Row, row, row your boat

 

batemans bay boat ramp


We didn't take the camera and I honestly didn't even think of taking photos. We did spend time here (Hanging Rock boat ramp) though! We bought a tinnie off the previous owners when we bought this place. It came with a motor, trailer and old life-jackets and all. The motor is rated to go above 10 knots. In NSW, if you run your motor boat over 10 knots, you need a captains license. 
row boat with motor


So we did this thing and took a course to get our licenses. We spent Sunday learning the rules of the water in NSW (apparently there are no rules in the Northern Territory), trying out our driving skills and taking a quiz about the rules and right of ways. We both passed. The morning on the water was lovely. Our instructor was relaxed and knew just when we needed a bit more direction. We practiced figure 8s to retrieve our "man overboard" and tried going different speeds to get a feel of safe /not safe.  Loads of fun. 

Our instructor ran two groups on the water so we had a break before lecture and quiz time while the second group practiced. Off to Bunnings warehouse (it resembles Fleet Farm). Our only power tool that had a functional power base in Aus was my branch trimmer. A Dewalt drill base. So Scott restocked his supply with more Dewalts. Also bought a smoker and random things to go with. While we were there, we literally almost ran into Gail Stortz from calendar and Potato Point fame (earlier posts). Gail has Parkinson's and creates gorgeous calendars to support Parkinson's research.  She said she was getting out of the calendar business but has decided she is going to do at least one more. These are usually bird focused. She did share this image of a thirsty python in her backyard!
python drinking out of bird bath
We have seen snake skins but no snakes yet. Lots of small lizards.

When we were out buying furniture last week, we stopped by a small wetlands and saw a few fun things. The sculpture on the way in was gorgeous.
  

metal eagle sculpture


We saw swamphens in the swamp
swamphen with reed in swamp
and their colony of flying foxes (bats)
bat colony

We spent most of time watching the pair of black shouldered kites. The bird on the higher limb was pretty relaxed but the lower one was very busy telling everyone (mostly the echidna) to leave. We didn't find a nest but the bird was definitely protecting the space!
 
two black and white kites in a tree

Another Cobargo farm bird- this male king parrot was hanging out in the back garden for awhile!
colorful parrot flying off

image of king parrot in mosaic


    

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