Day 56 – 10th March 2018 – Boranup (Cheese Factory)

Haim and I decided to make some paper helicopters and paper planes this morning.  It was a big hit and he spent a heap of time decorating them and flying them.  When he went down for his nap, Erin and I decided to take the opportunity to duck out to the Margaret River Dairy Company cheese factory at Metricup.  We chose this cheese factory on a recommendation from my Mum, Carol Sullivan, and we were not disappointed.  The cheese was fantastic.  Their yoghurt was also really good.  Unfortunately they didn’t do a tour of the factory, but they had a heap of their cheeses out for tasting and also small cups of their yoghurt.  So Erin and I did a bit of tasting and shopping in preparation for our killer cheese platter that evening.  Our favourites were the smoked cheddar, triple cream brie, pepper cheese and our top pick was the Chilli Jam!  We also bought some pear yoghurt for Haim.

Margaret River Dairy Company, Metricup WA
Margaret River Dairy Company, Metricup WA

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Day 55 – 9th March 2018 – Boranup (Xanadu Winery)

Jake had to work today, so Erin, Col, Hamish and I decided to find a family friendly winery to visit and do a bit of wine tasting.  We found a great winery nearby called ‘Xanadu’ (I know that you are probably singing the song in your head now as you read :) ).  They had a great playground and grassy area for kids to play.  Erin, Col and I ordered a yummy cheese platter and wine at the restaurant and sat in the sun sipping, nibbling and chatting.

Xanadu Winery Cheese Platter, Boranup WA
Xanadu Winery Cheese Platter, Boranup WA

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Day 54 – 8th March 2018 – Boranup (Lake Cave)

Erin, Hamish and I decided to go for a bit of a walk around Jarrahdene as there are a few bush walks that you can do.  The site was orginally a Timber Mill dating back to the 1800s, so we decided to do the short loop around the historic mill site.  There were some old remnants from this bygone era, but most of it has gone now.  The walk amongst the trees was beautiful.

Erin and Haim on the Jarrahdene Historic Mill Site Bush Walk, Jarrahdene Campground, Boranup WA
Erin and Haim on the Jarrahdene Historic Mill Site Bush Walk, Jarrahdene Campground, Boranup WA

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Day 53 – 7th March 2018 – Boranup (Bussleton Jetty)

We decided on a family outing day to the Bussleton Jetty, which we all really enjoyed.  The Jetty itself is 1.8km and is the longest timber piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere! Jake and Col decided they would fish off the jetty, while Erin, Hamish and I caught the train to the end of the Jetty and did the underwater observatory tour.  Be aware that you have to pay for entry to the jetty, $4 to go on the jetty, $13.50 for a train ride and the underwater observatory is $34 for an adult including the train ride.  Overall we enjoyed the train ride and Underwater Observatory but wouldn’t say that it is good value for money.  We are finding that around Margaret River the tourist attractions are overpriced.  Such a pity because they are great spots to visit if it was just made a bit more affordable for families.

Nanny and Haim enjoying the train ride, Bussleton Jetty WA
Nanny and Haim enjoying the train ride, Bussleton Jetty WA

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Day 52 – 6th March 2018 – Boranup (Near Margaret River)

Today was a very full but fun day.  We first went to Hamelin Bay and got to see a big stingray swimming along the shore.

Cunningham's looking at the Stingray in Hamelin Bay WA
Cunningham’s looking at the Stingray in Hamelin Bay WA

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Day 51 – 5th March 2018 – Northcliffe to Boranup

The exciting day has finally arrived!!  The Cunningham family have joined us on our journey and I am super excited to have my eldest daughter Erin, son-in-law Jake and grandson Hamish with us for a whole week.

Col and I were up at 6am and packed up camp at Sid’s Campground in Northcliffe and drove 2 hours to Boranup, about 25km from Margaret River.  We are staying in a beautiful bush camp called ‘Jarrahdene’ Campground.  The setting is stunning and the camp is relatively new, so the toilets and camp kitchen facilities are really nice.  There is limited water here and you need to boil it before you can drink it and no sink in the camp kitchen.  There is a dump point, but the hose was covered in bees!!!  That was a bit of a challenge for me trying to sort out the toilet while being surrounded by bees and march flies.   Not my favourite part of the trip to date.  But I feel like it is kudos to me for braving the bees :) Continue reading “Day 51 – 5th March 2018 – Northcliffe to Boranup”

Day 50 – 4th March 2018 – Northcliffe

Today did not go exactly as planned unfortunately.  Col noticed that the tyres on the trailer were hot the other day, so thought he should check the bearings.  His hunch was right and the bearings were shot, so he had to spend a good portion of the day replacing them.  Luckily he had packed spares.  He did make a video of how to change the bearings though.

Col changing the bearings on the trailer wheels
Col changing the bearings on the trailer wheels

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Day 49 – 3rd March 2018 – Northcliffe

Today we decided to have a technology day and hang out at the camp, we decided to put out our resume’s to some employment agencies in Broome to see if we can pick up some work while we are there.  We haven’t heard back from Home Valley at this stage, so assume we didn’t get it.

We did go for a walk to explore the property a bit.  The landscape is very beautiful.  We passed a couple of dams on the property and also this amazing Grass Tree.  The Grass Tree was so beautiful that Col broke out into a dance.  Not really, it just looks like it in the photo and made me laugh so I thought I would post it.

Col dancing around a grass tree, Bush Walk, Sid's Campground Northcliffe WA
Col dancing around a grass tree, Bush Walk, Sid’s Campground Northcliffe WA

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Day 48 – 2nd March 2018 – Walpole to Northcliffe

Today we drove from Walpole to our next camp at Northcliffe, which is about an hour and 20 minute drive.  We picked a bush camp called Sid’s Campground and are both quite impressed with it.  Good value for money.  It is only $5 per person, per night for an unpowered site, or $10 per person for a powered site.  There is a hot shower (using dam water) and flushing toilets and a great communal area.  The hosts Sid and Anne are really lovely.  And there is plenty of space so you don’t feel like you are camping on top of each other.

Sid's Campground, Northcliffe WA
Sid’s Campground, Northcliffe WA

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Day 47 – 1st March 2018 – Walpole

Col and I decided to go back to the William Bay National Park today and go for a snorkel around Green’s Pool.  It was meant to be 28 degrees but it was about 24 degrees when we got down there and the water was a little chilly!  We were brave though and manged to get in and we are glad we did.  The water wasn’t as clear today as it was the other day, as it was a bit windy and rough.  But there was still enough good visibility as we snorkeled around to see everything. Continue reading “Day 47 – 1st March 2018 – Walpole”