Voices From The North

We’ve had a busy few weeks with one of Australia’s top TV chefs, Pete Evans paying a visit for our first-ever Celebrity Cooking School.

Pete cooked up a storm and entertained an exclusive group of lucky locals from Wyndham and Kununurra. Udo held the audience and a knife in his hand as Pete’s right hand man.

We enjoyed freshly prepared Coral Trout, plenty of Mangrove Jack and Painted Crays, and were privileged to be able to share some of Pete’s best-kept culinary secrets first-hand.

Pete will be back again in mid-September 2010, so keep an eye out for further details.

Simone

Labels: Celebrity Cooking School, fishing, outback cooking, Pete Evans

There are a lot of storm boys and girls interested in Taffy. It looks like the plastic bung he mistook for an edible morsel hasn’t plugged up his ability to devour the hundreds of fresh fish being fed to him by Sam, Bruce and Tim. He still hasn’t figured out how to fish without the aid of a cast net, but he’s getting there.

Taffy is roaming further afield now and likes to catch up with the boats coming around the heads into the bay.

The caretakers have been informed of our favourite resident and hopefully he’ll be here in all his glory next season. We will keep you posted!

Simone

Labels: Faraway Bay; Kimberley; outback; outback Australia, fishing

We have made lots of friends in 2009, but none quite like Taffy. Thank goodness!

Our resident pelican is very high maintenance and has kept us all busy, particularly our fabulous chef, Sam. Taffy isn’t fussy, but does insist on fresh fish daily, and prefers whiting and small mullet caught by Sam in the cast net.

Taffy was brought here from Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge on the Gibb (hence the name ‘Taffy’) by a regular at Faraway Bay, Rolf Seiler. Rolf flew him here in style by air. After nearly being consumed by a pack of dingoes at his former home and almost starving to death, Taffy has adjusted well to life at Faraway Bay.

We all love to watch him soaring overhead, showing off his new found strength and fat belly!

Simone

Labels: Faraway Bay; Kimberley; outback; outback Australia, fishing, outback cooking, wilderness

The water is warming up and so is the drag on some of our guests’ lines. Barramundi, huge Mackerel, Fingermark and Coral Trout have all been on the dinner table over the past couple of weeks. It’s hard going!

Pilot Whales and Humpbacks are starting to move through our waters too, which is always an amazing experience for all involved.

Simone

Labels: barramundi, Faraway Bay; Kimberley; outback; outback Australia, fishing

July has proved to be a gem. Glassy oceans has given our guests the opportunity to explore this remote coastline and surrounds.

Fishing has been excellent and some guests had the pleasure of travelling out to Leseure Island for a look around at the plethora of shells, turtles and unique crystal clear lagoons. A mummified shark was found along with baby turtle shells.

Graeme Edwards and his lovely wife Noelene blessed us with their presence at the camp. Graeme, a double amputee, finally got to see rock art, something that has been on his wish list throughout his full life.

Bruce and Liuda, from Cairns had a break from catching all the Barramundi in Cape York to catch a few for us over in this neck of the woods.

We were also able to showcase some of our freshly shucked oysters to Glyn and Pam Owen who are Oyster Farmers from Coffin Bay.

Idyllic Kimberly days, restful, peaceful, plentiful...

Simone

Labels: barramundi, Faraway Bay; Kimberley; outback; outback Australia, fishing, rock art

Well its lonesome today, not being at the great place, called Faraway Bay, where the foods on call and the sun shines all day. We drink, laugh and play 24 hours a day, just the greatest place to stay at Faraway Bay.

Now Bruce and Robyn the owners are just a couple of swags, they make you feel like family, the best a loving couple can, nothing’s to much trouble, anything you want, Bruce will do just about anything for another 2 bob. (Just joking Bruce)

Now let’s talk about the staff, the most important thing. They will all bend over backwards, to get you anything.

Good lord, who could ever forget Tim, who is now a great friend, he loves his job taking you fishing, drinking, and helping to your every need, but warning girls, Tim gave us all a scare, so please don’t leave your undies lying around anywhere, because it won’t be very long before Tim has got them on. (photo’s will prove this)

All this and more at Faraway Bay!

Now young Kyle the bush camp chef, had a lot of brown stuff running down his leg, because one of the guests was a big famous chef (Peter Evan’s).

Kyle could hardly control himself, his hands were all shaking and he was nearly out of breath.

When thank god the big famous chef, finally told Kyle he couldn’t have done much better himself.

So with tears in his eyes and his face all red, Kyle the bush camp chef, said he will promise to cook his very, very best.

Now Kyle has a special friend called Gloria, who helped him through the day, together they would knock up a storm, for you to fest all day, and when it was all done, and everyone was having fun, together they would just slip off into the sun, its time they had a little bit of fun.

Now we can’t forget Pam who held out her hand, and opened up her heart, just as bright as the sun.

Without Pam it would have only been half the fun.

She dotes on family and friends, because I can tell, Pam made us feel as welcome as well.

So god bless you Pam and keep you well, and make sure you stay at the great place, Faraway Bay.

Now there is also another who is just like a brother, his name was Steve or Macca, boy was he a real cracker.

All over the Bay he would lead you astray, so you could live life his way, even if it was for just a few days.

And while you were sleeping, Steve’s around the kitchen, with his very best mate Simone.

Together they prepare, for you to get through the next day (in the big frying pan!)

At the great place we all call Faraway Bay.

They will take you on hikes, or just about anything you like.

Together they help guide you to million year old art.

They show and tell you things in the bush, you just don’t learn, by sitting on your arse.

Now all the men guest’s love to fish, Steve, Craig, Peter and Ken, all say they caught the biggest fish of all, but it turned out not to be true, there was another called Astrid (who wore the pink pants), she said she could pull a bigger fish than all, so she dropped in a rod, pulled out the biggest cod, and made all the men guest’s cry, then they all headed to the bar, for a well earned beer and a good yarn.

Now if you ever get a chance to go on a break, then this is the place to go.

No phones, no bells, no noise at all, just boats and mates galore, so go on just hop on a plane and let it roar, all the way for the best time of all, the great place called Faraway Bay.

PS – To Steve, beat you didn’t think you would find a diamond in the bush (Simone), best wishes to all, Jim and Sandra Western.

Labels: Australia, Faraway Bay, fishing, Kimberley Cooking School, outback

Wow…what a great couple of weeks we have had out here at Faraway Bay. Chris Taylor has wooed us yet again over 4 days in May for the Kimberley Cooking School, with his culinary delights and quick wit, not to mention having the company of his gorgeous partner Julie jeering him along as only a loving wife can. His dishes complimented the guests staying with us at the time - adventurous, daring and spontaneous! Lots of great fish were caught by our guests, including Nanegai, Spanish Flag, Threadfin Salmon and Mangrove Jack. One wonderful dish that we reminis over is Sashimi Mangrove Jack with Pomegranite and Ruby Grape Fruit Dressing.

Stephen Scourfield also blessed us with his presence. A professional, fulltime writer and photographer for 30 years. Stephen is Travel Editor of The West Australian, writing and photographing internationally, on countries and cultures.

Gloria our camp assistant extrordinaire has been kept busy cleaning up after her partner in crime, resident chef Kyle and also a quoll who appears to want to have a wash in the shower with her when she least expects it! Cheeky quoll!!

The East Kimberley and Kununurra has enjoyed another success Ord Valley Muster and Kimberley Moon Experience concert. The Faraway Bay team had its own Kimberley Moon experience on the Diamond Lass. Pammy, Bruce, Robyn, Gloria, Chris, Julie and Kyle, along with the guests enjoyed drinks and nibblies while watching a moon in all it’s glory. The team were amazed by the orange glow as it rose up over the sandstone escarpment that hugs Faraway Bay .

Simone

Labels: Chris Taylor, fishing, Kimberley Cooking School, Kimberley Moon Experience, Ord Valley Muster, Stephen Scourfield