Kalbarri

Over the weekend we took a road trip 6 hours north of Perth to a place called Kalbarri, approximately 160km past Geraldton.  It was wonderful to be out of the city, to enjoy the country side and such a surprise package it was.  I had expected flat, dry, barren land but instead we were greeted with a patchwork of lush, fertile land that must be the food bowl of WA.

Kalbarri is a small coastal town that has amazing coastal cliffs and also a national park close by that we found to be a mass of colourful wildflowers, deep river gorges and amazing rock formations.  We wished we had had more time to do some hiking around the gorges, but we've promised ourselves that we'll go back next year with a few days spare to really experience the park.

After a perfect day we took some time to watch the sunset at one of Kalbarri's small beaches where Tim spotted whales that apparently frequent the Kalbarri shoreline in spring.

Country side south of Geraldton

On the road heading to Kalbarri

Wild Flowers

The Gorge in the Kalbarri National Park

The Natural Window

On the way home along the new Indian Ocean Road close to Perth 

Chittering Valley

At this time of the year Chittering Valley takes me back to the Southern Highlands and Kangaroo Valley; it is vivid green, with a countryside that is bursting with vineyards, orchards, hobby farms and magnificent views that has the Brockman River flowing through the scenery.

Last Sunday we took a drive to Chittering Valley to enjoy the food and wine festival which was more wine than food being available. The venue was out in a paddock with market stall's selling their produce and people relaxing, enjoying the sunshine, sipping on a vino and listening to the musicians playing their repertoire - it was very relaxing.

Not far from Chittering Valley is the Catholic Agricultural College, which we visited on the Camino walk a few weeks ago. The community of the College were very hospitable and served us afternoon tea but I had mixed feelings as this in a previous life was Bindoon Boys Town. If you've seen the movie Oranges and Sunshine then you'll understand the evils that were behind Bindoon Boys Town.

Enjoying the day

One of the beautiful vineyards

Markets in the paddock

Catholic Agricultural College (Bindoon Boys Town)

Mundaring

Just before the Camino walk we visited Mundaring, which is approximately a 45 minute drive east in the Perth Hills. There's not much in Mundaring apart from the Weir, the hotel, an arts & craft shop and a museum. The town developed because of the construction of the Weir and in those days sly grog was rampant, so in 1898 the hotel was built in an attempt to stop the sly grog.

Mundaring Weir supplies all the water for the Perth Hills district and Kalgoorlie. There's approximately 550kms of pipes that takes 5 - 11 days to pipe water to Kalgoorlie, with 90 million litres of water being pumped daily.

The Mundaring Weir Hotel is very quirky with a large outdoor area where on Sunday's there's lamb on a spit and live music. The hotel also has a large ampitheatre and are hosting during the summer period David Helfgott, The Black Sorrows, James Morrison and others.

Also passing through Mundaring is the Bibbulmun Track that's a marked track from Kalamunda in the north to Albany in the south - a total of approximately 1,000 kms. Walkers can either complete a day walk or walk over a few days to weeks staying in 3 sided shelters that are available on a first arrival bases. This is a walk that Tim and I plan to complete before we leave WA.

Mundaring Weir Hotel

The Wall of the Weir

Mundaring Weir 

Camino Salvado - The Pilgrim Walk

I've just returned after  completing a 170.5km Camino walk from Subiaco to New Norcia with 23 other people.  My expectations were uncertain but the experience was much more wonderful than I could ever have imagine it to be.

The first day while walking along the Swan River we bunched together, it was as if we were uncertain as to where we were going and whether we were up to leading the group. But by the second day we had settled into our own walking pace with some jostling to lead and others very happy to be the tail.

I had imagined that a pilgrim walk would equal some hardship and going without some of life's luxuries but on this walk we really didn't go without. The first day we visited St Charles Seminary at Guildford where we were served an amazing afternoon tea and meet some very interesting seminarians. The following day we gathered at The Chocolate Factory in the Swan Valley for morning tea; this theme continued and I'm suprised I haven't put on any weight.

The country side continually changed as we wandered through vineyards, along side rambling rivers, through farms, forests and cannola fields. As we got to know each other laughter and chatter filled our pathway, then at the end of each day the hospitality of our hosts was wonderful and we had plenty of stories to tell.

When we were approaching New Norcia there were mixed feelings, sad that the our special time together was ending but our feet were very happy. As we walked into New Norcia the bells were tolling to welcome us and this was followed by one of the monks symbolically washing two of the Pilgrims feet. Later that evening we gathered together, celebrating with a fine dinner and drinks at the hotel, then slept peacefully at the old convent.

Since returning home I have found it to be very quiet and the house empty as last week I had quickly adjusted to having so many lovely people around me - I'm now looking forward to the reunion next month.

The group of Pilgrims before we set off Sunday 26 August

Bells Rapids

Thursday morning tea at Stringybark Vineyard

Julimar Forest

Cannola Fields

Walking through Kelly's Farm

Symbolic washing of the feet

Waking up Sunday to a misty morning at New Norcia

Chasing The Little White Ball

Since living in Perth I've been taking golf lessons which not only has been great to learn the techniques but it's also been fantastic to meet other people who are thrilled to give advice to a new comer to Perth as to what places we should visit.

Today it was suggested that I visit Bold Park, which over the last 7 months I've been driving past but hadn't really noticed. Bold Park is a coastal bushland reserve with fantastic 360 degree views and as Perth is a fairly flat city, after visiting I can appreciate why it was suggested.

There are lots and lots of golf courses around, but the one I've been having lessons at is Wembley Golf Course, which is a 36 hole public golf course with an automated driving range - you don't even have to bend down as the balls pop up for you to hit. Tim and I have also been going to Lake Claremont Golf Course that's a 3 par course at $10 a game. Also my golfing friends and I are now attempting to play at some other golf courses, we don't score it's just a hit and a giggle.

Upstairs on the automated driving range Wembley Golf Course

View from Bold Park

           

The Bold and Beautiful

I've just returned to Perth after spending a week staying with two of my sisters at Harbord, now know as Freshwater. It was one of those special times where I was able to spend time with my family, going for coffee with my Dad at Dee Why beach, cooking up a storm for my sisters and for Mum.

While I was there I got up early a couple of mornings and followed one of my sisters into Manly who regularly swims with The Bold and Beautiful.

The Bold and Beautiful are a very informal group of up to 50 people during winter and probably more in summer who swim from Manly out to Shelly Beach and back. These are brave souls, I was very tempted but after nightmares of cramping up in the cold water I decided to wait until my next visit in summer.  Swimmers meet each morning at 7am and give themselves such challenges as completing 20 swims over winter and in summer swimming 6km or 10km.

To find out more about this group go to www.pacificjules.com.au

Sunrise at Manly Beach

The Bold and Beautiful

The Bold and Beautiful

Dee Why baths

Wait Awhile

When we first moved to Perth we were told my several locals that WA stands for wait awhile, I don't know if that's correct but its certainly a slower pace of life. As Jessica said when she was here 'there's no one around', which might be an exaggeration but it certainly is quieter than Glebe where she lives.

We are both enjoying the slower pace of life as it does remind us of country living rather than how we've been living for the last few years in the middle of Sydney. The only gripe I would have is the distance and how long it takes for mail to be delivered. Australia Post is often referred to as snail mail when its compared to e-mails, fax etc but mail sent through the post here is ultra slow.

As an example I received a letter from Wollongong that was sent on the 12 July and received it on 25 July, you could say that might be a one off but a parcel I sent to Melbourne on 27 June arrived on 7 July. Then there's express post guaranteed to be delivered the next day from capital city to capital city but no if you look at the fine print on the back of the envelope it says except Perth.

Perth might as well be in another country, but a beautiful country at that.