Sun, 5th Apr, 2015 Mick & Anne’s beach house, Ansons Bay

15 degrees at 7am, that’s right Queensland time again. Cloudy but the rain has stopped. Mick said get our rods we are going fishing. Firstly we were going in his smaller open boat for bream in the Bay then we ended up at Sam’s and in the big boat and heading out to sea. Steve didn’t take a Kwell!!!

Headed out and the Bay was lovely and flat – a good sign.

Though the sky looked quite heavy.

Hung on as we headed out across the bar crossing. You have to go close to the marker then turn quickly.

All good, Sam’s a good boatman.

Looking back on the beaches and sand dunes of the Bay of Fires. Not so picturesque without the sunshine.

Lines of muttonbirds flew by. Amazing I got the photos as the swell was quite lumpy but the boat handles it well. Hope Steve can too. Saw a seal as we zoomed along but I didn’t get a photo.

Eddystone Lighthouse to the north of us.

A Wandering Albatross dropped in for a feed.

Fished by drifting. I got the first hookup – a little Cuda, but he jumped off the line before I got it in the boat – not that they keep them other than for bait. Sam got a small flathead but legal so into the live bait tank. Then Steve and I hooked up at the same time. I got the flathead and Steve got a small Cuda. He did get used for bait.

 Mine went into the tank – not the best photo of it but I caught a fish in Tasmania!!!

The boys decided the dark clouds were not good and we weren’t catching anything exciting so we headed back in over the bar again. Have to time it well and ride in on a wave. Took photos after we crossed and I let go of the handrails!!

Even though it is overcast lots of ‘crazy’ kids in the water and lots of boats on the water chasing bream.

There were a few of these kayak fisherman – this chap just caught a bream and it is jumping around in his net.

We pulled into the sand bank and tried to get some bream but they had all gone to eat their Easter eggs so we headed back home for some lunch.

After lunch we went for a walk to the sand dunes. We walked around the northern end of the bay to Shark Bay. Lots of Inchman ants here.

A couple of pelican preening themselves on the rocks.

Looking to the north into Shark Bay. Very still here.

We followed a road around and a bus load of kids came pass. They were heading for the dunes too so we tagged along. Came out to the end of Shark Bay.

Unfortunately we had to cross the end bit so off with the shoes and up with the jeans. Boy the water was cold.

Around the end of the bay, lots of sea grass washed up.

Through the tall trees – looked lovely.

Looking back to the house at the entrance to Shark Bay.

Then over the Bay to Ansons Bay beach houses.

Through another clearing the kids called ‘the fairy dell’ which is a round area in between these trees. Up and over the sand dunes.

Looks great.

Pass the Boobyalla bushes which are everywhere here and there is a station and street named after them.

On top of the dune we got a magnificent view even with the dark sky.

The kids and their dads had boogie boards but it was for sand surfing – not the water. Watched them for a while. Lots of squealing and laughter.

Heading down to the beach, looking north to the Eco Lodge perched on top of the green hill.

Left our shoes on top of the dune and headed for the water. I was even hot enough to take another shirt off.

There were heaps of shells but no interesting ones. Looks pretty on the sand though.

The dunes make great photos.

And the orange rocks.

Eddystone Lighthouse stands guard to the north. Mick said they only use the little light at the moment otherwise the muttonbirds crash into the glass of the big light when it is on.

Looking down over the bar crossing area.

It was lovely walking barefoot for a change and not freezing. Though the sea water was freezing. We have touched the water in the north, south, east and west of Tasmania.

Found a pretty colour shell to add to my collection.

Zoomed in on the little Sandpiper birds along the beach. Not much out here though.

Looking south,

Then north.

On the way back up the dunes I found an old battered scallop shell.

Different type of selfie – look it is our bare legs – haven’t seen them for ages!!!

As we headed back we watched the dads try and kill themselves on the boogie boards then the kids yelled ‘can we have a swim’ – they must be made. Lots of others heading up the dunes as we walk back. Back through the water again.

Dried our feet on the other side then headed back along the track to the van. Joined the others for happy hour then dinner around the firepit (a washing machine stainless steel inner tub).

The clouds have cleared and we enjoy a beautiful evening watching the moon come up. With the smoke in the air it looks like the blood moon of yesterday.

Even got the Southern Cross and Alpha and Betta. Love my amazing little camera.

13 degrees outside and 17 inside when we head back to the van at 10pm.