Derby pier, at sunset

.... followed by a great meal in an unfussy little cafe at the end of the pier, BYO beer and a great curry

Horizontal Waterfalls

A day trip right into the heart of the Buccanear Archipelago, to ride the horizontal Waterfall, swim in a shark cage, and explore the creeks. It was wonderful, I'll let the photographs do the talking. 

Yup, seaplane scenic flight out to the bay where the base boat is located. 

As the smallest passenger, I got to fly up by the pilot 😀

First sight of the falls

Motoring up Cyclone Creek, beautifully peaceful up there

The falls, you can only go up at certain states of the tide

Not a bad place for an evening, you can stay aboard and another time, it would be fabulous to do so

The red rocks and green water of the Kimberley

The Bucaneer Archipelago, shining sea

The trip commences - Derby

The Kimberley trip commences .... I flew into Broome a couple of days ago, to be greeted by that lovely, soft, north WA evening balmy warmth. Palm trees, ibis and mudflats, reminds me of Darwin and sitting outside at the Matso brewery drinking mango beer was a great start. 

Town Beach in Broome

The reason why no one swims at Town Beach ! That was the day we visited ... still the odd tourist wading in the water, but I think I'll stay clear. 

No comment about Broome yet, as I was only there one evening and quick morning tour ( mainly to buy a towel, as I forgot mine .... doh) so really don't have a feel for it. Very much a tourist town and I remain to see how much of Broome's pearling and Japanese heritage is left. 

From Broome yesterday we drove to Derby, a relatively short day, and just long enough to test out the new pie warmer in the back of Andy's car, yes it works very well. Nothing like the smell of a warming pie to get you hungry around lunch time. 

The prison boab tree, Aboriginal prisoners were kept here as they were being marched to 

Broome and other pastoral locations, to be used as labour

Our trusty steed for the trip, beside the ever present boab tree

Talking of trusty steeds, shame the auxiliary battery has decided to die, with a fridge full of food and just before we get picked up for the Horizontal Waterfalls trip. So Andy got really early this morning to get a new battery, so I'm hoping and praying he gets back in time for the pick up. Watch this space. 

********

Ok quick update, Andy has made it back with time to spare to get on the trip which is one of the highlights of the entire holiday. Whew, big relief. 

Point Walter

Every Saturday morning, throughout the whole year, a group of intrepid paddlers meets at Point Walter for coffee and gossip. I've been going, pretty regularly, since shortly after my arrival in Perth in 1999. 15 years is pretty good for a tradition. 

It's a beautiful space, and a great example of the Australian love if the outdoors, community and family. More than that, for an immigrant and recent single arrival in a new city where I knew no-one, it provided companionship and a good start to an otherwise solitary weekend. I still value meeting up with some of the same people, 15 years later, and knowing that I have a social destination every Saturday morning. 

Today was a perfect Perth winter day, cool but calm and sunny. The water is really clear at the moment, with shoals of little fish, pelicans, and occasionally dolphins. I was so annoyed not to be paddling, due to fighting off a persistent flu. 

I just wish the coffee were a bit better !  The cafe is going through a good phase at the moment, here's hoping the rise in quality continues.  

Kimberley trip packing ...

The car is full of fuel. There's heaps of food in it, the sleeping bags and camp beds are safely stowed. . Andy leaves early tomorrow morning, so if we've forgotten anything, Broome will be the next opportunity  ...

Muppet watching with keen interest as the is loaded. He can sense that something is going on, he's lucky this time as Fiona is house sitting, no cat jail for him. 

Lots of food and beer, of course ! Amazing how much more organised we are, with those boxes in the back. It'll be interesting to see how well organised it'll all be in two weeks, after lots of moves. 

The plan is that Andy drives up to Broome over the next 5 days, with some time to see the dolphins and Monkey Mia, then snorkeling with manta rays at Coral Bay ( I am very, very envious).  I meet him in Broome on Thursday, and we start driving Friday. 

Updates may be a bit patchy, as there often won't be Telstra reception, but I'll try to put some photographs on whenever possible. 

Yallingup beach

The beautiful serene beach at Yallingup, just as the sun sets. A totally unmodified photograph, taken on an iPhone 6. 

The same photograph, after some manipulation. Not sure which I prefer, the first photograph captures the moment and mood of impending dusk better I think, however the second photograph is vital, and captures the essence of a beautiful WA beach really well. 

Early May in Yallingup

Rain showers followed by sun, vines turning golden then bare, crystal clear water and dogs chasing waves. Open fires at Caves House, and great coffee from The Coffee Shack in Margaret River. 

Yallingup Beach, as a rain storm rolled in. The surfers and a solitary paddle boarder were still out, enjoying the even breaks. 

Howard Park, and rolling fields of autumnal vines changing colour 

Sunset after the rain and sunshine

Eeerrrr yes, the produce is one of the reasons to come here. 

The view from the balcony, at Seashells just beside Caves House