A Whale of a Time

MONDAY  8 JULY 2019

Last night the wind came up a little and we awoke early to an interesting tapping sound that we couldn’t identify.  It kind of sounded like an animal going through the rubbish bin but in a very regular and rhythmic way.  When we got up we worked out it was the plastic skylight over the shower  recess  flapping in the breeze.

Omelette for breakfast and then we decided to drive out to the Whalesong Cafe which is approximately 8km from our camp but across the peninsula so facing east instead of west.  The cafe is at the Whalesong cafe and is only open between 8am and 10am each day for coffee and cake.  We made it there by 930am and sat at their tables in their little grassed area overlooking the beach and drinking coffee out of recyclable cups and caramel slice off little bamboo boats (as you may have guessed by the name it was king of a hippy/environmental friendly place selling Gubinge plum seeds and bamboo t-shirts etc.

Feeling suitably refreshed and at harmony with the world and ourselves we wandered back to the car and headed south to Beagle Bay.   Here we forked out of ‘donation’ money to visit the quaint little church which was built by catholic missionaries ad local aborigines and features mother of pearl decoration through the church but especially on the altar.  It gives the whole church a beautiful glow which is quite special.

As it was now about lunchtime we wandered over to what looked to be the only shop in town to see what they had on offer.  The sign out on the main Cape Leveque road had suggested there was a bakery in town but there was no sign of any baked goods in the grocery store.  When we enquired about said bakery the lady behind the counter said ‘It’s over the road, follow the signs you can’t miss it”.  We went back outside and over the road and there were no bakery signs but one sign that said ‘Open’ outside what looked like somebody’s metal garage.  We poked our head through the door and there was the bakery.   When we checked with the bloke behind the counter he told us he didn’t bother putting out his sign that says ‘bakery’ as it is too heavy!  He also probably didn’t bother advertising because he had even less baked goods than the grocery store.  When we enquired about pies/sausage rolls etc he told us he’d already sold out (this was about 11.45am) but he could do us some hot chips or else he had one sandwich left.  So we bought some hot chips from an otherwise sadly depleted bakery and went and sat under a tree and ate them whilst Kate and Larry had to listen to Jenny lament the total absence of any business acumen by the local baker.  I mean, honestly, you’re the only bakery in a town that tourists visit and it’s school holidays and it’s just before the lunch period and you don’t bother putting any pies in your pie warmer??!!

We stayed in Beagle Bay only long enough to make use of the only 4G Telstra area on the whole of Cape Leveque and then wended our way homewards.   Back to the van and time for a swim to cool down after our hot, dusty and bumpy ride home and then it was more ‘chill’ time with books, tablets, puzzles and a box of chicken crimpys.

We decided to arc up the fire early and through all the wood we had on so that we could make some really good coals for cooking on.  We then threw more jacket potatoes on and had them with burgers for dinner.  We also made up some damper (this time with a handful of sultanas thrown in) and put that in our coals also.  Unfortunately the coals were too good and hot and it burnt a little on the bottom, but Larry hacked that bit off and sliced up and served with cream it made a pretty good pudding for dessert.  We have certainly had some nice meals on this trip!

Packed up as much as we could tonight to save time in the morning as we hope to make an early getaway to lessen the chances of encountering oncoming traffic on the sandy road in.