Esperance

 Friday, 3 June

This morning we started with a walk around the foreshore. At one end of the town it’s quite industrial and the other end is recreational. We saw our first lighthouse, but it was only 2 or 3 metres tall. “Don’s Lighthouse” was named after the first tugboat operator in Esperance.

Morning coffee was at Cloud 11, hidden away at the back of a little arcade. They roast their own beans and the coffee roaster’s partner makes all the crockery herself. The coffee was really good as were the custard croissants, which they import from France. I suspect we’ll be back there at coffee time tomorrow.

Afternoon saw us back in the car and heading about 45 km east to Cape Le Grand National Park and picturesque Lucky Bay. It has been overcast and showery on this trip but the sun seems to come out at the times when we really need it. It lit up the beautiful aqua waters of Lucky Bay, while in the distance the sky looked grey and stormy.

We walked to a memorial to Matthew Flinders, who sheltered in and named Lucky Bay in 1802, during his circumnavigation of Australia. From this spot Judy walked the track to the next bay, Thistle Cove, and I drove round to meet her there. This track is described as “easy walking”. It certainly isn’t. It’s rocky and slippery and not always a clear path. I walked a short distance to meet Judy and I didn’t like it at all. Judy was very relieved to be off the track safely and uninsured.

There is a huge rock that stands above Thistle Cove and is known as Whistling Rock. We looked and listened but there was no whistling for us today. The many many rock formations throughout the National Park were interesting and impressive, especially when looking over us against a stormy looking sky.

Dinner tonight was at the Esperance Bay Yacht Club. A pleasant atmosphere and a delicious meal - rack of lamb followed by Baileys profiteroles. Yum!