Crabbing

Crabbing on a wet Sunday in Ceduna


Saturday, Russell and I finally caught ourselves a feed of crabs. I was getting pretty tired of only ever catching one or two (hardly a feed) and threatened if we didn’t come away with a feed we were going for Chinese!

The local fish factories give away heads and carcasses for bait, so armed with a bucket of these, we headed for Denial Bay jetty. We pulled two in our first pot, and ended up with 8 lovely blue swimmers. The park provides a gas cooker to deal with them and a nice spot to eat them in the grape garden. The grape garden is a net covered area with grapes, figs, tomatoes etc growing and free to take.

When we were getting our bait, so was another couple, they also ended up out at Denial Bay, and it turned out were staying at the same park. We all cooked our crabs, then sat and ate together which was nice. We spread newspaper over the table, got out the salt, pepper and vinegar and demolished the lot.

There was an extended family of aboriginals down fishing when we were. They came away with a big bucket and bag of crabs and a couple of big bags of mixed fish. It was really nice to see them out there rather than lolling on the foreshore waiting for 4pm to roll round so they could buy their grog! And nice to chat to them about their days fishing.

Today, three couples had planned to go crabbing, but the wind was ferocious in the night and now it’s raining. So much for super hot, sunny Ceduna. I have to admit the rain is nice though.

Ceduna and its Substance Abuse Laws!

McKenzie ruins at Denial Bay outside Ceduna.

We dragged ourselves away from Streaky Bay and headed to Ceduna this morning. It was really quite sad leaving SB as we’ve both really enjoyed it and could have stayed another month I reckon. New neighbours-Colin and Maggie moved in beside us a few days ago, and they have been great. Colin is a retired tug boat captain and really was a good help to Russell with the boat and fishing info. They’ve been coming to Streaky for a few years and stay for 10 weeks when they do.

Devi had a bad last day. She must have eaten some off razor fish and spent a lot of time throwing them back up. Just when that had settled down, she got stung by a bee. She loves to catch flies and picked the wrong insect this time-the bee bit her inside her mouth, then again on her front foot as she swatted it our of her mouth. Lucky Maggie was there and had seen the same happen to a foxy a couple of years ago. They called a vet who said to give the dog 1/8th of a Panadol. We did the same for Devi and she stopped scratching and gnawing at herself.

The trip to Ceduna was awful with lots of wind and very slow caravans making their way here or on. The park we chose through a forum I read is wonderful though. It’s small and friendly and we have our own lovely en suite for a week. Apparently there are plenty of crabs right now, so we’ll try our luck once again. Tonight, we are going to a BBQ the park is putting on-we take our own everything, but they supply a cook so we can sit and talk to the other people here. It’ll be good, because the park is 55 acres with only 45 sites and we are quite spread out.

After we’d settled in today, we headed to the pub for a quick counter lunch. Who should be there but Maggie and Colin. They’d decided it was too windy to fish, so had come over to shop and fill the long range tanks with cheaper fuel! It was good to see them one more time. After we left them, we went to buy a cask of wine only to find we couldn’t buy it before 4pm! Then when we tried to buy two (it was a really good special) were only able to buy one. Apparently though, we could have gone back 10 or 15 minutes later, but who could be bothered!

Wedding Anniversary and Razor Fish

Russ and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary on March the 20th with another days fishing. We managed to catch ourselves a feed of fish, but had already bought ourselves a couple of lovely pieces of fresh flake and some king prawns, so another feed went in the freezer. I reckon a day spent fishing is much more relaxing than a day spent getting married.

We ate our flake with a chilli-garlic prawn sauce and washed it down with a NZ Sav Blanc which was all pretty good.

We do a lot of our fishing with razor fish which Russ and Devi go collect of a morning while the tide is low. Our neighbours were cooking them last night and offered me a taste. I’m a bit squeamish about shell fish, but thought I’d like to try them. Once I got over the idea of them being bait, I decided they were delicious. Russ went out and got our bag limit of them this morning and cleaned them up to take over to Blair, Leah and Todd. It seems you can do anything with them that you would use crab or scallops for and the Japanese take them for sashimi.

Today we went fishing again and caught a beautiful flounder and a huge whiting amongst other things. Russ was bringing in a big salmon (to be thrown back) when I saw what I thought must be a sea snake. It turned out to be the biggest whiting we have seen and Russ was clever enough to land it-it almost seems a shame it’s dinner tonight. Tonight we’re cheating and buying a few chips from the park kiosk –those, the fish and a salad will be great!

Week 3 in Streaky Bay

Murphy's Haystacks

Tomorrow begins week three at Streaky Bay. We should be leaving tomorrow, but re-booked for 1 more week. I have a friend from a recipe club I belong to Sarah, and her great uncle and aunt started out on a trip just like this, but only got to Dimboola where they remained for ever. I’m starting to worry that Streaky Bay might be our personal Dimboola.

It’s so easy here, with the boat anchored out front, the town so close and the park so quiet and friendly, lots of fish helps too. Yesterday, we filled a 15 litre bucket full of whiting, tommy ruff, flounder and flat heads which was lots of fun. You never know when you bring in your line what’s going to be on it-unlike the Hopkins River where you know it will be a bream! It’s the crabbing we have to master-it seems I’m too slow hauling the nets in.

We’ve had a day out sight seeing today, visiting Sceale Bay, Baird Bay, going to see the sea lions and finishing at Murpy’s Haystacks. I almost stepped on a snake at a lookout we stopped at which gave me a bit of a fright. It was a greeny, olivy copper colour. I might try and Google to see how near to death I was!!!! Yesterday, my near death experience came in the shower. I’d made chilli con carne with fresh chillies and forgot that as I started to soap myself. Ouch!!!! I was in so much agony, that I forgot again and wiped the water out of my eyes as well. It was about the worst 10 minutes I’ve spent for ages.

Streaky Bay-Russell's 60th

Russell’s 60th birthday went off well. Friday night, 20 of us went over to the local football club for dinner. Annie made the cake as promised. The club rooms were cool, the meal was cheap and cheerful like the drinks and a great time was had by all. The cake was a large round sponge, covered in cream grated flake and 6 candles. When Russ cut the cake, that’s exactly what it was-a sponge!!!! The whole dining room and kitchen just about wet themselves laughing when he tried to cut it! Now I realize why she was so keen to offer to make it when we’d only just met.

Friday afternoon, Russell and Doug went over to the Back Beach where Russell had a lot of fun catching 4 salmon-the largest about 2kg-with his new surf rod (bought with a gift voucher given to him by some of his students). They are all neatly cut up and over in the camp kitchen freezer waiting to be used as crab bait!

On his actual birthday, we went fishing for the afternoon, then out to dinner at the pub by ourselves, and came back for a few drinks at the BBQs with our friends. 3 vans left Saturday morning, so the numbers are gradually thinning, but I suppose we’ll met more people to take their places. Thanks to all of you who wrote or phoned on the day, he really appreciated it and had a great birthday-one I think he’ll remember for ever.

Tonight, 12 of us are having a casserole dinner, I’m making a curry. It’s really a lot of fun to plan and eat together. I think it’s been like school camp for adults staying here.

The wind blew up in the night-a bit of a dust storm, and then it rained. Russ was out at 5am helping Pat and Alf behind us to put their awning away. Another awing got ripped off, and I’m sure ours would have if Don over the way hadn’t shown us how to use our anti-flap bars and told us to put a couple of guy ropes on-it didn’t move an inch! It encouraged us to have a good clean up of the site and van this morning, so that feels good.

They have been shooting starlings in the park at dusk which freaks Devi out. Whilst we were at the club on Friday night, Helen from next door came and sat in here with her (we’d left the door unlocked as usual!) then last night, Don and Judith took her home while we were at the pub. I reckon as we travel people will remember her more than us!

Lamb's Fry and Crabs

It’s Wednesday 8th now and we’ve decided to stay on here in Streaky bay for another 10 days. That meant moving the van a couple of sites yesterday as the one we were on is booked early next week.

Don who lives opposite us now came and showed us how to put our anti-flap bars on the awning and sent Russell of to buy some guy ropes for it so it feels much more secure now. Putting up the bars means it’s now simple (but a bit time consuming) to put the annex up and putting the annex up will mean Devi can sleep out there rather than under the table here inside with us.

Lunch time yesterday, we were invited to the BBQ’s to share a big pile of crabs with everyone. They are all running out of fridge and freezer space, so the crab shad to go. Russ and I were only too happy to help! After lunch, Russ went and bought our won crabbing gear because they are everywhere out there and dead easy to catch.

I learned a new card game with a couple of the women, whilst Doug and Russell went fishing. It was a bit of a lean afternoon for them, only bringing back one whiting and 1 crab (they caught him on a line) we cooked the crab this morning.

We were to have an offal night last night, but that had to be changed to tonight as the butcher shop was closed Monday and we wanted fresh brains and lamb’s fry. I’m doing about 3 frys, bacon, onion and gravy, then I’ll eat sausages with the other 4 who don’t eat offal (probably plenty in the sausages anyway!!!!).

I love it here and wish we were staying longer, but now we know it, I’m sure we’ll always make time to stop in on the way past. It’s such a relaxing pretty place.

The SS Tinnow

The view from the fish cleaning table.

The SS Tinnow has been well and truly been christened, found seaworthy and able to catch fish from. Russell and Doug went out yesterday morning from the boat ramp and brought home a few whiting and tommy ruff, then brought the boat home.Later in the day, they walked it over the sand in front of the van and it's sitting waiting for high tide so we can go do it all again. Russ and Devi are out collecting razor fish for bait right now.

Day 3 and I decided this morning we should have corned beef for dinner a good idea as the corned beef was a reasonable price $7.09 but the cabbage I thought I wanted too was $7.25 !!!!! so none of that tonight.

Streaky Bay

Russ and I arrived in Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula yesterday about 3ish. The caravan park is the biggest we have stayed in so far-210 sites but all people our age (old) so really nice and quiet. Our neighbours all got over to say Hi pretty quicky. They are from Mildura behind us, Mandurah formerly Warrnambool, and Perth in front of us. The dog already has a fan club of ladies missing their own dogs.

I was worried there would be nothing at Streaky Bay, but the pub looks good, there is a seafood restaurant, and last night, we were able to easily get all the ingredients for a Thai green chicken curry. I especially like the bag of Fresh Asian herbs I bought that contained coriander, mint, basil, chives, garlic, ginger and a head (?) of baby bok choy. Ive never seen the mix before, but it was great and unexpected in a place so far out of Adelaide!

To all of you who've been asking, the dog had her stitches out Thursday. leg is still quite swollen, there is new skin growing in patches which looks quite tender and we don't think she'll ever be 100% again, but she'll be OK. It doesn't stop her chasing her ball, and she's loving a swim in the sea which is less than 30 metres from the front of the van.

Port Augusta

Sunrise over the Flinders ranges from the caravan park

It's 8.30pm here in Port Augusta and still almost 32c degrees . Russ and I are just back from a swim in the park pool which was wonderful. The heat has taken us by suprise (it was about 38 when we arrived here at 2.30pm.

We have an ensuite site for the next couple of days so no treks to the amenities block for me through the night. The downside of this site is it's new and there are no trees for shade and we are on stones rather than grass-something we better get used to!! Our poor air conditioner has had to work hard to cool the van, the cupboards are STILL hot inside.

On the way here we stopped in Clare to do some shopping so we could just set up then relax when we arrived here. While I was changing the sheets, I discovered I only brought one pillow case with the other set of linen I brought along. So, it was off to the shops for us. Russ was just about to park under a shopping centre when I remembered we had the boat on top. The boat and car are 2.8 metres, the shopping centre's carpark roof was 2 metres. We had to back out and park in the hot sun!