Wednesday 9th September - Boating

Well up early this morning and on the road before the light fog had lifted completely. Col launched the boat at Mourlynin harbor and soon we were motoring out towards the heads and the ocean beyond.

We took a close look at the wreck of the Apollo 3 which is beached just south of the harbor mouth.

Col took us over to the Islands where we walked on the thick coral crunching particles that function as a beach on the island

Sue wandered around collecting shells while army helicopters circled, arm boats patrolled and a large army/navy landing craft stood some miles off shore. It was in some ways bizarre - we were sort on this idyllic movie set in the South Pacific and yet they were making an Audey Murphy wins the war single handedly movie. A sort of Wacky Wednesday experience.

When we returned to the harbor we did a cruise up the estuary looking for birds and crocs - the day was sunny and while we were careful not to get hung up on a sand bar - we were able to photograph some birds, croc however were keeping a low profile.

We had lunch on our return and everyone had a camp for an hour or two. It was like an old people's home - mmmmmm.

We drove down to Kurramine Beach, the tide was in and the water was turgid and choppy. We walked to the South and two lapwings decided to protect their nest (we assume) by dive-bombing Mal. Well Mal had a ball trying to photograph their incoming lapwing - who was flying to with in less than half a meter of Mal's head before flicking out of his aggressive dive. Sue did some video of part of the encounter. We then gave the poor old defending lapwing a rest and walked back to the car.

On the way home we spotted a cane-fire lighting up the sunset sky. We were unable to get very close so we gave up the pursuit of the perfect national Geographic cane-fire image and drove home to bake fish that Col had prepared earlier. Cane fire at sunset.

Mal did his presentation of images from the Cape York trip and then we settled down to a cinema classic - "The Big Chill". Still holding up even if Kevin Cline looks like he is only just out of college.