23rd May 2010 Coles Bay

This photo of Chai reminds me of seals, the way they lie along the top of the water with their heads out.

I paddled out to Seal Rocks once, and was swamped with seals. One young one actually landed on the front deck of my kayak. The little ones would check me out in front, where I could see them. The big, adult ones, would stay behind me; I could hear them snort when they broke the surface.

13th March 2005 Seal Rocks

The fear of sharks keeps most kayakers away from this area

The camera I used for this was a five megapixel point and shoot in a clip lock plastic bag I remember shooting blind, not being able to see anything on the screen because of the glare. And not hearing anything from the camera because of the wind and the water smashing on the nearby rocks.

I also had to keep a hand on the paddle (not to lose it) and watch for any reasonable waves which came in frequently and meant I had to secure the camera and get both hands on the paddle ready for a brace or roll. I kept getting closer to the rocks too, and would have to back paddle every now and then. This didn’t leave much time to consider sharks

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(c) Andrew Calder

Taken at home 6th March 2005. Yep I can do messy long hair too!

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(c) Andrew Calder

I remember Andy taking this photo on the way to Phillip Island, 12th March 2005.  We pulled over on the side of the road between Morwell and Mirboo North.

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” I think this is the last of the Phillip Island shots, although I can remember a street party type night scene that I wouldn’t mind finding. I liked the people blur in this. It was taken a few minutes before or after the previous posted pic - ’beach at dusk’. It is the pier at Cowes. There were lots of people around, and the general mood of everyone was friendly and happy.”

(c) Andrew Calder

Yes, there was a night market on at the start of the pier. Andy has a good photo from that. I remember it was like this one and I liked it too!

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“Another one from that photographically productive weekend at Phillip Island. I remember taking this and thinking it wouldn’t be a good shot – the shot was more of a half hearted effort. I really like it. It used to make me think it could have been a scene from pre European occupation (just the people in the foreground, standing in the water). After cropping, I decided to make it wider; it didn’t seem to work at the smaller size. It was March 12th 2005″

(c) Andrew Calder

I remember Andy took some beautiful photos on the pier that weekend too. I hope he will send some of those soon, I loved the light and sense of movement in them.

I also remember that weekend, we couldn’t take Ella and she missed Andy so much. Every time I rang my kids (who were babysitting her) they sounded frantic, trying to make her happy.

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“This is another one from the weekend at Phillip Island (13th March 2005). The woman in the foreground talked to me for a while, I forget what about. She was one of those friendly souls who was quite open and relaxed”

(c) Andrew Calder

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“This was taken at Phillip Island on the 12th March 2005. It was a public holiday. Joh and I were camping there with a sea kayaking club.”

(c) Andrew Calder

My favourite memory of that weekend is watching a random kid do this: Sand Surfer

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