Wednesday 7 June 2000

Hit the coast to see the Mildura wreck – very very windy (weather, not Fred) and not much of wreck left (used for bombing practise in WWII).  Also visited Vlamingh Head Lighthouse (disused and dilapidated) but great views. 

Visited bird hide in National Park, but Fred was childish and didn’t want to.  He made so much noise that everything living was scared away, except the Mangrove trees and they were so scared, they remained rooted to the spot!  Investigated a couple of bays and campsites.  Visited Visitors Centre and obtained snorkelling information, saw piccies of campsites.  Chose Lakeside for location near good snorkelling. 

Fortunately, the reef and fact that we are on the west side of the Peninsula shelters us from the choppy seas and wind.  Had a good snorkle, despite coolish weather and cold sea.  Saw heaps of different types of fish, including 2 huge sting rays.  Coral condition pretty variable, some superb patches but a great deal of the stuff close into the shore is dead and covered with algae.  Hope to go in again tomorrow morning. 

Camped with a very friendly bunch of people (mostly pensioners) all of whom are into fishing and have been comeing here for yonks.  We had a beer and a bit of a social together in the evening.  After dinner, while sat in Landie playing with HF radio, caught a guy trying to contact Alice Springs Base, unsuccessfully.  Spoke to him and managed to relay his message that he was out of fuel 40km from Alice and needed a message through to Yvonne.  We managed to raise one of the 4wd radio network bases for him and got the message through.  Fred’s good deed for the day.