Aug 25, 2014
In the early morning, (as has been the morning vista of late), smoke shrouded Cable Beach. With a healthy and satisfyingly, quiet ‘Vrrroom’, our main motors were started and lovingly warmed. It was 0655 when the anchor was raised and as we left Cable Beach we were excited to begin our journey south.
By 10am we had a few pods on the board already, with a purple patch of whales high-tailing it for the Lacepede Islands. ‘You won’t be disappointed’ I encouraged the whales. Around 1030 the telltale splash on our sporting vb fishing line, (venetian blind, not the beer!) indicated we had a fish on the line! A stripy or bonito tuna was hauled in board, quickly filleted and expertly dressed up – bbq’ d in foil with lemon by Resty, just in time for lunch! It was delicious fresh fish, also enjoyed as sushi by Dale, Resty and Simon. Yea, we are very happy to be back in blue water, where we have a chance to catching fish! The colours of fish are sublime. This one, with iridescent blue hues along the dorsal or top surface, just gave me more excuses to celebrate turquoise! It is such a beautifully, naturally occurring colour. I remember one little boy in Broome once asked his mum why I was dressed in so much turquoise. I could only reply to his puzzled gaze, ‘Well, this morning, you know, I got stuck in the turquoise part of my wardrobe!’ His visage became more bewildered, I actually don’t think he believed me, but it was true!
Skipper meet Mr. Bonito!
It is pretty quiet on board with just seven. Curt, Dale, Daffy, Simon, Resty, Carrie and I, are making the trip south to Fremantle. Our mission is to monitor humpback whale songs and calls with sonobuoys and the towed array, for immediate comparison all the way. As we headed further offshore, the whale sightings changed but we could still hear 9 or 10 humpback males, belting out persistent songs. As the afternoon progressed, the sea calmed and the smoky orange hues took hold again. In ‘other-worldly’ light, we sail the calm “high seas” along Eighty Mile Beach.
Iridescent blue gives me an excuse to enjoy turquoise!
An olive sea snake, of nightmare proportion, perhaps 2.5 m long (as estimated from several photos), appeared to be consuming something soft and dark – that once was… hmm. This is one of the neatest parts of boating. By being out here, you see the darnedest things! What else will we encounter along the way?
Dinner of roast chicken slowly cooking, Resty-style, is driving us crazy as we await his call to forks with ‘Dinner is ready!’
Under an inky black sky we ply our way south, steadily. The Southern Cross and the Milky Way kindly peek through.
Cheers,
Mich
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