The guys were up predawn having brekkie and the drove out to Honeymoon Bay to go fishing with Les one of the local indigenous charter boat owners. In the car on the way there they prayed for their day fishing – not only to be successful fishing but also for an opportunity to be fishers of men and share their faith with someone…

Back at camp we had a slower start to the day and after breakfast went for a long walk up the northern end of McGowans and around the point.

The day was hot and fairly still – not much wind as we walked over shelly beaches, rocks of varying colours and sizes and through the mangroves.

The place is wildly beautiful with copious amounts of driftwood beached by sun and salt water lying around, red- striated rocks with hues of pink and grey…dark rocks at the water’s edge with huge oysters able to be eaten (max 3 per person per day allowed according to Matt) all against an ocean of greens and azures and the sky a vivid blue…

We paddled in rock pools to keep cool and chatted to other tourists also enjoying the rock walk.

As the tide was coming back in we walked back so we could get around the mangrove area easily and got back to camp.. The guys were not back yet so we all relaxed in the heat of the day under the large mango tree with a cool drink and then lunch.

Rosie had been feeding the resident chooks and one had taken a shine to the underneath of Trev’s Ranger – we were hoping for fresh eggs but no such luck!

It was about 130 when Trev, Gordie and Glen arrived back and we had just enough time to hear about their trip before we had to leave at 2PM to get to Honeymoon Bay for our tour.

Glen and Gordie had fish envy as Trev caught the largest fish about 5 mins into the day – a 72cm trevally!! Glen had success catching 4 sharks and Gordie caught a red emperor and 2 sharks. Trev also caught 3 sharks – the place must be teeming with sharks!!

The guys had a great chat with Les the charter boat owner while they were relaxing after the trip eating icecream with he and his wife Joy. He had lived in Kalumburu since he was 4 being brought up by his grandparents at the mission there. It proved a great opportunity to share the gospel with them and discuss the differences with their cultural beliefs. Gordie promised to send them a couple of books with Kerry this afternoon when we went on the sightseeing tour which we remembered to do and they were very thankful.

The four girls and Dave arrived in Honeymoon Bay and were greeted by Les who promptly took us down to the beach and onto his boat. The Honeymoon Bay campsite itself was not as green as McGowans but they did have hot water provided by 2 donkeys and toilet paper!!

Honeymoon Bay was a large circular beach area again with clear blue water.

We took off in the boat and were grateful for the cool breeze that came with the boat ride – even though we had to hang onto our hats!!

Les navigated the boat out and across to an area called the Lost City – amazing rock structures of sedimentary rock layers all eroding away looking somewhat like old buildings in pillar-like formations.

Les explained that there were plenty of sharks, crocodiles, dugong, mudcrab, turtle and fish as well as kangaroos and wallabies that his grandfather had taught him how to catch and eat…

We stopped at a small beach area in the Lost City and walked around looking for wild life. We saw the imprint of a large croc that had been sunning itself on the beach but no croc in sight…

A large bull shark swam lazily by the edge of the rocks and we enjoyed looking around and taking lots of pics.

Les took us further along the coast then across to the other side of the bay towards McGowans…and back to Honeymoon Bay after a great 2 hours on the water. Les recommended his grandmother’s rosella jam to us – homemade by his wife so we each bought a small jar – great for damper!

Back at camp the guys had been tinkering with fuel cans, checking over cars, cleaned and tidied…and had a swim in the rockpools.

After happy hour watching an amazing sunset we cooked the fish and shared it with Jordan and Mel who came over for dinner after putting the kids to bed.

The successful day out on the water must have motivated the guys as for the first time Dave, Glen and Gordie got stuck into the washing up….or was it just a smooth move to impress our guests??  Either way we were thankful for being able to sit back , relax and enjoy the experience!