A Passion for Chemistry

Our check of the weather indicated a cloudy day with a chance of 0-1mm of rain.  We took our time leaving and it was overcast as we left Margaret River and picked up the Wandani track again.  But it soon started to drizzle. Following our experience earlier in the week, we didn’t delay donning our wet weather gear.  I was sure that we had our own dedicated rain cloud as we cycled to Witchcliffe, passing some interestingly striped cows on our way.

We were only 10 kms into our ride when we stopped at Yardbyrd for our morning coffee.  We parked our bikes undercover at the nearby liquor store and took the opportunity to dry off our raincoats whilst we enjoyed our coffee and delicious raspberry and white chocolate muffin. The sun was breaking through as we left, and we were pleased to by able to pack our wet weather gear away.  We planned our next stop at Lakes Cave and thought we had left plenty of time to cycle 10 kms for the 12noon tour.  Except it was 13kms and there were a few undulations.  We arrived out of breath at 11:50 just in time to buy tickets and have a quick toilet stop before the tour commenced.

There were 325 steps down to the cave.  Our tour guide was enormously entertaining.  We couldn’t decide if he was a former science teacher, a geologist or speleologist. Whatever his background, he was passionate about Lakes Cave, its history and its formation.  He was one of the most interesting guides i have experienced and we enjoyed every minute of his tour.  There are many caves in the Margaret River area and this one had the best reviews.  It was stunningly beautiful and the ideal choice given that we only intended to visit one cave.

As an added bonus, there were conveniently located picnic tables for our picnic lunch.  We were entertained by some members of a local Aboriginal cultural group who were building a fire in a firepit which they intended to use to create tools using the resin from tree grasses, kangaroo dung and carbon sources. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see the tool making in action.

The route to our accommodation was easy riding along Caves Road.  After about 15 kms we saw a turnoff to Boranup Forest Maze which was perfect timing for afternoon tea.  In the hope of a picnic table we turned in and were delighted to see a bench and toilet. We enjoyed a quick break and left some money in the honesty box for the use of the facilities.  We had the option of a QR code or PayPal if we didn’t have any cash. We got chatting to the owner who was using his brushcutter to clear scrub and he warned us about the road trains from the sand mine just down the road.

A few of the road trains passed us without incident but I was pleased to turn off the main road for the last few kilometres to our AirBnb.  Wisteria Cottage was located on a working farm and we were welcomed by the owner who assumed we had a car somewhere and was surprised to learn we were cycling to Albany.  It was a delightful spot and as an added bonus there was fresh bread, eggs and butter as well as a nice bottle of local red wine waiting for us.  Toast for breakfast will be a real treat! Before long we were showered, clothes washed and enjoying a glass of red by the fire.

Prev entry - Home - Next entry