GRASS PATCH - POPULATION: 493

SAT 25 - MON 27.1.2014: HAPPY 'STRALIA' DAY FROM GRASS PATCH! Well may you ask where is Grass Patch! Grass Patch is a small farming town in the Mallee region, located 79 km north of Esperance on the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway. The town was named after a nearby farm of the same name that had been settled around 1896 and was renowned for bountiful crops and good grass. Stayed at the Grass Patch Park "N" Stay, only $20.00 per night (powered site), with lovely facilities and within walking distance of the Tavern - perfect! Tour Coordinator Peel outdid herself this time - the aim as always was a quiet retreat, there were two other vans in the park, but both were away for the weekend. Also, the population "in town" (which is where we were), numbers about 20 people, so all in all the goal was more than achieved. As we were the only van we can hardly complain about others not entering into the Australia Day spirit!

Love everything about the smaller villages - sitting outside and a local chap walked by and asked if we would like some sauce that he was brewing - yes please. Two contemporary preservative bottles (stubby beer bottles), of one mild and one hot sauce appeared. Paid a token amount and also offered our herb farm as we will not be able to take it across the border - now planted in his garden. Next, another local chap - bottle of honey.

The local tavern is under new management and was only taken over some 5 weeks earlier. Needless to say one had to venture forth in search of the grass patch! Went to the local school, tennis club (synthetic surface), and recreation area - nothing, then a breakthrough, at the back of the facilities we struck GOLD, 'THE PATCH'!

'T-H-E' GRASS PATCH!

ESPERANCE - POPULATION: 9,919

THUR 23 - FRI 24.1.2014: Esperance is a regional city in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, on the Southern Ocean coastline. Major industries are tourism, agriculture, and fishing. European history of the region dates back to 1627 when the Dutch vessel Gulden Zeepaert, skippered by François Thijssen, passed through the blue waters off the Esperance coast. French explorers are credited with making the first landfall near the present day town, naming it and other local landmarks whilst sheltering from a storm in this area in 1792. Bushlands Holiday Village was the choice of accommodation - different, but met the budget! 

INTERNET PHOTO OF CAPE LE GRAND

Had planned to visit Cape Le Grand National Park - one of WA's best known and most spectacular National Parks. Did find a dog minding service very reasonably priced, but you had to agree to a full day boarding and as Madison was still not back to full health we were not prepared to leave her for that length of time. Instead we headed out to Esperance Stonehenge. Commissioned in 2009 for the Australasian Granite Company to sculpture and complete Stonehenge in Margaret River.

After 12 months of quarrying the project was in financial trouble. As Esperance residents for 40 years Jillian and Kim Beale purchased "Lazy k Gelbvieh" in 2001 and finally built the Esperance Stonehenge in 2010 - 'a walk back through history, until everything ancient is new again'. The alignment of the structure to the summer and winter solstice along with the measuring and positioning of the stones were done by Kim. The floor plan and stone sizes were put together by Sorensen Architecture from Margaret River - admire people's passion.


 

 

 

 

 

Esperance boasts Australia's best beaches and white sand, and the Great Ocean Drive offers the opportunity of appreciating the coastline. The drive has allocated parking or stopping bays that allows you to pull over and take photos, swim, surf or walk.

WE WENT TO T-H-E-E-E-E-E LEFT!




TEN MILE LAGOON




JANUARY 24 - MISS MADISON'S 8TH BIRTHDAY
STILL NOT FEELING AT HER BEST!

"ON THE ROAD AGAIN......"

SUN 19 - WED 22.1.2014: Yesterday was a designated "Day of Pain" - Carole's cement calves and Sybil's frozen knee and ankle joints resulted in the 'Minister for Silly Walks" x 2! To think we are contemplating the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb - HAAAA! The girl (Madison), developed a cough after being washed and we assumed she had scored some water down her nose. The cough gradually worsened and we spent most of the night awake when camped at Karri Gully Picnic Site 27 km west of Bridgetown. After a l-o-n-g night we ventured into Bridgetown in search of a vet. Stopped outside the closed vet's surgery, then headed straight to the Information Centre. "Oh, I think the vet has retired, but there is another". Dr Nicola Fargher (Blackwood Veterinary Centre), kindly saw us and diagnosed Kennel Cough. Even though both Madison and Shayden have been vaccinated they can still contract a mild form of Kennel Cough. Chances are the 'Sound of Music' runs through the meadow at Big Valley where some hundred other dogs have cavorted caused the problem. Antibiotics, Metacam and of course Shayden needed some (just in case), resulted in a sizeable contribution to maintaining the town's vet! Madison is still coughing, but it could take up to nine days to resolve the problem.

Stopped for lunch at Nannup (population 501/established in 1889). The bridge was part of a final link that brought the railway to Nannup in 1909. Since then the Blackwood River has not always been peaceful, with significant floods in the area.



The flood tree indicates the water levels during the floods. The highest levels were recorded in 1909.

Nannup Totems - a collaborative sculpture project celebrating Nannup's past, present and future. Our overnight stay was at Kojonup (population 1,122 - established 1837), Rest Area - $5.00 per night with toilets, potable water, garbage bins and a dump point. Camper's heaven!

B-I-G WOOL WAGON AT KOJONUP

ROSE MAZE

Before leaving Kojonup we visited the Rose Maze - three stories are woven throughout the maze and span from 1900 - 2000. The Noongar Story, The English Settler and the Italian Migrant Story.

 

Onward to Borden Recreation Ground for an evening, then Meridian Rest Area 4 km west of Ravensthorpe.

ROSE MAZE



MARGARET RIVER

FRIDAY 17 - SATURDAY 18.1.2014: In our infinite stupidity we determined that we would spend the day driving to Augusta to visit Jewel Cave and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. The concept of visiting the area in one day made sense, BUT the one minor hiccup was the fact that both activities required the climbing and descending of a total of 850 stairs (500 at the Jewel Cave/350 at the Lighthouse) - but who was counting!

STRAW STALACTITES

Jewel Cave is WA's largest tourist cave and boasts intricate formations and beautiful 'decorations' in its enormous chambers. It is home to a frozen waterfall and one of the world's longest straw stalactites.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The historic 116 year old Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the tallest on mainland Australia and sits on the tip of a spectacular peninsula where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. The lighthouse guards one of the world's most dangerous shipping lanes. Built in 1896 the lighthouse tower stands 56 metres above sea level, with the original mechanics rotating the light still in operation.








Although somewhat fatigued, one mustered the strength to visit the Christmas in Karridale shop - surprise!

MARGARET RIVER

WED 15 - THUR 16.1.2014: Off to Cowaramup (population 988), which is the equivalent of a walk down the streets of Morpeth. Gift shops, specialty foods, L-O-L-L-I-E-S and the list went on. Yes, a few purchases were made and must add that Cowaramup's uniqueness is that due to their name cow sculptures are at every turn - excellent!

CANDY COW LOLLY SHOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onward to the next decadent point of call Olio Bello - all things Olive Oil. Then to the Berry Farm which has a mixture of everything, a cellar door, sauces etc. and a café. At this point we should mention that the most difficult part of the trip is determining the amount of indulgence that should and can be purchased!

THE BERRY FARM

The final stop we had to definitely make on behalf of Laurie and Stella - Margaret River 'Stella Bella' winery. Again a small boutique with a lovely ambience - tasted wines, purchased bottles and had the Award Winning glass of wine overlooking the vineyard - stunning!

THE BERRY FARM



STELLA BELLA