Ray suggested we make for Pancake Creek and Bustard Head. So it was about face and head south. The Feroza and trailer were loaded up with 5 kayaks and gear so some of the newer conventional vehicles could be shuttled to Turkey Beach. The train of
remaining vehicles with kayaks were last seen disappearing down "The Danube" a rough service corridor that follows the power lines and became Tanti Rd. Steve had left first and almost wiped the front of his car on the steep drop off on the other side of the log bridge. He then ramped it with rocks for the other vehicles.
It was clear to Ray that we had missed the tide which meant spending a night at the end of the road. A small caged truck turned up with a farmer and his kelpie. The dog was bit of a softie. Much to the farmer's disgust the dog quietly hankered for a pat, he blamed his wife for that. They were here to round up the remaining wild cattle on the island. He concurred with Ray's
opinion about the tide. In a couple of hours Middle Creek ran dry, the truck crossed returning later with a terrified looking mangy cow and calf.
Living out of boxes packed with gear was becoming frustrating but nothing compared with the insect attack that arose from the swamp as the sun went down. This would have to be the worst place for
midges. The mossies were pretty good but the midges were supreme. So awful everyone ate dinner quickly and went for the protection of a tent to do battle with the ones that snuck in. The next morning was no better. Porridge with midge sprinkles says it all.
Spotty and itchy we couldn't wait to get out of there. Turns out this is a popular spot with fisherman. Three blokes arrived with
a tinnie and enough gear to reduce the free board to three inches. The ramp was getting crowded. We took a while to pack so Mark got directions from Ray as everyone else was itching to be gone.
The southern side of the entrance to Pancake Creek has many superb flat and grassy areas, ideal for camping and sheltered from the SE by Bustard Head. The rock formations on the shoreline are dramatic in their size and colour. A coral reef runs parallel to the land on the southern side of the entrance of the creek and was a navigation hazard for the yachts which were seeking solace from that damn SE. Even if the Keppels were fading out of the picture this place was worth coming to in its own right.
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