I can’t believe a month has gone since I last blogged. So much has happened!
After a wonderful time with family on Willow’s first Christmas, Andy and I headed off on Boxing Day for a week’s trip south. We stayed the first night at one of my favourite places, the Estuary out of Mandurah where the crabbing is reknowned. I’d bought Andy a little scoop net at Christmas time, thinking we would just have a bit of fun and never thinking for a moment that we would actually catch any crabs; however, we managed to snare 17 blue swimmers to both Andrew’s and my (and perhaps the crabs’ too) sheer amazement. It was soooooo much fun but … when we both thought about killing, cooking and eating them, well, we unanimously decided to let the poor little beggars go.
After such a fun time, we headed off to see the thrombolites (which, according to Pa, are ‘ancient orgasms’ – no, he will never live that slip of the tongue down) on Lake Clifton. Such a beautiful place and so quiet and peaceful.
We had been told by some other happy campers that, if we were heading Margaret River way, we should stop off at Cowaramup – otherwise known as ‘Cow Town’. Yep, the council has put all these beautifully designed cows in random positions throughout the little village. What a great idea to stop the tourists who just might also have a coffee, go into the gift shops etc etc. Well done, Cow Town!
We stayed right in Margaret River for a few days and travelled from there to Prevelly, a fabulous coastal area where the surfers, kite boarders and windsurfers make the most of the perfect conditions.
Then on to Lakes Cave for a fabulous experience although the 300 steps down, but more importantly the 300 steps back up, were a little ….. daunting …
through Headache Rock and on to Splitting Headache Rock
and then, wow, freaking wow!
I had been told of a winery in the Margaret River which was owned by a very rich fellow who, well, kind of overindulged his wife who was a serious feminist. So, off we went to Laurence of Margaret River (not to be confused with Laurence of Arabia).
The toilets in the winery are the source of much interest. They are as big as most bathrooms, have beautiful original artworks on the walls, lovely antique furniture etc etc. Can I just say from the outset that it’s difficult to take photos inside a toilet – for obvious reasons – however, this will give you some idea –
The sign inside the toot says, “Please don’t steal our things, we believe in karma.” I’d love to meet that gal.
What a fun, fabulous winery this is. As you enter the driveway, there is a sculpture of the Tree of Knowledge which sits beside a lake within which is a wonderful sculpture of a woman atop a very high beam – and I think the ideaology behind it is all about freedom for women.
However, could I draw your attention now please, back to the wonderful Cow Town and their cow sculptures? Well, obviously someone had a wonderful sense of humour –
As you enter the town, in the park on the left hand side is this fabulous sculpture. I wonder if the lady from Laurence of Margaret River thinks it’s as amusing as the rest of us do?
New Year’s Eve was spent at Busselton (yep, that place with the really, really long jetty). I went all out with champagne, candle, silk place mats and barbecued sausages cooked by Andy. By 9pm I was in bed!! What a wild night.
Andy had to leave on Sunday, 4 January so back we headed to Perth but on the way we caught a boat from Rockingham out to Penguin Island, just a mere 5 or so minutes boat ride from the shore. What a beautiful little island this is which is home to around 1,000 penguins and thousands of other seabirds.
We had dinner with Summer, Bradley and Willow on the Saturday night and then I dropped Andrew off at the airport the followin day for his flight home.
What a great trip we had, Andy. Miss you and love you heaps.
Yahoo great blog I hope you haven’t worn out Margaret Rivef