Saturday 4 January 2014 - Cliff Head

Saturday 4 January 2014 - Cliff Head

We spent three nights in Geraldton and I thoroughly enjoyed the time there again. The girls were happy because the caravan park there had a playground and jumping pillow, plus we paid a few visits to the big playground at the foreshore. After a very quiet New Year’s Eve (nibblies at the foreshore playground, asleep by 9:30pm!) we took a drive the following day to check out the southern beaches, Greenough and Ellendale Pool. The region is famous for its wildflowers but we’re here at the wrong time of year, unfortunately... It’s an area rich in history too, but the kids don’t have too much tolerance for that kind of thing so that’s two very good reasons to come back again one day!

On Thursday, Yasmin and I had a nice wander through town, checking out the funky shops and a groovy little art gallery/jewellery shop. In the afternoon I went to the big art gallery and checked out a Norman Lindsay display, a local photography group’s show and some art based on the little monasterial town a few hours from Perth (I forget the name). Then I walked up to the information centre and finally to the museum. It was awesome having child-free time to explore at my own pace!

Yesterday we packed up and then I went to a marvellous massage therapist for another 90 minutes of child-free bliss while Glenn carried on with the final preparations for hitting the road (water, vehicle checks etc) and hung out with the girls. We picked up our last few supplies (beer, meat) and then Glenn had his turn to finish going through the shipwrecks exhibit at the museum before we hit the Brand Highway. We stopped at Port Denison for lunch (windy) and then carried on to Cliff Head. After battling the gusts to set up, we kicked back and soaked up the bush camp serenity for a few hours until it was time for dinner and an early night.

This morning dawned calm and clear. Sienna woke at 10 past 6 (a record!) and we strolled down to the beach (a walk that was all of 30 metres) and enjoyed the tranquil atmosphere. We’re really enjoying ‘getting back to nature’ after spending so long in caravan parks/cabins etc. Of course, it gets wearing after a while, but we’re finally beginning to work out how to find a balance between the two. After breakfast, we strolled along the beach to the north, spotting a few cray carcasses (sucked out by octopus) but not much else. There’s stacks of seaweed here so fishing off the beach is nearly impossible, but there are a few shacks around and one even has a jetty, so fishing from a boat would be the go. We won’t bother here though – it’s a bit too much of a mission to get the boat off just for a few nights.