Steep Point 28/9/2013

Matts birthday today, I was still feeling a little down and I hate missing the kids birthdays. We had had virtually no sleep, the wind was howling all night, the tent was flapping like mad and the car was rocking from side to side. We decided that one night was enough and after doing some more exploring we would start heading back towards Carnarvon and find somewhere to stay along the road. 

We went for a long walk along the beach, collected some shells, and picked up some plastic bags that had been left by others. We noticed campers had left a full garbage bag behind, we had no room in the car, so made a note of where it was to let the ranger know.

 After our walk we went back to Steep Point, Iain looked at the maps and found that there was a headland that was slightly more west, he was determined to photograph the most westerly point. We went walking along the cliffs and found lots of holes – full of salt. Obviously when the tide is high the spray wets the top. We found some beautiful places for photos, so spent some time doing that. Before we left I collected a handful of salt to take home, it looks clean and white.

Iain had found out about 2 stations on the peninsular that you could camp at, Cararang and Tamala. He had emailed Cararang and they had replied saying there was always plenty of spots, so we should just call in. The ranger said we would be very lucky, they are very difficult to get hold of and as it was a long weekend and school holidays everything would be full. Damn – we hadn’t realised. We decided to go there and try anyway, when we arrived there was no-one home, we decided to leave money in the box provided and see if we could find a spot. We had a look, but it all seemed full, it was then that I read the fine print on the instructions from the box, that said to only camp in the spot you booked. Disappointed we left to look for a gravel pit.

We were passing Tamala, so thought we may as well just stop in and see if they had something. The lady was very friendly, and asked if we had bought lotto. She then told us that because we were not towing, she had the best spot on the property available for us. We drove down to the spot allocated, and it was magnificent – a little bay all to ourselves. It was still very windy, but it was so lovely it didn’t matter.

Denham / Steep Point 27/9/2013

Today was the end of our family holiday, I woke up with a heavy heart knowing I would have to say goodbye. I always find goodbyes hard to do, and we had so much fun, it had been so lovely to see the family out of their environment interacting with us and each other. I can’t say enough how proud I am of them all, beautiful people. 

We set about packing up and cleaning, the kids did the top floor and where ready to go before we were. As they had a long journey ahead of them we said we would finish up and drop off the keys. I had a huge lump in my throat when they pulled away, 5 very precious people were in that car.

For the first time in a long time I had an anxiety attack, poor Iain, I felt terrible which made it worse. We went down to the bakery for a cup of coffee and a pie before we left and Iain took the gas bottle to be refilled while we waited. By 11 we were on our way to steep point, the most western point of Australia. Iain had booked 2 nights, one in the steep point camp and one on a bay close by called Shelter Bay. It was a 190km drive, but because it was dirt roads and very soft sandy track it took around 4 hours. There is a ranger out there call that you have to call in to, we had no idea where it was, so where hoping it wasn’t all the way back at the turnoff and we had missed it. Eventually just before shelter bay we found the sign and drove down to the house.

The ranger and his wife were very friendly people, so we chatted to them for a while. We had passed a group of cars leaving, and apparently they had been staying in the camp spot allocated to us the following night. They said that as it was still so windy we could stay for 2 nights in Shelter Bay. We said we would look at Steep point first and then make up our minds. The drive to Steep point was very bumpy, fisherman come from all over to fish off the cliffs, so all the boats being dragged up and down the sand dunes had wrecked the road. We got to the point and wow was it beautiful, it reminded us of the cliffs of the Great Australian Bight. The surf was pounding in and the spray was coming up the side of the cliffs – around 50m. 

We went for a walk and climbed down an embankment and found the most beautiful cave in the rocks, open to the sea. We wondered how many people had missed it simply because they didn’t look. We took a load of photos, some landscape and some for his book.

 We drove down to the camp ground, and it was very windy, it was also full of fishermen. I didn’t feel comfortable there so we went back down to Shelter bay. Our spot was really lovely, right on the beach. We set up and manoeuvred the car a few times to get the best shelter from the wind, and then set about relaxing.

Denham 26/9/2013

Today was our last day, and Cassy had organised for us to go back out on the boat again. Part of the original package was a sunset cruise that we had booked for the evening, so a full day of boating it was. As usual the wind was really blowing, and although it was cool the sun was shining. We knew what to expect this time, so went armed with warm clothes as well as light ones.  This time we got onto the boat early and claimed the bench seat up the front

.

It was great fun, the kids as usual kept everyone entertained and asked the crew a million questions. It was great fun, we all got involved in spotting and as a result we saw Dugongs as well as Dolphins and a load of Turtles. It was cold even with jerseys on, so the crew girl got out the weather proof jackets and handed them out – bliss! It was quite funny, there was a Canadian family on board and they were all in shorts and t-shirts, they kept looking at all the Aussie wimps with sympathy!

That cruise over, we had an hour to kill. Still quite cold we went and had hot chocolates and got changed into jeans and jackets for the evening trip. We got back on the boat and reclaimed our spot, most of the people on the earlier trip were also on the Sunset cruise. We motored gently with the wind, and then turned out to sea, and into the wind – it was freezing. We were all sitting shivering, the jackets were quickly brought out again and we all sat huddled together, jackets on as well as spares to go over our legs.

It was a fantastic cruise, the skipper turned off the engines and we just drifted along with the current for around half an hour. Just before sunset he turned us back towards shore, and as he picked up speed it got really cold. Michael the clown of the family kept us as well as the crew entertained with his antics, in fact we all laughed the whole time.

By the time we got back to shore we were all frozen, we hurried back to the cars and I don’t know about the kids, but Iain cranked up the heater until about half way home. We all collapsed into bed exhausted after another fun day.

Denham 25/9/2013

The wind was still blowing a gale, but we were determined not to let it spoil our fun. The local aquarium was our first stop. It was certainly very different from any aquarium I have ever been too, with mostly open tanks, but probably the best. There was an ongoing tour that you could join at any time. The guides were fantastic with a lot of knowledge and info on all ,the different species. They also had an outdoor shark pool, a bit creepy to see them so close, but fascinating to watch, especially when they were fed.

After a milkshake stop in the restaurant we went on to shell beach. An incredible beach with no sand, but millions of tiny little shells instead. The tide was way out, so Mike, Sean, Iain and myself went for a walk to the water. It was quite cold and the wind was fierce. Mike and Sean once again determined to have as much fun as possible went for a swim. Iain and I decided to start heading back, stopping at a few vantage points.

We arrived at Eagle Bluff, it was a high point where you could look down into very shallow water and see sharks and rays in the crystal clear water. Quite amazing , I’m sure on a calm day the view would be even better. On our way back to the car we met the kids, they had decided it was just too windy on the beach as well.

We all went back home, Iain and I started packing everything back into the car, while the kids entertained themselves with various card games like snap!

25th Wedding Anniversary / Vow Renewal

Today was the day, and I was up early feeling excited. Everyone got up and there was a flurry of activity. Cas, Jenny and  myself showered and washed our hair first. Cas, did our hair for us, and then we did make-up while the boys showered. Our clothes all needed ironing, so out came the iron – you would think ironing board would be the next logical step – we hunted high and low, no ironing board. Matthew got creative, cleaned the kitchen bench and put some towels down. Matt and I took it in turns to iron, when they all decided to go to the shops to get our lunch sorted, Mike and Sean casually put their clothes in the to be ironed pile as they ran out the door – cheeky buggers. 

The ceremony was booked for 10.30, when they got back the boys made sushi (have I mentioned I have incredibly talented, creative kids), while Cas and Jen got dressed and then helped me into my dress. 

Iain had not seen my dress at all, so had no idea what to expect. When I was dressed he was finally allowed to come upstairs to see what I had created.

Iain and Matt left to go to the church first to set up the camera’s, and let the priest know we were on our way. Cassy wouldn’t let me near the Land Rover, too much red dirt! We arrived at the little church, made from shell bricks.

 The kids all went in ahead of me, as I got to the door the priest had the traditional wedding anthem playing for me to walk in.

 It was a beautiful ceremony, Fr Rodillas had put in so much effort, we didn’t have any music with us, so he had organised it. He chose love songs instead of hymns, and the surprise came when before renewing our vows he sang ‘ Love Me With All Your Heart’ by Engelbert Humperdinck to us. He had a very strong Filipino accent, and it was very karaoke, but the effort he went to and the sentiment he put into it, brought tears to our eyes, truly a very special moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUoAOvRzOdM 

Ceremony over, we did photos and then headed off to Monkey Mia for our rendezvous with the Shotover. We got an awful lot of stares and congratulations as we all walked into the resort, and down the beach to the jetty. We were having so much fun, and as the crew promised, the boat was ready and waiting for us to do photos on.

We raced back to the cars and grabbed our bags and quickly got changed for the boat. The wind was still blowing and it was overcast, it didn’t bode well for wildlife sightings, but we didn’t care, we were having a great time. As we thought not much was seen, but the trip was just wonderful, most of the other people on the boat were pretty subdued, but the kids kept the crew entertained the whole way. Iain and I sat and watched them, and we felt so proud of the amazing adults they have all become. They are fun, happy, social and curious and we are so proud to call them ours. It was wonderful to watch Matt and Jenny too, they are such a beautiful couple and Jenny an integral part of our family.

When the trip was over, the skipper offered everyone another trip as we had not seen much. Cassy took him at his word and went over to the ticket office to book another day – bonus! We all went back to the house exhausted and relaxed for a while. 

We had booked dinner at the Old Pearler Restaurant, built like the church, from shell bricks.

 I had invited Fr Rodillas to join us, and he was waiting when we got there. He seemed a little nervous at first, but soon started to relax. It was so wonderful chatting to him, priests from my childhood were very different. We found out that he had only come from the Phillipines 3 years ago, his Parish is huge in area, but very small in numbers. Most of his parishioners were in their 80’s or 90’s, so as he said a lot of funerals. The last time he did a wedding was 2 years previously, and he said he felt honoured that we would choose him and his church for our renewal. Very humbling. He told us how lonely he was, he didn’t have any friends and no-one to play games with, I think we will definitely have to keep in touch with him, such a lovely man.

We had an amazing dinner, their speciality was fish. After dessert we were all falling asleep, so we said our goodbyes to Fr Rodillas, went to the house and fell into bed. What an amazing day.