Day 6 - Monday 9 July - Lazy day in Shark Bay

Day 6

Monday

9 July 2018

Hamelin Outback Station  

Began book 3 – Oh Dear Sylvia by Dawn French. This was recommended to me by Mum and as she continually mentions it, I figured I better read it. 

With the wind gone the temperature is not as cold and it is pleasant enough to sit outside and bask in the morning sun, which is exactly what I did when I was up and had had breakfast. I sat amongst it watching the many pack up their varying cars, vans and trailers, as they made way for the incoming travellers. 

Paul returned from a walk through the bush and insisted we both follow the cobbled together path to check out the relics left behind by the sheep shearers. There was no shortage of rusting bits and plenty of bottles to start your own brewery. It is incredible what you find. 

Once back at the van, we threw together all that we wanted for our afternoon out and then made our way to Nanga Bay to buy bait before finally arriving at Whalebone. We drove to a spot just metres from the water’s edge and proceeded to set up our chairs and fishing gear, happy to be spending a day in the sun in such a magic location. 

I did a wander of the small cove, finding a rock ledge to perch on above the water, where I did see a school of fish gliding away. Paul had his rods set up by the time I returned. I made myself comfy in the chair and sat back and read my book. 

I made lunch just before 1pm, starving from doing a lot of bugger all. No fish had jumped on the line, though plenty of bait had been sent out. The only animal taking it was a lonely seagull, diving below the surface to retrieve what was thrown in. 

It didn’t get any better after lunch either, there was a bite but no fish to go with it. I walked to the top of the hill for a fantastic view over the mirror like water. From here I could see all the way to Dirk Hartog Island and all the schools of fish that Paul wasn’t catching.

By the time I returned, Paul had packed most of the gear away and with a few last casts called time and we made our way back to Hamelin Station for 3pm, leaving the glassy waters, that appeared endless, behind us. 

Once back, we loaded the car on ready for tomorrow’s travelling and then I was off for a shower. Unlike this morning, it wasn’t grand central station, I had the place to myself. Paul tagged me, when I was back and I set about going through the photos. My aim is to also trawl through last year’s 25000 shots and try to whittle them down to something that can be published. We will see. It may be a mission to great to accomplish. 

We snacked and ate for most of the afternoon, as I was glued to the computer and Paul his beer tour book of the world. Before we knew it, it was 5pm and the sun was slowly making its way to the horizon. Having had enough time sitting on our bums, we got up and walked out to the lake. I finally spotted the chiming wedgebill making its incessant call. We have been so struck by it these past few days that I had to get it on video. 

We walked part of the lake path, but the midgies became so thick, we turned around quick smart and opted to walk the path through the bush instead. I dubbed one part the tree cemetery, all the boney limbs, twisted and gnarled and left as a reminder. One in particular looked quite fluid and as it had the bottle clock under it, I dubbed it the Salvador Dali tree. 

Once the sun ducked under the horizon, you could feel the drop in temperature and I was glad to get back to the van and begin dinner. We ate like our bellies were empty, even though they were grazing for most of the afternoon. Paul was feeling exhausted, so he was off to lay in bed. I finished up my computer bits and then joined him, continuing to read my book before sleep caught up with me too.