Bigge Island 28 Aug

Anchored last night at Prudhoe Island at around 11pm – was asleep when the anchor came down and this time didn’t hear a thing above Stephen’s snoring.

I think I have made a massive omission in the story of the barramundi thus far. I am pretty sure that Sue was the first to catch a barra but I am not sure what day. However, I do remember that when she returned with not one, but two large barra to the boat there were lots of tears. Tim, Sue’s husband, had been a very keen fisherman and when Sue landed her first barra the second one followed straight away. We all agreed that Tim was trying to get in on the action and didn’t want to be left out. It was a very emotional day for Sue and we were all very happy for her. The other important fact was she now had bragging rights being the first to catch the elusive barramundi.

Up at 5.30 – stop laughing you lot – to a spectacular sunrise and glassy water and off trolling for fish. Now there had been a quiet shift in allegiances on this morning. We somehow found ourselves in Trippy’s boat, not Tim’s. I blame Adrian for this – no reason, just because I feel like it. We spent the whole trip feeling guilty and the fish punished us by not getting caught – well I did catch a coral trout but it was about six inches long and had the same luck as the cod, straight back into the drink.

We return to scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, bacon and toast. I can feel the fat gathering around my middle. Nathan, give me a break. I had retired to my ruuuum (an Adrian word for room) when there was a bit of a commotion with lots of noise and people running through the boat. Whales!! Three!! Two adults and a baby. Trippy cut the engines near where the whales were then they suddenly disappeared: they soon reappeared right next to the boat, had a bit of a play then off they went. Lord Snowden took photos but in all the excitement I had forgotten to get the video camera out, so no footage. Hopefully we will see some more.

Travelled onto Bigge Island for a swim. There are trails in the sand from turtles and a long slithering trail that indicates a croc has recently been here. We look at some rock art of the Wandjina man, the hunter gatherer. There is also an aboriginal burial site on this island and as a sign of respect we are asked not to take photos of this site. Clive also tells us tales of bad luck from people who have taken things from the island. I quickly put back the shells I had been gathering for Fynn. We had a nice swim in the crystal clear water which is quite warm but very salty, you can almost float without trying. The crew advised us not to go out beyond about waist deep because of the croc, even though the visibility is excellent. After a bit of sand surfing and a kick of the footy we mosey on back to the boat for lunch.

Noooooo, not more food. I quickly run to my room and hide like the coward that I am. I swear I will burst if I eat another thing. Spent a couple of hours reading/shleeping/whatever while we cruised to Cape Pond and off for more fishing.

I have Adrian’s lucky lee-oo-ah. I feel soooo privileged. We catch lots of little fish which mostly go back but it is really fun with lots of action. My lucky lee-oo-ah isn’t working so well but suddenly I get a big tug. I get very excited but then realize that Tim has pulled on my line. Little #xx#**, his mother would be very disappointed. Suzanne has a big catch, a Queenie. We are all very impressed, well almost. Tim says, “That’s bait fish and we have enough bait”, so back it goes. Poor Suzanne.

We watch the sun go down before returning to the boat. This is fast becoming my favourite part of the day. The sunsets are beautiful and then suddenly the sky is filled with stars, it is really hard to describe how magnificent it is.

I am really looking forward to dinner. I am finally hungry. Nathan has cooked baked barra with pea and fennel risotto. It was delicious. We have profiteroles for dessert and are quite bemused by the fact the crew keep hanging around asking if we have finished. Clearly they are hoping for leftovers. Hmmmm, something is afoot.

Apparently profiterole night means competition. Who can eat a profiterole the quickest without using their hands? Clive has the record, but Megan is spruiking that she thinks she can win. Dave and I decide why should the crew have all the fun, so we are in as well (the things I will do for an extra profiterole). The competition begins and is over in the blink of an eye. Clive is disqualified under the spew rule and Dave ends up winning and is awarded a gold medal. Clive objects but Sue has it on video and the spew disqualification is there for all to see, even in slow motion – unfortunately.

A very loud and raucous evening had by all.