Esperance

Kids yelling and screaming is what woke us this morning and they weren’t our own kids. The people behind us have 5 boys so they were up at 6am, and we are not used to that, we like our sleep, the Garrett family. Tomorrow morning will be interesting as another family turned up today next to us and they have 5 children also. What’s with these people having them all crammed into a tent or camper trailer, amazing how they do it. We had a lovely bacon and eggs morning and took it easy, because it’s going to get full on soon traveling the Null arbor. Spoke to my mum this morning so that was lovely and had said we’ll be home soon. 

We headed down to the local jetty, where we were told we could see the local Seal, called Sammy. Well they were right, he was there just nestled into the seaweed asleep and no worries in the world everyone just passing him and watching and snapping photographs. We walked the jetty and could see another 2 Seals. At first it was just a small one and then as we were watching up behind him came, as we called him, grandpa seal. He was gigantic and he scared the little one. The frolicked in the water and we watched them play. Sammy, no he was asleep and wasn’t moving. A guy came down to the jetty that had left over bait and wanted to throw it to the seals, well this was interesting. It felt like we were then at sea world watching them jump for fish and swimming fast under the jetty and back out again. Sammy the seal awoke from his deep sleep and decided to waddle over and join in the fun and he too, got some fish. The guy threw out some prawns too, but it was funny the seals didn’t like them and ignored them. The seagulls were they’re getting in on the act too, and actually jumped in front of the seals to try and pinch their fish. Cheeky seagulls. We watched for ages and then thought we better go do something else.

Sammy the Local Seal lazing in the seaweed

2 other dolphins playing by the Jetty

Sammy the Seal, he decides if there's food involved I'll come for a swim

 We decided on driving the Ocean drive visiting the different beaches. Blue Haven Beach, Salmon Beach, Fourth Beach and Twilight beach, just to name a few were along the coastline with rich royal blue waters and the waves white and fluffy. Looking out at the coast and thinking wow, this is our country and it’s just so beautiful. Twilight beach was a must stop and get out and play on the beach. It was voted the best beach in Western Australia, and so we had to see this for ourselves. The sand was as white as white and so soft. The water was clearer than at Broome, and just a magnificent blue color. We could see why this was voted as the best beach it was picture perfect. Twilight beach was 11.1km long. Our next stop was to the Observatory Point and this took us up to a lookout to see even more beautiful coastline. Along the Ocean drive further on was Nine Mile beach, Ten Mile Lagoon and Eleven Mile beach. This drive took us on a round trip and back to town.

Oliver playing on Twilight Beach

Some Star fish in the nearby water

 We went for lunch and then relaxed at camp and kids played in park, boys tried to get journals up to date, only about 5 days behind now, so that’s not too bad. I’ve said they must have it up to date by the time we leave here in Esperence. It was alight mist of rain this morning but it cleared and we had sunshine. Tomorrow is meant to be nicer again, fingers crossed. Mark and I thoroughly cleaned the car the best we could with a brush and tried to get it looking respectable for our trip across the Nullarbor. I had to put all paperwork in order, as I have two gigantic clear folders with each town and pamphlets on the towns as well as postcards (I get these for the beautiful photographs that are taken). 

The observatory lookout on the ocean drive

Mark and Hayley up at the Lookout

In the afternoon, it was check out the town time with just Dylan and I going shopping and Mark doing the special things like take Lily to the park as well as Oliver. Dylan was on a mission to find this book he hasn’t been able to get, we find a bookstore, hooray! Its here and it’s the last one, Percy Jackson. I looked in some lovely home furniture stores and then we hunted for Dylan some reef shoes for camp. We found some in a fishing store, perfect; we have them ready for camp when he goes back to school. We find Mark and the kids playing in the park and it’s getting a bit colder with the sun behind the clouds now. Back to camp but I said to lily no park. Oliver seems to have been bitten really bad on his legs and has about 15 mossie bites. I don’t think they are midge’s bites as they are large. Crying tonight with itchiness, poor Oli. I think it’s from the park area in the caravan park. Oli had another moment tonight where he actually got to watch TV and see the Simpsons, something normal for a change. Oliver had said today, I’m ready now to go home, and that brought a tear to my eye. Well we hit the 11-week mark tomorrow and I guess it’s our longest time away from home ever. Not long 9 days.