We had in our minds that we’d wake up nice and early in Streaky Bay, have our morning coffee, I’d have my muesli and Tom would have his toast with Vegemite and Honey (yes, together). We would then be off, ready for a fresh, early start to the long road ahead.
It couldn’t have worked out any differently. What can I say? It’s extremely difficult to get your butt into gear when you’re in a town as peaceful and serene as Streaky Bay.
A Chai Latte amongst civilised people in the cute little bakery across the road from the bay was calling my name. Somehow, having 3 weeks off from blogging everyday saw me five blog posts behind and I dreaded the thought of having to rush through it all just to catch up. So, while I nestled in to the warmth and comfort of the town bakery, Tom set about repeating his very successful squiding efforts from the day before.
The next time I saw Tom, about 4 ½ blog posts later, we met back up at the Troopie. He was soaking wet and was quite uneasy on the nose. I never thought that horrible fishy stench would make me so excited after all... Smelly Tom = Seafood for dinner!!
I asked him what on earth happened to him and why he was so wet. Now, before I tell you what exactly happened, I should firstly point out that the world’s largest Great White Shark caught on rod and reel was actually caught in Streaky Bay in 1990. After a 5 and a quarter hour struggle, the local fisherman finally reeled in his 1520kg catch.
So, as you can imagine, unless you suffer from suicidal tendencies, swimming in the bay does not really write the recipe for the longest, happiest and healthiest life.
N.B. I (thankfully) did not take this photo of this GWS. It was however taken in Streaky Bay in 2008. See - http://www.fearbeneath.com/2008/11/sixteen-foot-great-white-shark-spotted-at-streaky-bay/
N.B. I (thankfully) did not take this photo of this GWS. It was however taken in Streaky Bay in 2008. See - http://www.fearbeneath.com/2008/11/sixteen-foot-great-white-shark-spotted-at-streaky-bay/
As Tom was reeling in squid #2, a gust of wind caught his Akubra and it went flying off into the dreaded bay of sharks. Toms initial reaction? Why, to fling his thongs off of his feet and throw his shirt to the floor of the jetty, of course! At this point, one must begin to weigh up his priorities – to risk death at the jaws of a 6 metre shark or to stand and wave farewell to his favourite goes-with-him-everywhere-can’t-live-without hat. He dropped his shoulders in disappointment as he evaluated his surroundings and realised that why retrieving the hat was a hard enough task in itself, swimming the 100metre length of the jetty back to the shore and making it there with all limbs still intact was a challenge in itself.
As he put his shirt back on and once again protected his feet with the 50mm of rubber, he began trying to cast his rod out to hook his hat as it was quickly being swept away with the current but, to no prevail. Tom said his goodbyes to the hat he once loved as he watched as it floated and floated further away. As he continued fishing, he stood and kept watching his hat disappearing away in the bay, only it was still floating! And, it was heading towards the shore.
After skyrocketing himself to the base of the jetty and trespassing through some million dollar surfers shacks, Tom catapulted himself off a private boat ramp and dove further for his hat than the English cricket team could ever dive for a ball. After plonking his soaking wet hat firmly back on his head, he turned around to be applauded by the group of elderly people enjoying their afternoon tea by the bay. In the words of Thomas E Simpson – “Great Success!”
Living on the road like we are, you really learn to appreciate those finer things in life that you hold so dearly. To Tom, on this day it was his hat. And now, as with most trusty Akubras, this one just has another story to tell.
After skyrocketing himself to the base of the jetty and trespassing through some million dollar surfers shacks, Tom catapulted himself off a private boat ramp and dove further for his hat than the English cricket team could ever dive for a ball. After plonking his soaking wet hat firmly back on his head, he turned around to be applauded by the group of elderly people enjoying their afternoon tea by the bay. In the words of Thomas E Simpson – “Great Success!”
Living on the road like we are, you really learn to appreciate those finer things in life that you hold so dearly. To Tom, on this day it was his hat. And now, as with most trusty Akubras, this one just has another story to tell.
Sometime late that afternoon, after Tom cleaned and filleted our dinner, we said our goodbyes to our favourite town, Streaky Bay. We knew it would be a long night's drive trying to make up the hours passed but, we finally got there in the end.
Site : Nundroo East Rest Area
Rating : 6 / 20
Facilities : Quite close to the road but there were a lot of trees surrounding us so it was a lot more private that some other rest areas.
Rating : 6 / 20
Facilities : Quite close to the road but there were a lot of trees surrounding us so it was a lot more private that some other rest areas.
1 comment:
Hmm, you could have embellished a bit. Tom fighting with a shark for possession of his hat.
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