Our family had a week booked in Bali in June spanning my 57th birthday. My sons Aidan and Anthony and Aidan’s Fiancee Ena were joining Jane and the girls and I for the usual Bali favourites: relaxing, eating and drinking.
Again, ruined by Covid-19! [Insert frowny/angry/frustrated face emoji]
We decided to re-imagine the vacation in Busselton. We stayed at our usual haunt Busselton Beach Resort.
Aidan, Ena and Anthony arrived Friday night, while Jane, the girls and I arrived lunchtime Saturday. Aidan had been talking up Rocky Ridge Brewing Co at Busselton, so we went there for a (liquid) lunch. Their thing is tasting paddles, because they have abut 26 beers to choose from. Between the six of us I think we have then all covered.
They had a big variety. Aidan got a couple of growlers refilled. I left my growler at home much to Aidan’s disgust.
After some basic grocery shopping we headed back the the resort and reacquainted ourselves with the pool and outdoor spa (Jacuzzi). The pool was freezing, but the spa was nice and hot. We had a BBQ for dinner before playing some cards and Jackbox before we crashed around midnight.
Day two (Sunday) started with a traditional Aussie breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushrooms and toast. Aidan and Anthony brought Kayak, so we carried those down to beach after breakfast. I took the drone down and got some nice photos and videos. Its a pity the beach is clogged with seaweed. I know Busselton shire has tried to fix this problem, but I guess the seaweed is here to stay.
We hit the pool again after we returned from the beach.
Aidan wanted to got back to Rocky Ridge, so we went there for lunch. The burgers and wings were very good. We also tried the beers we didn’t try the day before. Later we walked up to the jetty and had another beer at the Goose. We got back the resort for a rest. When we were all ready for dinner we realised most places were already closed (at 7.30!). We drove to the Esplanade Hotel just in time for the kitchen closing. The girls were hinting at MacDonald’s, so we gave in and they got takeaway “McDo” (as they say in the Philippines). We settled in and watched Lachie Neale win the Brownlow medal. Cards and Jackbox were the go after the medal count and we retired to bed exhausted.
Day three (Monday). Ena and Jane promised us a Filipino breakfast, which meant Aidan was up early to go and buy rice. Ena was able to get Beef Tapa, Tocino, Longganisa and hotdogs from her work. There was a mountain of food, but the girls were in heaven and wolfed the lot!
Everyone was keen for a game of golf. Busselton has a nice Par 3 Golf course which is relaxed and casual, perfect for beginners. Aidan and Anthony are experienced golfers and I play occasionally, but the girls had never played before. With seven of us the group it was going to be a long walk. It was actually good fun and everyone enjoyed the experience. I had a good round excepting one hole where I sliced my drive into adjacent houses. I got the “yips” after that and took a 10 for that hole.
A well deserved beer was waiting for us at Beerfarm. Beerfarm is a craft brewer in Metricup which is about a 30 minute drive from Busselton. We got their sample paddles and enjoyed lunch at their restaurant, Burnt Ends. The beers where good, the food was better and the grounds were stunning.
Back home for a quick rest. Aidan wanted to try his luck with squidding on the jetty. He’s never caught a squid before, so we all got geared up with squid jigs and hit the jetty. Aidan got some luck early and caught a little squid. But sadly that was it for the night. We saw a pod of dolphins and guessed (or used that as an excuse) they chased the squid away.
At sunset I took my new camera down to the smaller jetty to capture some classic Busselton Jetty images.
Dinner was bought not caught 
Classic 
Seagull chick 
They have a bench for short girls 
Aidan with the one and only Squid
We had fish and chips (Cod Rocks) for dinner and pretended we caught the fish.
We played cards and Jackbox again until about midnight when we all retired after a long, but immensely enjoyable day.
Day Four (Tuesday) was our wine tour. The bus was picking us up at 9.30. Aidan booked the whole day tour at Cellar d’Or Tours which included four wineries, two breweries and the chocolate factory. Anthony cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast, with some leftover hotdogs and cheese kransky sausage.
Our tour driver Stuart, who we later named “Chewy” was waiting at reception. We had to pick up two other couples from Bunker Bay and Yallingup before we we started the wine quaffing.
First stop was Happs winery. Happs is not your usual wine tasting set up. They had 43 wines set up in a self-service arrangement. Whoa – it was going to be a big day!
The Second winery was Credaro Wines. This name was familiar to Jane as she worked with one the Credaro’s in a previous job – too bad it wasn’t the wine brother!
Lunch was at the Black Brewing Co, which used to hethe Duckstein. Lunch was good with a nice selection of Beers, Wines and Gins. I needed a rest from wine tasting, but Aidan and Anthony tasted them. Aidan got one of his growlers filled there.
Winery number 3 from Bettenays Wine and Nougat. We were all tasting their wines and considering if we should buy a bottle of two. Then they opened the Nougat Liqueur. Everyone just said “wow”. Most of us on the tour bought several bottles of the liqueur – no wine.
A quick trip the Margaret River Chocolate Co before heading to the last winery of the day, Willespie. Willespie was an old fashioned traditional winery with old growth vines. They also still use cork, which is rare these days. “Chewy” replaced the sexy French host, much to the girls disappointment, to run us though how to properly drink a Chardonnay. Apparently it needs to be warmed up somewhat to avoid that extra woody taste. By this stage I had so many wines, my taste buds were just about cooked. It was a fascinating tutorial nonetheless. Well done Chewy, you did a great job.
Last stop was Cheeky Monkey Brewing for a cleansing ale before we returned back to Busselton.
It was a full-on day with lots of wine beer and food. We all loved it.
Before 
Suave 
Happs winery 
Max Power 
Jane after Winery #1 
Mitchell, where are you? 
Lunch at Black Brewing 
Bettenay’s 
After
Day Four (Wednesay) was Aidan and Ena’s last day with us. They were going to stay at Bettenay’s guest hose for a couple days to celebrate their anniversary.
I took my drone down the jetty foreshore and took some aerial photos and videos. I was hoping to see some dolphins and follow them with the drone, but no luck.
Can’t spot any Dolphins 
Rain of the horizon
We went to Canal Rocks for sunset photos. The ocean was rough but the sunset was nothing to write home about. Dinner at Occy’s in Dunsborough before saying goodbye to Aidan and Ena and home to Busselton. Early to bed as we’re heading home tomorrow.
Long exposure on the Sony A7iii 
Phone pic 
Parmi at Occy’s
Day five, we cleaned up and left for home about 11am.
It really was a great holiday. Having Aidan, Ena and Anthony there meant there was lots of fun and laughs. I hope we can do it again next year.
Next trips are:
December 2020 – 2 night stay-cation in Perth for Christmas shopping
January 2021 – 4 Nights Camping in Augusta to celebrate our friend Susan’s 60th birthday.
JellyfishKing Travel 