Australia June 2013 - Visiting Squid: Part 1

Thursday June 6

After a long, 5-film, pair of flights from Manchester, and an overnight stay in Perth at Trish and Nev's house (parents of Rachel's friend Felicity), I was at last heading north on the flight to Derby. I stood out somewhat amongst the passengers on the flight, as I wasn't wearing a hi-viz jacket, or in work gear, and didn't know anyone on the plane. It was cloudy all the way to Derby, and the only glimpse I got of the ground was on the approach - and I was surprised to find it was not just mud-flats in view, but quite extensive open woodland (or the bush as the natives seem to call it).

 

I was met by Squid (in her scrubs, as she  came straight from her hospital night-shift) in the tiny terminal (hug, hug, hug), where we waited for the trolley with the baggage to be towed up to the door. Bag eventually found, we drove the 40km into Derby - signs of an urban settlement didn't appear until well after the Derby road sign - and then it was scattered industrial estates rather than houses. I was given a quick tour of (most of) Derby before Squid collapsed into bed, leaving me with the keys to the house ( I say house, but a terraced bungalow would be a better description) & the car. Strangely for a season that Squid had assured me would be dry, it was raining.....

 

Nevertheless I spent the day recovering from the flight & then exploring Derby museum and the wharf. A sleepy Squid emerged & we ate out at the Jila cafe (and art gallery); Squid went to work & I went to bed on the floor on a partly inflated air-bed.

Squid's front door - pretending to keep flies out

Relicts of the Derby Tramway, which linked the wharf to the town.

Friday June 7

Ring, to which prisoners were chained

Derby Old Gaol

The longest cattle trough

Drosera derbyensis
I was woken by Squid hammering on the door at 07.45, night-shift finished, and in need of sleep. Left to my own devices I finished the tourist trail of Derby: the Old Derby Gaol (horrendous iron cage to lock up aborigine prisoners); the Pioneers cemetery; the Boab Prison tree (another nifty lock-up for aborigines); the longest cattle trough in the world; the Joonjoo Botanical trail (saw a new species in my favourite Sundew family: Drosera derbyensis); and finally tested Squid's 4WD by (almost) getting stuck in the mud at the Derby Wetlands bird reserve.

Squid was up earlier today, as there were social priorities. First I was introduced to the POETS society (Piss Off Early Tomorrow's Saturday), a gathering of hospital staff for drinks - and met the first members of the Derby Hash (like 'Wino'). This was followed by food at 'Sporties', ie the local golf club where juicy steaks were being served up, with yet more beers. Met Squid's neighbours, Will and Rachel, here, as well as half the 'poets' we saw earlier. Derby is a small place......

I headed to bed as Squid set off for her last night-shift before her leave.

 

Saturday June 8

I was up this time before Squid came in from work - a brief  'hi' before she headed for bed, and I headed on foot into town to the CWA (Country Women's Assocation, or something like that - the Ozzie WI) market, and bought some honey, and warm pies (pork, leek & pumpkin) - quality yum! Then I walked down to the track over the marshes where they used to drive the cattle to load them onto ships for export - so flat, it made the Essex marshes seem quite hilly.

Back at Squid's a ute (as in utility or pick-up) was just pulling out, but ground to a halt & the driver jumped out & introduced himself as Pete, Squid's boyfriend, up for the weekend from Broome. So we had quite a chat before squid eventually emerged & re-introduced us! This was followed by lunch at the Spinny (ie the Spinifex Hotel) with its 5 screens showing different sports on TV. Keeping on the sport theme the afternoon was spent watch a game of football (Australian Rules)  between the Derby team, and a team from a local community - who won 95 to 91. I almost understood the rules by the end of the match.....As there was no alcohol in the grounds, the fence was surrounded by guzzling spectators (mostly aboriginals) sitting on the roofs of their 4x4s.

 

Derby mud-flats
The final excitement of the day was shopping for a mega-stew for us to take on our travels, plus items for the BBQ we then had with Squid's neighbours in the hospital accommodation - Will, Rachel & Graham.

Sunday June 9

A day of rest, so not up very early! Squid & Pete did much chopping for the slow cooker stew before we headed out to the jetty for a spot of fishing (getting some bait from the supermarket en route). I almost caught something, but the only success with the bait was to lure an ever vigilant kite, of which there are hundreds over the town. Again Squid seemed to know half the folk enjoying the sunset from the pier, fishing or simply gazing. Fish and chips for dinner - what else?

Now where did that fish go?

Squid & Pete (not fishing)

Squid fishing in style, stubby in hand...

Pete hiding his stubby...

Whistling Kite

Derby jetty

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