Beautiful sunrise today with the red cliffs. The falls are still running a bit, just to the left of these cliffs.
A few noisy tourists boats came up the river this morning but they didn't do the walk. Too old.
We walked to the pools above the falls this morning. A long steep climb to the escarpment but worth it. A cold swim in the fresh water above the falls where the crocs can't get you.
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Another rough sail on sloppy seas to reach Koolama Bay, the entrance to the impressive King George Sound. The beach at the entrance to Koolama Bay has turtle nests with remnants of dried shells and tracks across the sand.
During a long walk on the beach we watched a pair of ospreys hunting, several red-capped plovers scurrying, a sooty oystercatcher and a pair of pied oystercatchers. While waiting to cross the bar into KGS a cruise ship was coming out so we were able to capture his track on AIS (Automatic Identification System) and follow it in, while still dodging all the sandbars.
Twin Falls, the tallest in WA, were both still flowing at the end of the gorge. The walking track to the top of the falls involves a steep scramble over boulders and loose rocks, straight up the escarpment. At the top it was mostly flat walking through spinifex and grasses between the rocks. Acacias and calytrix (turkey bush) are flowering. More rock-hopping across to the second waterfall and a pair of white-quilled rock-pigeons casually strode past.
We climbed to the top of the amphitheatre for a swim and a look around. We could see crocs in the water about 70 metres below.
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A very nice drone pic from our friends on Exhale.
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We had a rough morning yesterday to start our crossing to the Berkeley River, but the wind calmed during the day for beautiful night sail. Looking forward to a good sleep, but we have to anchor outside and wait for the tide to go in.
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Many old grey buildings in the city have been transformed by amazing street art. We joined our friends Ken and Sue for the tour ...
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| brolgas dancing on car roofs |
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| the lovely Gouldian Finches |
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| the electricity meter box becomes a work van |
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| afternoon shade from buildings detracted from this wonderful portrait |
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| Larry's favourite! |
Coburg Peninsular Cultural Centre was open so we all went to stretch our legs after several days of straight sailing. The wetlands walk was lovely and shady with plenty of birds calling.
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| an amazing tale of survival |
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| wetlands walk |
It’s a long, long way to Darwin by boat and the weird tides and currents around all the islands made it quite challenging. Alcaro Bay was a beautiful anchorage and we departed at 4 am to catch the current through the next channel between reefs, shoals and islands. With a reefed main and full genoa, as we turned south the wind blew up so we reefed the genoa too. Gusts continued up to 33 knots and the sea was rough, all we could do was hang on!
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| Awash!! |
Waves from the port side crashed across the cockpit, over the roof and only the helm seat was saved.
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| Duet in Croker Channel |
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
A harbour,
even if it is a little harbour, is a good thing, since adventurers come into it
as well as go out, and the life in it grows strong, because it takes something
from the world, and has something to give in return.
Sarah Orne Jewett, poet and novelist (3 Sep 1849-1909)
In December 2016 our adventures on Heatwave began. This catamaran suited us well with plenty of space inside, a comfy cabin for visitors a...
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