spiralites and pendulites

The weather continued to be wet and windy so we spent a couple of days exploring vineyards, caves, cafes and shops.

The jewel cave near Augusta has some features we have never seen before, including spiralites (horizontal confused formations undecided whether to be stalagmites or stalactites ) and bizarre pendulites ( huge heavy lumps of calcite suspended from implausibly fine straws).

From trek phase 4

The vineyards in the Margaret River Valley are somewhat more pretentious than ones we have visited to date, with grand European chateau style buildings in exquisite formal gardens.

From trek phase 4

From trek phase 4

I have to confess I prefer the no nonsense smaller wine producers without pretensions- it is more fun sampling 'tractor shed shiraz' with someone wearing a polo shirt with a cartoon fish logo than listening to the flowery descriptions about late harvested rieslings from a beautifully coiffed and designer clad front woman.

We visited Cape Leeuwin Australia's most south westerly mainland point, where the Southern and Indian Oceans collide, but the weather was blustery and misty so we did not climb the lighthouse.

From trek phase 4