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Barn Hill Station and 80 Mile Beach

4th September - 23rd September 2016

Barn Hill Station

Leisurely 140 klm drive south of Broome to this rustic Station Stay. Camped on the red ridge overlooking a stunning coastline. Planned on staying one week, ended up staying two! Long, lazy days on the beach under the brolly lying on my click-clack chair. Reading, swimming in the ocean and soaking in the rock pool. Dezzi fishing. Walked for klms everyday. Thai Chi every morning. And made great new friends Margo and Mike...and Staffy, Macey.


Home for two weeks.


Red, red ridge. The track down to the beach.


A couple of the locals.




Red Winged Parrot in our tree.




Oyster Catchers.

Dezzi got invited to go out fishing with Chris. Beauty! Unfortunately launching the boat on the beach didn't quite go to plan. The shore breakers were way too dumpy, and the boat got tossed over and swamped!


So far, so good.


Hanging onto the boat while Chris takes the car back up the beach.


First dump.


Impossible to control the boat.


It's a goner ! The boat actually flipped over and barely missed knocking Dez under. It was a bit scary.


Oh well! Bale out and pack up. No boat fishing today.


Off for my daily beach walk.


Plenty of time in this position.


Low tide rock pool....heaven.


High tide swimming in the ocean.




The daily schedule. Breaky, tidy up, pack beach bag, food and drinks. Fishing gear. Settle in for the day. Swimming, fishing, walking, with Mike, Margo and Macey.


Think Mike is dreaming of the fish he's going to catch!






Margo was first to land a beauty. A lovely Queen fish. She is a dead set fishaholic!


Dezzi was next up!


Just a bit chuffed.


Then another. On Dezziz line, brought in by Mike and Margo, so we shared credit for this Queenie.


Mike and Macey.


Oops. A bit tangled.

A few klms up the road is the Ramada Eco Resort. Time to dress up and "do lunch". 


A glass or two of Matso's Bishops Dark Ale. Don't ask two blokes to smile for the camera!!!!


And a bottle of bubbles for the girls. Excellent lunch, and not a bad view.





The Moët & Chandon story.  We were given this bottle of bubbles by our neighbours as a going away gift. We thought it deserved an occasion when we opened it. After deliberation it was decided that Dez "officially" becoming a Pensioner would fit the bill. Little did we realise that process would take five months. Mountains of paperwork,  a visit to every Centrelink between Birdsville and Broome. A process designed I'm sure to put people off applying! There were frustrations and tears.  Anyhoo...finally the approval came through. What a brilliant spot to crack the champers and celebrate!


Perfectly chilled and ready to pop.


Happy days.


One, two, three......


Yes please.


Cheers!


"Official photograph"


Macey trying to get in on the act!

Yep....I'm sure Mr Moët would have been well pleased in the setting! 

Of course, as we have come to expect, but never take for granted. Stunning sunsets.












Our beautiful rock pool.


Sunset drinks on the beach...love it!










And a full moon rising!
























My daily walk northwards to the point and back.














Watching dolphins in the waves.


Luckily this was the only bluebottle spotted!

My other walk south.


















Low tide reveals an amazing reef, and rock pools to explore!




The rocks are covered in sea grass that turtles feed on. 


Plenty of seashells.




Our new little crazy pal, Macey.






New friends make the journey so much better. Plenty of laughs.

We could easily have stayed here and stayed here, but there are more places to explore.......

80 Mile Beach

The prime purpose of our stay here is to get serious about fishing!  And mission accomplished.


Off we go!


Just Dezzi and a few of his close fishing buddies.




Shark alley here. No swimming for Bevy.


This guy was about 6ft and just cruising thigh deep in the shallows!


Waiting, waiting with new mate Grant.




And he's off..... Blue Thread Salmon.


Three nice ones first day.


The cheekiest seagulls. Never miss an opportunity for a snack. This guy trying to get in the bucket for the bait.


And then he got really serious! A beauty - Giant Thread Fin Salmon. Yeah baby!


Getting sorted for the photo shoot. Sadly I missed the catch.


Just a bit excited with this one. Also got a few more smaller ones.


Off to the filleting station.




Some in fillets and some to cook whole.


The beach here is littered with shells. Kept me occupied collecting.




When I wasn't on photo standby.








Four nights here and of course amazing sunsets - just a stroll from the van.






So now our freezer is full of nothing but fish and a packet of peas! 

Next stop Port Hedland.



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