taking it easy?

The fisherman had four fishing sessions but only Thursday's was any good.
On Saturday he took The Sprat (next job: remove the old name) out off the beach for two tommy ruffs which were returned to the sea.

He trimmed the roadside hedge back to its sinuous shape, erected the frame for our tunnel house which has been relocated from Foote Street, made a potato bed and put up a bench on the top of the western dune...

Our ceremonial first sit on the new/old bench was attended by a chorus line of about fifty dotterels which twinkled in unison along the shore on their tiny legs.

 

the garfish return

The fisherman is happy: he stood in the water at the western end of the bay for one and a half hours and caught 15 beautiful big garfish. 
Gorgeous weather,  19' and no wind.

tree removal

The Moreton Bay fig tree has gone from the western end.  David decreed it's not endemic to the area and anyway our poly tunnel has to go in that spot and its roots would soon be invasive so he chopped off all the foliage from the tree then tied the trunk to his car and towed it out.

Fishing isn't very good this weekend - only four mullet - one theory being that the tuna have eaten them; another theory being that they have moved around the coast to Hutt Bay. 

planning session

Grant District Council invited residents to a planning session to discuss future development for river and coastal communities.

Cape Douglas was well-represented and everyone there presented a united front: we don't want things to change, we like it as it is - off-the -beaten track and practically unknown. The planning team wanted us to say we hate the shacks but we don't. They were there first and as the site is below sea level and suffered badly in the big storms, we all think leave them alone. They have lifetime title only.

We'd like a better safer road up to Point Douglas: it's beautiful up there and we're happy to share it but no "facilities " thanks.

 



Our neighbours Angela & Jo (left) and David (right) putting their views to the planners

no spring yet

Too cold and windy for fishing this weekend though David did cast a line for an hour on Friday and caught two mullet which will become bait.

The only place out of the wind is by the shelter shed so he started on the screen there. Every car that comes over the speedhump just before our place has occupants who immediately glance left to see what we are doing - so a screen will stop that and I will plant an evergreen climber. The north wind will also be blocked and I shall move my ferns here.

does one echidna mean spring?

The sunny day seems to have lured an echidna out of hibernation.
I'm glad to see it and hope it eats every inch-ant it can.
Amazingly the seaweed I put on the dune as mulch is still mostly there.

 

calm after the storm

We missed an historic event in Mount Gambier - snow!
But was it ever windy at Cape Douglas! 
My wind sock took off into the scrub and the new brass bell unscrewed itself and fell to the deck. We watched it all from the Lookout Room, enjoying the big windows that stood up to the storm perfectly.

Daisy came for a sleepover and slept well even with the howling winds, waking to a clear calm morning and sunshine.
We went for a walk along the beach before she had to return to the Mount to play hockey in her new purple shoes.