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9 months Sabbatical
  • Louis Le Poidevin
  • Hannah Clarkson
  • Louis Le Poidevin
  • Hannah Clarkson

9 months Sabbatical

September - October 2019 Read more
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  • 9 months Sabbatical

    OF (organised fun)

    February 13, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    There is no better day than an OF day.
    Got everyone loaded in the cars and went in search of a frisbee golf course. Andrew and I both had strong suspicions that it wouldn't exist anymore. But that didn't stop us from going to have a look.
    On the way towards it we stopped into a Coffee tasting and learnt a few things. The main one I came away with is that it is actually the water contact time with the bean which defines the amount of caffeine in the coffee. Therefore an espresso which typically has less bean contact time will actually have a lower caffeine content than when using a plunger.
    Followed this up with a chocolate place and a olive and soap place.
    The berry farm was next for an amazing food platter. Full of everything from pastry to sausage to fruit.
    By 3pm we eventually found the frisbee place. It was indeed abandoned. We managed to fish some frisbee out of the bin. Heather wisely stayed near the car whilst the rest of us ventured into the bush.
    Got totally hammered by ants and horse flies. You basically had to keep stamping on the spot to stop the ants from biting you. Penny got a bit scared of a horse fly at one point and, much to the amusement of everyone, let go a little speed boost to keep her going faster round the course.
    Glad to be finished we piled back into the cars.
    Andrew took us on some off roading (not suitable for our car) then around a forest which was very pretty.
    Back to the place for cooking up some tasty salad and meat.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Baking feet

    February 14, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Andrew and his dad headed off early to try out the skate park and the rest of us had a more leisurely start to the day. Then we decided to head to the beach in time to meet Andrew. Took a look at Meelup beach but Andrew suggested Castle Rock would be quieter so we quickly headed there.
    We were very British and set up some chairs and an umbrella but it was great to have some shade. After some swimming, frisbee and snorkeling, we headed to Aravina winery. The sand was so hot when walking back to the car it felt like we were actually burning our feet.
    At Aravina we tried some wine and had a look at the surf museum,which was pretty cool.
    Then we headed to Yallingup cheese to taste some local cheese and decided it was a good spot for lunch over looking the lake.
    Before heading back to the house we stopped at r
    Rivendale vineyard to do a tasting of Forester wine. We were served by an Italian man who was married to a lady from Torquay.
    We had some time to chill at the house and using the pool before we started babysitting duties whilst Bitmeads were out having a nice meal. Louis was their taxi driver and almost ran into a Kangaroo on the way home the first time. We read the boys bedtimes stories and luckily they were asleep quickly and quiet for the rest of the night.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Boys and girls days

    February 15, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Ladies went off to the spa at about 10.30, the boys piled in the truck and headed to a natural spa. A massive pool which gets a flushing of gushing bubbling water from waves cascading over the rocks. All the boys had a dip. Then we chased crabs with Archie and Chester for 30 mins.
    Off for lunch to the Caves road Black Brewing Co for a fantastic lamb ribs and pork belly. Tssssk. Ohh sir.
    Had a small play in the playground where Andrew and I spun round on a spinny thing and felt very very sick.
    Stopped into Gralyn Estate to taste some chocolate and wines (mainly fortified).
    Then we went to Yallingup Maze. I teamed up with Archie, Andrew had Chester. Archie and I cruised to an initial lead of 2 towers. Then none of us could find our way to the third tower. Teaming up we managed to navigate through to the end, whilst losing Chester only the once.
    We all fancied ice cream so went to the excellent Simmos Ice Creamery. Soooo yummy, and a small play in the playground.
    Told the ladies to get some shopping on the way back. Whilst the lads played games at home.
    Another great evening of food and wine.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Caving

    February 16, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Final day with the Bitmeads. We cleared out the house and went to Iguana Gallery & Bush Cafe for a bit of fancy breakfast.
    Said goodbye to the others and headed off for our own organised fun.
    Stop 1 was caves called Ngilgi Cave. Cool amphitheatre and stalagtites and stalagmites. Heather didn't fancy it so she stayed near by at the cafe.
    We collected her and headed off to our Airbnb near Margaret river town. Dropped Heather off and we went back to town for some shopping and to collect some info of what to do tomorrow.
    Picked up a fish and chips from surfers point on the way back.
    Finished by watching the new Joker whilst having battered mackerel.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    The Margaret river experience

    February 17, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    A pretty 'jam' packed day today.
    We started by nipping to the beach, then started calling a few wineries which did tours. Managed to get booked onto one at 3pm at Vasse Felix, which gave us a few hours to fill with all the free nibbles which the area had to offer.
    We managed to visit the Margaret River Dairy Company, the Colony honey maker, the chocolate co, Providore for tasty jams and some un tasty wines, Bettenay's nougat and finally stopped at Rustico for a tapas lunch.
    Lunch was great with fried goats cheese, battered shrimp and chorizo.
    Then time for Vasse Felix. Hannah and I had visited about 5 years ago and remembered the Chardonnay being very good.
    Had an excellent tour taking us through the whole wine making process. Finishing with a tasting of 10 wines. We needed a bit of a sit down after all that, so we waited for a while overlooking their garden whilst I got more acceptable for being behind a wheel.
    We finished the day by going to surfers point to watch some pumping surf rolling in. I did a bit of snake dodging at Gnarabup Beach whilst flying the drone.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Floaty floaty

    February 18, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Got up, over ate a breakfast of porridge and checked out.
    I drove the girls to the beach and headed for a flotation experience in a pod.
    A very weird sensation where you get into a mega salty, skin warm tub and close the lid.
    First 15 mins were very relaxing as you floated half in the water, whilst chill out music was played on the background. Unfortunately this is where my enjoyment stopped. Even with earplugs in, I could hear the whirring of the ceiling fan, which seemed to resonate in the tub, making it sound like you were in a quiet aircraft. Not ideal and not the sensory deprivation I was going for. Maybe I'll try one again sometime which will be properly insulated from outside sound.
    Spent the rest of the day driving back up towards Perth. Checked in to our accommodation for the next 9 days, overlooking the sea.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Hand surfing with rays

    February 19, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Got up too late and did a 5 mile run. Way way to hot after 7.30 to be running. Got back and had a cold shower followed by a swim in the cold pool. After 30 mins I was finally cool.
    Met up with Andrew and co for an ice cream.
    Then had a few hours hand planing in the sea with the mask and snorkel. A few sting rays were floating around. One guy got panicked after he saw one and was shouting for everyone to get out of the water. We went in thinking he had seen a shark. 🙄.
    After that we went back to the accommodation for another swim and to do some admin in side. Was a bit too hot just to be sat in the sun.
    At 5.30 we met team Bitmead for a last supper of fish and chips before Penny and Steven leave.
    We drove into central Perth to drop the girls off for a roof top drink whilst Andrew and I watched a film about Andy Irons. Great film, well worth a watch.
    We joined the ladies after for a very expensive drink at the Aviary rooftop bar. Back home to watch some lightning over the sea.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    37 degrees! Hot hot hot

    February 20, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Hannah and I finally got off our arses and did a morning workout followed by 50 lengths in the pool.
    We then went south to a restaurant called Odyssea to meet the Bitmeads for a final meal. I had an amazing pancake stack with shaved coconut and caramel. Yum yum yum.
    Then down for a bit of hand planing before saying bye to Penny and Steven.
    Left to go to Kings Park for a walk around and a slushy. A bit too hot to be doing too much walking so came back to the apartment for a G and T and get ready for the Scarborough market.
    Loads of people down at the market, with every country represented at the food stalls. Had a few beers whilst watching the sunset.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Freemantle

    February 21, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Up and a hit workout and 50 lengths of the pool.
    Drove down to Freemantle to start with the Prison tour. Very informative session on how convicts were used to build up the prison, the town and the nearby areas. 7 years for stealing a loaf of bread!

    Then briefly popped into the Freemantle markets before the little creatures brewery tour at 1pm. Had a fun tour and sampled about 10 of their beers. Heather felt rather tipsy so we went to a nearby restaurant called Char Char for Kangaroo. Got it discounted using our entertainment app. Winner winner Kangaroo dinner.
    Found an ice cream place and worked our way back home.
    Went round to Andrew and Emma's for a massive red snapper fish.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Beach reading

    February 22, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Started a sci fi book - The Worldship Humility.
    Up, to Trigg beach for a read, while Hannah and heather met with a friend from the UK.
    Then we drove to Cottesloe beach - for more reading - the ladies had a little swim.
    Went for a plate of meat and olives. Had a read.
    Got back to a sun lounger by the pool, had a read.
    Finished the book - dont do that very often! Didn't even go for a swim.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical
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    Swan Valley Wineries

    February 23, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Started the day with a bit of exercise and a few lengths of the pool. Then Annie and Justin picked us up for a Swan Valley wine tour.
    We took in a few places including:
    Sittella - ok ish wine
    Cheese barrel - a nice cheese platter and paired wines
    Harris organic wines - small scale winery and all nice.
    Feral beer - great selection of beers. Some very nice and very boozy.
    Tyler's vineyard - all very nice. Especially the port. They do this very cool thing where you print your own labels and stick it onto their wine. The whole room is covered in peoples labels.
    Finished off in a place called Swan Valley Brewery. Where everything mainly tastes like cheap piss. Only been open for a short time and definitely need to get someone who knows about brewing on board.
    Finished the day with a sit overlooking Perth city whilst the sun went down, and a night time drive through the botanical garden.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical
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    11

    Rottnest island

    February 24, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Drove to get the ferry to Rottnest Island. We hadn't booked and managed to grab the last few tickets on the 40min fast ferry over. Got off and jumped on the bus. Rode it round to one of the first beaches.
    Heather had never been snorkelling before, so she had a go at that.
    Load of fish around to see, plus some under water snorkelling notes about the area.
    We bussed to the west end and saw dolphins surfing and seals having a lazy time.
    Then back to town for a spot of subway for lunch.
    With not much time before the ferry back, Hannah and I walked to the lighthouse and then saw a dolphin swimming around in the bay.
    On the way back on the ferry we saw a few flying fish, gliding for what looked like about 50m. Very cool.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical
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    Ninja warriors!

    February 26, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    At 11 met Andrew and nutty. Dropped nutty off with Hannah and Heather so Andrew and I could head off and play Ninjas at a nearby Ninja warrior centre. Somehow neither of us managed to hurt ourselves and we had great fun. Arms are going to be hurty tomorrow!
    Met back up with the girls for a burger.
    Chilled out for the afternoon. Then met up with Annie and Jus for a pizza overlooking Scarborough beach.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Time to leave Perth.

    February 27, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Thunder and lightning to wake up to. Packed everything in the car and headed for central Perth.
    Went to the cinema to see 1917 film. Amazing cinematography.
    Then walked around the harbour area to find lunch of nachos and bread. Looking forward to lowering the food and drinks budget as we have done a lot of eating out over the last 2.5 months.
    Drove to a massive shopping centre to kill a bit more time before the flights.
    Dropped Heather off at the airport, and took ourselves round to the other domestic terminal to wait until out flight to Melbourne and onwards to Hobart at 11pm.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Hobart

    February 28, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Arrived at 9.30 and got picked up by our campervan supplier, Tassie Campers.
    Both feeling pretty knackered and I was feeling full of cold. Much like the weather. Bloody freezing compared with Perth.
    We drove into the centre of Hobart and had fish and chips overlooking the harbour area.
    Then went to the tourist office to pick up some planning info for the trip.
    Hobart rest below the 1200m high mount Wellington. The sun was out so I fancied driving up to the top. Fantastic views over the top. I did some photography whilst Hannah had a snooze in the back of the camper.
    I then joined for a snooze before driving back down to town. A quick trip to Coles to get supplies for the next few days and I started to call round some campervan sites. After calling 6, none of them had a space. The closest one was 40 mins away with a space, so started driving there.
    As we were going Hannah found and booked a closer place. Took us 10 mins to get there, but then a further 20 mins to find our designated spot. It had hundreds of plots.
    Both knackered, bed time!    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Market, Cascade brewery, Auntie Jan

    February 29, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Drove away from the hundreds of other campervans and towards central Hobart.
    Being a Saturday the Salamanca market was on, with a street full of endless food and tat stalls. We got a punnet of blueberries for 10 dollars and an apple pastry.
    After a few hours we went on to the cascade brewery. Had a great tour. I'm starting to get the hang of this brewing process. (Think this is our 3rd beer tour). Will have to get a home brew kit to try when we’re back.
    Then it was off to see Auntie Jan, just south of Hobart. Lovely to see her, we had an excellent bit of food and some Guernsey Gauche Melee to finish.
    We slept in the camper just down the bottom of her drive.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Ship Stern Bluff

    March 1, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Got up outside Auntie Jan's house about 8.45. I was still feeling a bit ill and Hannah was starting to come down with it. We had a chilled morning planning our 2 week Tassie trip. Caught sight of a pod of dolphins making their way up to Hobart for the morning commute.
    Had a chat with cousin Lara whilst Jan was out. Then had a lovely group lunch before setting off towards Port Arthur area.
    I checked the swell and it was looking around 16ft with light winds, so decided to take a detour to Ship Stern Bluff. One of the worlds most wild waves. After an hour and a half walk we found it.
    Massive powerful wave. We just missed a group of surfers who were just leaving on a jet ski.
    Amazing coastline with no one else around.
    With dusk approaching we walked back through the trees to our van.
    Moved it into the close by camping spot for 20 dollars for 2 of us. The owner came out and shined a bright light in our faces when we got in, complaining that we did not dip our lights when entering his field 🙄. Very friendly.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical
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    Port Arthur

    March 2, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Drove off at 10am - another lazy ill start.
    Found a lovely spot overlooking the sea for breakfast. My phone decided it would stop charging over night. So had to use Hannah's to diagnose and fix.
    Stopped into the Remarkable cave, much like the Gouliot caves in Sark (obviously less impressive). Loads of foam being washed in by the waves.
    Drove to Port Arther. A much more touristy spot than I was expecting. Early 1820 ish convict area, with a 40min walking tour followed by a 20 min boat cruise around the Isle of the Dead.
    Spent a bit more time walking around.
    After that we went to an unimpressive blow hole and a lavender farm.
    Then spent a few hours driving north to a free campsite, next to a beach. Fantastic views across the bay at sunset with purple skies. We could see Mt Amos, our destination for tomorrow.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical
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    Wineglass bay

    March 3, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Had a late start of 9.45. Both still trying to get over illness.
    Set off from our free camp site heading to Freycinet national park area.
    On the way through we stopped in at a vineyard called Devils Corner cellar door. Not bad wine, but nothing worth buying. We are back into Pino Noir area I think.
    Carried on round to the visitor center and decided on the Wineglass bay lookout walk. A 1.5 hour up and down to the beach. Brilliant views with clear blue water. A bit of a chilly wind so only stayed for 15 mins or so. There was an option of a longer route round the coast line, so we tagged that on for fun. Took us about 3 to 4 hours in the end.
    Checked into a nearby campsite for showers, beans, noodles and a nice sunset on the beach.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Apsley national park

    March 4, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The idea was to get up and climb the Mt Amos but the advice was that it would be dangerous in the wet, as it is mostly a scramble. With showers forecast and a cloudy sky we figured it wouldn’t better the views we had yesterday. So we instead drove north to the Apsley national park, with a 3 to 5 hour walk through a forest then potentially back along the river. Only the occasional spot of rain so we jumped our way back along boulders down the river bed.
    Then went back to town to see a blow hole and went to a place called the Farm Shed. Which was a cellar door for those places on the East coast who do not have a cellar door.
    Had 10 wines to taste. None particularly spectacular or memorable. Mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in this area.
    Then drove north to our huge free camp spot by the sea - Lagoon beach campground.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Rainy day on the Tassie East coast.

    March 5, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    Woke up and the van was in a massive puddle. Some big heavy rain which was due to last all day.
    Closest indoor place was Iron House, a brewery and distillery.
    So got a paddle of their beer and their gin. We tried the wine yesterday and it was nasty! Out of their 6 beers, none were particularly nice.
    After the 3 gins. Same story. All a bit like paint stripper. Maybe we should have gone for the cheese.
    Left after having a brownie and drove to a cellar door called Priory Ridge. Had an excellent tasting with an old lady, in a wooden shack and a wood burning stove.
    We purchased a bottle of their Chardonnay for the evening.
    Picked up some overpriced blue cheese and crackers from the farm shop in town then set off to find a camp spot in the bay of fires area.
    Got a spot right on the beach overlooking the crashing waves. Some big surf coming through.
    Had a sophisticated evening of french jazz, chardonnay and blue cheese. Magnifique.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Bay of Fires. What a van spot.

    March 6, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Woke up to glorious sunshine right on the beach. Such a change from yesterday. I got into the swimmer and went for a dip straight into the dumping surf. There is my wash done for a few days 😃.
    We drove up and down the coast a bit, finding some great views and doing some drone time on the beach.
    From there we headed to a dairy / ice cream farm for some cheese tasting and a lime sorbet. Great views down the valley with big trees and grass fields.
    Then we drove a short distance to St Columbia falls. A very impressive waterfall. I imagine the rain from yesterday helped.
    Then decided to head to Ben Lomond. A 1500m high peak which you can drive up to. They use it as a ski resort in winter. The top was freezing in the wind, but spectacular views. We stayed around as the sun went down. Then drove back down the steep twisty road to the campsite 15mins down.
    Going to be a cold night, so I boiled up some water, put it into some bottles and put socks over the top. Instant hot water bottles. Toasty toasty.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    From Devonport to Devonport.

    March 7, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    A cold night, with the hot water bottles definitely required!
    I had set my alarm for 7.45, but my phone died overnight, and with my head ducked under the blanket to keep warm, I didnt realise it was 10.30 until Hannah told me. Bit of a waste of a morning.
    Drove to Launceston, stopped into Coles for some food and booze and headed to a cellar door in a quarry called Penny Royal. The wine was from Relbia estate, the reds were so bad that Hannah tipped hers out.
    Cool place with loads of pirate themed stuff.
    Drove round the corner to a gorge with a full river and bridge running over the top.
    After much back and forth decided on heading to Devonport. As we had to really being that was were I used to work.
    Checked into a campsite and had a very posh birthday meal out at Drift. Thank you Hannah.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Happy Birthday to me!

    March 8, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Wow, 34 today. Getting well old now!
    Called the drunked family staying in Herm. Got given some wine and chocolates from Hannah. Good start to the day.
    We nipped to the Devonport lighthouse followed by a tiny market for a coffee.
    Then to the Anvers chocolate makers for some freebies, then to La Villa winery for some fancy wine tasting. All not bad, but not quite good enough to buy one.
    Then onwards to the Sheffield food and wine festival, where we listened to some great music and had some bacon beer - actually pretty tasty.
    We walked around the town to see some wall painting and a marble shop with mechanised thingies.
    Final activity was a place with loads of Mazes. Completed the main one in 12 mins flat. Much better time than the one I did with Andrew and the boys a few weeks back. Took us hours!
    Set off towards the campsite for the night. Nice place on a hill over looking lake Barrington. Full of people on jet skis and wake boats.
    Chilled out with some wine roundfings pasta.    Read more

  • 9 months Sabbatical

    Cradle mountain

    March 9, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Arrived at Cradle mountain visitor center and took the shuttle to the start of the overland track. Meant to take 8 to 9 hours, but by the time we got there, we needed to finish within 7.5 hours in order to get down in time for the last bus.
    Nice and steady first 2 hours, until we got to the summit track. A very steep rocky scramble. A few sketchy bits requiring a bit of the climbing knowledge to come back. Certainly would not want to slip. Got to the top with glorious views of the countryside all around. Took it all in whilst having some lunch. The way down was just as tricky, with the knees feeling pretty tired by the time we got to the face track. This went just below the main rocks of the peak with views over dove lake.
    Made it to a sign saying it was 2 hours back to the pickup point and we only had 1.45 to get there before the bus left.
    A bit of jogging to ensure we got there and made it with plenty of time to spare. No need to worry after all.
    Made our way south west for 2 hours to Strahan. Where we would be catching a boat cruise from in the morning.    Read more

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