28 Dec 2006

Today was a long trip down to Margaret River. It started out really early and I didn't get much sleep, which wasn't good when I had to drive long distance. Halfway through I was getting tired and decided to turn off hoping that there'll be a little cafe somewhere and good thing I did because the decision just led us into a small little place that looked like someone's cottage converted into a cafe and tourist pit stop. It was just really cute. The scones there, however, were to die for - fluffy, moist and soft... warmed up just right to have the butter melt right into it. I mean I haven't had many scones in my life to know what's the best, but if an English bloke can say that it reminds him of home then it's good enough for me. Once again, there's just something about the whipped/clotted cream that they use that makes it all the more delicious. Guess I was too busy stuffing my face to remember to take a pic but I'll just leave it all to your imagination.

Brendan takes the driver's seat after that little stop and my sis navigated us to the first of many stops, a lavender farm. Just enter the place and you're greeted by the colour purple. Step out of the car and it smelled like someone has just placed a bowl of potpourri under my nose. They had interesting products there, all of which had one thing or another to do with lavender. They even had lavender beer, which turned out to be a rather weird combination that my sister likes, but I personally don't. After getting what we wanted, we stopped in the carpark to have a quick bite, and this was a few hours after the scones as the drive to this place was long and tedious.

Wedding Photo?... 26 Years & 2 Kids Later...








Makeshift Lunch

Then it was down to the original Margaret River Chocolate Company and it did have a few more items than the one in Swan Valley but it was really small and crowded. Guess it wasn't built with the intention of having so many visitors or such a wide range of products. Since there wasn't much difference, we left the place rather quickly, but only after getting some instructions on a map they had displayed. Off we went to Evan & Tate, another wine company and mom started to grumble that we've already reached the customs limit on wines. Well maybe it was mom's grumbling or maybe it was the wine itself but nothing interested any of us, except for the nice photo opportunity with the vineyard in the background.

The Original Margaret River Chocolate Company

Continuing on our journey, the next place my sis wanted to show us was the venison farm she went to. My dad was eager to have a look at the deer and wished he could just hunt one of them but what's the use of hunting deer in a farm? Anyway, we were greeted by someone's dog and it looked as though it's been working there a long time, leading you towards the door. We got in and it smelled like beef roasting at home during Christmas but all you see was things made with deer pelt or antlers. Then onlu after the tour group dispersed did I get a glimpse of the deli section where they displayed their consumable products. They gladly gave you portions of salami to taste and would offer you some cheese and crackers to go with it. That just sold me and I almost bought the whole store.... I mean I wouldn't know what to do with antlers anyway.

Dad Wondering If Lemons Would Go Good With The Venison

After stuffing the car with venison, I wanted to check out the cheese company that was on the map and while navigating to that, we ended up at a brewery that wasn't listed on the map. So in we went and we tested the beers they brewed, along with some pork rinds. I badly needed ome coffee and had to get a Cafe Vienna with a nice serving of cream... I'm either was going to have stomach problems or I was gonna get fat. Either way I didn't care, just as long as it was yummy. I also ordered a basket of wedges but it took so long we had to bag it and head onto our intended destination, the Margaret River Cheese Company. Apparently the one we got to was just the little shed they had for tasting and basically sold their products. It would have been nice to have been able to check out the whole cheese-making process but we were in a little rush to make it to the ice-cream factory before it closed for the day. Why do shops here close so damn early?

Something About The Whipped Cream




I Spy... Something Green,....

Getting Close....

After about 10 million rounds around the same place, I finally decide to take a road that didn't seem right and it got us to Simmo's Ice-Creamery. For all the effort it took in finding the place, it sure disappointed me when i didn't even get to see one bit of the ice-cream making process. It didn't even look like it had a cold kitchen. Anyway, what else can you do there other than get though the crowd and then get a cone to enjoy. It was nice that they had such a beautiful outdoor area to enjoy your ice-cream and I would've loved to play mini-golf but the kids were hogging it. Anyway, finished up our cones and we headed back to Perth, stopping at some place with a really long jetty along the way to stretch our legs and head to the loo before we continued on the long drive back. Good thing Brendan was doing the driving most of the day as that gave me some time to nap in the car and keep me well rested for the next day's schedule.

Nice Way To Cool Off






Drop Your Cone & Boo Hoo For You!


Cute Lil Girl Please Don't Get Swept Away