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Saved: September 20th 2017
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Had a lovely and lazy Saturday at Yallingup. In the afternoon we headed to the beach and while Susan napped I basked in the sun watching the waves roll in. Back in the Caravan park armed with a bottle of wine (and glasses!) we headed to the lovely rolling lawns to watch the sunset- a ritual known as a 'Sundowner'. It was fun to watch the Aussies engaged in their holiday routines- blokes barbecue, sheilas sit and drink wine! A kookaburra put on a great photo op. display. A delicious lamb chop barbecue followed and then a rousing game of Carcassonne, a game which I had sent over with Dad for Sue's Christmas gift.
Sunday began with a lovely walk on Yallingup Bay beach, where all manner of activity was occurring - fishing, dog walking, swimming, surfing.... A gorgeous place which in Susan's opinion is one of the prettiest beaches in the world. I have no cause to debate this statement. It was glorious, with a blue sky, crashing waves, dogs racing around barking at the surf, and professional photographers filming some very good (according to Alan) surfers. "They're on top of their game” declared he.
After
breakfast we commenced our tour of the region. In an area littered with 140+ wineries, as many galleries, enormous caves and numerous surf beaches, it would be easy for some to flit from scene to scene. However, I know my shopping and sightseeing limits. So, we started by going into Margaret River to see the Sunday open air market; well to be honest we did more than 'see' it. There was an amazing paperback novel stall where every book was $2- but I resisted. On this trip I am keeping only one actual book at a time, and when I read it I leave it on an exchange shelf in the youth hostel....then we went to a wonderful art gallery called the Boronup gallery where I bought some lovely souvenirs for my family. (Not telling, they'll just have to wait for birthdays and Christmas time......) So, now shopping has been ticked off of my list. On to a cafe for a nice lunch, and concluding with a wine tour and tasting at Leeuwin Estates Wineries. I attach a photo of the 'concert' lawn. Since 1985, they hold one or 2 concerts annually here, seating 6500 people on the grass to
hear the likes of Sting, the London Philharmonic, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick. While I was admiring this lovely outdoor venue, a helicopter landed, the pilot emerged and returned with 1 case of (apparently urgently required) wine, and took off again.
So, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., I visited one market, one gallery, one cafe, one winery. A delightful and relaxed afternoon. We drove home by the back roads and enjoyed the lovely rural views.
Monday was our last day in the area. After visiting 3 galleries, Susan and I had a picnic at Castle Rock, and I watched an entirnfamilynfishing, although the 2 youngest boys were a bit in and out. Then we went to visit the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse. Wow! the things that I learned..... The lighthouse components were all assembled in Birmingham England and then sent by ship to Australia - somewhat like an Ikea kit! everything was included - nuts, bolts, cast iron, prism, even teak squares which were pounded into stair treads to make non-slip stairs! Oh, I could go on and on....ask me in person why we should say "mad as a lighthouse keeper" as well as "mad as a hatter". I'll
just add that the prisms that the light shines through weighs 2 tons....each prism was suspended in a barrel of molasses to prevent breakage while being shipped from Birmingham, and assembled here. The lighthouse is now automated, a little light detector turns it on at dusk, and the bulb itself is now halogen, rather than the former whale oil or kerosene....but not much else has changed..... Remarkable.
Road Trip # 1 was now drawing to a close.After our tour Susan and I headed back to Perth, to re- group and re- provision for the next stage of the journey.
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sharontaeger
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Sounds like you are having a great time. We are at Aaron's for 3-4 nights. Then Andrea's for 30 nights. All is fine. Eneventful 24 hr. drive. Good roads - only snow in some ditches.