Sydney’s Chinese Garden of Friendship

Posted on 10 March 2014 by Kerry & Jim

These beautiful gardens were designed and landscaped to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary in 1988 – a result of the close friendship between Sydney’s Chinese community and Guangzhou in China.

Situated at the end of Darling Harbour they offer a beautiful and peaceful escape from a busy city – while highlighting the skyscrapers in the background.

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The garden represents the principles Yin-Yang and the opposite elements of earth, fire, water, metal and wood.

Although there were not a large range of flowers in bloom when we visited – what was on show lit up the garden.

The carp and water dragons were just basking in the warm sun.

On your next visit to Sydney make sure you included a walk through these beautiful gardens.

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Our Sydney Stopover

Posted on 7 March 2014 by Kerry & Jim

We arrived into Sydney on Tuesday afternoon and it has drizzled
for the first few days. Usually you are greeted with a beautiful clear view of the coastline but unfortunately the weather didn’t show the city off at its best. We arrived on a southerly flightpath so missed the spectacular view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Nevertheless the waterways and coastline are lovely.

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After our few days down the coast we went back up to Sydney and on Sunday we caught up with Paul & Karen who we met in Ponte a Serraglio during our stay in Italy. Monday evening we had dinner with Bernie & Libby who own a house in Lucca and were regulars for coffee in Ponte a Serraglio as well.

We caught the ferry to Manly via Circular Quay which took us under the Bridge and past the Opera House.

The very large cruise liner “Queen Elizabeth was moored in the Quay….very imposing!

We then went out to Manly on to meet Paul and Karen for lunch at Le Kiosk on Shelly Beach. We all talked non stop for several hours and enjoyed a lovely meal. It was great to reminisce about our time together in Italy.

Monday night we dined at Bernie & Libby’s. They are great hosts. We chatted about all things Italian and how much we miss the Italian way of life. Thanks for a great meal and enjoy your next visit to Lucca.

On Tuesday the weather cleared and so it was off shopping with Heather, Heather and Di in the lovely Balmain shopping area. All credit cards survived the day without to much pressure.

No trip to Sydney is complete without a visit to Darling Harbour.

Our farewell dinner was at the Drummoyne Sailing Club where Graham & Heather are members.

Thank you both for a wonderful visit.

Our departure from Sydney was delayed due to a thunderstorm that hit the area just as we boarded the plane.

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We have survived Berrara!

Posted on 2 March 2014 by Kerry & Jim

We are currently holidaying with our lovely friends Graham & Heather who live in Sydney and have a holiday home down the coast in Berrara!

We arrived on Tuesday, were collected at the airport and then whisked away to Berrara for 4 days of way too much food and wine. Along with Graham & Heather were were joined by our other east coast friends David & Di, Tony & Heather (both from Sydney) and Ron & Julie from Noosa in Queensland. The last time were were all together was in 2007 – so there was much reminiscing over far too many coldies.

There they all are!

L - R: Tony, Heather, Heather, Jim, Ron, Julie, Di, David & Graham

L – R: Tony, Heather, Heather, Jim, Ron, Julie, Di, David & Graham

Berrara is a small coastal holiday village near Sussex Inlet about three and a half hours from Sydney and although it has been drizzling on and off since we arrived it hasn’t really stopped us from enjoying our catch-up.

Here are the boys sitting on the verandah contemplating the weather.

A mob of kangaroos live around the cottage and the colourful parrots arrived each afternoon.

We lunched at Cupitt’s Winery near Milton where the food was exceptionally good, as was the scenery around the winery.


And we attended a very Australian country show (fair) at the Milton Show Day where we saw displays of machinery, vintage cars and hot utes, side show alley, ‘Wellies’ for the wet weather. horsemanship, livestock and sheep dog trials.

In the pavilions judges had made their decisions and the winners certificates and merit awards were proudly displayed along side the displays.

On our last morning we had breakfast at Hyams Beach Store and Cafe in nearby Cudmirrah. It was a very popular cafe and the brekky was great.

From here we farewelled David & Di, Tony & Heather and Ron & Julie – cheers until we meet again!


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We are spending another couple of days in Sydney with Graham & Heather and will catch up with friends from Italy. Will be lovely to see them again.

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The girls of Cowaramup

Posted on 21 February 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 17 February 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 13 February 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.

Posted in Caravanning, Cowaramup, Margaret River, Western Australia | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Peaceful Bay

Posted on 11 February 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 3 February 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 2 February 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 26 January 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 22 January 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 18 January 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 12 January 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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