Late April, 2013
Our first week on Fraser Island, with our lovely camp spot near Eli Creek, was great. We swam in the freshwater lakes, ran down the massive sand-dunes, went fishing, beach and bush walking and tentatively swam in the treacherous but invigorating waves. But, the best of Fraser Island still awaited us up north.
But, we fared better than many. Ahead of us on one sandy rise was a car and boat trailer with a broken axle (not much holiday joy there). But, the one consolation was there was never any shortage of people willing to help and armed with snatch-straps and Maxtrax (bright orange plastic planks that you shove under your wheels when you're stuck). It was 4WD recovery heaven (for those who are into that sort of thing). I, for one, hate it and required substantial sauvignon blanc 4WD recovery when we finally made it to camp.
But, what a lovely camp it was. This quieter part of the coast north of Waddy Point at Ocean Lake was a great spot to fish and chill out.
We even had our own tidal swimming pool out the front, which took the stress out of swimming time - no rips or tiger sharks!
On `catch dinner' duty.
Now, speaking of dinner, I have to say cooking is a joy when the stainless steel kitchen is set up galley-style and the view is this good. A few fresh whiting help too.
The next great thing, was the arrival on Fraser Island of a fun family we first met in Point Plomer and have bumped into a few times since. Mel, Heddo and their fun-loving girls Ella and Mia spent a few days with us fishing, beer and wine tasting, sight-seeing and bitching about blokes who get their cars bogged (the women), and bitching about wives who abuse their husbands for getting bogged (the men). It was good therapy for all.
Paul and his new greatest love, his fishing rod holder on his bullbar.
Waddy Point and Anzac Day
Although small and remote, Waddy Point has a long tradition of observing Anzac Day. Paul, Riley and Heddo joined the throng of 4WDs making their way along the beach at 5am to attend the Dawn Service, drink rum and milk and play two-up. The girls made lovely flags with poppies and the words "We Will Remember Them".
It Was All Their Fault!! Anzac Day will probably be remembered in our family for all the wrong reasons. Leanne (who had not been drinking rum and milk) jumped to her feet when the country singer started playing the hokey pokey at 11am for all the kiddies. The kiddies, however, were all shy and embarassed for the first time in their lives, leaving their mother alone in front of 500 largely intoxicated blokes shaking various limbs and appendages ``all about''. Fortunately I was rescued by "Jimbo" (now a mate for life) who joined me for the crucial finale.
By midday, it was time to switch to that other Fraser Island tradition - fishing. But, a lengthy breakfast of beer and rum was going to catch up with Paul eventually.Man Down, Man Down!!
And while our fallen soldier recuperated, the kids continued to storm the beaches.
Riley obeying the signs as usual - this one advising not to go off alone as a dingo may eat you.
Now, once in a while, something terrible happens that shakes your marriage to the core. Forget infidelity or a pokies addiction - they pale in comparison to what Leanne did to Paul (apparently) on this fateful April night. You see, the fish were on the bite, but Leanne did not care. It was the kids' bedtime and they were not cooperating, so Paul was required to put down his fishing rod and help get the monsters off to bed.
Smiles all round but Paul really felt like crying. ``That was MY fish," he was frequently heard mumbling for weeks afterward.
But, anyway, life goes on! At Lake Wabby, we whoosed down a giant sand dune to plunge into the beautiful lake below.
A lovely freshwater bath was just what we all needed after a week of salt, sand and fish guts.
Bye guys, the Heddermans continue their year-long adventure - heading north - while the Rowdy Roadtrippers finally turn their heads toward home.
It was a sad farewell to Fraser Island, knowing it was the last major destination of our journey.
Bye Mr Dingo - thank you for not eating any of our children.Rowdy Moments
The Good: The kids having a ball driving on the beach - particularly Archie.
The Bad: Surviving all manner of sand hazards on Fraser Island only to get bogged on the mainland in the fading light at Inskip Point about 30 seconds after driving off the Ferry.
The Ugly: Hmm, well it's a toss up between Leanne's Hokey Pokey and Paul's fish that did NOT get away.
2 comments:
I have thoroughly enjoyed your narrative L, just lovely, with the pics and all...a terrific record of an amazing year.
You may already know by now but the fish you guys caught was not a GT but a far far more impressive and extremely rare catch. It was actually a snub nosed dart or Permit which people pay thousands to catch and traverse continents for!! VERY VERY sad indeed Paul!!!
Post a Comment