Birthday Bliss

The day we were leaving Cape Le Grand was also my 39th Birthday. We had discussed packing early, driving through to Cape Riche and stopping off for a pub lunch along the way. I had already received my birthday present - a copy of "Camps 6" - a camping book with thousands of places to camp around Australia.

Packing went incredibly smoothly, we were almost done when we started talking to our "neighbours" Jo & Pete. Little did I know that Nick had convinced Jo to keep talking to me because he had organised a surprise in Esperence and it was too early to leave yet....So Jo and I chatted about the places we've both been so far and where we are heading too, all the while being completely unaware of Nicks stalling tactic.

Finally we head off into Esperence, Nick drives down a street claiming to be looking for a petrol station, when suddenly he stops the car and says "Happy Birthday darling, out you get, we'll be back in a few hours, you just need to go into that shop there beginning with B and the girls will sort you out."

A bit stunned I get out of the car and head into the shop to be greeted by lovely ladies who made me a coffee and told be I was being pampered with a deluxe pedicure and manicure. It was heavenly, Nick had even organised a glass of champagne. Having a parrifin wax bath for my feet, shellac on my fingers and toes, massage and moisturizer felt amazing.

Nick told me after that he had asked the ranger at Cape Le Grand about beauticians in town. Ranger Cam asked his wife and Nick proceeded to go and find a spot on the top of a hill to get phone reception and booked it. What a legend he is.

It was after 1pm when we were on the road again, so instead of driving to Cape Riche I got out Camps 6 and found a campsite for the night before heading onto Cosy Corner near Albany. We arrived at Pallinup River just on dusk. We did a basic unpack and Josh set up his bed in the car. The kids enjoyed exploring down by the river. Although it was a very basic campsite, not far off the road we did enjoy it.

The next morning I was walking towards the front of the car and saw something slithering out the corner off eye. I did squeal, but quickly realised it wasn't a snake- it was hundreds of furry caterpillars lined up head to tail about 3-4metres long, slowly making their way across the ground. It was an amazing scene. If one caterpillar moved out of line the one behind would go that way also. The kids were mesmerized by it. Unfortunately the trail was right in front of the car and we had to run over them in order to get back on the road.

Birthday Bliss

The day we were leaving Cape Le Grand was also my 39th Birthday. We had discussed packing early, driving through to Cape Riche and stopping off for a pub lunch along the way. I had already received my birthday present - a copy of "Camps 6" - a camping book with thousands of places to camp around Australia.

Packing went incredibly smoothly, we were almost done when we started talking to our "neighbours" Jo & Pete. Little did I know that Nick had convinced Jo to keep talking to me because he had organised a surprise in Esperence and it was too early to leave yet....So Jo and I chatted about the places we've both been so far and where we are heading too, all the while being completely unaware of Nicks stalling tactic.

Finally we head off into Esperence, Nick drives down a street claiming to be looking for a petrol station, when suddenly he stops the car and says "Happy Birthday darling, out you get, we'll be back in a few hours, you just need to go into that shop there beginning with B and the girls will sort you out."

A bit stunned I get out of the car and head into the shop to be greeted by lovely ladies who made me a coffee and told be I was being pampered with a deluxe pedicure and manicure. It was heavenly, Nick had even organised a glass of champagne. Having a parrifin wax bath for my feet, shellac on my fingers and toes, massage and moisturizer felt amazing.

Nick told me after that he had asked the ranger at Cape Le Grand about beauticians in town. Ranger Cam asked his wife and Nick proceeded to go and find a spot on the top of a hill to get phone reception and booked it. What a legend he is.

It was after 1pm when we were on the road again, so instead of driving to Cape Riche I got out Camps 6 and found a campsite for the night before heading onto Cosy Corner near Albany. We arrived at Pallinup River just on dusk. We did a basic unpack and Josh set up his bed in the car. The kids enjoyed exploring down by the river. Although it was a very basic campsite, not far off the road we did enjoy it.

The next morning I was walking towards the front of the car and saw something slithering out the corner off eye. I did squeal, but quickly realised it wasn't a snake- it was hundreds of furry caterpillars lined up head to tail about 3-4metres long, slowly making their way across the ground. It was an amazing scene. If one caterpillar moved out of line the one behind would go that way also. The kids were mesmerized by it. Unfortunately the trail was right in front of the car and we had to run over them in order to get back on the road.

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!

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!