A Day Too Early!!

This morning we woke up and started celebrating Ronan's birthday. We gave him his presents and his card from Bill and Connie, then as we were tucking into breakfast I checked my phone for the time and saw that it was the 21st April today! Whoops! You know you are truly on holiday when you have no idea what day it is to the point that you get your son's birthday wrong!! We put everything away again for tomorrow!

We set off from Freo bound for the Pinnacles at Cervantes. The Pinnacles are quite fascinating mainly because they are unsure about what they are. There are a few theories, but whatever they are, they are pretty bizarre. 

We left there with the intention of staying at Jurien Bay. We arrived there at about 1:30pm, just in time for the footy! We found a great pub, pulled up a chair and a brew, had some lunch and watched the first half. We then decided to travel on a bit further, so we drove on to a free stay just near Dongara. This place is right on the beach, although sadly the beach is covered in seaweed, but it has a fabulous view!

And another great Western Ausralian sunset!

Perth and Freo

Today we got up to great excitement as the Easter Bunny had managed to find our caravan and leave some yummy chocolate! We took full advantage of the early start and set off for Perth.  We went for a tour of the Perth mint. This mint is now solely used to make coins from precious metals majority of which are then exported all over the world. We were able to watch a gold pour to make a solid gold bar. We got to try and lift one, completely secure in a vault surrounded by security cameras and guards!! We saw the world's biggest coin, a 1012kg gold coin valued at approx $50m and also lots of nuggets that have been found throughout the years.   

We then went to Kings park, along with pretty much everyone in Perth! It was very busy, but on such a glorious day we were not really surprised. From here there were some beautiful views of the city and rivers that run into Perth. We saw the Bell Tower, a new looking building that would have been more lovely but the grounds surrounding it are currently being renovated!

We then headed back to Freo for the Fremantle Prison tour.

This was quite interesting, as the prison was only closed in 1992, and as it was built in 1890's the facility was very basic with no plumbing in the cells and no form of heating or cooling. 

We got to look through all of the cells, the facilities including the kitchen and offices, and also saw solitary confinement, the whipping post, 

and the hanging chamber, where they hanged 60 odd people, the last being in 1952.

We then went back to the caravan, grabbed the bikes and rode into town with the purpose of heading to the markets. It turned out the Arts and Music festival was on and there was heaps to see and do, with streets cordoned off and people everywhere!! We started at the market where we bought Ronan his first boomerang. We drank and nibbled as we wandered along through the market and then out on to the streets where we stopped to watch the various happenings along the way.  We saw street performers including a magician, acrobatic jugglers and these amazing bird / dinosaur like creatures. 

We ate a snack at Monks brewery and tried their grolsch,

before ending the night with a few brews and tapas at the Little Creatures brewery while being entertained by a drumming ensemble that ventured in off the street and tried to raise the roof!! 

We then rode home in the dark!

Rottnest and the Quokkas

Today we got up early and rode our bikes to the ferry terminal to catch the express to Rottnest Island. It was a great cruise over and upon arrival we set off on our bikes to explore the island. 

We firstly went to the lighthouse and it wasn't long after that when we came across our first quokka. They are very cute! 

We rode to Parakeet Bay and had a swim there. Troy tried snorkelling, but as it was a bit windy and choppy, visibility was poor. 

We rode further around, and came across a group of very friendly quokkas, and we stopped and had a pat! 

As we ran out of drinking water and had two very hungry kids on our hands, we headed back through the middle of the island for Thomson Bay and grabbed some refreshments. Troy had some bike issues so he and Stella stayed put while Ronan and I explored the other side of the island, coming across the gorgeous Salmon Bay, a great place to moor our next home!!!

And Little Salmon Bay, another gorgeous beach.

 We then headed back and the kids had some Aqua fun while we waited for the ferry home. 

After riding all day we were all exhausted and crashed when we got back!

Fremantle

This morning we left Bunbury bound for Fremantle, via Mandurah, which was very picturesque. We arrived in Freo, set up camp and rode into a very busy harbour, despite it being Good Friday.

 

We watched a street performer, then wandered the streets with a yummy ice cream. We saw the Little Creatures brewery, and then strolled along Cappucino Strip where we ran into some Melburnians, Dominic and Isabella from school. Small world!

We walked along the coast and found the Round House, Fremantle's first prison, before settling in at Kailis, who apparently make the best fish and chips! They were pretty delicious!

The Bunbury Dolphins and the Gnomes

This morning I dragged the clan out of bed very early to go down to the bay of see the dolphins. Apparently the bay here is home to 360 wild dolphins that regularly come up to the shore to say hi!! Well we didn't see 360 but we did see two or three!

We went back to the park for a big breakfast that Troy cooked up for us. We also noticed that our power was off and when I went to check the plug this is what I found!  Apparently Harry didn't like us using so much power!

Then we set off on our merry way into Ferguson Valley and the Wellington National Park.  This is the home of Gnomesville, a roadside stop that has been inundated with heaps, and I mean HEAPS of gnomes! 

Not sure how it started, but now people come to have a look and leave a gnome! And a TV! The family tried to leave me there, but I didn't quite fit in!!

We then drove through the national park and saw the King Jarrah tree, and then onto the Wellington Dam and quarry before driving back to Bunbury.  After the kids had a swim in the pool and we had a nanna nap, we went out to the movies to see the Muppets Most Wanted, and then wished we hadn't!!  We grabbed some dinner and headed home for a game of cards and bed!

And We're Back on the Coast

Rather than waking up to the sounds of waves this morning we woke to the sound of Baaaaaaa!!!!  The lambs were very cute though and the kids got to feed them breakfast!

After packing up camp we set off again. As we had stayed in Margaret River we thought we'd better actually see the river! So we went to the coast to check out the mouth of Margaret River and also to check out the surf. The waves were knarley!!!! Which was just as well as the World Surf Pro had just finished. Shame we missed that!

We then went to Hay Shed Hill for brunch, another recommendation from Matthew. 

The winery had a lovely outlook, but the food, totally yummy!!! Troy had an Indonesian curry with egg and red rice.

From here we went to Laurence winery to see the toilets, which was a recommended thing to do from a few people.  While the toilets were stunning, the whole winery was awesome, fabulous gardens, a beautiful building and the most amazing art. We didn't try the wine as it was a bit early in the day, but the wine bottles were even quite gorgeous!

From here we went to Busselton, where we walked along the longest wooden piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere at 1.8km.

It is so long there is even a train to take people from one end to the other! 

We arrived in Bunbury where we are staying for two nights. After setting up camp we went into town for supplies and to check out the beach, before settling in for the night with an amazingly beautiful full moon! Apparently the haloing effect is caused by icicles in the atmosphere, according to some random that Troy was chatting to in the park. Will have to check with google! 

Margaret River = Sample Day!!!

Today we packed up early and set off for Margaret River.  The first stop on my agenda was a shell museum, which Troy refused to go into after declaring it was going to be lame. However after checking the reviews on trip advisor, he decided to give it a go!! It was amazing both in size and in range! It was Pete and Kath's private shell collection that they have been acquiring for 60 years and it was located in their home. Amongst the collection were also a lot of sea creatures including sharks, crabs and sea horses! They had that many shells they had even created things like chandeliers and wind chimes from them!! It was quite impressive!  And rather sad!!

We then found the farm stay where we had decided to spend a night. It is a working farm that has designated a paddock or two to the weary traveller, but they have gone all out, providing power, water, toilets and hot showers.  We set the van up, and then set off for sampling!!

The first stop was Stella Bella winery. We mainly stopped there because of its name, but we sampled some of the wines and bought a few. Stella bought herself a t-shirt too!

Our next stop was at the cheese factory, where we once again sampled and bought!  Getting the gist of our day yet?!!

Next we went to see a silk worm farm, and while we didn't sample the silk worms we did sample the mulberry jam and syrup that they produce as well as silk. As silkworms feed on mulberry leaves the farm has an abundant amount of mulberry trees and thus a huge supply of mulberries. The lady that ran the farm gave us a great detailed explanation of the way they create silk, exporting the cocoons to Cambodia to be spun into silk, which is then returned to the farm. It was very interesting.

Next stop was the Chocolate factory, no explanation needed as to what we did there!!!

We then went on to a winery that also made nougat. We sampled both produce including a honey almond nougaretto. That was like Baileys only more delicious! Sadly though there was a problem in the bottling department and there was none for sale. Damn it!

We then went to the Cheeky Monkey brewery and while sampling their beers and ciders we also had lunch.  The brewery also was attached to the Killerby winery, and we sampled a few of those wines too!

We drove back to Margaret River and visited the fudge factory, where we of course sampled and bought, although I don't think the fudge is as good as mine. Big call I know, but this was a unanimous decision amongst the family!!

On referral from the wine guru of the family (thanks Matthew H) we then went to the Voyager winery that had as equally impressive gardens as it did wine.  This was the best winery we visited today, according to the kids, because it also had a non alcoholic wine available that they could sample too!!  And it was delicious!!

Our last stop was the Leeuwin winery that also had impressive surrounds and great wine!  What a fantastic area this is!!

We got back to the farm in time to feed the goats.  The kids enjoyed this as much as the very hungry goats did!!

Hopefully this lamb won't be waking us up in the morning or Troy will probably eat it for breakfast!!