Another whirlwind year
One month into 2022 and it’s already been a whirlwind, but it’s a nice time to reflect on what has been and what will be.
2021 was a year of incredible wanders around Western Australia for me. I became a camper and bought a swag, amongst other necessities. I visited Karijini for the first time and fell in love with the magic it brings. I also finally made it to Exmouth to swim with whale sharks and snorkel the Ningaloo Reef.
The gorgeous Hamersley Gorge in Karijini
Epic whale shark swim with 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive
The year started in beautiful Esperance and continued with trips to Margaret River, Augusta, Geraldton, Jurien Bay, Sandy Cape, Moore River, Cervantes and Dwellingup – I haven’t diarised all of them.
Quinninup Falls in the Margaret River region
Hutt Lagoon – an hour north of Geraldton
Swimming with sea lions in Jurien Bay
The picturesque Sandy Cape camping area along Indian Ocean Drive
Oakley Dam near Dwellingup on a cool spring day
I welcomed an adorable niece and enjoyed precious time with my nephews who are both full of personality. It was also another year of dating lessons with highs, lows and lots of vulnerability, work uncertainties and agility to be had and new hobbies – besides camping I started surfing lessons, although there’s been no practice… whoops.
Have thoroughly enjoyed the start of my camping wanders!
Surf lessons with Salt and Mantra at Secret Harbour
I ended 2021 wrapping up my marketing role in luxury accommodation which was the perfect time of year to be able to totally disconnect and enjoy quality time with family and friends.
A heatwave of 40+ degree days over Christmas saw plenty of time by the pool, morning and sunset swims, a spot of snorkelling at Point Peron and endless gelato.
Mornings at Brighton Beach
Sunset at City Beach
Sunset at Brighton Beach
Snorkelling day at Point Peron, 45 minutes south of Perth
Gelato dates
I spent the first couple days of the New Year wandering around Geraldton. Ellendale Pool is a personal favourite, 45km south-east on the Greenough River, with it’s gorge-ous rocky backdrop and on this visit the weather was perfect for a swing and quick dip into the natural waterhole. It’s also a great spot for camping, picnics, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding.
The gorgeous Ellendale Pool
And 2022 continues… still no closer to finding a husband 🙂 and another year of so much uncertainty on wandering this great world. It did start on a high, having started my dream job of many years in tourism marketing. I recently spent a lovely day exploring some of the wonderful experiences of the Swan Valley as part of the role.
Wandering the Swan Valley in the summertime.
I also created a little desk space in my apartment should the need to work from home occur, and it’s perfect for blogging too.
My little desk space
My dreams of a Europe trip later in the year are on hold until our border reopens – I’m still longing for Portugal, Spain and Sicily. Luckily three of my closest friends have recently moved away so I can live vicariously through them. And I have booked a long weekend to Albany and Denmark next month which will get me by for now… I am definitely so ready to wander afar.
And as Covid finally makes it’s way through our state, we will wait and see what the year holds. I am blessed to have many beautiful souls in my life to get through it with.
Until my next wander…
LWL xxx