Around the West in 90-Odd Days: Days 33-35 (5-7 Aug) – VIP treatment at Mornington Wilderness Camp

We spent two glorious days relaxing at Mornington Wilderness Camp, part of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) which seeks to increase native animal populations by maintaining regular burning off and reducing feral animal populations. Their scientific research and trials are fascinating (not kidding). The native quolls are being taught not to eat cane toads by being fed cane toad sausages which make them sick. The poisonous cane toads have not yet arrived there, but are expected to within the next 12 months. Feral cats have been fitted with trackers so that their habits can be learned - they are by far the greatest threat to native wildlife. De-sex your cats, people! Bilbies live up here! They are to be reintroduced to NSW shortly.

We spent a day canoeing down Dimond Gorge, spotted some freshwater crocodiles, did some swimming, and watched sunset over Sir John Gorge. The latter was interrupted by a group tour of overseas and government dignitaries who were being wooed with champagne and cheese. As our peaceful evening had been intruded upon, they also pressed the champagne and cheese on us; I'd love some kind sir, all intrusions forgiven (somehow I keep receiving free alcohol on this trip).

The restaurant offers a single set menu each night – a main and dessert package. The night after our arrival was a ricotta stuffed chicken breast, and double chocolate and walnut brownie dessert, but the next night was scotch fillet steak with coffee panacotta dessert. We wanted the steak, but Dave had his eye on that brownie, and hates all things coffee. We explained our predicament and the chef took pity on Dave's forlorn countenance at the thought of missing out on her brownie dessert. He even managed a quivering lip. She promised to save a brownie dessert for Dave for the following night, and we booked in for dinner. We kept our negotiations secret, and all was going well until the waitress presented Dave’s dessert a little too loudly, and the next table wanted to know why they couldn’t have the chocolate dessert too. The waitress explained that Dave was a very special man for whom very special concessions had been made (!). Hey, we had been drinking champagne with the elite that afternoon.

PS – Dave became an impromptu tick removal officer in training (now competent) after Liz found a tick lodged behind one knee. Fortunately a friend had previously recommended and demonstrated how a tick removal kit works, so we were prepared (thanks, Dave2/patient Hind!). Tick removal kits don't come up all that often, but it just paid for itself.