As a result of an early and much wetter Winter and Spring than in recent years, the grass was already waiting to be cut and since then has been an ongoing pain in the bum. Due to a combination of rainy and/or windy days and bouts of extreme laziness I didn't do any poisoning on the steep & rocky slopes in front of the house. Eventually it resulted in growth like this.
The grass jungle in front of the house at Folly Farm.
Much painful whipper snippering resulted on very steep rocky and unstable slopes. Also a lot of falling over and stress on the ankles & knees. I even resorted to getting a Permit to Burn, but could not get it to burn properly before it got really dry & too dangerous. Never again he says.....I WILL MAKE SURE I DO THE POISONING NEXT YEAR.
Jean finally had her new hip replacement operation done in September at Hollywood Private Hospital with Professor Kuster again. What a contrast to the major revision she had on the other hip about 18 months ago. This time, she was only in hospital for about 3 nights, the entry was from the front (meaning major muscle groups unaffected) and there were not even stitches - the wound was glued together. Amazing progress in medical technology all the time. Jean was driving again in 2 weeks this time and her recovery has been rapid. Unfortunately the other hip, which had the major revision is still giving her some pain & instability problems, which may require further work. Quite a daunting prospect for her. Back to the Specialist in Feb and we will see where that goes....
The other bad news late this year has been Axel (our Great Dane) being diagnosed with a congenital heart problem and given about 6 months to live before failure. Now on a very expensive daily drug routine, which seems to be working very well. Almost hard to believe he has a problem at the moment. Back to the specialist vet in early January for a check-up and review.
Finally the grass cured and despite a number of rainy reversions dried out and most of the cutting was completed.
The jacarandas have flowered again.
All of a sudden it looked like PJ would finally be able to escape for a trip in the lead up to Xmas. However, by a bit of a Facebook accident, I found a carpenter willing to do some repair work on our front decking and a number of other long overdue jobs that needed doing. A good guy, who has done some really thorough work for us, but yet again it delayed a departure.
Finally with just over a week to go before full onset of the Festering Season, and after a bit of a hiccup with the Bushtracker fridge I managed to leave Folly Farm on Friday 16th December. Had a very pleasant leisurely drive down the Roe Highway and Freeway to the start of the Forrest Highway. Stopped to change a battery in one of the van tyre pressure sensors.
All alone at Jindong
On Saturday I had a look around the area including the local markets around the Vasse Community Hall. Quite a lot of craft stalls, a little local produce and a number of cake stalls that I had to move quickly past to avoid making myself even fatter. Visited a (new for me) fairly small winery called Deep Woods, near the corner of Commonage & Wildwood Road's. Not far from Rivendell and the old Cape Clairault winery. Bought a couple of bottles of their Rose, one of which was recommended in an article in the Australian Financial review. One half gone already. Very nice fresh Summer drinking.
On the Sunday I hooked up again and headed a short distance further South & West to Gracetown Caravan Park, on the road into Coweramup Bay. On the way I stopped in Cowtown, visited the Bakery and had a very good chunky steak & red wine pie, plus an excellent coffee for lunch. Had time to watch some of the cows keeping the verge growth down in town.
The don't call it Cowtown for nothing.......
Being in a caravan park was a bit of a shock with lots of people around and fairly tight sites, even though Gracetown is a bush type setting with plenty of Peppermint trees and gravel tracks.
On Monday (19th Dec) I had booked lunch at Vasse Felix (the very first winery in Margaret River area) and a favourite over many years. The Winery & Restaurant are in a lovely building which also includes a gallery set up by Janet Homes a Court. My last visit was about 2.1/2 years ago and the food had become much more elaborate & interesting, with a 5 course tasting menu on offer (not sure that actually means better, but was still very enjoyable).
On Monday (19th Dec) I had booked lunch at Vasse Felix (the very first winery in Margaret River area) and a favourite over many years. The Winery & Restaurant are in a lovely building which also includes a gallery set up by Janet Homes a Court. My last visit was about 2.1/2 years ago and the food had become much more elaborate & interesting, with a 5 course tasting menu on offer (not sure that actually means better, but was still very enjoyable).
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| The Winery & Restaurant Building |
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| Eggplant with olive |
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| Compressed cheesecake with pineapple & coconut foam |
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| Rump steak cap with mushrooms & black barley |
After a long & relaxed lunch I took a (fairly short) drive to Coweramup Bay to watch the surfers in action. There was a howling Southerly blowing, but that meant protected offshore wind at Huzzawuiee and South Point, with quite a reasonable swell and surf. About 50 surfers out, spread between the two breaks. Lots of young girls and women included; very different from the "old days" when we used to come down and camping along the creek bed in the middle of the bay. A few pictures below:
Looking across the Bay towards North Point.
Back to Gracetown Caravan Park for an afternoon nap and a quiet night. Next morning I indulged (wot again) in a Croissant from a nearby French Bakery which does weekday morning rounds including the park.
I spent a bit of time in Margaret River having a look around, then a visit to Surfers Point at the river mouth where a few very skilled kite & wind surfers were carving up the choppy but reasonably large waves.
During the afternoon, I went to have a look at Brookwood Cafe, which is currently the Trip Advisor number one rated restaurant in the area. A small winery & cafe, which has a more simple menu than many places in the region, but is obviously well rated by visitors. Even in the mid afternoon it was still busy, so I had a coffee and sat under shade out the front and had a look at the menu. Perhaps a return visit sometime.
To finish the day, I then visited Aravina Estate, not far from Deep Woods (above). Yet another hidden away gem, with beautiful gardens, building next to a lake and a car collection as well. Tried a wine recommended by Tom Porter and a few other wines as well. A few were on a promotion and extremely good value, so I left with more wine than I had intended to buy. Not unusual for me visiting new wineries.........
Lovely gardens.
Quite a car collection at Aravina Estate
Aravina Estate - Beautiful setting.
On Wednesday, I hooked up again and moved from Gracetown to the Turner Caravan Park, right on the Blackwood River Estuary in Augusta. The park is quite large, but very well set out and run by the local Augusta Margaret River Local Authority. I have been a visitor twice before and like both the park and the town. Augusta is much smaller and quieter than Margaret River. Has always been lower key and attracts a lot of fishermen, families and regular visitors. The park still fairly quiet in the lead up to Christmas. I leave to go home on Boxing Day, which is when everywhere near the coast is suddenly overwhelmed with holiday makers. A good day to be traveling towards Perth when everyone else is heading in the other direction.
A quiet time in Augusta. Had an outing on Thursday to check out the Lake Cave. It was very busy, so I did not wait for a tour, but went on to the Berry Farm, east of Witchcliffe for a revisit & some lunch. Still wonderfully fresh food at the Cottage Cafe, but yet again I had forgotten how bad the flies were outside. Almost made it difficult to eat in peace, but such a beautiful setting.
Had to throw in this sign from Turner Caravan Park. Something about a Council run park that means there are always more signs than not.....
After buying a selection of some fresh local produce including cherries, rasberries, garlic, farm style Italian sausages and some excellent rye & caraway bread, I headed South again, stopping off at Lake Cave for the 9:30am Tour. On Christmas Eve it was already busy.....
The docline (hole) and entrance to the cave.
Blackwood estuary near the river mouth.
Flinders Bay.
Flinders Bay beach & jetty.
The new Boat Harbour on the way to Cape Leeuwin. Another bonus from "Royalties for Regions"
Leeuwin lighthouse and a couple of the old lighthouse keepers' cottages in the foreground.
The wild Leeuwin Coast. Where two oceans meet.
The shady river foreshore area, next to Turner Caravan Park.
Looking across the Bay towards North Point.
Huzzawuiee with South Point wave in the background.
The larger waves at South Point.
Back to Gracetown Caravan Park for an afternoon nap and a quiet night. Next morning I indulged (wot again) in a Croissant from a nearby French Bakery which does weekday morning rounds including the park.
I spent a bit of time in Margaret River having a look around, then a visit to Surfers Point at the river mouth where a few very skilled kite & wind surfers were carving up the choppy but reasonably large waves.
During the afternoon, I went to have a look at Brookwood Cafe, which is currently the Trip Advisor number one rated restaurant in the area. A small winery & cafe, which has a more simple menu than many places in the region, but is obviously well rated by visitors. Even in the mid afternoon it was still busy, so I had a coffee and sat under shade out the front and had a look at the menu. Perhaps a return visit sometime.
To finish the day, I then visited Aravina Estate, not far from Deep Woods (above). Yet another hidden away gem, with beautiful gardens, building next to a lake and a car collection as well. Tried a wine recommended by Tom Porter and a few other wines as well. A few were on a promotion and extremely good value, so I left with more wine than I had intended to buy. Not unusual for me visiting new wineries.........
Lovely gardens.
Quite a car collection at Aravina Estate
Aravina Estate - Beautiful setting.
A quiet time in Augusta. Had an outing on Thursday to check out the Lake Cave. It was very busy, so I did not wait for a tour, but went on to the Berry Farm, east of Witchcliffe for a revisit & some lunch. Still wonderfully fresh food at the Cottage Cafe, but yet again I had forgotten how bad the flies were outside. Almost made it difficult to eat in peace, but such a beautiful setting.
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| Berry Farm Cottage Cafe |
Had to throw in this sign from Turner Caravan Park. Something about a Council run park that means there are always more signs than not.....
On Saturday morning (Xmas Eve) I got up early to go back to Margaret River for the weekly Farmers Market. They officially open at 7:30am, but when I arrived at about 7:15, most stalls were open & it was already busy......
The docline (hole) and entrance to the cave.
Suspended table above the crystal clear water, and the way out of the cave. Many many steps up to the spectacular viewing platform above.
One more stop on the way back to Augusta. Not far South of Lake Cave, the road (Caves Road) descends into the Karri Forest at Boranup. It is such a Cathedral like, beautiful and peaceful area.
Stunning Boranup Valley Karri Forest.
A final drive around Augusta to finish off with and my excursions are done for this trip. Great spot to spend a quiet Christmas away from the madding crowds before the holiday invasion that starts on Boxing Day.
Blackwood estuary near the river mouth.
Flinders Bay.
Flinders Bay beach & jetty.
Leeuwin lighthouse and a couple of the old lighthouse keepers' cottages in the foreground.
The wild Leeuwin Coast. Where two oceans meet.
The shady river foreshore area, next to Turner Caravan Park.
.....and finally, the Bushtracker has had a very pleasant excursion and a very quiet Xmas Day.
All ready to hitch up again and return to Folly Farm tomorrow (Boxing Day). See you next time.
Best wishes for 2017.
