Delicate Nobby

For readers with a certain turn of mind (Happy Birthday, by the way Keir!) I should point out that Delicate Nobby is not a medical condition, or anything to do with naturists and sun exposure.  It is in fact the name of a place near Crescent Head, just south of Kempsey.

Now that we are Cloverless, it was time to get Grover (the tent) out from under the house and go camping. Joined Linda and Phil under the banksia trees for a couple of days.

This line of fractured, knobbly rocks jutting out into the sea is the eponymous Delicate Nobby

The rocks are very dark and in places, dramatically painted with lichens

 Very photogenic at sunset

It had been raining a lot in the few days prior and the ranger reckoned the freshwater pouring out to sea  makes the fish bite. So Phil and David got out the beach rods.

I can't bear the thought of actually catching anything, so I just take photos and paddle about in the shallows while all this huntin' is goin' on.

I was able to stay well  clear of any actual landing and dispatching, preferring to watch from a distance, as if through a soft focus lens.

 It is apparently quite thrilling to actually catch one

This is a little dart, David said.  It was back in the water swimming away fast, shortly after this shot

But these two beautiful little bream did not swim away.  They were our dinner and they were honoured and savoured.

The next day it was more fishing (but no more catching) and some painting en plein air.

This is Big Hill, a little south of where we were camped. Casuarina equesitifolia much in evidence around here.

Also pandanus palms

I love the chance to get my feet in the sand for a whole weekend and there may not be too many more swimming days this season. The water was still gloriously warm although pretty wild and foamy.

David and I packed up and left on Monday afternoon, just as the rain rolled in. Perfect timing.