Playing in Foster NSW December 4, 2013

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 4, 2013, Diamond Beach NSW

BOTTOM LINE:

Kayaking in Foster

Lunch at the Colonel Café

Bruce fishes while Barb works on computer

BACK STORY:

I just realized that as people from the US read this blog, they are really reading into the future since we are a day ahead!  Hmmm...on to more serious topics! Ha!

Hearing that a big rain storm was blowing into our area on Thursday, we rose early to get a kayak ride in before the winds kicked up and the tide changed to an outgoing one.

We chose “Blue Peter” as the place to rent from.  Helen and Warren are our ages and lived most of their lives in Snowy River (yes, from The Man From Snowy River fame), commuting for their careers.  In retirement, they wanted to “sink their teeth” into a little business where they could have family and friends visit.  They bought their current operation, which includes a shed, large dock and small office building.  They have kayaks and boats for hire (for rent), sun and water items for sale and Warren will hire out as a fishing guide.  The place is small, tidy and the couple are unbelievably nice. 

 

Kayak hire from Blue Peter

We rented two ocean kayaks and took off.  Two hours later we returned having had an incredibly wonderful time.  Paddling out the river was a bit of good old exercise…had to paddle the whole way.  Coming back, we were able to ride the incoming tide.  We meandered back into a large oyster farm where we could see how they were harvesting.  Bruce paddled back into an area that flushed out a flock of black swans.  My picture doesn’t show justice to these beautiful birds with red beaks and white tipped wings. 

 

Kayaking...or relaxing on a kayak!??

Black Swans

The highlight for Bruce was landing a “flat head” fish. We had been told that this fish was the most favor eating fish in the area.  With no net, sitting on a kayak and being warned of the “barbs” behind the mouth gills, he had a challenge.  I paddled over to him and we were able to drop the catch into the bow storage well.  Unfortunately I could hear it flopping around below me the entire paddle back!  Ugh!

Warren cleaned the fish for us and gave me instructions for cooking it on the “Barbie” along with some fresh oysters that we planned to pick up later.  They stored the fish for us in their refrigerator until we swung by later.

Following a lovely water front lunch at the Colonel’s Café, Bruce was ready to do some more fishing.  I had planned ahead to pack my computer and a book so he could spend as much time as he wanted doing what he loves.

 

Bruce with his catch...and a fish!

 

Casual waterfront seating

 

Lunch is served! ...local shrimp

A couple of hours later we returned to pick up the fish and get some oysters.

The BBQ’s in Australia are nothing more than a stainless steal griddle, heating by propane.  A hole is in the center where oils drain during the cooking process.  People use parchment paper that can with stand up to 500 degree without igniting.  I oiled the fish with olive oil, placed it on the parchment and added seasonings and wrapped the paper around the fish to enclose it.  I then placed the fish (head, tail and all) on the Barbie along with the oyster shells to roast.  Everything was done within 20 minutes.  I fixed a salad and some mushroom basmati rice and we were good to go!  The fish was incredibly sweet, moist and firm.  Although the oysters were very flavorful, they were a pain to get out.  We were told that the oysters will open by themselves …not true for us and unfortunately I have some wounds today to prove it!