Mackay, Australia

A post from the other side of the world – I’m back in Australia visiting Paul in Mackay for a week or so, and then a couple of weeks in Perth.

It’s been rather nice to get away from France’s heatwave too. Winter temperature here at the moment is low 20s. Parfait. Yesterday weather conditions were good – so we headed out in the boat to a spot where there was ‘definitely good fishing’. More than 160 kms in a very long day - the ‘spot’ was 80 odd kms off the coast.

And we did catch some fish – but most were on the small size, one or two would have been ok but they all went back in to live another day.

HOWEVER, there is a tale to tell. The absolute highlight of the day – and a little unexpected (although it is migration time) - was all the whales we saw! Unbelievable. We came across four lots – one group of 4 or 5, one group of 6 or 7 and two on their own. And they came so close it was a little unnerving .... You’d hear them spouting, turn around and they were on the other side or behind you.

And I actually saw once breach entirely out of the water, completely vertical, and then fall over sideways. Paul only saw the almighty splash after I’d yelled out. That happened all so suddenly, not a chance to get a snap of that one. What a special day.....