Coral Bay

!7/06 2011
Once again we were maybe a little too enthusiastic about the capabilities of our new all singing Gizmo. Ther was trauma n the camp last night as we tried to send photos ……. “computer says no” again but the fault may not all lie with the shiny thing. The phrase user error spring to mind, maybe a combination of tiredness and a little too much V B!
We took a drive around Carnarvon today looking at places too far to travel on foot. We visited another “longest jetty “in W A with a steam railway museum at the pier head, the exhibits being fit only for Long Marston scrap yard! (Photo’s some time) We didn’t bother walking the 1 mile jetty, opting for a nice drive to the very agricultural part of Carnarvon. Bananas, tomatoes, table grapes and citrus are grown round here but of course it’s winter so there is not a lot on show. The crops are protected under acres and acres of netting , protection from wind, dust and intense sun.
Shopped for essentials as we are moving again tomorrow.

18/06/2011
At last we have finally lurched over he Tropic of Capricorn and already there are signs that we are heading for warmer climes. We have seen our first large termite mounds , driven through our first locust swarm and seen several dead kangaroos, no live ones yet. It’s also a lot warmer, well at least 2 degrees more.
We have arrived in Coral Bay, about 40K’s north of the T of C, having started the day doing a bleary eyed skype to John and Vanessa, 7am here, followed by a 250K trip. Coral Bay is situated on the fringe of the Ningaloo Reef, a reef we dived on 2003. We went for a walk along the beach and watched shoals of big fish at the waters edge. This a very small seaside resort and 2 nights will probably be enough but we can always come back.

19/06/2011
Tough day today, had to ork really hard on the tan, in between snorkelling trips on the reef! This the closest point the reef gats to the shore, just a matter of 220 to 30 metresand you are swimming over pristine coral and loads of fish to try and identify ( we have forgotten such a lot) There is a dive shop here from here they run day trips and we would love to go but with all our gear back in the U K except our snorkel gear we may as well just stick to surface diving.
It’s nearly perfect weather now apart from overnight chill and a stiff breeze most mornings, A lovely 25C late morning and early afternoon, enough to turn us pink!
One odd thing about Bayview Coral Bay campsite is the tap water. It is from an artesian bore, some 830metres deep and come out hot, unsuitable for drinking and washing vehicles (who would want to do that??) Very hot to shower under.