Cape to Cape

This is the name of the South West's (of WA) annual bike ride, that is happening in a couple of weeks time. The entrants ride from Cape Naturaliste, at the northern end of the South Western "sticky out bit", to Cape Leeuwin, at the southern end over 4 days - a distance of approx 100kms. We have covered the amazing variety of countryside inbetween over about 4 or 5 days, but thank goodness, not on a bicycle!! 

We spent 3 nights at Busselton, and then moved down south a bit to Margaret River. We had intended to do a bit of National Park camping somewhere between the two Capes, however, the southerly spring weather of our marvellous country got the better of us (with 60 kph winds and rain), so we decided to move inland a bit and make the most of another CP (caravan park). This time, also, we had a first. An ensuite site - with a  shower and toilet right along side. What a treat!!

Australia might be a big country, but it's still "a small world"!

The sun was shining, and we decided to start the day with a walk along the Busselton Jetty - all 1.84km of it! We boycotted the "train", that runs the length of it, in favour of the healthy lifestyle choice - walking!

Out at the end, Jed said he thought he saw a girl, Amy, who had been his leader at CE Camp in January. He wasn't keen to make the 'approach' and  talk to her. As I did the "stickybeak" thing to see if I knew any of the faces, the four girls did a bit of a double take and mentioned questioningly, "Jake's Mum & Dad?", having recognised us also. Turned out they were 4 of Jake's church friends, (and one had been  Jed's camp leader) and 3 of them had been to Jake's 21st. Doesn't say much for my people recognition skills! So we spent a pleasant half hour or so chatting and wandered back to the start of the jetty. Kathryn is doing a 3 month speech therapy locum placement in Moora, a couple of hours, North East of Perth and the other girls were over from Adelaide to visit. So they were on a road trip holiday for a week.

Of all the places we could have been, and them, amazing that we run in to them at the end of the Busselton Jetty!

Nicole, Amy, Amy and Kathryn - friends of Jake's that we
just happened to 'encounter' at the end of the Busselton jetty!

Interpretive Centre at the beginning of the jetty

 A huge redevelopment of the jetty has made it a great tourist attraction. With Interpretive Centre at start of jetty and 1.8km later, at the end of the jetty is an underwater aquarium. In between, you can ride the tourist train, or you can do like we did and walk. BUT...you still have to pay a fee to do that! WA seem to like charging people to walk on their jetties.

However, it was an enjoyable walk, on a nice day and if we hadn't walked out there, we wouldn't have met the girls at the end!

A long jetty - 1.8kms

Tourist Train

Jed looking very stylish! Go the 'kini!

In WWII, there were fears that the length of the jetty could pose a danger to Australia, as the enemy could 'sneak up' on the town. Guards were posted for a time, and holes drilled in the jetty ready to be packed with explosives so they could destroy it if necessary! (I'm sure there was other coastline for access without guards, but then I'm not a war strategist??) Mind you, there are a darn lot of rocks hiding in the water off the West Australian coast - reefs everywhere!


There is a really good reason why Jed is wearing a knitted, yellow bikini top!!
Another of Jake's friends from Adelaide, had sent a knitted bikini (I believe she did the honours herself), with the other girls for a holiday challenge! They had to get photos of "The Bikini" on a certain number of people, in a certain number of different places. Jed just happened to be a good 'target' - and a good sport! Hence, photo evidence was sent back to Kate, as well as onto Jake as I'm sure he would appreciate the efforts, sense of humour and fun of the holiday makers, as well as the sight of Jed in a bikini top!

Cape Naturaliste

Looking for whales from the Cape Naturaliste
boardwalk

If you look carefully, you can just see a whale playing in
front of the tour boat.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

More wildflowers! They are everywhere!

Not wildflowers, but ... weeds. Arum Lilies obviously enjoy the growing conditions in this district as they are everywhere. They do look really pretty tho'!


That wasn't the end of the ironies for the day tho'...
as we visited the light house at Cape Naturaliste who should we encounter but Ian & Carolyn Cutten! Jon had work for them for a number of years in recent years. They were travelling from Keith, and we had no idea they were in our 'neighbourhood'! Turned out their caravan was only one caravan away from ours at the CP. Amazing! It was nice to catch up with them for a bit - catching up on 'goss' from their family and Keith.

Some of the sights of the South West, of WA.