The wet season is finally upon us and,
happily, this means waterfalls and rock pools. We’ve been drenched but it’s
pleasant cooling off, though this doesn’t last long.
We’ve just spent a few days at Hill Inlet
(beside Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island) to beach TC so the drive leg could have some attention, and the hulls
received a scrub and polish. Luckily the wind remained strong for most of the
time, which helped to limit the sandfly assault. (As it was, the odd sailor’s
expletive may have been uttered.) Fortunately it’s a beautiful spot, and we
found time for walks along Whitehaven Beach most days, with not another human
to be seen other than as specs in the distance on the other side of the inlet. A
walk to the viewing lookout meant an encounter with a group of backpackers and a photo opportunity not to be missed. Captain was devastated, though,
not to have been chosen for the starring role …
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| Hill Inlet and TC just visible on the bar |
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| Looking towards Whitehaven Beach |
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| Matey does laps (in stylish stinger suit) |
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| Hill does ominous |
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| Paperbark and erosion |
All this activity required preparation and
recuperation and so was preceded and concluded by visits to the extraordinary
Nara Inlet on Hook Island. This meant further exploration of the ‘main’
waterfall and watercourse, in flow, and the discovery of other temporary
waterfalls. Matey was ecstatic to find one that was perfect for washing hair
(not only because this was somewhat overdue), with a thoughtfully positioned seat/rock
and a view of the Nara fjord while one’s weary back and shoulders were pummelled
(before you scoff, remember the anchor wench’s winching duties). Ahhh — the
beauty of hills, rocks, water, gravity and surrounding hoop pines and lush
vegetation, combined with the thrumming sound of cascading water: it really doesn’t
get any better than this!
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| View while washing hair |
The hurdle
The long awaited and much anticipated day
arrived, when Matey finally overcame her aversion to killing, picked up the rod
and began catching fish. Well, one fish, possibly, twice caught. Sadly, once
she hauled it out she handed it to Capt Butterfingers for dispatching (this has
to be a ‘boy job’, surely). It was promptly dispatched, back into the water. But
Mr Largescale Grunter kindly returned for more …
Rationale: it occurred to Matey that if
you’re going to eat fish it’s actually less harmful to the ocean and its
creatures generally, to catch it rather than buy fish that has probably been
caught by unsustainable methods, with who knows what by-catch of other species
(reality is, very little commercial fishing is actually sustainable). So, as a
fish eater, given the opportunity to catch your own, it’s illogical not to. Ok
– it’s taken a little while to arrive at this point (progress perhaps?) NB The
ability to change one’s thinking on a subject surely is a sign that one’s brain
still works. Matey would like to believe this anyway.
The New year’s resolution will be upheld. (Notably,
the Captain of Little Faith was forced to retract his doubting words.)
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| Back at Airlie - Abel Point Marina |
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| View of Airlie |
