Coral Bay to Exmouth

Up early again (what’s happened to us??) and off North again to Coral Bay for our first snorkel.

We stopped on the way at a petrol station for coffee and David checked out the rusting steam engines while I admired a bush full of white cockatoos. We also spotted 2 Australian bustards – great big things near the road – this photo is from internet but they looked just as haughty.

We got our fins etc from the helpful and friendly snorkel company man on the beach (have I said how friendly and helpful everyone is here?) and walked down the pristine white sands next to turquoise water and got ready. The water is cooler than the Med but pleasant enough. I wore shorts and a rash vest as I am paranoid about sunburn!

The coral was enormous with curling forms several meters across and huge branching forms ending in purple or blue tips. I don’t know if it was suffering from bleaching or not but it was very beautiful. There were lots of fish: parrot fish, Susans, prisoner fish etc and ones that looked like they’d been designed by a ‘70s wallpaper artist.

We drifted down with the current til we were a bit chilly. After our picnic lunch we headed North again to Exmouth. (Pronounced Ex- mouth).

The Northern bush was sparser, although still some tiny flowers, and we were surrounded by termite mounds.

We did the boring stuff: checked in, picked up the bags for the kayaking -Hal remembers my good friend Elizabeth Potter – and said it was a long time ago and remembered she’s a good swimmer! I’ve got 2 days to find out what else he remembers 😁

I’m paranoid about the heat (30 degrees) and no shade for 2 days – they give us long sleeve tops & hats & I’ve just bought some long swimming leggings from the hotel!

We swam in the pool – lovely!

We miss all our friends and family and wish you were all enjoying our adventures with us!

There may be a delay before the next blog as we are going kayaking for 2 days off-line!!