Cape Le Grand National Park
I’d had the Condingup Tavern in my sights since first hearing about it at the Esperance visitor centre. So I was excited to finally stop in after we left Cape Arid for Le Grand Beach. Big thumbs up from me for the New Orleans Bay Snapper burger and the wedges, which were enjoyed with a call in to Nan & Jod.
Cape le Grand NP only has two options for camping and Le Grand Beach (in my opinion) plays second fiddle to Lucky Bay. Though I’m sure there are others who prefer it’s smaller size and more private sites. The beach is much bigger and more open, great for Hugh to master turning on his push bike, and great for sunsets.
We used our second stop in Cape le Grand to climb Frenchman's Peak and swim at Hell Fire Bay.
Without kids, Frenchman’s Peak would have been a steep but easy 1.5h return hike. But having a wayward 3 year old in tow added an extra dimension to the challenge. If my nerves weren’t already frayed by the near vertical ascent, descending climbers reported a dugite sighting on the peak. Great! We approached with extra caution and did indeed encounter said snake, but passed by safely. The views from the summit were incredible and there was enough room on top that we were able (with a hand on each of the kids at all times) to take a good moment to savour our success.
The descent was not as challenging as I’d expected and we excessively lauded Hugh his achievement in climbing "all by himself" in the hopes that one day we’ll be able to hike without the need for so many proverbial sticks and carrots.
We survived a wet and windy last night, taking refuge in the camp kitchen for dinner. Other campers (in a tent) packed up and left in the middle of the night but we stayed dry and intact, glad our trailer had passed it's first test of rain in four weeks on the road.
We had to make an unintended return to Condingup to stay at the Community Hall free camp for the night as the camp grounds in Esperance were fully booked. This gave me a chance to catch up on some work and Matthias and the kids a second frolic at the popular Wharton Beach. But alas, no second round at the Condingup Tavern. Thrifty Matthias conjured two more meals from our meager food supplies and with savoury polenta for breakfast and spoonfuls of peanut butter to placate the kids between meals we rolled into Esperance with only a bag of flour and a half jar of Vegemite in our tucker bag.
It was also in Condingup that, for a combination of factors, I made the call not to continue with the one day a week of work I had committed to. Come Christmas I will be a free agent.
