Day 22, Thursday 4 Feb - Port Gregory

Driving upstream the Bowes River we see hundreds of black swans -

and some arboriginal caves -

We stay on the Indian Ocean Drive which takes us through a very scenic landscape with white dunes to the left and huge ochre ones to the far right.

No people, no cars, no nothing.  

Not even a horseman.  One single farm at number 120.  What could he possible have in this dry and windy country but sheep ?

Shortly after having crossed the Hutt River, we make a short stop at "Lynton Convict Depot", now only a couple of ruins.  Around 1855, many convicts were sent to Australia.  This depot is the only example of a convict camp.  14-15 buildings amongst which a hospital and a prison.  The prisoners had little hope to return to freedpm and certainly not to Europe.  The temperature reaches more than 45 C at noon.

All of a sudden a pink lake, "The Hutt Lagoon" -

Pink due to carotenoid producing algae.  The World's largest algae production plant with a commercial supply of Artemia Brine shrimp.  Artemia is a speciality feed used by prawn and fish farmers and aquarium fish traders (to feed the larvae).

We reach Port Gregory well before dusk.  A tiny place.  Just a few houses, a general store with very little on the shelves and a good campsite.

This year's tent is much easier to handle.  Hans does it alone whilst I make a good before dinner drink.

Whilst Hans makes a walk on the beach, I watch how a huge group of seagulls attacks a nesting Fish Eagle.  Two seagulls to start with, then two more and at the end I count twelve.  Diving towards the nest and screaming.   After half an hour they have all given up and the second eagle come back to the nest.

Were the seagulls maybe after the chicks ?

Did you notice, how blue the sky is ?