Mon, 6th Aug, 2018 Bush camp, Somerset ruins to Seisia Campground, Seisia, Qld (exploring)

Overcast again with a fresh cool breeze. Lots of birds chirping.

Packed up camp – we need some sunshine for our batteries. Steve found this tasty morsel for Malcolm – he was tempted!!

Drove up the track to where the building ruins were. John and Sana’s son, Frank, took over the role of government agent in his father’s place. There was a lot of conflict with the Aborigines and the outpost was unsuccessful. In 1877 the Government residency was moved to Thursday Island. Frank purchased Somerset and lived here with his wife, Sana, carrying out his interests in cattle and pearling until his death. One of their daughter’s Alice married Captain Herbert Vidgen and they had a son, Major Herbert Somerset Vidgen, whose memorial is here.

Nearby were more graves. These are of Aborigines who were removed and sent to Germany.

Lots of flowers and small mangoes on the trees.

Headed back to the Croc Tent to check out the ruins of Lockerbie Station nearby.

Back to Bamaga to pick up some seasickness tablets for Steve and Kerry though the weather should be ok tomorrow. Carried on to Seisia (pronounced Say-Sea-A) – name is the first letters of the original islanders who settled here; Sagaukaz, Elu, Isua, Sunai, Ibuai, Aken. They were a family of Saibai Islanders (a large island just below PNG) who moved here in 1948 after WW2. Into the campground where we were given a nice spot on the beach front. Time for a cuppa in the shade enjoying the view across to Red Island.

Someone commented about a log on the beach on the island so I got out the scope that Daniel gave us to check it out. Took a photo of Steve using it to show Daniel we have used it. The log was a crocodile so everyone had a look.

I walked down to the beach for a full view photo.

We all did our washing as the sun is lovely and warm now (28degrees) and there is a good breeze. The lady next to us said to put all fruit and vegies away as the horses roam through the camp and help themselves to food. Apparently they are all owned by the ‘locals’. New Mapoon, the community between here and Bamaga is for Aboriginals while Seisia is for Torres Strait Islanders. I went looking for some of the horses but they had gone. Out the front of the campground is an information shelter with old and new boards.

Back along the beach to our camp. Mr Croc has walked back into the water.

Lazy afternoon which was very nice. After a cuppa we went for a walk along the beach to the jetty.

Found Mr Croc sunning himself further along the island’s beach.

Thousands of sardines around the pylons. When we first came up in 1986 we tried fishing from here. The jetty was covered in lots of dead sardines which we thought was great so we used some for bait. After a while of no bites and watching the locals we realised you need them fresh and a bit alive. They were using jigs so we bought one and caught some bait. Can’t remember if we actually caught any fish. Then a chap came down with his cast net and he was everyone’s best friend as he had heaps of bait.

We chatted with a young chap with his arm in a sling. He just had his first game with Innisfail’s Leprechaun’s footy team against Cairns’ Roos but unfortunately the break has put him on the bench for a while so he came home for a rest. His family lives at Injinoo. Looking south west to Bald Hill.

Back to camp for a drink then Steve got his cast net and we collected our rods and headed back to the jetty to try our luck. Steve got some sardines so we baited up. He was very popular with the locals after giving out some extra sardines. Some of the locals were chatty and the kids quickly became Steve’s friend when he picked up the cast net again. Margaret and I did the fishing while Bob helped Steve and Malcolm and Kerry were taking photos. A chap who Steve gave bait too hooked a small queen fish but he didn’t want it so we accepted it happily. I then hooked one then I got another.

Margaret got a big toad fish then hooked one and just as it got to the surface a huge Groper came up and helped himself. We all saw the huge brown shape and then the big swirl as it disappeared under the jetty again breaking her line. Unfortunately she didn’t get another fish after that.

I got another queenie then a few little Darts which we gave to the locals. Another small one as the sun started to set then we headed back to camp. A small mackerel zoomed through the sardines as we walked back off the jetty. Lovely sunset colours.

The boys filleted the fish and I organised the potato and sweet-potato chips  while Margaret prepared her batter so we all had a great feed of fish and chips.

Lovely temperature to relax for the evening.