What an amazing time of year to be visiting this beautiful part of WA. We turned off the Highway at Northampton and took the picturesque drive out to Port Gregory. We called in at Horrocks and had some lunch, what a gorgeous little seaside town. In its day it would have been quite a hive of activity.The old fisherman's cottages line the foreshore and frame the lovely white sand and clear water of the beach, the kids played in the park and we just enjoyed 10 minutes of peace and quiet before hitting the road again.
The farms along the drive have their crops sewn for the year and look amazing as they are starting to flower. You can see the road ahead as it moves through the middle of paddocks and climbs up the hills. The flowers of the crops framing the road well into the distance.Green, yellow, white,orange, brown, purple, red and pink of plants and the ground and then the contrast of the bright blue sky and some white fluffy clouds and the sun shining brightly. Wow what a kaleidoscope of colours we are so lucky to have witnessed this awesome show put on by mother nature.
All of a sudden the hills open up and we get a great view of the ocean, we cross the Hutt river and arrive at Lynton our home for the next 4 weeks.
Lynton Homestead was built by Henry Sanford back in 1853. It is a 2 storey limestone house built into the hills over looking the ocean. There is also a mill and stables and a convict hiring depot, with jail, out house, hospital and a care takers cottage. The hiring depot was complete in 1956 however the decision to close the station came only a short time later in 1958. The decision was made as there was illness and scurvy due to the lack of access to fresh fruit and vegetables and clean drinking water. The costs associated with food,water and transport where reasons for its closure. The site is now heritage listed and works have commenced to restore the buildings.
The homestead itself I found beautiful from the outside. The sheer size of the limestone bricks and the beauty of the structure, but when walking inside I found it eery and almost like someone was watching me. Down stairs I couldn't;t even enter the house. I felt a force holding me back and an energy that was cold and unfriendly. Now believe in this stuff or not, this was my experience. I have since learnt that during the restoration works people couldn't even stay in the house due to the goings on in the night. It is something I would recommend to everyone travelling past. The history and the buildings are so interesting and are a great spot for viewing the passing whales and looking at the pink lake.
Lynton is owned by Greg and Jenny, two of the nicest people we have had the pleasure of meeting whilst on the road. Jenny has this endless source of energy and is so bubbly and friendly, Greg is a little quieter but a genuine and friendly guy. They have 2 dogs and a few cows on the property. Jim and Karen help them with the maintenance of the 800 acres and Ed the can do guy does, well nearly anything.
John thought when we arrived he was building a shed, however due costs associated with living so far from a major town this was scrapped and now John was helping to change an existing machinery shed into a closed aeroplane hanger.With such a short time and so much work John got to work straight away Welding, welding and more welding. The weather got hot and under instructions from Jenny and Greg it was tools down and over to the beach. They are all for relaxing and making the most of the good weather days.
The other beauty of this place was the beach, it was through the front paddock over a small sand dune and there it was. Virtually a private beach due to its location. It has beta carotene in the sand, so the colours change from deep purples, to black, to light purple, red and pink as well as white. the water was clean and clear and you can see the whales splashing and jumping.
The pink lake on the other side of the property really is pink just as the name suggests. The lake is mined for beta carotene. An algae growing in the water and occurs naturally and then is mined for its pigment. The colour of the lake can change daily, from light dirty pink to the brightest of bright pinks.
During this stay we where lucky enough to have the tinny in the water and have a whale and her calf swim right next to us. They are huge and the moment was surreal. I was also lucky enough to see a whale do a full breech. Its whole massive body came right out of the water. I feel so blessed to have had this experience but also that I was a safe distance so's not to be knocked out of the boat.We are so tiny when compared to them.
John had plenty of opportunities to go fishing, which he did on most evenings after work when the wind wasn't blowing. It was so nice to have fresh fish and salad for dinner.
I was lucky enough to be invited to go horse riding with the neighbor Steve. Steves property is surrounded in the most amazing wild flowers and being on horse back you could get up close and really have a good look. Steve had an orchid of mandarin trees and he gave us masses. We have never tasted sweeter, juicier mandarin's. Alex's record was 15 in one day. Lucky they where free and lets just say he gave his insides a good clean out.
We where close enough that it was a short drive from here to Kalbarri, the coast line on the way there is so dramatic, the cliffs have the most awesome colours and the water is so clean and clear. We saw whales,seals and dolphins.
Doug and Veronica came and stayed with us at Lynton for a week and we all had a fantastic time. The kids loved having time with Nan and Pop. We took short trips to show them around the area and along the beach. We went back to Kalbarri to go to the National park and see Natures window and just enjoyed being together for a short while.
John managed to weld together 8 massive door frames during our time here, and really would like to have seen the project all the way through to the end. however we have made a commitment to work in Broome and we have to be there for the 1st of September.
Lynton will forever have a special place in our hearts and would really hope to get back here again some day.
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