These Are a Few of My Favourite Things...

Just 4 sleeps left till we leave Western Australia. All the expected lines apply - "Seems like we just arrived", "Time flies when you're having fun", "Where did the year go?", "A penny saved is a penny earned". Okay, not that last one. Just checking to see if you're paying attention :-)

I'll do one last post after this from WA with our travel plans. But todays focus is all the incredible memories and things we'll miss from this corner of the world. Just as back in Canada, our list is topped by family and friends, the list here is headed by the wonderful people we have met. It may be 'a small world', but distances are still very great when you would like to just sit and have a coffee (or glass of Aussie wine :-) with a friend.

We've made friends through many channels. Both Mike & Kyle have new mates from school as expected, but there's also my fitness friends (they even took me out for morning tea to say goodbye), yoga buddies, Kyle's friends through his gaming club - not to mention his girlfriend whom he met through those friends, and the Canadian and Aussie friends we now have acquired through the exchange teachers group. Canadians are supposed to be known for their generosity, but the Aussie folks we've met have done their country proud. They have made this an absolutely memorable (in only good ways) year.

And then there's the other stuff. Being nature buffs, both Mike and I have been especially taken with the variety of birds and trees down here. I'll miss the 29's (coloured parrots - family lives in the tree behind us), the magpies, the pink and grey gallahs (Kyle's fav), the cockatoos (my favourite) who wrestle each other off the branches of trees for entertainment (theirs and mine), the ravens with their loud laughter and cries which make you think there's a baby out there, the wagtails - especially the one who danced on our window ledge at his own reflection, the wattle bird who picks off all the spiders around the house and the pelicans who waddle around the waterside.

The trees are fascinating to me in how distinct they are from our trees. Almost all trees flower in colour - spring is wonderful. The bottlebrush have colourful 'brush' type flowers along their branch, the grevillea with their wonderful constant flowers, the wattle with their masses of tiny pompom flowers, the banskia with their unique cones and large cylindrical brush flowers, the eucalyptus in all their many varietes with wonderful bark and aromas, the desert oak (not an oak at all) so soft and whispy, the tree ferns which florish after fires. Some trees lose their bark, not their leaves. Some can survive fires which appear to have decimated them. Then there's the giant fig trees which are massive in their width, and the karri and the tingle and the tuart - all giants in their height. And when you do see a North American tree such as an oak, it is suffering to survive in the dry heat of summer and missing it's long winter nap.

And of course, there's the food and drink!!! We will definitely miss the Aussie wine. We've been spoiled for the entire time with quality wine for a reasonable price. And although that has not helped the waistline any, it's been good for the palate. Besides a glass or two of red wine is good for you - right? Also on the list are macadamia nuts, mangos, bananas, Milo (kind of a chocolate milk drink mix - Kyle is addicted and will likely suffer from withdrawl), TimTams (chocolate biscuits), pavlova, prawns, and perhaps most of all - meat pies (especially from Miami bake shop!)

The landscape is another of my favourite aussie memories - beaches and coral reefs, ancient rocks and giant bolders, and canyons and ravines and waterfalls. You've seen the photos and know that I can't even begin to put them into words.

Finally - though certainly not least - the weather. Although it seemed to rain endlessly in the winter, it was NOT SNOW. Apart from the occasional day when rain kept me in, I rode the bike all year round - not something I can say back home. And even though it gets very hot in the day at times, the nights almost always cool down with a wonderful sea breeze. If I have to complain, it would probably be the wind - it rarely stops and often causes painful sand blasting on any exposed skin. Not being especially keen winter sport fanatics, both Mike and I can't really say that we've missed the Canadian winter. But I must admit - it's just not right having Christmas around the corner and 35 degree weather. And TV commercials with shrimp on the barbie for Christmas dinner just seem weird - sorry folks. Regardless - I will really miss the weather....sigh.

I'm starting to think I should have done this post first, and then followed up with the Canadian things we've missed while here. Right now I'm struggling with why we're leaving (just joking Mum :-)

Surf & Turf

We continued our relaxing weekend on Sunday and Monday with leisurely mornings and casual touring. Sunday we checked out the renowned surfer beaches near Yallingup. Even though it was not an overly windy day, the breakers were impressive. It must be quite unnerving to be out on a surf board when the bigger waves come in - these were already much more than I can imagine ever riding.

Patrick and Kyle (and I) love to explore the rocky shoreline, so the 3 of us went off to investigate whirling pools of waters and breathtaking ledges as Michael played with his camera toys. We all enjoyed ourselves immensely.

From the beach we headed for some tastings - fudge, and chocolate shops. Again, Kyle had some studying to do (4 exams in 4 days next week - each one 2 1/2 to 3 hours long), so we dropped him back home and the 3 of us went back out for some alcohol tasting (Pat is legal here). As a diversion, we dropped by a 'design' studio hoping to find a wood working shop. Instead we found a jeweller who also did photography. Michael had a lengthy interesting chat with the bloke. He had many interesting pieces of jewellery - we may return at a future date when we're ready to spend some cash. For those who know me, you'd be surprised that I left without a pair of earrings!!!

Patrick voted to try a brewery tasting first, so off we went. The place was PACKED - cars were everywhere and there was a huge party atmosphere with live music. We were quite certain that there was a corporate function running or such. We had a beer each, but decided the food lines were much too long, and to move on. As we were drinking our beers, we ran into one of Mike's coworkers who told us that in fact, it is always this busy on a long weekend. Unfortunately, with the winter weather, several of the restaurants in the wineries close down and those that remain open are extremely full on long weekends. After our next stop at a winery, we soon found that without a reservation, we were not likely to eat! Kyle had the advantage of fixing himself lunch - so he was able to eat.

As the afternoon wore on, we realized that the lunch service hours had passed. Our last culinary experience was an olive farm. We each had a decadent cake and coffee which certainly did the job of tiding us over to dinner - once again, not an overly healthy lunch!!!

Monday meant the trip home. This time we stopped by the Tuart Forest for a stroll (and yes, you do see some pine trees in the photos). This small area of forest near Bussleton is the last remaining tall Tuart forest in the world - and there is a mining reserve in the middle where they are clear cutting. All for some uranium - sometimes you wonder about the free enterprise system.

We came across several kangaroos crossing our paths, and even found a newly dead fox. They place poison baits (and warning signs) to try to eradicate these introduced predators. The foxes decimate the local indigenous animals - in this area especially the possums. So despite feeling bad knowing it was poisoned, it really is necessary.

One last roadside stop en route home to capture these delicate pink flowers in amongst the trees.

And we will definitely be back this way again when wild flower season comes in the spring - besides, we'll need to stock up on more wine by then!

Margaret River Encore

As predicted after our first visit, we returned to the Margaret River area this past long weekend. The South-West corner of WA is a now discovered beauty spot with it's incredible coast line, caves, forests, wineries and numerous artisans who now call the area home. Sort of like the Niagara area in Southern Ontario, but less densely populated and a different variety of diversions.

This time we stayed at a self catering apartment just outside of Busselton. It was actually more like a modern holiday home. Large and spacious 3 bedroom with a well equipped full kitchen, laundry and 2 baths. We were more than comfortable! (and it allowed us to save some cash by eating in)

Saturday morning Michael rose early (all alone I might add) and headed down to the Busselton Jetty to take some sunrise photos. He rarely gets to take shots when the lighting is ideal. We are usually touring sites mid day, and at dusk and dawn you have to take care driving due to kangaroos, so you try to avoid it when possible.

After a full breakfast, we headed out for the day. Our first stop was at the roadside for Mike to take some forest shots. We do that a lot - Mike trudges off to take photos while we either sit in the car (I read a lot of books these days), or hike around after him. On this occasion, the boys had contests throwing stones and hitting things. When bored of that, they took up sticks and played swords - sometimes they really don't seem to be growing up!!

We stopped by the Cave Works discovery centre to learn a bit about caves. Patrick was able to comment on the reasons for the variety of crystal formations - why some are multi nodal, and others are long and thin. If you're ever interested, just drop him a line.

There are numerous caves, and this time we decided to visit Jewel Cave (we had a coupon). Unlike Mammoth Cave, this time we had to take a guided tour. Mike was not able to linger back and take photos at his own pace, but still managed to get a few good shots.

From the cave, we headed all the way down to the southern end of the region to Augusta. We had a fish and chip lunch with a side of battered pineapple slice. Very yummy, although perhaps not that healthy.

Near Augusta, Patrick dipped his feet in the 'southern ocean'. (the rest of us had already done so in Bunbury on an earlier trip) Our family has been debating over the actual oceans of the world. Kyle and Patrick were taught there was no such ocean, I learned of the Antarctic Ocean. The link above explains the confusion - in 2000 it seems that the Southern or Antarctic Ocean was firmly accepted as an official ocean although mariners had referred to it for years - so perhaps the Canadian curriculum had not yet caught up with the recent change for Kyle (and Patrick was probably older when the official change was made).

We then looped around to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse which marks where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet at the south west tip of Australia. You can see it here in the background from either side as we rounded the tip. It marks the very south western tip of Australia.

Once back at the hotel, it was just about dark. We dropped Kyle off so he could do some studying - he is in the middle of a two week exam period (rather poor timing over a long weekend!!!).

Mike, Patrick and I headed back down to the jetty where Mike got some nice sunset shots and Patrick had a chance to walk out to the end of the almost 2km long jetty. Patrick and I also caught sight of a ring tailed possum around the base of a fig tree. Very rat-ish, but still cute.

Then back to the hotel for a late dinner - and that was our Saturday.

Greening of Dwellingup and Forest Wood Centre

After a day at the zoo, Mike and I spent Sunday by taking a trip to Dwellingup. We had passed through just after the fires (link to original posting here), and we wanted to return now that the rains have come to check out the changes to the forest.

Where Mike had photos that were taken from similar spots first visit, I have posted the largest size and made the link to the image the original shot so you can see the difference. It is more dramatic in person since not only is the visual refreshed, but also the smell. Mike distinctly remembered the smell of the newly burnt forest, which has now been replaced with a fresh smell of new growth. If you look closely you will see sprouts of grass and leaves on trees in both photos.



Also in Dwellingup is the Forest Heritage Centre. One of the teachers at Pinjarra does wood working at the centre, and Mike was quite interested to check out the centre. They focus on wood from both a forest and a wood working perspective. The quality of work was very impressive, and the designs very unique and interesting. There were lots of nice pieces - tempting if we didn't have to ship them so far! They run some wood working workshops - Mike will hopefully attend one for a weekend (I'm really hoping he can make me a carving knife - we just have to figure out the transport home ! :-)

The centre is surrounded by forest with marked trails and a forest top lookout. This is not it
however - this is just a fire lookout tower (off limits for climbers).