Fri 11 Oct 2013 - Dolphins at Monkey Mia

It was an early start this morning as we needed to be at Monkey Mia by 7.45am. 

This is because they're only allowed to feed the dolphins between 7.45am and 12.00pm. In the past, people could buy a bucket of fish on the way in and feed, touch and swim with the dolphins all day. However, they  realised all the babies were dying as they didn't learn how to catch fish for themselves and because they were neglected while the mothers were in shallow water, engaging the tourists in order to get fish. The babies can't breast feed in shallow water and also need their mothers to protect them from predators, like Tiger sharks.

Now they do 3 small feeds each morning and choose a few lucky people to give them a fish. Next to me was a little girl of 5 called Olivia. She really loved the dolphins, learnt all their names and was completely focused on them the whole time. When they were choosing people, she looked so hopeful, but she wasn't chosen and later we saw her dad comforting her as she cried sadly.

Nikki and her baby calf

When it was time for another feed, she was near us again and looking just as hopeful. I asked God to please organise it for her to be chosen as I couldn't bear for her to be disappointed again. A few people went out and then they picked me! I couldn't believe it and I asked her if she would like to feed the fish for me. She was so delighted, it really made my day, her parents were thrilled for her too.

We also saw a really good movie all about Shark Bay and the creatures that live here. The sun was warm by now and we had our lunch sitting in some funny chairs on the terrace of the Resort.

Finally it was time to leave and, on the way back to Denham, we saw a pearl farm in the distance, this area, like Broome, relied on pearling last century. 

There was a small wind farm on the hill and this made us realise that this is the first wind farm we've seen and yet, with the windy weather we've been experiencing, it would surely be enough to make electricity for the whole of WA, if not the whole of Australia!

We arrived back in Denham, where we saw a church and a restaurant built of the coquina ( shell blocks). 

It was still quite early, so rather than stay in Denham again, we drove back to an old Homestead at Nanga, which is now used as a caravan park. It's an interesting place, built of coquina and with an artesian spring which fills a spa. 

There's also an old pioneer's cottage still standing. 

We enjoyed a dip in the swimming pool and then warmed up in the spa. 

We also tried to ring our Lighthouse family, who are on camp at Bundeena House this weekend but they were having such a good time that none of them heard their phones!

Due to limited facilities for grooming, Rodger is looking more bushy as each day goes by.  Here is a photo of 100 days of growth - his grandson, David, calls him Santa!