Today was up and out to the jetty to check sunrise. A bit late for the early orange colour.
Then breaky, pack up and park the car and van to park in the Esplanade ready for our Whale watching cruise with Rod and Mya’s EP Cruises. (Bruce the decky)
The cruise was unbelievable. We saw at least 13 pairs (mother and calf) and two loners. So many facts and such excitement to see so many whales so close and with the awesome backdrop of unnaturally blue waters, sand dunes and surf.
Called the Southern ‘right whale’ as it was the right whale to catch because of its meat and high oil content.
Rod was very knowledgeable about the Southern Right Whales and their behaviour and also about the history of Fowlers Bay. They have been running these cruises for 17 years. There is a chance 2026 will be the last season as the rules are changing.
The way the cruise ran was fab. Rod was commentating from go to woe was great at telling us about Mothers and calves. The bay is a crèche and nursery and feeding area for the calves. The mothers come to give birth and then feed the calves here. The milk is released into the water and is like balls of custard that sink, which of course the calves eat.
There were whiter calves and spotted calves. It was amazing and sooo many photos have been taken.
Lunch was ordered from the boat from a small van serving really good Fish & Chips called Whalers Rest.
The boys had been out playing on the sand dunes and Mary had texted them to order lunch and have it so they were ready to roll when we arrived back at one o’clock.
I really liked Fowlers Bay and can see why Dad came here fishing.
We said our farewells to Steve, Ann and Brian, they aim to get past Ceduna tonight.
We followed them out soon after. We had Richard in the lead, having done the best to charge his battery using his caravan charger overnight.
We left town about 2:15 with Richard in front and Sarah and crew in the convoy. Again we wait to see how far he can get.
We hit the quarantine station just outside Ceduna and Richard was waiting just up the road, with his motor running, so I led into Ceduna and out to Shelly Beach CP on recommendation from Mark at Fowlers Bay. Richard remained running and got the van to their site – he also asked the managers if they had a battery charger, they did and were happy to loan it. She also told Richard that Ceduna is the breakdown capital of Australia.
Our three unpowered sites are lined up below the dunes which you can climb and see the sea.
Mary and I put some washing on, we got some nibbles out and Phil and Stef had Phil’s van wheel off to sort those brakes. They found the magnetic solenoid was not attached to anything. Also the wires to it were severed. So the problem can’t be fixed here on the track.
The fellas went to see Richard who has simultaneously come to see them and invited them over for drinks and nibbles. They came over shortly later in the car with more nibbles and Jaxon had made another couple of types of rocky road – a worm marshmallow caramel, a crunchie worm, and another sort as well.
We lit the fire pit and ordered pizzas from the visiting Sunday night Pizza van.
Beautiful pizzas and a nice night sitting round the fire. Finished nicely with a tawny port.
We managed to burn all our wood under the full moon.
Then eventually we finished up with showers and went to bed. Very weary with a big day on the boat and the drive on top of a late night last night.
Must make comment on the amenities here. Really clean new eco toilets and the shower rooms were great. Roomy, clean, hooks and shelves and loo and basin with nice hot water too.
Travel adventures with Nicola & co. 