As I write today's events, a Nightjar is tweeting in the evening sky, the 3/4 moon lighting up the sky, so the stars are more dim. The waves are crashing in the distance and the evening is pleasant apart from mozzies, midges and the odd cane toad hopping on the grass.
We went out in the hired Hilux, with Simon and Elise and headed to the Gove Yacht Club, to sample their coffee. this was 12 km in the wrong direction mind you, to get a coffee. When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that the local Police were offering to shout coffees to the patrons, ("Coffee with the Cops") and so we got free coffee, (chai for me), which wasn't too bad, especially being free. We had a chat with the Police officer, who had originally worked in the Police force in Tassie for many years. He was telling us how hard it is to transfer between states and work within the Police force, and that you pretty much start again with your training. He also told us how great the community is here in Nhulunbuy and this is something we have observed. every person we have spoken to that lives here says they came for 3 months and are still here 5-10 years later. everyone loves the place... The town is looked after and there are lots of facilities and the spirit is friendly and welcoming. There are lots of Indigenous owned and run business and initiatives too. Having said that, the Police officer said that this is partly due to the alcohol restrictions and when the alcohol isn't restricted it can be very different.
From there we headed down a dirt road to the Rainbow Cliffs, which were red, yellow and white coloured cliffs, but due to respect to the First Peoples, as this area is sacred, we are unable to share photos of them. But we enjoyed the rockpools that were again filled with life if you looked long enough. All the shells were alive, and the little mudskippers were darting about. Matt found a couple of hermit crabs chasing each other along the sand as well. There were beautiful beaches stretching along this coastline.
From there we drove to Goanna Lagoon, down another dirt road, (there are lots of dirt roads that just head randomly off into the bush) and found this beautiful freshwater lagoon, with crystal clear waters. Between the pools of water, a passageway of rocks had formed and the gentle flow of water down some of these rocks like a little waterfall, and into this passage, took you with the flow to the next pool. It wasn't a warm enough day for me to want to get in the water, but I watched the others enjoy the not too cold waters.
We headed back to the Clippers for lunch and a restful afternoon and evening together planning tomorrow's sightseeing. Apart from one of my TPN bags exploding everywhere, and making a sticky and smelly mess in 'Bridget', it was another enjoyable day. I also had a very large Cockatoo come and visit me cause i was eating some nuts, (unsalted) and he muscled in on them so i didnt argue cause he bites harder than i do,
