With a rain radar map like this, you have to wonder if the weather gods are targeting us. It was nothing short of appalling outside the car. We made our way south towards the tourist mecca of Margaret River. This whole area is a picture postcard (albeit soaked with torrential rain) of vineyards, galleries, cafes, restaurants, hippies, and of course very, very good surf. Except for right now, when the surf is very, very bad. I can hear Anthony sniggering from here! Comes around, goes around.

We stopped at Gracetown where it was so wet and wild, we just stayed in the car. Then it was Prevally. Same. It was so yucky, I never even considered taking a photo. The rainfall recorded will be well below the real amount, as it was so significantly horizontal that it would not have fallen in a rain gauge.

Despite the rain, it was a scenic drive. There are huge patches of arum lilies, which look quite beautiful against the green pastures. Unfortunately, they are a weed and are rather out of control in some areas.

Further south we drove through the Boranup Forest. This is a spectacular karri forest, and a lesser known feature of the region. This led us on to Hamelin Bay, a picturesque beach with a big history. It used to be the export point for harvested timber from the region. The remnants of the jetty, once a bustling port, are one of the most recognisable photos from the region. I look forward to comparing this to the state of the jetty in 1987, when I was last here.

Hamelin Bay

The rain had stopped, but the wind sure kept on coming. It even ruffles the feathers of this seagull who dared to face away from the wind.

We settled on a campsite near Conto’s Beach. It’s a National Park, with many campsites dotted through the scrub. It would have been much nicer if it hadn’t rained so much. And hadn’t blown so hard.

Harry and John went to see Calgardup Cave on their bikes. The region has a number of caves with the usual offer of stalactites and stalagmites. They were looking forward to a bit of exploring, but it turned out to be more of a “stay on the boardwalk” kind of cave. The heavens opened again just as they started to ride back to camp, and the rain set in for the night.