The last few days seemed to have flown by. We spent Sunday in Dunsborough. The sea was flat calm so we waded out to the sandbar which lies about 50 metres off shore. The sea was also quite cold so, after wandering along the sand bar and back, we had a quick splash-fight then went back to the campsite for hot showers and food.
On Monday we cycled to Busselton (a 20 km round trip). Had coffee and muffins at the Goose restaurant which is at the start of the Busselton jetty (the longest in the southern hemisphere). The sea was absolutely flat and we were treated to see a pod of Dolphins just a few metres off shore.
On Tuesday morning we walked from Bunker Bay to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and back. It was very windy and we soon realised that the last two days were the calm before the storm – we could see storm clouds in the distance. Some other campers told us that the weather was about to turn so, when we got back to the campsite, Charlotte decided to check the forecast. We’re glad we did because there were severe weather warnings for that evening and the next two days. So, being the gnarly, tough campers that we are, we decided to pack up the camper and move into a chalet on the campsite. The first of the heavy rain hit just before we managed to pack up so we were soaked by the time we got into the chalet. That night and most of Wednesday we stayed indoors, although we did drive to Yallingup to watch the rough sea.
Thursday was mostly wet and windy. We decided to drive down to Augusta and visit the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. The drive down took us past lots of wineries (note to self – must come back here) and through some beautiful forests.
Cape Leeuwin is about as far south west that one can go in Australia; it’s here that the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean. It gets a little windy here!
The Lighthouse tour is well worth doing. The Lighthouse was designed by the same chap that designed the Bishop Rock Lighthouse near Lands End (UK). Most of the iron work (e.g. spiral stairway) was manufactured in the UK then shipped out. The stone was cut locally and, when the structure was complete, the staircase fitted perfectly. And, get this, the whole thing was completed and working in just over 10 months. How about that!
Friday was a big day. Ems and Ollie wanted to do the Busselton Kids Triathlon but, because the sea was still pretty rough after the storm, the swim was cancelled and the event became a Duathlon (run 100 metres, cycle 1.5 kilometres, run 500 metres). So, after some afternoon coaching on the transition procedures between disciplines – the kids were keen to get it right; “Daddy we don’t want to lose any time and lose places” – we cycled the 10 km from the campsite to Busselton (the kids were also keen to warm up!).
We arrived to register just as the heavens opened, again! Thankfully the rain stopped for the race and the kids threw themselves at it with gusto.
They both put in fantastic performances and were excited to be presented with finishing medals by the professional athletes who were competing the next day in the Busselton Triathlon.
The ride home was into a stiff headwind so, after our two tired little athletes had hot showers, we went to Dunsborough for dinner (the Assisi restaurant – very good!).
On Saturday we packed up (in the rain) and headed for Perth. After setting up the trailer we went to dinner with Dellas and Simon, our friends in West Leederville; it was a lovely evening. We think that, like our friends in the Leiper-Bonnins in Albany, Dellas and Simon should also be in the Michelin Guide – the food was absolutely wonderful!