Margaret River

We have at last arrived in the Margaret River region.  Sadly, the weather is rather horrid but the scenery is nice.  

Canal Rocks.  Stunning rocks.

The channel in the rocks leading to the outlet at the sea.

We captured this handsome raven or maybe a crow?  They are essentially the same with a raven being slightly bigger than a crow.

We then went to a "must go to" place - the White Elephant Cafe on the beach at Gnarabup.  We were not disappointed.

Superb location, right on the beach with people swimming just below you as you sit on the terrace.

We had a wrap each, Andrew chicken and mine fish.  Both were delicious and reasonably priced.

Looking back on the cafe from the lookout up the hill.  A memorable experience. Thank you Lynette and Judith who both suggested going there.  The only thing that could have been an improvement is a sunny day.  But we are in the southwest and the area is noted for not being warm until quite late in the year.  That is why so many Western Australians head north for the winter.

A winery I photographed because from the road it looked so beautiful.  I cannot comment on the wines as we did not go in - it was closed.  But it looked so nice and photogenic

The vines are hanging there in front of the lovely house.

Wall mural at the small town of Cowaramup.  The indigenous people named the place Cowara after the purple crested lorikeet that once inhabited the area.

Cow Parades had used art as charity fundraisers in over 50 cities world wide before Margaret River, in 2010, became the first to do it in a regional centre. The 2010 displays included "Free as a Cow" installed in the local park.  In 2012 the community adopted cows as a permanent theme for the town.

Another mural of the lorikeet.  As well as the images of the birds, the town is chock-a-block full of cow images in plaster.

We had a very lovely degustation meal with wine pairings at the Rustico Restaurant at the Hay Shed Hill Winery.  The restaurant is not owned by the vineyard and they lease the premises, but the wine served are the wines of the winery.  Food and wines were superb.  The meal was very filling and substantial, something that degustation menus often are not.  Thanks Judith for the recommendation.

A succulent scallop on a bed of cauliflower mash and smoked jambon.

Crumbed eggplant with tomato coulis.

Cape Leeuwen Lighthouse.  It is the tallest lighthouse on the mainland, located where two oceans meet: the Indian and the Southern Oceans.

Our last lunch was at another recommended winery and restaurant, Woody Nook.  We found the food very nice and reasonably priced.  I would be happy to recommend it to anyone.  But we tasted the very best shiraz here.

My shiraz pie did not disappoint.  Andrew's fillet steak was not as wonderful as my order but we did imbibe in a sensational, but not cheap, shiraz.  It was the very best wine I tasted all along Margaret River but we then did not go to many vineyards.  As well as having a bottle with our lunch, we also bought three more bottles, pricey though they are, but it is a wonderful shiraz.