Wineries and breweries

Margaret River

Our long days of driving are now over and we’re really starting to enjoy Western Australia.  We’re South of Perth in the Margaret River Wine Region.  We gave ourselves a treat yesterday and took a guided tour through the area, to wineries and tasting, cheese, chocolate, venison, a distillery, and topped off with a brewery. Plus a very nice lunch included at one of the wineries. And we didn’t have to drive, at all. It was a great time. Of course we made a few purchases, for down the road, to sit and enjoy when the day is done.  We’ve also discovered that we both like a little liqueur after dinner (strictly to aid in the digestive process).  I wish we could bring some home but they don’t sell anything in 4oz containers. The distillery we visited, The Grove, served us varying kinds of port with spirits and liqueurs. They make a macadamia nut, turkish delight which is milk chocolate and rose water, fruit flavored ones and they blend them too. For some reason, they can’t serve shooters so they make up their own. We were served, in one glass, a little macadamia nut, white chocolate and coconut liqueurs, topped with a splash of half and half. No sipping, down all at once. Umm, umm good

Next day, we did our own touring. We checked out the rocks at Yallingup (yes, it’s the town name), very impressive waves crashing on the rocks, toured some galleries, pottery, silver, saw lots of rolling hills with farm land and of course grapes. Tried to do a little shopping in some of the towns, but Yallingup only had a general store and Cowaramup had about 5 stores, but not stuff we wanted. We found an ice creamery, yum, and did a little shopping in Margaret River. Got some souvenirs. Did find a brewery and had a bite. We had planned dinner, pizza, at another brewery but it appears most wineries and breweries here really only do lunch and are closed at 5 or 6 pm.

 This is how a holiday is supposed to be!! Relaxing and laid back. There are a couple of beaches to check out with sea life and good surfing. We’ll take some of our wine, fresh venison salami, cheese and a baguette and sit on the beach for awhile. The weather has been beautiful.

In the campground

 Next stop  Denmark, WA.  We finished our tour of the Margaret River area and western coastline and moved here on the southern coast.   We’re in another wine region but not nearly as many wineries as Margaret River.  We toured, tasted and bought today.  We probably won’t have to buy any more beer while we’re here as we probably can now switch to wine and make it through the rest of the trip.  Too bad we can’t bring any home with us.  :(    The countryside is quite a bit like other parts of the USA.  Lots of rolling hills, pastures and trees. Some wineries had great cheeses to buy, yes we did, and chocolates to go well with wine too as a few had their own made ones.

We can tell we’re getting farther away from the equator as the temps are becoming quite cool and comfortable.  There does seem to be more humidity though.  In our park we have a space that backs right up to the Southern Ocean and there’s a flock of seagulls that are being totally obnoxious.  Now they’ve even gotten the magpies and gullahs involved.  Like a bunch of kids fighting and squawking.