Swanning around

No surprise there then :)

What I meant to say was that I’d arrived in Swan Valley, a few kms outside of Perth CBD but importantly the first vineyard area that I’d encountered. What was even better was that in addition to wine, the Swan Valley has an enviable reputation for food as well as drink with a defined 32km track taking in boutique wineries, fine restaurants, chocolate shops, traditional breweries, honey tasting, olive farms, you name it! You can see the track here.The only downside was that I’m on my own :(

It was almost luxurious checking into a caravan park after several nights freecamping and added the extra benefit of power to the equation to help recharge the deep cycle battery and all the paraphernalia associated with cameras, iPods, laptops etc and even managed a bit of washing before dinner. Phew!

It’s a surprisingly good feeling clearing the van out after several days of travelling around chucking things in the back, bits of litter, misplaced stuff and you could almost call it therapeutic. It’s much easier on a concrete slab within a caravan park as nothing will get grassy or sandy or muddy or all three. The kettle came out and a really hot cuppa was drunk whilst watching the sun set. If it had been a bit warmer I’d have probably swam in the outside pool but I’d been pre-warned that the average temperatures were still relatively cool compared to Broome.

It was strange being so close to Perth, WA’s capital city, whilst at the same time being very far away in an almost rural environment. Kangaroos, possibly being kept in captivity, were in the block next door watching my every move until some children living on site came and fed them carrots. A welcome distraction. Kangaroos have scary eyes!!!

I’ll be here several days before the big push into the city.