Day 10 - Busselton Jetty

The sun came up and therefore so were we. The tent was actually very pleasant, it didn’t over heat but we did have a few unexpected visitors who came in for a nibble on our ankles. Hate midget bites!

Aoife and I went for a dip in the sea while Alexander and Louis got sorted for the day. We came back to camp, had a sausage bap and packed up the car.

We drove into Busselton for a dander around and to see the famous jetty which is 1.8km long. It’s actually the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere. I mean, I did question why on earth it needed to be so long. Surely after a year and a hundred metres or so, the builders would have thought it was long enough and job done? Impressive but extremely unnecessary if you’re asking me.

Busselton was so busy. Today was actually the annual swim race around the jetty. Aoife did try to get us to sign up but it was too late to enter. Oh bummer, I would have loved to…. Alexander thought it would be more fun playing a game of find his sunglasses which he had taken off and thrown out of his pram. Louis found them pretty quickly though, thankfully!

We got some drinks and boarded the train that takes you to the end of the jetty. It travels at a whopping speed of 7mph and takes about 20minutes. Of course Alexander decides to nap, while the rest of us looked out at the views and watched the poor last swimmers fight the waves. There were about 10 lifeguards looking after the last woman as she swam back to shore. I’m surprised she made it as she looked half dead about 300 metres out. She definitely deserved a packet of Haribo and hot chocolate after her swim. If any of you guys reading this are OG Lisnagelvin afterschool Friday swimmers, you’ll know this is the perfect combination to refuel yourself. “Yellow armbands please return to the changing rooms…”

We headed back to the car and set off to Gnarabup, Margaret River. It actually started to rain on our journey for the first time since we arrived in Australia. Our car engine light also started to flash but after a quick check of the oil etc, we realised that it was a tomorrow’s problem and continued with our plans to visit our first vineyard, Amelia Park. It was lovely, and had amazing views of the vines as we sipped on a few of their most popular wines. With 2 bottles purchased, we headed to our Airbnb for the next 2 days.

When we arrived we had some leftover pasta salad and dips for lunch. All washed down with a bottle of fizz! We all enjoyed an afternoon nap and woke up feeling a bit more refreshed.

Before dinner, we headed down to the beach. Louis and Aoife went for a quick dip and then we all headed for a drink and weekly debrief in the bar right beside our Airbnb. I prepared dinner, Greek gyros (yum) and Aoife, Louis and Alexander all went for a bubble bath. Separately of course. Alexander loved it, as the jets in the bath made so many more bubbles than usual.

Louis put Alexander to bed and then we enjoyed dinner, a bottle of wine and of course, another episode of Married at First Sight.