Gone Fishing

Rob hasn't been fishing for ages

Two weeks ago our friends, David and Annette, invited Rob and I out for day on their new boat.  Dave and Annette just purchased a 42 foot trawler style cruiser and it's a beauty!  The new boat is an upgrade from one they currently own and are now selling.  Not only does the family enjoy fishing and cruising the Derwent River, they are all avid scuba divers.  Their new boat will allow them more living room (to be comfortable at sea) likely granting longer trips for the family.  Rob and I felt special to be invited on this day trip.  This was the first family day on the new boat.  Daughters, Joanna and Caitlyn came along as well as Joanna's beau, Huey.  

Smart's Boat with Annette waving, "hi"
The boat is named, "Critical Mass".

As we cruised down the Derwent River, we enjoyed the views of Hobart, Taroona, Kingston, Woodbridge and Bruny Island.  It was really neat to see these areas from the water.  It was an overcast but nice day for fishing.  Once Dave found a steady spot to anchor the boat, we all took a stab at lunch and fishing.

In the cabin, Annette is setting out food for us to nibble on here

Rob and Dave get their fishing lines ready

We used another fish (can't remember the name) as bait that day

Looking good!

All of us caught quite a few flathead fish.
Dave found a good spot to fish, right where we were anchored.
Annette made Rob and I laugh a few times as she would say while releasing smaller flathead fish - "go home and get your mother!"  We released all the small guys but kept larger meat for dinner

Flathead!

Joanna and Huey fishing off the side of the boat

Coming back home, Mt. Wellington bids us a gloomy, hello!
All of Hobart lays between the mountain and river.

There were a few sail boats braving the cool day

Our house should be directly back in this picture since we have this view but opposite

It takes a team to help bring "Critical Mass" back into it's reserved dock spot.  As Dave carefully steered the boat into it's spot, we all stood at a designated position to help.  As the boat was just close enough to the dock, I leaned over the edge to grab a rope for securing the boat.  Just as I leaned, I heard a PLOP!  I knew instantly that my camera had dropped into the water.  I didn't even see it go, I just head it splash.  Annette heard it too... good-bye camera, good-bye.  Earlier I slid my camera into my coat pocket after taking coastal pictures.  Of course I was immediately annoyed with myself for placing the camera in an unsecured place but I didn't let my emotions get the best of me.  The camera was gone before I could do anything about it.  Gone.  Dave and Annette felt badly over my camera meeting a watery end.  But it's just a camera and we can buy another.  This camera was a gift from Christmas two years ago.  It's an Olympus "Tough" camera meaning its waterproof and shock proof.  But how would we ever find it?  We went home that day with a container of fresh caught and skinned fish but the need for a new camera.  I already knew I would buy the same one we had.

Six days later Rob and I receive a text message from Dave.  HE FOUND OUR CAMERA!  Like I said earlier, Dave is an avid scuba diver.  After suiting up, he took on the cold water, just below his boat and docking station and he rescued our camera.  The camera was submerged in 5 meters of water but it's waterproof up to 12 meters.  Even though it lived underwater for six days, it still works just fine.

There he is! My new best friend!
This picture was taken by the camera!!

Dave sent this picture with the text message

The very next day, Rob and I took Dave and Caitlyn (Annette and Joanna were out of town) out for dinner as a big thank you for finding our camera.  Not only did he save the camera, he washed it in fresh water to remove the six days of dirt and wrapped it in gift paper with a bow.  It's the camera that keeps on giving!  We owe the Smart family a lot more than dinner but I guess, this is what friends are for...

While reviewing our pictures later that night, I found this photo on my camera!!  Mermaids do exist after all!!  I knew it.