The wind has shifted and is now blowing at 20+ knots from the southeast, cold wind from the southern ocean. The sun is out but it’s having a hard time competing with the breeze. Looks like today will be red cap only and no speedo (which is a reference to the movie Life Aquatic, if that went right over your head). We are hoping for more whales to come through soon. It is still early yet, and the peak of the migration probably won’t happen for another couple of weeks. It can get pretty dull up on the tower, which has now been named Mt. Olympus. We go for hours without seeing a single humpback, and instead count the boats. Yesterday we had our first jet ski!. A dugong was sighted by one of the surfers at Frenchman’s Beach (a strictly salt water manatee), right below Mt. Olympus, but we didn’t see it. To kill the time we often break out into song, “and it seems to me, you’ve spent your life like a candle in the wind....BLOW 86 degrees...2 reticules”. A few of us went out to the pub the night before last, and spent all of yesterday recovering (luckily we only had 13 whales yesterday). I’ve discovered that Vegemite is a much better hangover cure then Papa Chevo’s burritos. There was a cover solo guitar player singing classics like Hotel California, Closing Time, and We Come from the Land Down Under. Our favourite was Creep by Radio Head, which we all sang quite loudly (better then the dude playing I thought). On our walk back I heard the large fruit bats (their echolocation sounded like someone clicking in my ear), an electrical storm to the south (which apparently no one else saw, it may have been the lighthouse), and I was mauled by a gang of mosquitoes (they find me wherever I go). There is a rather awkward but very entertaining video of us dancing; it may or may not end up on Youtube one of these days.
Today, I search for some marsupials. I can see roo shit all over the grass in town, but have yet to see the roo. I’m told some Wallabies are often seen grazing in the park at the end of town at sunrise. To late today but one of these mornings it’ll happen. This wind may close down operations up on Mt. Olympus, allowing me more time to hunt for the elusive pouched mammals. If not, I sure hope we see some action today. 2 hours with no whales can drive a man crazy; especially when you’re at earshot height with all of the crows, noisy friarbirds, and rainbow lorikeets. CAAAAWW CAAWWWW CAWWWWW.
This is Andrew and Brooke. We have loved reading all your posts! It sounds like you are having an awesome time there! We miss you. Are there any girls? That last sentence was written by Andrew. Did that guy play a cover of that song we heard in Carmel, Sat tur day. Sat tur day. Sat tur day? You know the one.
ReplyDeleteLove you Skipper!
Andrew and Brooke
Hey friend,
ReplyDeleteI need some info about Reef. Is it cool if I spend the night at an 'alternative' household and leave Reef home alone for the night? I don't want it to be a regular thing, but the option of not being home once or twice sounds nice.
Also - just generally speaking - what's he like? I can't tell if he's depressed because you're gone, or if this is his usual attitude. We had a great day today of hiking around Nisene Marks and he seems tuckered out. I'm most concerned about making sure he's having a good time while you're gone. I'm not too familiar with his routine, so the more information you can give, the better. (i.e If you didn't take him out on the boat...what does he do all day? Stay in the house?)
Thanks Mike!
Glad to hear you're still having fun (no surprise there) =)
-RO
This blog thingy is awesome, i just checked it out last night, wish i was following it before, i have thoroughly enjoyed reading all your posts... ive been watching the facebook site for info, it doesnt have much. Im glad you are enjoying yourself so much! i am insanely jealous.. i went snorkeling in my pool... no life could be found other than some common strain of mold from the high temperature and low chlorine... at one point there was a white pitbull and a brown mutt, but they didnt hang out for too long. Keep on keepin' on, lol. peace
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I hope you get a snapshot of the elusive Roo and a day of rest and picture-taking. Be safe!
ReplyDeleteSeeing a dugong would be super amazing. Lorikeets can be super loud, we had them at the zoo I used to work at and they would get on your shoulder and screech right in the ear, silly birds.
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