King Ash Bay
4-9/8/20
Well guy’s, here I am still at KAB. It’s been 4 whole days and to tell you the truth, I haven't got much for you. I took about 4 photos when I first got here and there is nothing else to take. You really need a boat here, as for fishing off the bank, I haven't been able to get rid of my bait. But I’m sure I’ll be able to come up with something to tell you…
When I arrived here I was really tired and knew I needed a break, just stop and rest so I paid to stay for the week. Actually I requested 4 days but she said it was only an extra $7 for the week.
This camp belongs to the King Ash Bay Fishing Club and it’s really big. It sits on the McCarthur River that flows into the gulf about 35k’s where the Sir Edward Pellew Islands are. It is around 20k’s of dirt road to get here from the main road.
The River at the camp is about 250mts wide and infested with crocks. What a lot of crock that is, I’ve only seen one and that was across the other side. But apparently it's not advisable to go swimming here.
I’m camped next to some great (now) friends, Frog and Genni Brown, their from Adelaide, and we get together a lot and help each other out. You really need to be a fisherman and have a boat here. I enjoy fishing but I haven’t got a boat. Frog has a little tinny but can’t take me out, he has to carry so much gear with him due to the distances he goes (about 30K’s there and back) and the isolation, not to mention the many dangers.
The big crock in the above photo was sent to Frog who it sent to me. Apparently, yesterday a couple of guys were fishing up a little creek merrily casting lures, when one of them suddenly turned to see that right next to them on the bank. They nearly fell out of the boat with fright and trying to get away (you will notice a big brown stain in the water). That photo was obviously taken after the escape, so you could imagine how close they were.
My Dad used to always tell me when I was little, ”Son if you ever get into a situation like that, throw manure at them”. Me, “Where would I get the manure from?” Dad, “Don’t worry about that Son, there will be plenty around”.
And there is the Groper Bar (apparently named after the huge blue groper that swims about in the shallows that I actually seen (about 5ft long).
It’ s hot here during the day (around 32*) but the evenings are really perfect, so it's nice to be at the bar as everyone is so friendly. All the woman get all dressed up and the men??? well whatever they were fishing in I suppose.
Other than that (besides fishing) there is bugger all to do but sit and relax, which I needed, but not good at.
I have been doing a lot of maintenance on the van. It has developed a squeak in the suspension and I pulled it all apart bar the swing arms and it is still there. At least I eliminated the problem and now know what I have to do to fix it. But it will have to wait until I’m in Darwin as I’ll need a wheel alignment when I carry out that repair.
It just happens that they also have a 9 hole golf course here too. Yes, of course I played, had a couple of games. It's a bit rough but only I would find any course attractive and take photos to show you (much to your delight).
I booked a spot on a charter boat. Really looking forward to that as he takes you out to the Islands. Well what a boo boo I made of that…
I was all set to leave home at 7:00am in the morning and drive to his house…. Hang on lets start a few days ago.
I asked at the office about the charter and a young girl gave me a brochure and said to ring the number, I didn't have any reception on my phone so I asked for directions so I could go and talk to them in person. She said sure Just go out to the main road, turn left and they are about 4k’s down the road, can’t miss it, it’s the first house you'll see. She even pointed in the general direction.
I didn’t go down as Genni let me ring on her phone and I spoke to Greg the skipper and booked for Saturday. At the end of the conversation I explained the direction I was given to confirm. He said; “Yea mate, just go along till you see a big red bus, that’s us”. Great! All set.
Next morning I left early and drove out to the main road, but I forgot how far that was, I was thinking about 1-3k, but it was around 20..no worries.
Got to the main road turned left, after about 25k’s decided, this is wrong, it must have been right at the main road, not left. (Starting to get a bit late at this stage). Got back to the turn off and drove about 20’k past, still no bloody red bus. I turned for home and knew I was now too late, so I slowed down and casually drove back to camp and realised that the house must have been 4k’s along the dirt track from the camp, It was foggy when I left and I couldn’t see through the windshield too good so I must have drove right past it, silly me, of course.
Got back all the way to the camp, still no bloody bus. (I’m sure I heard that GPS man chuckle a couple of times).
I rang them up and they said they waited for me but just left. After discussing it apparently the road goes right through the camp and out the other side, that I didn’t know. I definitely wouldn’t call it a ‘main’ road, just a rough dirt track, going completely in the opposite direction I was told to go. Marg (Co Owner/Wife said; “that’s funny, someone else did the same a couple of weeks ago”. (Oh, I wonder how that happened)
No worries, they are going to take me out on Monday. Well at least I had something to tell you anyway.
Comes Monday morning, goes down to the red bus (easy) and Greg my old mate hands me my refund and said; "no one else going out today, sorry about that". Oh well such is life. I was kind of prepared for that and maybe that's why I didn't hit him over the bloody head with the 4 iron I had in my hand.
Greg and Marg were a nice couple and we sat at their kitchen table drinking tea and chatting. Their house was amazing and I asked if it was OK to take some photos. The fire place was a work of art and Marg made sure I showed off her plants (God love her).Check them out in the following photos, and the great boat I went fishing in, NOT! They have lived there for 25 years.
When I first arrived here I was waiting for a bloke to vacate his spot and got chatting with him. He said; (with a funny smirk on his face) “don’t forget to feed my bird”. There standing right next to us was this flamingo looking thing (sorry not sure of type) standing there. I kept watching it as we spoke as it looked so real but was obviously a dummy. After about half an hour and backing my van in and nearly hitting it, I was walking past and it casually walked away. (who’s the dummy now). When I told Jenny about it she said she thought the same. Never moved. It hung around all week doing his Marcel Marco impersonations. Naturally I called him Marcel.
When I returned from the doomed fishing trip I packed up and headed off. It was so good to feel the van behind again.
It was a great spot, but as I said, you definitely need a boat.
The lovely people I meet were so nice, I’m sure they felt the same about me????
Daly Waters
10/08/2020
I drove some 400k's to Daly Waters Pub. What a great place that was. I took more photos here in one evening than the whole week at King Ash Bay. There was a junk yard (museum a better description) right across the road from the pub as you'll see in the photos. Only small inside but so much to see. Anyway I'll let the photos tell the story. It was Monday night and the place was packed. There was live music and they were great.
There was a live music act (apparently every night), they looked pretty ordinary but ended up great. She was quiet funny and sang John Denver’s Country Roads, Only substituting West Virginia for Wet Vagina. (Mum! What’s that mean)
Oh, that reminds me of another story.
Many years ago when I was a young’n my teacher asked the class for any suggestions for a class play. Pick me! Pick me!
Teacher; “yes little Johnny”.
Me; “I could sing, my Dad taught me a great song”.
Teacher; “OK come on up and sing it to the class”.
Me; (in my best Johnny Cash voice)”I keep closed watch on this heart of mine, I keep my eyes wide open all the time, I keep my pants tied up with a piece of twine, because your mine, please pull the twine”.
All the kids just just had dumb looks on their faces. But I could sense the teacher new good talent, so much so she invited me to sing in front of ALL the teachers in the staff room. (this is my big moment) When I finished there was a lot of cheering and laughter, I knew I nailed it.
When I got home from School.
Mum; “Son, come in here NOW!”
She was cool and didn’t flog me, but gently said that the song was not very appropriate for little boys.(I’m sure she would have been laughing under her breath, God love her)
But I think the Old Man might have copped a flogging when he got home. True story.
Dad was a good singer and did most of his singing around the farm. As a matter of fact my Brother told his teacher that when he grows up, all he want’s to do is ride around on a horse all day singing North To Alaska. What hope did we have.
You’ll notice in the photos of my old mate the patrol man getting about in his ‘modified’ scooter. He lives across the road from the pub and constantly goes around checking to see everything is as it should be.
Next morning I headed out and came across the Larrimah Pub, I asked the young girl serving do you serve coffee? Yes, she said and proceeded to pour me a beer. Sorry, but I meant coffee. Oh sorry what sort would you like? Me, Oh I’ll have a strong cuppa-chino in a mug thanks. I paid and went to the toilets. I went to the bar and couldn’t see my coffee, When I asked where she put it she replied, “it’s right in front of you”. And there, right in front of me was the worlds smallest mug. I said what’s this (in surprise) She said that’s the coffee you ordered, and when she seen the look on my face she said sorry I’ll make you something else if you like.
I said no, no, this is just fine love. Two tiny sips and it was gone. ($5) But what was there was nice.
11/8/20
I am now at Katherine about 360k's south of Darwin and this story will be on my next blog section. I will be without reception for maybe 4-5 days so I'll send you my next post From Darwin (maybe). Bye for now.
Singing;
On the road again, going places where I've never been.............
