The port of Port Hedland had our berth today, amongst the most giganormous ore carriers.  Before the pilot arrived to take us in I counted 15 of them anchored out at sea awaiting their escorts into the harbour. Our guiding tug boats appeared and accompanied us into the harbour and our minute portion of harbour space. This wasn’t a ‘walk off’ port, so shuttle buses had been arranged to ferry those who wanted to go into town. We had breakfast right up front of the restaurant so we had a great view of the harbour, its occupants and the goings on. Only did one tour of the top deck, as even though it only was 7.30 it was quite warm! Very nicely our room faced into the harbour and we had a good view of 3 ore carriers docked on the other side. 2 were obviously full as they were down to their Plimsoll line. The third was being filled and over the day watched it getting lower. It was fascinating watching the 4 tugs pulling and pushing the carriers, slowly cajoling them away from the dock and out into deeper water. We then had these huge ships being pulled past us to either get out to sea or to take their place at the wharf they were allocated. They are generally black at the top and red below and the joining line is it. So the red slowly disappears as the ship fills up and only the black remains in sight. It takes a long time to fill these carriers. One that had been moved into place about 9.30 was still showing most of its red when we left at 5. We had to migrate into our room in the afternoon as the sun was way to hot to sit in. Another nice dinner and then blog writing for me and reading time for Mum.

Day 3 has gone by much like day 2, but no beading. After a better night’s sleep and a not terribly exciting sunrise, we had an early breakfast and then did 2 laps of deck 10, the top deck, equalling half a mile. (4 laps being the full mile). Back to our room for a relaxation session. I sat on the balcony for a bit but it was in the full sun and got too hot. Took our sewing etc up to deck 9, but had lunch instead, then found a table to sit at and sew for a while, but once again it got too noisy so we retreated back to our balcony. Now a quiz question, what is the collective noun for flying fish? Keep reading and I’ll tell you, lol. Whilst enjoying the balcony, no longer in the sun, we watched many glides of flying fish, fascinating little things. Last night’s dinner was one of the formal ones but tonight was back to casual wear.
When sitting out looking at the incredible blue of the water and the flat horizons, one can understand the idea that the world is flat, and all this water, it’s just amazing. How brave were those who ventured out in those early sailing vessels and discovered new countries, taking months to get anywhere over this vast expanse.
As the blood moon eclipse wasn’t visible here I just took a photo of it as it was, lol. The Captain in his 12 noon briefing said that this event last happened in 1964 and that the gang planks would be 3 metres out of position for 7 hours at Broome because of it’s effects on the tides, hence changing us to Port Hedland.

Well not much to write about on day 2. Woke up early after an awful night’s sleep, lol, it will get better I’m sure. Took some sunrise photos. We went to breakfast, the range of food they provide is astounding! Went for a walk on the 10th, top deck and watched Geraldton getting closer. We set anchor quite a way out from the shore and tenders were used to ferry people back and forth. We stayed on the ship, did some sewing, beading, reading, game playing and eating, plus a little more walking. We fled the deck when the dance music started, way too loud, and relaxed in our room. I managed to get the dongle working so did some Internet stuff. The Telstra reception has been quite amazing with at least one bar showing whilst all this way off the coast. Just as we were getting ready to go to dinner I saw something out in the water. A couple of whales were tail waving and splashing around, so we watched them until the ship had gone too far past them. Another lovely dinner, then a wander through the shops, and then time for bed. Forgot to mention yesterday, but the Broome visit has been cancelled, we are going to Port Hedland instead. Something to do with the size of the tides.

Okay, here we go with Day 1.
Got up early, finished packing and washed the floors!!! Helen arrived with Mum and we headed south to Fremantle and Victoria Quay. Getting rid of the luggage was easy, just pass it on to the young man waiting in the doorway and then joined the first of several queues. Queue one getting inside the terminal. Queue 2 waiting outside to get into the building again but on the other side up an ascalator. Queue 3 moving as part of a long snaking queue headed for check in. Queue 4 waiting for someone to be free to check us in. Queue 5 security and baggage scanning, and then the shortest queue of all Customs, who were supposed to be on strike and should have taken the most time. So around 2.5 hours of standing we got to our stateroom on deck 6. As we hadn’t yet had lunch and it was 3 pm, we found our way to the Windjammer, deck 9, which is at the front of the ship and we are almost at the end of it lol, we will walk off the food this way. A small lunch even though the range was enormous, we headed back to see if our luggage had appeared. it had so unpacking ensued. We then had to find our emergency muster under lifeboat 13 on deck 4 for our safety instructions. Had a wander through deck 4 and then sat on our balcony for a bit before heading back to deck 4 and dinner. Lovely 3 course meal and good company at a table of 8. now back in our room with a rocking boat and a single bed, will be interesting to see how we sleep. Will add a couple of photos tomorrow.