day 69 September 1 Thurs Agnes Water and 1770

An energetic morning spent kayaking around the waters surrounding 1770 and Agnes Water in the hope of seeing dolphins. 

 

Our host was Simon, looking every bit the part, who paddled around with us, Rowan sandwiched between Nicole and David and Tiegan paired up with Anton, (Simon's new side kick).

  

We paddled around Agnes Water, initially with the tide and then against it spotting a lot of birds! Sadly our only glimpse of dolphins was a pod of 3 about 50 metres away who teased us several times by popping up and then disappearing. 

Our first stop was a sand bar where we took a well earned break and waded up onto the beach for views of the two little towns we had just come from. The sea conditions were turning and it became clear that we could not paddle into the open ocean today. 

We contented ourselves with our next paddle to Butterfly Beach, across the tide this time - even harder work, especially with the extra person on board- complete with our crash helmets! This stopping point was for us to enjoy Simon's snacks! A tiny cove where just through the mangrove and trees thousands of butterflies gather. A quick shake of the tree by Simon and we were treated to beautiful fluttering above our heads. Snacks and drinks over with (fruit cake, crisps and pop) and a few quick photos later we start our paddle back to the jetty.

 

 As we hug the coast, still hoping to see a dolphin or two, we pass by Captain Cook's landing point in 1770. This is big news here and each year the landing is re enacted and celebrated by the town complete with replica sailing boats and full costumes. As we near the end the girls suddenly spot Sandy, Hazel, Rosie and Poppy on the beach waving and taking photos - they have moved campgrounds and are now parked almost on the beach!

 We are all relieved to get back and go to say our goodbyes before heading south again finally stopping for the night at Apple Tree Creek rest stop (another freebie site) and the girls' first experience of the phenomena of "the composting toilet"!  Whiffy WOO and screams from everyone "Don't LOOK DOWN!"

day 68 Aug 31 wed 1770 Agnes Water

David spends the early morning drying out the matress and the van generally while the kids all play together. We book up to take a surf board lesson only to be thwarted at the last minute as the minimum age turns out to be 8 - if only we had known we wouldnt have rushed into the little town!

Instead we head a little way round the bay to 1770 and enjoy a coffee and ice cream in the little cafe by the marina in the sunshine and then sit by the jetty and feed the fish.

  

We finish the day with a picnic lunch by the beach and a swim in the pool before enjoying a sausage sizzle back at the backpackers. Tonight we are sleeping in the van again.