Greens Pool and Rickety Gate

Friday was a perfect day for the beach, so we drove to Greens Pool for a swim. Two years ago when we visited, we were inundated with flies, which even followed us into the water. No such problems on this occasion! The temperature is always a bit cool in the Southern Ocean, but after a few moments that is all forgotten as the beach is so sheltered and the water so clear.

J went for a long walk along the beach and fell in a hole of soft sand, almost losing his stick in the water. A friendly couple came to his rescue. They turned out to be the owners of the Aiyana Retreat, having a morning off from their work.

A beautiful day for a swim...

..... or a rest in the shade

On Saturday evening we had booked to have dinner at the best restaurant in Denmark: Kirby's at Rickety Gate. When I looked at the map, I discovered it was a half hour's drive along Mt Shadforth Rd, so I couldn't indulge too much with the wine! The food was perfect, however! We had the set degustation menu for $85, which they only offer on the first Saturday of the month. There was a selection of entrees on a tasting plate, followed by a main of pork belly for me and lamb for J. Dessert was Creme brûlée. The red wine, a Cabernet with their own label, was the best I've had in a long time, and we left some in the bottle to enjoy next day.

Outside Rickety Gate

Tasting Plate

Pork belly with colcannon and black pudding

Albany

On Thursday we went for the day to Albany. First on the agenda was a visit to the new National Anzac Centre on Mt Clarence with fantastic views over King George's Sound, where the convoys assembled to set off for Gallipoli.

Each person is given a card with an individual to follow. I received a Turkish Officer, but went back and asked for a nurse instead. The sisters suffered great hardships during a very cold winter on the island of Lesbos, with not enough water to wash themselves or their patients. There was a lot to take in, but JL had no patience with all the electronics!

Denmark: Francisca's Cottage

We have booked for 5 nights here: a delightful spot amongst the Karri trees at Weedon Hill. Fingers crossed for no bushfires! This is the view from our deck where we spend a lot of time watching the tiny wrens flit about in front of us:

We stopped at West Cape Howe Winery, now relocated to Mt Barker, where I photographed J and the Giant Wrens in the garden:

In the afternoon we went to reconnoiter the Denmark Rivermouth, where I did the 2 km walk on either side of the river:

Next day we drove along to Ocean Beach lookout and further to Lights Beach where there was a big surf.

Ocean Beach with Denmark behind

Lights Beach

Holiday in Denmark

School holidays over, JL and I set off for a quiet trip to Denmark. We stopped off en route at Rob's place near Kojonup, where J's friend keeps a farm. This broke the journey nicely and enabled us to see all Rob's animals and vast acres: mainly black faced sheep as far as the eye could see. Near the house were spotted deer, a couple of goats, lots of hens of many different types as well as some beautiful horses.

Mandurah Estuary

At the weekend we moved from Halls Head to an apartment in Mandurah itself, overlooking the Estuary.  It was endlessly fascinating watching the boats go by from our balcony, not to mention the dolphins.  The apartment block was built by Mirvac, as was ours in Perth, so everything was very familiar to us. By amazing coincidence, we had rented number 603, the same as ours!  In the picture below the block is to the left of the Moreton Bay Fig Tree on The Point.

A heron watching the proceedings

John watching the river go by

Just about to go out to dinner

E showing off her new earrings

Peel Zoo

We set off early to beat the heat.  Peel Zoo is about half an hour away and has a collection of native animals and birds. As you go in, you are greeted by a snake put around your neck (if you aren't scared of such things).  E and C were brave!

Then we explored the rest of the animals.  The Tasmanian Devils looked very healthy and so well fed, they ignored some fresh meat.

JL tried to feed the parrots and cockatoos.

There were also huge bush turkeys, peacocks, kangaroos, dingos and several sleepy possums that wouldn't come out of their holes. We all liked the masked owl staring at us with his big eyes.

Holiday in Mandurah

As soon as E returned from her trip to England, we set off down south for a week in Mandurah. A work colleague of C lent us her house in Halls Head. It is a beautiful residence with all mod cons, including a swimming pool! As its been pretty hot this week, we all made use of this facility.

Even JL ventured in after much persuasion.  He has not been swimming for several years.