Whales and wallabies

Call me slow or naïve, but I was surprised to find that the adverts at the top of this page seem to be tracking what I write. Otherwise why else would they be plugging various forms of cockroach extinction and an insight into the disgusting secrets of roach life. (OK, so they've changed now and they're offering hotel deals here in Coffs). And can there really be someone offering roaches for sale on eBay? Live? Or stuffed? And for what? I found a couple of dead ones the other morning so if anyone wants to make me an offer..

We'll see what they make of this posting, which is also wildlife based. Llyw and I went out whale-watching and had a very successful trip. First we cruised down the coast with fine views of the Great Dividing Range just behind Coffs and it brought home just how narrow the coastal strip is here. It's rather sobering to think that the first settlers can have had no idea what was on the other side of that range, or if they'd ever find a way through it. The crew were scouring the sea with binoculars and, after an hour, announced that they'd sighted a humpback whale and we headed away from the coast.

It was a real spectacle when we reached the first pod, starting very quietly and building to a crescendo. First all we saw was the familiar water spouts but I'd never heard the enormous sighs that the whales make as they exhale and I wasn't prepared for the length of their backs as they curve through the water. After several deep breaths, the fluked tail makes an appearance as they dive and the whole affair seemed calmly impressive as they dived and reappeared several times.

Then the captain announced that his sonar had picked up two under the boat and they surfaced close to us, so close you could almost make out the texture of their barnacled backs. This was a real delight but then two adolescents (according to the captain) appeared on the other side of the boat and started beating their tails on the water, sending up showers of spray, and apparently trying to tell us to keep our distance. As the whales were somewhat bigger than the boat, that's pretty much what the captain did. It was a fine display.


Humpback whale saying "go away" to a small boat

Meanwhile, back at Diggers Beach, we had a visit from the Wallabies (rugby team). They have a training camp just up the road and came down for some surfing. Apart from the team jerseys, they were instantly recognisable by their size and the amount of surgical strapping apparently needed to keep their limbs together.

Right, let's see if anyone's offering whales or wallabies for sale on eBay...