MDF(ash)

After pestering Mrs D for two weeks, she finally agreed to accompany me on a fishing trip last Saturday. Joining us was Jackie's nurse Eleanor and her two kids Marley and Ahzida. They are officially the first friends we have made in Cairns. They're from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait but moved to Cairns 3 years ago. Our skipper and fishing mentor was" Henry" a middlle aged japanese guy I met in the marina a couple of weeks back. I very much doubt Henry's name is Henry.

So with our six pack of Cooper's and bottle of Wolf Blass rose ( Cooper's for me, rose for J...obviously ) we boarded ship and set sail out of Cairns' marina. Interestingly Eleanor and the kids bypassed the fishing rods; opting instead for the Hand-reels. Now, in my ignorance I have always thought that hand reels were used by people who couldn't afford a proper rod! It transpires that this apparatus is favoured by the indigenous, because of its ease of transport (eg in canoe) but more importantly because its much easier to feel the fish "biting" as the line is supported by the index finger.

Whilst I, using a rod, caught a grand total of two fish ( one of which was a sizeable ,but poisonous puffer fish ) Eleanor and the kids, using the aforementioned primitive means pulled out a plethora of Bream, Rainbows and Trevally. They gave us a proper showing up, and will not be asked on any further fishing trips...

The highlight of the afternoon was undoubtedly Henry's sashimi/crab combo. Firstly he skillfully filleted the Bream etc and served it up with soy and wasabi! Obviously this is as fresh as it comes, and an interesting alternative to the usual tuna, salmon etc. For main course the crabs were promptly boiled and served up in the shell....umm...sweet....