From bare feet to gumboots

Our chase of the infinite summer has come to an end, with the cold weather setting in, but we managed to catch a few last sunshine adventures….

Having missed the Great Barrier Reef because it was a bit costly to put us all on a boat to sail out to the reef islands, and we didn’t think the kids were up for it, we were excited to find ‘Ningaloo Reef’ on the opposite side of the country in WA.   This time the coral and marine life start just metres off the mainland.   It cost us only a few dollars for access to the national park to enjoy a day of snorkelling in safe tropical waters.  Once I became confident with the goggle and snorkel, it felt like I was floating across the reef.  The coral looked like giant cauliflower, or strange under water flower bouquets.  The fish were electric with colour and mesmerising to watch scurry around the reef.  

Heading further south to Coral Bay we took the boys Kayaking over the reef.   Late in the afternoon you could also hand feed fish in knee deep water.   They seemed enormous with shimmering blue scales.  One of them bit my hand while I was feeding him, later I found out they are called 'snapper' - and i totally understand why - his teeth left puncture marks and drew blood.   

I expected the WA coastline to be magnificent, and it is.  With the weather a little inclement it really creates a dramatic atmosphere.   The most amazing blow holes I have ever seen are just north of Carnarvon at Quobba.  This part of the coast has king waves and is famous to surfers around the world.   Too rough for us to enjoy a swim, although Josh went in – fully clothed, and was quickly dumped by a wave.  We camped here on the beach a few nights with a lighthouse on the headland and enjoyed a roaring campfire.  Seeing the lighthouse on at night left a big impression on Amy, who now talks about lighthouses often in her daily chatter. 

Shark Bay is world heritage listed and home to the famous dolphin bay of Monkey Mia.   We camped on the beach again, and went to Monkey Mia during the day to watch the dolphins play.  It was fabulous for the kids to see the dolphins in their own environment and get up so close.  John and Sam had the chance to hand feed them.  The feeding program is carefully controlled, only feeding the female dolphins – they are continually breastfeeding or pregnant so I can totally understand why they can do with the extra food.  They give them just a small portion of their daily nutrition requirement, so they continue to hunt for themselves, and teach their calves to hunt.   They breastfeed every 20 minutes!  Exhausting thought for anyone who has had a baby.

John has had his heart set on seeing ‘Natures Window’ in Kalbarri.   He had seen a picture in a magazine of a small family there, who were travelling OZ.  This photo had inspired the idea that it was time for us to go on the same adventure.  So of course we had our photo taken there too.

Geraldton signalled a return to civilisation –Bunnings and a real Target (not the country target kind).   We also enjoyed a catch up with a long time friend Alicia Conner and met her new husband. They are shortly moving to the remote town of Derby at the tip of WA.  We wish them the best on the next league of their life adventure. 

The Pinnacles are a massive collection of limestone rocks peeking though desert sand, it was like another world.  You are free to walk amongst them, and we decided with the three little kids the best way to enjoy the moment was a game of hide and seek.  A great memory.

It has been such a diverse two weeks - we have seen shipwrecks, wild emus, a skink, a thorny devil, shell crabs, star fish, coral reefs, blowholes, dolphins and amazing wildflowers.  Now sweaty days have turned cold and wet, arid ranges have turned into green rolling hills, bare feet have been replaced by gumboots, and picnics in the sun have been replaced with hot lunches in the caravan. 

Finally arrived in Perth now.  So ready to hit a city again!  They are already playing Johns music here on the radio, he has a radio interview scheduled for Friday, and is playing later that night.  Good things ahead.