Wild and windy Canal Rocks, Western Australia

On the weekend we visited my sister and her family at their beach house in Dunsborough on our south west coast. It is a very popular holiday destination particularly in summer. 

While we were there we took a short drive to Canal Rocks only 14 kilometres away and easily accessible off Caves Road.  Here you can see the power of the Indian Ocean as it ceaselessly wears away the rocks to form the canals.  Particularly spectacular on a wild and windy day. 

 However, please be careful as this is a risk area where big waves can suddenly surge up onto the rocks and wash you into the ocean. Once you are in this "washing machine" there is little hope of recovery. 

We have visited Canal Rocks many times over the years. The younger me would clamber over this rocky part attached to the shore to see the water surging through the canal. Not this weekend though with my recovering ankle and perhaps I am a little more cautious now. 

This bridge you see in the above photo across the side channel was washed away recently in a particularly wild storm. It hasn't been repaired yet. 

Who would be wanting to launch or recover a boat from this boat ramp?

Here is an aerial view of Canal Rocks from a light plane ride we had a few years ago. You can see the canal.

Nearby is Smith's Beach - popular with surfers - but rather blown out on the weekend.

You can visit both of these on the 123 kilometre Cape to Cape walk trail from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, in the south west corner of Western Australia. 
We have only done little "bits" of this trail, but our son has done it twice, the first time was on his own. 

 You see and read more about this area in a couple of my previous posts
The Ocean's edge - Yallingup and Smiths Beach - 2011
10 things to do in Yallingup without going to the beach - 2015
Flight over Busselton & Yallingup - 2016

And here is this last weeks Covid photo a day project - 6 - 12 July 2020

8 July - tiny midge orchid at Manea Park

10 July - and kangaroos watching me in the late afternoon light at my son's block. I think the one in the middle is the "boss" - he didn't move - just sat there watching me. I was glad there was a fence between us as you don't want to mess with these big boys. And you certainly don't want to approach kangaroos in the wild.
We had a roast dinner and damper cooked over a camp fire with our family - lovely. 

 Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed this little visit to Canal Rocks. 
I hope you are doing well despite the current world health problems and that you are your families are safe. We have had a worrying upward trend in Covid virus numbers in one of our Eastern states, Victoria, this past couple of weeks. And I know numbers are on the rise throughout the world. It worries me. 

It was lovely to be back with my Spanish dance group - Sol y Sombra - last weekend and not think about viruses. 

I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Stay safe and well and have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

   
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Our World Tuesday

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ThroughMy Lens 

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My corner of the world through my camera 
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The Lovin' Life Team over at: Deep Fried Fruit
 Month end link up @ Live love craft me

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Lazy Sunday Vineyard Lunch- Flutes, Brookland Valley Vineyard, Western Australia

On Sunday we enjoyed a lovely lazy Sunday lunch with friends at Flutes Restaurant at the Brookland Valley Vinyard in Western Australia's south west corner Capes wine region. 

Our friends traveled down from Perth on Saturday, and on Sunday morning we took a leisurely drive down through Busselton, Dunsborough and Yallingup and then along Caves Road to Brookland. 

Along the way we could see that the grape vines are starting to sprout

  
The "Verse" range of wines from Brookland Valley Vineyard have been a favourite of ours for some years so it was lovely to visit them again.  Can you see the statue of the flutist in the middle right of the collage below? He is featured on their wine bottles.

10 things to do in Yallingup without going to the beach! - Western Australia

Some people would think it would be impossible to go to Yallingup without going to the beach. But trust me you can.

The Yallingup-Margaret River region in Western Australia's south west corner is well known internationally for the great surf.

In fact in April  "The top 32 ranked male and top 18 ranked female surfers in the world will descend upon the Margaret River Region to surf its world-class waves in April for the Drug Aware Margaret River Surf Pro. The event is expected to see thousands of spectators flock to Surfer’s Point in Prevelly to watch the world’s best surfer’s take on the famous Margaret River Mainbreak". Click here to read more -  Margaret River Surf

But what if you are not into surfing? I know I’m not. I never did master being comfortable in big waves. Give me a quiet sheltered cove like Meelup Beach any day.  

Please click on "read more" to keep reading and seeing more

The ocean's edge - Yallingup & Smith's Beach, Western Australia

Last weekend we plucked a few days from our too busy lives and stayed at a lovely beach side place at Smith's Beach at Yallingup in Western Australia's spectacular Cape to Cape region that stretches between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin.  It is an area we have explored many times over the years, but there is always something new and interesting to do and places to go. And is just perfect for relaxing. A prime area for surfers and holiday makers in summer, it is also a great destination any time of year, as there are bush and coastal walks, wineries, gourmet food outlets, galleries and restaurants. Or just lay on your balcony looking out over the ocean, and spend time walking along the beach.

Here are some views. 

Early one very cold morning as the sun was coming up we went walking along the beach. There was a mist rising up from a stream running into the ocean, and the mist gently spread out over the ocean, caressing the waves.

As the mist curled over the crashing waves and it looked to me like a mob of wild white horses plunging across the water with their white manes flying in the wind.

They inspired me to write my first attempt at Haiku poetry which I have just been introduced to by my writer's group, South Side Quills.

Mist over crashing waves

flying manes of wild horses

in the morning light

                                                     Jill Harrison 25-7-2011

At the end of the beach you can see where we stayed at the  Canal Rocks Beach Front Apartments.  It really is a lovely spot, with a balcony and view over the ocean.

 From Smiths Beach we did part of the Cape to Cape walk around to Canal Rocks and then beyond to Wyadup and back. It was a wonderful 3-4 hour walk (depending on how many times you stop) with spectacular views over the rocky cliffs.  There were only a few wildflowers out but during spring it would be a mass of colour. This is looking towards Canal Rocks.

At Canal Rocks you can see the power of the ocean as it crashes against the rocks.  Spectacular on a winter's day.

 Further on we came to a seat where we just sat and looked. On the seat was plaque commemorating the life of Alison Taylor (1980-1999). And we were reminded of her words which we had read at another lookout along our walk - 

"The ocean's edge is a place to contemplate life's journey with it's changing patterns of winds, waves and tides. 
Please care for these special places."

And a beautiful sunset at day's end with the promise of another beautiful tomorrow. And the knowledge that life is a wonderful gift to be treasured.

I hope you have enjoyed these images. I look forward to hearing from you.  Have a wonderful weekend. 


To see more of the Capes region, you might like to go to my September 2010 post - click here - Walking at Cape Naturaliste