One of the unique natural wonders that had formed over the centuries on Whale Rock was the ‘blow hole’. This loud thumping high-spraying geyser, was usually viewed by the tourists from the safe distance on the seats at the top of the headland overlooking the rock and it’s deep dividing channel. Being initially enticed to the rock by David for a spot of unprofitable fishing, Tom and I soon discovered the life cycle of this gushing phenomenon close up! See, we could not quite lock in to our other brothers excitement of just sitting on the barnacled rock with index finger resting on a slowly winding line waiting for a big sea monster to strike. Tom and I were looking for real adventure, and it found us one morning as Pip and David continued their troll for the ocean’s Holy Grail. Now, it is the air-ripping high pressured extrusion of the blow hole that first takes your attention, because it is usually a sound associated with too much danger. Being the brave souls that we were, we contented ourselves with an observing safe distance look and marvel. Well, after watching this royal performance for a while we soon identified certain patterns in the seemingly unpredictable demonstration being displayed before us. Keen-for-adventure Tom, picked a moment of quiet interlude to run over and put his terry towelling hat on the top of the calm gaping hole. What fun it was to try and catch that flying hat as it was propelled some 20 feet into the air by the exploding forces caused by the cavity crashing waves. This activity kept us amused for quite a few rotations until I happened to put the hat on the hole just a little too early. Too early – you may ask? Tom just said That sucks!, and he was right, because the blow hole actually sucked Tom’s hat into the hole faster than a crab disappears down the sand hole when it is disturbed. It just vanished from sight in an instant! Tom seemed unperturbed by the loss. I guess he reasoned that it may provide some wholesome panicked entertainment at the serious end of the rock as his hat went floating past those lost in space fisherpersons. Tom and I then discovered some loose sand and shell grit near the hole and we began shovelling it in to the hole at the precise timely moment. We then had to crouch and cower appropriately as we were showered by the combination of water, sand and grit. Finally when everything loose on that rock had been thrown down the hole and blown to bits in the air, Tom decided it was time for the ultimate challenge to sit on the blasting hole. Well Tom had obviously not learnt the lessons of the sucked-in hat, because just prior to the next detonating event, the hole breathed in a lung full of grit and sand. Now sand blasting may be a useful technique for removing solid attached impediments from large concrete structures, but it is hardly the medically recommended treatment for removing unwanted hair from one’s bikini line. Tom had always tried to explain his lack of hair in certain private parts as the after effect of his radiology sorry Tom, we all know better now, don’t we!
