I am sure you are tired of me expressing such childish delight when I see blue sky and sunshine through the caravan blinds in the morning; so be it. This morning was yet another one.
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| Beautiful beaches of Cape Le Grand NP |
We set off for the Cape Le Grand National Park fifty six kilometres east of Esperance. The park covers an area of 31,801 hectares, was established back in 1966 and features amazingly attractive bays with wide sandy beaches set between rocky headlands and inland, an undulating heath covered sand plain interspersed with swamps and fresh water pools. In the south west corner, most accessible on good sealed roads, are several massive granite outcrops, peaks including Mt Le Grand at 345 metres, Frenchman Peak at 262 metres and Mississippi Hill at 180 metres. Reading the brochure I had thought we would scale Frenchman Peak however on personal acquaintance, I decided it was better left for those fitter than I.
We did call into all the beautiful beaches which are linked by a fifteen kilometre long coastal walkway; Le Grand Beach, Hellfire Bay, Thistle Cove and lovely Lucky Bay, where if you are lucky, you will find kangaroos lounging about on the sand or washed up sea grass. Alas, there were too many other tourists about and the roos had moved on, but this could not detract from the stunning scene before us. We chatted with a woman travelling with her husband and four sons; she had taken a photo and immediately posted it to her Facebook page. Her friends had just as quickly responded, accusing her of doctoring the photos. We all remarked that we could understand such a comment, but the colours were indeed true and amazing.
We scrambled around the rocky cliffs above the beaches, as agile as mountain goats if I may so myself. This made me feel a little better about having given up on the mountain climb. Some exercise was better than none.
On the way back to Esperance we noted the area’s own Stonehenge situated on lush green farmland just eighteen kilometres short of the town. We were not tempted; we had visited a similar setup just out of Carterton in New Zealand where we had also been treated to an amazing oral lesson in navigation, astrology and history. Perhaps the same is available here too?
The sun was still shining when we arrived back in Esperance so we decided to drive back out along the coast to the west of the town, to revisit the coastal scenery seen in a poorer light yesterday. We drove out as far as the Observation Point, just over fifteen kilometres from the town and were duly rewarded. Today was indeed a far better day to appreciate the coastline, and we were pleased the weather had allowed a second viewing.
Back in town, we refuelled in readiness for tomorrow’s departure, wandered about the town centre and then bought a few stores at the Woolworths supermarket. There are in fact four supermarkets here in Esperance; three Super IGAs and the one Woolworths. One is spoiled for choice.
Even as I write this, the skies have remained clear and we should have a good sunset. Hopefully it will stay fine for tomorrow as we head for Norseman.
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