Hadnt been over to the islands with the kids for a while , mainly due to missing most of the holidays and long weekends this year so far.

This July holidays was looking a little dodgy as well due to the older 2 girls sporting commitments, so I was watching the weather as the weekend got closer and umming and ahhing on thursday whether to go or tow the boat to Kalbarri instead and camp in the river.

Last minute on thursday, weather looked too nice so packed and launched thursday arvo for a night run to the Abrolhos-just me and 4 of my kids.

Launched at 5pm and out of the marina at 5.30

Cray pots are a concern but most boats have already pulled out, so off we went with the intention of doing a bit of night fishing as well.

It got dark almost straight away but was abeautiful evening so 22 knots was easy.

When we had 25 miles under our belt, we had a few drops on marks, picked up heaps of sweetlip and about 8 dhuies all around the 50cm size, all released (kept some sweetlip, too tasty).

Rolled into the anchorage at 9pm, all the kids except Mr 9 (Cam) asleep.

Couple of coldies enjoying the peace and quiet then crash out, only to be woken at 6 by the boys dragging the squid rod out.

The usual cooked brekky of bacon eggs fried toast etc

Ella plugged her ipod into the boat stereo, only to get this message-hmmm not sure what to do about this....

Nor easter was blowing about 20 knots but the male crew members were keen to get some fish-the freezer at home was empty and needed stocking up

The drift was pretty fast so it was an effort but we managed our bag in a couple of hours, Cam got a dhuie about 8kg in 30 meters which he pulled up himself while I dealt with a shark.

I got another a little smaller as well plus a few medium pinkies, smaller baldies etc.

Now-its been a constant amusement to me, how kids manage to amuse themselves in  the absence of electronics.

In this case they decided that it would be a good idea to disect the dhui remains. Consequently about 2 hours was taken up by removing the eyeballs and parading them around.

another day gone, evening spent by the kids running around with the spottie checking out the crays etc in the shallows.

Next morning, squiding again along with the insistence of disecting the catch as well-then we had it for breakfast entree

Cam proved himself to be the master of coral trout at the jetty, getting a succession of small ones on lure and releasing

Packing up then looking at the expected 20 knot NE breeze, we took off for a short fish before heading for home due to the forecast strong NW'er on sunday.

Despite the strong drift, the fish were hot on the bite and had our bag in about 45 minutes-nothing outrageous, just pinkies and baldies-Cam did most of the damage again

Could only make 16 or so knots at first but the wind progressively dropped away to a glassoff at the last 15 miles

Saw heaps of whales on the way in as well.

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