The Beautiful Briney Sea

A day of laughter and a small crisis in the kitchen

Well rested and breakfasted we set off for Dunsborough. An upmarket coastal town – Alice says it’s perfect like a Simms town. As we are driving along one upmarket shoppy boulevard Owen stops at a Pelican Crossing to let a Gull cross. Yes its that sort of place.

The beach is neat like the town. We explore, find coffee and elevensies (Owen found a bacon roll but couldn’t quite get to grips with ordering Alice’s Vegemite Scroll) then drive out to Cape Naturaliste where there is a lighthouse. The possibility of whale watching is presented but the sea is very very rough so we decide to wait till Augusta in a day or so.

We have a long walk around the rocky scrubby headland of the cape. Wild and beautiful. We can now see the west coast proper. Rocky outcrops and thundering surf. During the morning we see the Blue Wren – briefly and not on camera. The spring flowers are coming out – tiny narcissus, lovely white canna lillies, a yellow flowered shrub rather like a potentilla. All so delicate and pretty.

Along the roadsides we are bordered everywhere by peppermint trees.

We seperated – Alice and I chosing a path that took us almost to the shore and Owen a path that took him higher round the lighthouse. Did you see the whales he asks as we meet up. No….. did you? Just saw them blow from the cliff top he declares. Just like that! Grrr.

Another viewpoint at Sugarloaf rock gives a stunning vista along the coast. I can’t describe the sight and sound of it.

We thought we would find a winery with a cafe for lunch but on Monday most places are closed. So we lunch at the Goose in Bussleton alongside the record breaking 1.8 km jetty – alleged to be the longest in the Southern hemisphere. Alice says that a NSW jetty – aptly named Long Jetty – claims a similar record.

Food is scrummy and we get the giggles rather badly – or rather I do. There is an Interpretive Centre at the head of the Jetty. What’s an Interpretive Centre says Alice. Whatever you want it to be says Owen. Haha. I look for the cloakroom. Cloakroom says Alice. Why? For a loo says I. Cloakroom? Never heard it called that before. More laughter. She’s been here too long.

We decide not to walk the Jetty but wander to the little town centre, finishing with a big shop in Woolworths.

We are cooking tonight! I have decided to make a veggie curry. Owen needs meat so he is accommodated too. A BWS provides wine (a Maclaren Vale Cab Sav. Yes I know we are in the prime wine region of WA but needs must)

Home in time for running and resting and beachcombing before dinner. I love to cook. I take enourmous care over the veg. And the rice and Alice makes perfect popadums. But somewhere I lose the plot. I completely utterly lose the plot. I spoon 14 servings worth of curry paste over my beautiful veggies. The whole jar. What was I thinking. It needed 2/3 spoonfulls and lots of water. I serve. Wow says Owen. This is intense. He immediately breaks out in a sweat. Alice has a go. Very strong mum. Can’t taste anything else. Did you put too much paste in? OMG you used the whole jar.

So with the assistance of loads of perfect rice, yogurt, popadums, water and good humour the terrible mistake is overcome and we live to tell the tale. Oh dear Maggie. Oh dear. The children end the evening watching Australian Masterchef!!