SECRETS OF THE 26TH PARALLEL: FROM MY PIC OF RUBY SALT BUSH ON WHITE SAND DUNES AT MYABOOLYA BEACH, CARNARVON, WA. THE FRUIT OF THIS OUTBACK PLANT TURN RUBY RED WHEN RIPE.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW DISAPPOINTED I WAS WHEN I DID A TASTE TEST & ATE ONE; IT WAS SO SALTY I HAD TO SPIT IT OUT, BUT MY THIRST INCREASED AS I WALKED ALONG THE DUNES ABOVE THE BEACH OVERLOOKING THE INDIAN OCEAN; SO MUCH FOR MY KNOWLEDGE OF BUSH TUCKER. RICHARD TOOK ME BACK THERE IN 2009 TO TAKE PHOTOS AS PART OF A REGIONAL ARTS DEVELOPMENT GRANT, AS CARNARVON WAS WHERE I LEARNT TO DOT PAINT & WHERE I FIRST MET RICHARD IN 1992. IT IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF FRESH FRUIT & VEGETABLES FOR THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF PERTH. THE AG DEPT RESEARCH STATION WHERE RICHARD WORKED GREW GRAPES & TROPICAL FRUIT FOR EXPORT.

CARNARVON'S FISHING SEASON RUNS FOR 6 SIX MONTHS. IN APRIL, BOATS START ARRIVING FROM PERTH, SOME WITH PORTUGESE & ITALIAN CAPTAINS & YOUNG CREWS, MANY OF THEM BACKPACKERS READY TO TRAWL FOR SCALLOPS, PRAWNS & FISH.