Happiness comes the way the wind blows.
- Mikhail Lermontov
The number one internet search for us over the last week has been the South Eastern Australian weather forecast. With food running low, work restrictions eased at home and no wine to speak of, we have been praying the skies would be clear on our scheduled day of
departure to avoid any delays. Most importantly, after three months away from the boys, family (including a new member we are yet to meet), and friends we are excited about coming home and seeing everyone - and just in time for Dan’s Birthday. As hoped the weather was perfect and we welcomed Justin, Jo and Murphy, said a final goodbye to our home for the past 3 months and headed for Essendon airport - admiring a final view of the Island as we took off.
Our final 2 weeks have gone quickly and we have kept ourselves busy getting ready to hand over to the next caretakers as well as taking the time to enjoy our last days on the island. More hikes, exploring and lighthouse visits along with maintenance, cleaning and final report writing.
We spent a total of 93 days on the island. We have taken 3377 photos, walked around 980km (mostly up hill), emptied 220mm from the rain gauge, welcomed 18 yachts and 3 kayakers, conducted 4 media interviews, caught 5 fish, baked 17 loaves of bread, cooked beef mince 5 different ways and drunk some wine.
It’s been an amazing experience and we will remember it fondly. Thanks for following this blog - we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did writing it. We are looking forward to catching up with everyone very soon as we attempt to plug in to normal life again. We would love to come back someday, hopefully by catamaran - relaxing on the deck sipping on a nice glass of bubbles as the sun sets over East Cove… Who would like to join us?
Leaving Deal Island
Walking track from Winter Cove back to the compound.
Wallaby tracks on the sand at East Cove
Wallaby with a suspiciously bulging pouch
Twisted trees
Track back from the lighthouse
Cattle skull on a tree - the island was grazed once-upon-a-time
Silhouetted trees at sunset
These lovely robins were everywhere.
Tall trees
Mushies
The museum at sunrise
The museum at moon rise
One of the four grave sites
Last visit to the lighthouse
Another one of the graves, this time a lighthouse keeper. (pretty good view)
And another, presumably the baby of a lighthouse keeper many moons ago.
Walking through a creek line
Face-timing (Wes) at the lighthouse
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