LIFE ON THE WEST SIDE

Just thought that I would check in with everyone and let you know whats up on the west side! Most of this is going to be about the ocean because that is what my life over here revolves around most of the time and really there is not much else happening in Exmouth town that is worth writing about. After a whirlwind visit over east for the wedding and a quick stop over in Melbs to see the family, I found myself back in the middle of no where and in the midst of whale shark season......just the perfect place to be. By that time whale sharks were in numbers and the days out were awesome with lots of action and the last of the warm water and good weather. On my birthday which I spent on another charter boat we swam with 12 whalesharks, a new record, and it was perfect way to spend the day. During the month of June we saw the arrival of the mighty Humpback whales and my favourite manta rays, which unfortunately this year have not come in the numbers we are used to so my swims have been limited but I have been smiling for the rest of the day when I have had them. The life on the reef this year has been huge with loads of food in the water to keep all the fish and other animals in our waters longer. Highlights so far: swimming with a mother and calf humpback (absolutely huge the mother was), getting way too close to an 8m whale shark on numerous occasions because the visability was down, driving the boat and playing with 150 spinner dolphins, seeing a rare sighting of a Southern Right Whale who had a young calf with her, diving with up to 12 manta rays swimming around and just being out on the boat on a great weather day! After five seasons I am still so excited to be jumping in to swim with whale sharks and manta rays and I never stay out of the water as you just don't know here what you might see.

I have also started my flying job which I enjoy but end up sapped of energy at the end of each flight. Seen some great action from the whales, been loving seeing this coast line from the air and get completely blown away by the huge amount of oil and gas operations that are happening just off our coast - everything is really bloody huge! Have been flying mainly out of Exmouth but have also done one trip up to Broome for a few days.

I am now officially a Uni student and have started the long haul of becoming a Marine Scientist and to say that I am a little overwhelmed at the moment would be an understatement. My books have arrived but I am not really sure where to start and have constant thoughts of "why and when did I think this was a good idea?" Hopefull this will get easier! My netball the team, The Pink Lips, are undefeated this year and heading for a position in the Grand Final.....trying not to get too confident but we are all competitive and want to take the trophy home.

Other than that life in Exmouth hasn't changed much over the years. Luckily for me there are loads of great people who live here and they help to make living in a small town so much fun. Those people along with the ocean and the Ningaloo Reef make this place very addictive and I really don't want to leave at the end of the year. I have only a few months before having to pack up again and head south for my 3 years in Perth and already I am thinking about when I can come back again.