Saturday, December 12, 2009

One Saturday of Holidays in Albany and Denmark




First Saturday in Albany - Shining sun (apparently a bit of a rarity in Albany)

Much to do
- Visit middleton beach
- Albany Farmer's market
- Denmark xmas markets
- Green's pool for swimming
- Dinner at doctor's farm

1. Middleton beach
Still cold at 7am. Too cold for swimming at this stage. Beautiful, long expanse of white sand. Lots of pretty shells. Plenty of people out walking/exercising. The water must come straight from Antarctica - icy cold.





2. Albany Farmer's market
Collie St. Every saturday from 8-12. Lots of the good things sell out early. I bought a punnet of fresh raspberries for $7 and ate them all on the spot. Delicious. Fresh, seasonal fruit and vegies. Cherries, raspberries, strawberries, avocados, asparagus. Local meat and poultry. Goats cheese. Milk products. Very exciting after a year in Kalgoorlie with nowhere to shop except woolies!

Slight intermission to wait for my housemate's boxes to arrive. Due in ?1.5 hours from 8am. At 10am they haven't arrived. "They always lie" I said. Somewhat naive she was convinced they were being honest and truthful. "Winny they are on their way". I insisted she call them and ask... Surprise surprise after waiting another hour at home she managed to get hold of them "they have just left esperance now". Ok, let's leave the boxes to be dropped off in the driveway and head to the markets!

3. Denmark xmas markets
Nestled in under the trees by the river in Denmark. Cute markets. Lots of home-made gifts etc. The usual market-wares plus a few interesting finds. Beautiful pottery by one lady. Very lovely woolen beanies and scarves by another man. Various shades of browns and beiges - no dyes. He has spent 10 years breeding the different colours into the sheep. Food stalls - highlight - fresh slices of cold watermelon for $1 - perfect in the hot weather.



4. Green's Pool
Highly recommended by all we ask. About 20 mins ?west of Denmark. Shaded from the wind. Unfortunately not shaded from the sun. Gorgeous to bring small children. A natural 'pool' created from the rocks. It must be 150 meters in diameter. Similarly to Middleton Beach I'm sure the water comes straight off the icebergs in Antarctica.

We were finally driven away by the pesky little march flies who kept biting my exposed flesh.


Detours:
a. Honey farm
One thing on my list was honey. Lots and lots of honey. I can hardly keep up my supply for the amount of honey I demand.
Cute little farm. Nice ice creams - the other two got some and I snuck a taste.
I do not like mead. (Honey ?wine)

b. Chocolate farm
Interesting. Expensive, a bit sterile. Will probably improve with age - it seems very new. Highlight - the snake in the garden. I was enthralled, watching it bask in the sun. Mary walked out and said it is a rubber snake. Very disappointing.


5. Dinner at Richard Turner's farm
5km up the road to Mt Barker from Denmark. Beautiful 'hobby' farm. Sheep, chooks, geese, cows etc. They are doing up the house themselves. Great hospitality.
I wish I took some photos!
Daughter - Mary Jane - very sweet, we worked out that we would have run against each other in the interschool cross country and 1500m races. We fought fiercely for the last place ribbon!

Home late. Fantastic day of holidays. Now Sunday must be a day of work...

Despite the gorgeous blue sky and 34C temperature. Perhaps the work can wait until monday

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