Live In The Sunshine, Swim The Sea And Drink The Wild Air

On our last trip to Western Australia we did a day trip to Cape Le Grand, and we vowed one day we would come back and camp here.

Finally we are here, we packed up early from "The Duke" and arrived at 9am only to discover we had missed out on a site by one car. Our only option was to camp at Lucky Bay for the night and arrive earlier in the hope someone leaves.

Driving into the campsite and Lucky Bay a perente lizard wandered across the road much to Zach's delight. After a quick set up at Lucky bay we had a swim at the beach - which has been named "Australia's whitest beach". The water was heavenly on such a warm day. We then caught up in some school work and journal entries. To the delight of the kids kangaroos and their joeys came to check out their work, quite happily hopping and lying around us. Zach thought it was unreal to be able to ride his bike on the beach and do "awesome skids" complete with the sound of the sand squealing.

Lucky Bay campsite was nice, but Le Grand Beach a must stay destination, so not to travel so far and miss out... Nick set off at 6:30am to wait for a site, and this time was successful. We had a great site, close to the camp kitchen and all enclosed by bushy shrubs. We set up an stayed here for 6 nights. Abbey and Zach quickly set off the find new friends, and as usual found some. Abbey became lovely friends with a girl named Satya, and along with her brother Jai, and parents Deleah and Eric we all enjoyed some lovely times at the beaches around here.

One warm morning while at the beach, Nick went for his usual solo snorkel heading off beside the rocks and around a point. He had been gone for quite some time and the kids were wanting to go home for lunch. After thinking that something wasn't quite right I sent Josh off the walk over the rocks to look for Nick. Just as Josh reached the point I saw, in the distance, a paddle boarder towing someone. As they got closer I could see it was Nick...... Once back on shore (and hiding the fact he was a little shaken) Nick explained that he was constantly being washed up on the rocks, which were too slippery to climb onto and couldn't swim back towards the beach as the current was too strong. Although trying to play the "incident" Nick did concede that it was very fortunate that the paddle boarder saw him and brought him back. No more solo snorkels Nick!!!!!

Matt, Zach and Abbey became junior rangers for a day. After befriending Ranger Owen and convincing him to let the tag along with him, they enjoyed learning about life as a ranger. The highlight being a 30minute drive along the beach and finding some people camping illegally on the beach who escaped with a verbal warning. Every morning the kids would eagerly wait for ranger Owen to arrive to tell him what they had been up too.

As well as exploring all the beautiful bays and beaches at Cape Le Grand we also enjoyed some walks. The best was Frenchmans Peak, which required climbing straight up the rock. Once at the top there was an amazing open cave from one side of the mountain to the other. The kids told Ranger Owen of their climb and he presented them with a certificate.

On the last night our stay we had "dinner over at the Lintons" with a couple of families (The Leonards and The Johnsons) and their kids. Although we had only met a few days earlier we shared, laughed, & learnt as if we had been friends for years. Not realising then, what strong friendships would be made.

Again, I am reminded of how special this trip is for not only is it a wonderful time spent with the family and seeing so many amazing sights, but also the awesome people we are meeting and becoming friends with too.

We will never forget camping at Cape Le Grand. The name alone says it all...

Sixteen years and some 6000km, it was well worth the wait!