Cape Leveque

Apologies for the lack of posts lately - we have been without internet coverage for some time, so haven’t had an opportunity to update the blog. We are now in Exmouth for a few days, so we have time to stock up, take stock and catch up!

Cape Leveque was magnifique. We had intended to stay three nights and ended up staying six, as it was as close to paradise as we could imagine. We had the good fortune of being able to book one of the few beach shelters, which was perched on the edge of a small cliff, overlooking the exquisite bay. Due to the 200km of dirt road to get there, we left the caravan in Broome and brought our tent, which only just managed to fit under the shelter. We had considered just rolling out our camping mattresses and doing away with the tent, however after the first night we were glad we didn't - hundreds of hermit crabs (some as nearly as big as your fist) came out of hiding during the night and scampered about, leaving tracks that in the morning had covered every inch of the sand. We even saw one taking off with a biscuit! 

The view from the shelter was spectacular - red Kimberley cliffs meeting the white sand and the turquoise sea. The night time ambience was further enhanced by a campfire, a blanket of endless stars, and the regular passing of the light from the lighthouse that stood on the hill behind. So very romantic! (for those not sharing a tent with three children.)

Beagle Bay Church, where we stopped in on the way to CL.
The altar is made up of mother of pearl. Amazingly gorgeous.

Miss Georgia, beautifully co-ordinated with the view from our campsite

Our beach shelter, with lighthouse in the background

One of our days was spent on a tag-along tour (or drag-along tour, as Georgie innocently called it) with Aboriginal local, Tara, and her 2 teenage cousins. We were able to follow Tara into Swan Point, an area owned by her family, where we were led to a picturesque cove. The girls then set themselves up for some fishing on the rocky point, which we joined them in, after the compulsory swim in the crystal waters. After an hour the girls had caught about 20 fish. The Rapps had caught precisely 0. Same spot. Same tackle. Same bait. All we managed was snags, which, to add insult to injury, Tara had to swim out and untangle. Oh the humiliation! We have vowed to restore our name by the end of the trip – Ningaloo Reef surely has to deliver us better luck.

Tom putting on a brave face whilst quietly crushed.

The swimming made up for the fishing

The rest of the time our time there went too quickly, as we had such a busy schedule. Relaxing on one beach was cut short by swimming, which had to be hurried due to scheduled relaxation on another beach. The kids had a marvelous time, as they mingled with others their age, exploring caves, making hideouts, and visiting each other’s campsites. Absolute kid heaven (and yes, we also enjoyed the benefit of some time to ourselves, we even managed to squeeze a bit of reading into the schedule!).

James enjoying a shower at our shelter

Our (slightly messy) campsite

Having another crack

Behold the beauty (of the beach!!)

On our last day we managed to find the energy for a tour of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, which included a trip out on the bay in a Sealegs vessel, an amphibious vehicle that drives on land and water. The boys (all three) thought that was the highlight of the day. It was fascinating learning about how the pearls are grown and harvested - a "cultural" experience of a different kind!

We came back down to earth with a bang (literally) on the drive back to Broome, thanks to a spectacular flat tire. We still don’t know what we hit, but it must have been something very sharp hidden in the soft sand, as the tire was well beyond repair. We then spent the next 2 hours on the side of the road, as changing a tire in soft sand proved to be rather problematic! (a broken jack was involved…) John was completely orange from head to toe by the end of it, as the dirt mixed with sweat turned to paint, and his clothes have not recovered. I was on hand to pass things (stat!) and provide moral support, and the kids were on hand to whinge. Thanks to the week we had just had, we were able to see the lighter side!

*%#@#$%*!!!!!!