Esperance Week 39

                        Esperance

                            Week 39

Our longest move in quite a while has been achieved this week from Denmark to Esperance. In deference to poor Brian behind the wheel, we free-camped for a night just outside Ravenstorphe. We are really in wheat country here as the rolling fields stretch as far as the eye can see and national parks are fewer and farther between.

Esperance is a pleasant town, large enough to have most services, but small enough not to need traffic lights. It has the feel of Cairns when I was a teenager.

It is no surprise to see several wind farms here. I think the southern ocean breezes blow often and strong. The names of bays and inlets are alluding to the mighty power of the stormy ocean and the havens sheltering the poor sailors.

The beaches here are stunning, but their popularity with bathers is inverse to the number of steps from the road to the beach. Hence, by the time you have walked 150 stairs down to the beach, you hope you haven’t left anything back in the car.

The most popular beach is Twilight beach because you are right there on the sand. It is sheltered and calm and rivals Green Pool for pulling power. 

The Ocean Drive here stops at quite a number of beaches and by the time you have visited them all, your leg muscles have had a work out. Each one has its own magic pulling power and all are worth at least a few moment of your time.

Of course after driving on Monday and Tuesday, we were keen to check out the nearest golf course to our park, only $10 for nine holes and double for eighteen holes. Believe me, nine at a time is enough. It is hilly plus, so pushing the golf cart around as well as striking the ball is hard work. The bonus was the grassed greens, magic after all these months of sand greens. Our exploration of the area has uncovered another course that we shall test out before we move to Le Grand National Park on Tuesday. How many of you have a National park bearing your name? We couldn’t pass up the opportunity of staying a few days out there to cross another one off the bucket list.

We have gone out to Le Grand National Park for a reconnoitre to check it was suitable for our size van. There are lots of opportunities for walking and fishing. 

The signature plant of this region is a brilliant orange wattle that dominates and catches your attention instantly. The other features that dominates are the giant granite outcrops that are almost as prolific as the wattle.

In town there are several jetties. The oldest has been partly restored and is a favourite stroll for families and tourists alike. Here you are likely to come across a walrus or two. Like us they are seeking out the warming rays of the sun. The water temperature here is not for the fainthearted.

On Friday night we had a rare night out, having a meal at one of the local restaurants and then off to a dance. The meal was fine and so was the dance, but those of you in the know, the Merrymakers seemed fast in comparison. Merv would have been impressed with the musicman on the keyboard who played all night, ninety-one years young we were told. We knew most of the dances they programmed so we did in fact appreciate a good night out with some very friendly locals.

I’m sure you are all gathering your resources for Christmas. Enjoy the hurley burley of it all.

Cheers for another week.

The happy wandering nomads