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Published: January 16th 2019
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Australia
Landed in Perth & then straight up to Learmonth, Western Australia, top left!
Flying along the coastline was spectacular, clear skies & miles from any where.
We stayed at Ningaloo Lodge a cross between a hostel & a hotel, which turned out to be a good base.
First full day we went along to Turquoise Bay where we entered the clear blue water off to the left of the beach then spent the next hour drifting along the current above the coral, mesmerised by the multi coloured coral & fish beneath us. We even swam with a turtle for about 5 minutes - fantastic. We just had to keep an eye out for where to get out & not drift too far into a dangerous current.
As we drove along the coast we saw a dingo wander by, an emu and a couple of kangaroos jumping across the road just in front of the car!
Next day was a lazy one as I had picked up a chest infection and a cold and was wiped out (Sue catching it a few days later).
Another day we went up to Yardie Creek where we managed to jump on
a boat for an hours cruise along the creek spotting Ospreys and wallabies.
At Sandy Bay on the way back we spent an hour watching talented kite surfers. Then stopped off near Tantabiddi boat ramp at a beautiful spot full of sand dunes and more kite surfers.
Our final day we drove a couple of hours south to Coral Bay. Fantastic bay beach with the coral just off shore. We spent an hour or two just floating - even swimming with a Manta Ray. Brilliant.
New Year was very quiet, by now neither of us were 100% so after a nice meal cooked by yours truly and a few drinks we went up at 11 and missed the New Year for the first time ever (although we were awake for the UK New Year 8am on the 1st!
Back in Perth we were stopping at our friends, Stephanie and Martin’s house at Quinn’s Rocks 30mins north of Perth for a few days while they were away further south with Steph’s children who were over from the UK. They emigrated out here about 7 years ago and are loving the lifestyle and having been here a few days
now, it’s obvious why.
Next day we met up with Rob and Jacquie a couple we met while travelling in Peru last year. It was great to catch up with them again and they took us round Sorrento beach and Kings Park - a beautifully kept park overlooking the Swan River. A good day but Sue hadn’t fully recovered from the lurgy which she picked up from me in Ningaloo so we headed back after a lovely dinner.
Next day Sue was not well and spent the day on the sofa - me I got my haircut! Exciting eh!
But the rest did the trick and the following day we were off to meet Rob and Jacquie again and spent most of the day cycling along and across the Swan River. Great cycle paths along the river and of course pretty flat ( as was my tyre after about 18k). I swapped bikes with Sue, then Rob and I rode the last 6k to get the car and pick up the girls.
Later we were photographing kangaroos that are allowed to run wild through the cemetery. A strangely fun way to end the afternoon and a
great couple of days with Rob and Jacquie.
Friends of Steph & Martin, Bob and Sheila a couple from Liverpool and his son and girlfriend, Robert & Lauren made us feel very welcome and spoilt us with the a great BBQ. The house had a view above the other houses towards the sea - a lovely setting for sunset & dinner.
The next day we packed the car with a Martin’s tent and drove 3.5 hours south towards Margaret River. We met up with Steph and Martin, Nat & her boyfriend Harry, Danielle & Dominic on the beach near Dunsborough where they were staying. It was great to see them all and in such a beautiful spot too. Later Martin and Steph came with us to our campsite where Martin put the tent up and I watched ( I was good at that) half an hour later the tent was secure the bed blown up and we opened a bottle to celebrate ( I just hope I can take the tent down in a few days time)
After a windy & cold night in the tent we got up the following morning and headed out to Prevelly
beach.
The Margaret River region was really laid back. We spent the next 4 days visiting really quiet beaches, wineries, art galleries & a couple of chocolate factories.
Our favourite beaches were Eagle Bay & Injidup, there were too many wineries to choose from:-
Voyager winery, Fishbone cellar, Amelia park winery, Vasse Felix, House of Cards & Fire tail.
Our final day saw us driving north again stopping first at a gallery in Margaret River where I met someone wearing a MK Dons shirt - you don’t see that very often and apparently he had just told his partner that morning that no one ever comments on the shirt - in steps Roche to make his day.
On our last night we enjoyed some great live music from the very talented Mitchell Martin at The Settlers Tavern https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j6kKsHEbexE
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