Montague Island Trip Debrief - with Dave.

Off we go south to Montague in a convoy, sending the scouts ahead (faster cars) to advise us on the next driver reviver stop. After a long trip in the bus we arrived at the Narooma Motel. The scouts had informed us of where they were (at the local watering hole of course). After acquainting ourselves with the local inhabitants and the publican whom Shane and Dennis were on first name basis with in the first 10 minutes. We headed back to the motel for a good night’s sleep, unfortunately this was not to be as the excitement of diving with seals and The Lady Darling had kept everybody awake with anticipation.

Awake at 5:30am bright eyed and bushy tailed with the odd rude word (In German) from a reluctant Marco. Our forty minute boat ride to the wreck was rudely interrupted by a pod of Southern Right Whales. Such a magnificent sight does make you wonder how mankind could ever harm such a majestic beast. Dropping down onto The Lady Darling, 30 m viz with Baitfish everywhere. I even saw a smile creep up from Marco as he swam through the rotted hull of the coal carrier. Back on deck and it was all teeth and smiles and then off to the seals.  

After a short brief from Daryl (the dive boat captain) who assured us the seals don’t bite, we jumped in. The seals were just as happy to see us as we were to see them. Turn left and they turned left, do a summersault and they would follow. Ignore them and they would swim straight for you, show their teeth, blow bubbles and then swim away at the last minute.

The boat trip back was full of excited chatter of what we had all seen and done, we couldn’t wait for the next day! Once every body was dried off and we had emptied the local bakery of all the meat pies, we headed out to Tilba Tilba (a picturesque little town full of arts and crafts, sweets that Richie and Sarah had not seen since they were little kids in England). Much to mine and the groups disapproval the boys had discovered the jars of bum hummers. They are pickled onions, mustard seeds and chillies. They began to eat the whole jar because they were billeted in my motel room and I knew this was a bad idea! After the cheese factory, wood turning and a lot of art and craft we headed to the Tilba Tilba pub to watch the rugby league.

Franky J Holden was in the pub filming for a get away program. Little dog, Shane (big dog)  both tried in vain to become famous by throwing their heads in the background. Back in Narooma we decided to go visit our old mate “The local publican” just to keep him company for another night (Poor lonely sole). Sunday morning and we were up early again, back to see our furry friends. This time we were surprised to see giant sting rays as big as VW Beetles. They were quite inquisitive and the seals were performing even more tricks to gain our attention,. which made for some pretty interesting photographs.

Once back on dry land and again invading the local pie shop. We decided not to visit our new friends, a group decision was made to have a gourmet dinner instead. A small donation about the same amount as a meal in the local pub gave us a feast of Prawns, Avocado’s and a BBQ of Lobsters and beer. What a feast, more food than a Christmas dinner! With every bodies belly's full a unanimous decision for an early night was called upon. Up bright and early once again we were keen to go and visit our furry friends once more to say our farewells in summersaults and twisty turn overs  (as you do).  We bid farewell to Daryl for another year, said our goodbyes to our mate “The Publican”.

Thanks to all the friendly locals in Narooma and Darren (I was just on a walk) Hart, Melissa (What are you talking about) Chaperlin, Marco (Get out of my room it is too early) Tietz, Dennis (can I have another Bourbon with that) Menace, Matthew ( I May be small but my bum hums louder than yours) Plumbridge, Shane (Because I can) Stewert, Morry (pickled onions don’t kill you but they make an impact) and Richard (I ate all the Cornflakes again) McNally, Sarah (Rescue me boys) McNally, Julie (come and eat some more food) Morrison and me Dave the Dive Guide.