Bugs, Grubs, Sharks and wine.

I have just returned from a week in Margaret River. I have attempted to learn to surf (not hugely sucessful), learnt about bush survival and sampled lots of the local vineyards produce! I decided that as I was by myself and had no means of transport, I should opt for a tourist package for two days. This was a great idea, the tours were really well organised, great fun and actually very informative - I now know which bush plants (and bugs) are safe to eat, how to find water in the outback and how to treat snake bites! I was even very brave and ate some of the bugs and grubs that they served up for lunch... Don't think I'm going to be bringing them home for a gourmet dinner though. We also looked round some of the early pioneers houses and I read some of the extracts from Ellen Bussel (first female child born in region to white settlers) diary. The life they led must have been so hard. Quite sad really as they tried to import their European ideas about farming etc, into such an alien land. Had it not been for the local indigenous population whole communities would have perished.

Aside from the touristy wine and bush tours I also received some surfing lessons off one of the girls in my dorm at the backpackers. I'm praying that noone on the beach had a video camera as the video would surely become one of the top hits on You Tube... I eventually got the hang of standing up on the board and managed to surf the baby waves back to the beach - if my posture was rather inelegant. I'm covered in bruises and cuts from where the board jumped up to get me as I 'wiped-out'. My surfing lesson was cut short due to teh appearance of a baby shark in the water. I had noticed what looked like a big fish swimming beneath me - but decided to ignore it. Two minutes later the lifeguard blew a whistle and advised people to come out of the water. After half an hour the shark went along to the next bay and everyone got back in the water! Nobody seemed that worried, which surprised me as there have been 2 shark attacks this week in the eastern states. I've decided that perhaps surfing isn't for me, however the BBQ and guitar playing on the beach after surfing were definately good fun though - maybe I should just become a surf groupie.

Today I am walking through the nature reserves on the edge of the river - armed with my native australian plant guide and a book about birds... Quite enjoyable, although my bird spotting isn't up to much - so far I've only seen a crow, a wag-tail and a parrot!

As an aside a truck has just driven past the internet cafe with a lone bag pipe player playing what sounds like a muse tune...?!? very strange!

Anyway - ice cream and internet break over and I'm back off on my walk.