soft sand and try to keep the speed up.

Brake lights on campervan giving problems and blew the fuse in the car on the way up, so had to get that sorted. We'd only booked in for 4 nights at the campsite so were really grateful when Claire (daughter of old friends Dave and Merryl Totty) said we could park in their property.

Mended the camper tap that was giving problems and sorted some guy ropes, the poles and pegs so we might be able to put up the awning next time. Also had some further problems with the trip switch and the cooker ignition fuse, but think those were possibly caused when the two young boys were playing in the camper.

Had a fabulous relaxing 2 days with Claire & Shane and their lovely boys, Finn and Connor. Shane is a professional fisherman and was originally away on his boat when we first got there. The day after docking , we went to watch them unload their catch of amazing fish. Straight after that, Shane and his brother both went spear fishing to put something in the freezer and do some filming. The next day was a day off with the family, so they decided to go out in the small boat fishing. Now that's what I call keen. I'm told he does like to watch Aussie Rules as well

After six nights at Denham, we're ready for the road again feeling refreshed and a bit more sorted in the van