The answer to yesterday's midweek mystery question is ... a ribbon fish - an oarfish, 'Trachipterus arcticus' – common name ‘dealfish.’” A rare find. I‘d not seen one and neither had any of my old-timer, salty mates who’ve spent their lives, harvesting the fruits of the sea. The juvenile (photo in yesterday's post) was washed up on Shellharbour Beach. They can grow up to a huge size as shown in the photo. Dealfish are mostly found in the North Atlantic Ocean from Norway and I

Ever seen one of these? Not me and neither had some of my fisher friends. I photographed it some time ago where it was found on Shellharbour Beach. Answer posted tomorrow.

The answer to yesterday’s midweek mystery question is … the Purple Swamp Hen. Some Berry residents have caught sight of them. Cambewarra folk say they haven't been seen for decades. Its reappearance follows 18 months of continuous fox baiting along the Tapitallee Creek corridor, as part of the Shoalhaven Fox Control Program. Peter Jirgens and other property owners along the Tapitallee Creek corridor started laying fox baits in 2018 Purple Swamp Hens are mainly ground dwelling

Can you identify this family? A clue - it lives in the Shoalhaven.and hasn't been seen for many years. My good mate Peter Jirgens has lived at his Cambewarra property for 38 years and has never seen it - until now. All will be revealed tomorrow. Photo. Peter Jirgens

The joy of cycling with the usual suspects through palms, ferns, vines and trees, hundreds of years old. Serenaded by sea and land birds; meeting the occasional wallaby. It’s right on our doorstep, beside the sea and it happens daily – truly blessed. I’m the one in the red jacket. Video courtesy Kent Ladkin, Natural Necessity Surf Shop, Gerringong

The usual clever and creative responses flowed freely to my challenge. I'm sure the mystery object could be put to a thousand uses but the offical answer is ... an old pair of olive tongs. Thanks to all who provided an answer and stretching your imagination. Stay tuned for next week's challenge.

Can you identify what this is used for? I guess it might have a place in a kitchen, garage, even an operating theatre! But it's specially designed for a specific task. Your best guess or creative comment. Answer posted tomorrow.

A beautiful and powerful 2 minute video to remind us of what is important.

'Ritual object' or Kru money? Response to yesterday’s post brought a collection of practical applications for this interesting piece. The origin is not known for certainty, except that they were made and used among the Kru and the Grebo in southeastern Liberia. According to one source, the Kru and Grebo believe these objects to be living creatures that could be found in creeks rivers and lagoons. They call them ‘tien’, or ‘nitien’ or ‘Dwin’, meaning water spirits or ‘Gods of