The girls of Cowaramup

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Kerry & Jim

Cowaramup, affectionally knows as “Cowtown” is in the heart of our dairy region and just 15km north of Margaret River. It has become home to a herd of lovely girls, some with their calves, who are adorable.

The life sized fibreglass Friesian were a community project supported by the local Lions Club to add some fun for visitors and locals wandering the streets, parks and shops.

Here is a look at some of the 40 plus cows that adorn the streets of Cowaramup.

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But the most iconic of all is this golden girl on a pole.

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It has had the desired effect….so many visitors stop for a look at the cows and take time to enjoy what this pretty little town has to offer.

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A glorious day for golf!

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Kerry & Jim

At last, we have made time to get in a game of golf! This morning was perfect, no wind, and the forecast was for a mild sunny day.

So here we are on the lovely Margaret River Golf Course.

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We had to share the fairways with the local kangaroos.

And the clubhouse looks inviting for a drink after our next game.

Not a bad round seeing we haven’t’ played for a long time.

Thanks to the golf pro John – you helped to make our day very enjoyable.

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Shannon National Park

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Kerry & Jim

Just off the South West Highway the Shannon Camping Ground is a great place for a spot of caravanning and camping without the luxury of electricity or water to connect to. There is however a camp ablution block with hot showers available after lighting the chip heater to warm the water and it also has flushing toilets. Sites amongst the tall pine and gum trees offer shady and fairly level areas.

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In previous years the timber milling town of Shannon was a thriving small community. Established in 1950, by the 1970’s the milling had stopped and all of the towns timber buildings were relocated. Today there are several walking trails in and around the camping ground, taking you past historic sites and National Parks buildings showcasing the towns history and the flora and fauna of the area.

The Shannon River Dam which was the water supply for the town is close by and accessible by another walking trail.

The Great Forest Trees Drive takes you past Snake Gully Lookout which is about 15km from the camp site and overlooks a forest of very tall karri & marri trees. In the first photo you can see Jim at the base of the trees.

And we had this lovely sunset to finish of the day.

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Peaceful Bay

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Kerry & Jim

If you are looking for a relatively quite location for a holiday this could be the perfect place for you. Peaceful Bay is located 35km south east of Walpole in the Walpole Nornalup National Park. The bay is protected by reef with a gap for fishing boats to enter the calm and safe water inside Peaceful Bay.

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It is a very small place with just a caravan park that has a small shop attached and a few rows of holiday shacks.

A little further around the bay Soft Sand Beach was the place for the keen beach fishers and swimmers. A section of the Bibulmum Track (a renowned walking/hiking track winding from Perth to Albany) passes through Peaceful Bay.

Little flowers and birds were everywhere.

It was our first time to Peaceful Bay – so glad we went.

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Augusta on the Blackwood River

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Kerry & Jim

Our first stop on this caravan trip is Augusta, a small town south of Margaret River, at the mouth of the Blackwood River.

We are fortunate to have a camp site almost on the river.

Early in the morning before the wind picks up the river is calm and peaceful.

The walking trail along the rivers edge has lovely views up and down the river and some lucky residents have gardens that lead down to the water.

Graceful pelicans and other water birds are at home here.

The entrance to the caravan park backs onto forrest making it a lovely contrast to the river.

It’s a great place to spend a couple of days relaxing.

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Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Kerry & Jim

The still operating Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse guarding mainland Australia, is on the most south westerly point of Australia and just 8 km from Augusta.

It is at this point that the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean.

Where the currents converge the crashing waters surge to the windswept coast; a windy environment for most of the year.

Fresh water, a necessity for lighthouse keepers and their families, was once gathered from this now calcified waterwheel.

Unusual rock formations are part of the wild coast.

The road out to the lighthouse gives some indication of just how the prevailing winds shape the landscape. These trees are only one-sided.

Lighthouse details:
Year first lit: 1895
Automated: 1992
Construction: Limestone
Tower shape: Conical
Marking/pattern: White, round tower on square base
Height: 39m
Height above sea level: 57m
Steps/stairs to top: 186

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Australia Day Brekky

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Kerry & Jim

This morning we attended the annual Margaret River Australia Day celebration breakfast and citizenship ceremony which was held under the gum trees at the local footy oval.

Aussie flags were everywhere.

Brekky was hosted by the local Lions Club who did a great job to get everyone fed.

As the flag was raised the citizenship ceremony began with 16 people choosing to become Aussies.

Hats of all sorts were popular – even a couple of ‘baggy greens’ – no doubt because Australia has done so well in the cricket this series.

And the fire truck was a great hit with the kids – everyone wanted to sit in the drivers seat.

Happy Australia Day wherever you are!

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Lunch at Watershed Winery

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Kerry & Jim

We have finished most of our chores and can start to relax and enjoy this lovely region we are now living in.

Today we were invited to lunch at Watershed by our friends Denise & Alan Wilkes. They took some time out of their very busy schedule and we shared a nice meal and bottle of wine. Denise and I started primary school together all those years ago in Northampton and is now living down here in Margaret River. They decided on a ‘tree change’ a couple of years ago and now own and operate the Edge of the Forest Motel.

Watershed is only a few minutes from town and has a very impressive cellar door and restaurant.

We decided to go with a main course and dessert.

Panfried saffron gnocchi with grilled courgettes, tomato chutney and goats cheese pesto.

Baked Barramundi with seared scollops, avocado mousse and tomato salsa.

Lemon tart with yogurt, lemon confit and coconut tuille.

Cheese platter with fresh pear and quince jelly.

It was lovely to catch up with an old friend and reminisce just a little. Unfortunately the photo is a little dark as it was taken on the verandah.

If you are coming to Margaret River and would like somewhere to stay I’m sure Denise & Alan would love to see you – if we are otherwise occupied of course. Click here to find out more.

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Getting into the swing at Redgate Winery

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Kerry & Jim

After spending the week unpacking and getting the house in order we have finally been on our first outing in Margaret River.

Arriving at Redgate Winery for a late afternoon of live music at the winery we spotted a kangaroo grazing in the nearby paddock.

A local band called The Brothers Thin were in full swing playing to a small but enthusiastic crowd. Families would either bring their own picnic or enjoy purchased gourmet pizza while enjoying the music and sitting under the shady trees overlooking the vineyard.

The kids were having a great time in the jumping castle while waiting for the queue to shorten for face painting.

And while the dancing was happening the chooks came in to feast on the crumbs.

It was a very relaxing evening and the setting was serene as the sun slowly set in the west.

A great finish to a busy week.

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New Address – Margaret River

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Kerry & Jim

Well, we have arrived in Margaret River on a very warm WA day.

We left Perth this morning as the sun was trying to shine through the clouds.

By 7:30am the temperature had already reached 36 deg…..not ideal for towing the caravan but as the furniture removalists don’t arrive until tomorrow we will sleep in the caravan tonight.

The beautiful green trees and vines are a welcome relief to the dry northern wheatbelt.

This is the house we have rented for the next 12 months. It is at 30 Sandalwood Drive, Margaret River.

Priorities were to get the beer and champers (actually it is Italian Prosecco) on ice and the caravans table and chairs set up ready for dinner tonight.

Needless to say you will be seeing a lot more of Margaret River and the surrounding area in the future.

Happy New Year to all and we look forward to having many visitors in Margaret River.

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