..... by Kym Hill & Geoff Boundy

In the middle of all the Christmas hype and bustle, we headed off to the Coorong for some serious fishing and R & R. Jeanne & Geoff, Bruce & Jill, Terry & Gill, Ian & Ruth, John, Rob and John & Kym met in Tailem Bend on Friday afternoon and convoyed south. With a minor delay for bait and someone ‘needing’ a large bucket with a lid at the last minute, causing another delay, we headed to Salt Creek to register.

We entered through 42 mile crossing entrance and started the task of finding a spot large enough for 7 camps. Not so far in we found what we though was the ideal spot, plenty of room and shelter, by dune, from the wind. While setting up camp, however we realised that the wind was indeed almost a gale. Some of us had not camped in sand before, and were not equipped with correct pegs. Some camped under the dune. Rob camped right on top of the dunes, with full view of the sea and glorious sunset. We met at ‘Chez Coorong’ that evening, swapped stories, and enjoyed each other’s company, rugged up in full winter gear. Was this summer or what?

Early Saturday morning those that went for the fishing were up an over the dunes to the waters edge in search of that elusive fish. Funny saying that. Within a short span of time Snoopy had caught a fish. Not being a marine biologist myself, I couldn’t tell what, but the general consensus was great bait. Little did we all know that hours of very patient fishing in gale force winds and raging seas would render this the best catch of the weekend!!!

On the sand driving side of the weekend, some of us headed off toward Tea Tree Crossing. Miles of lovely beach, sand and people camped everywhere. When we asked other fishing enthusiasts how they were going for fish, no-one had caught any. Arriving at Tea Tree Crossing, we found that it had just been opened, so we went cautiously in for a look. Some mad idiots just had to go to Salt Creek for icecreams for afternoon tea. On the way back to camp along the foreshore we came across the fact that if you let go of the steering wheel the car drove itself. A person only needed cruise control and they could sleep while driving.

We also ventured back to the 42 mile crossing entrance to head south. On the way we met up with a poor man who was exhausted from running along the sand looking for someone to jump-start his car. They had left the radio on all night and now the battery was flat. Fortunately his search was over as Snoopy could help and we took him back to his car and fixed his problem. Our excitement for the weekend came when we had some sand training after Ian & Ruth’s car proved once again to be just that bit too close to the ground.

That evening we all huddled at the base of the dunes trying to keep warm, without luck. The wind didn’t give up and most of us ended up crawling into our beds to get warm, where we sweated most of the night as it was only the wind causing the drop in temperature.

Sunday morning was a last-ditch effort to catch fish and it was amazing to see the patience of those fishing. Geoff’s promise of ‘guaranteed fish’ seemed to be slipping away.

Kym & John, Bruce & Jill, Terry & Gill left about 12 noon.

Rob, John, Ruth & Ian, Jeanne & Geoff left about 12.45. Whilst heading back along the beach we were hailed down by a young couple and their friend. Hugo’s cruiser would not start. We checked and found no spark and assumed a faulty condenser or coil. As no-one had a spare we hooked the cruiser up to Bugga and towed it back along the beach across the sand dunes, losing momentum on the very last sand dune not making it by about 3 metres. Snoopy went across the top and hooked up a strap and helped get Bugga and the landcruiser over the top. From then it was flat and we towed him to Salt Creek Service Station where he rang the RAA.

They thanked us and offered recompense but e refused stating his extraction was compliments of the Wanderers 4WD Club and gave them details of our club and meeting times. (hopefully good publicity or new members)

We headed off and at Meningie we took a diversion to Narrung and across the ferry. When we arrived back at Tailem Bend Jeanne and Geoff headed quickly back, having just become grandparents whilst fishing. (hi lift) Jack Claridge (holden) - 7lb 5 oz

Fishing was a bit disappointing due to winds stirring up the sea and making it sand murky, but it was a good weekend with 3 cars having trouble bogging and training in soft sand south of 42 mile crossing.

Disclaimer : please note