Gazing across the delightful country style garden under the cerulean blue sky I sat cheerfully like a child, awaiting my order of home baked scones with strawberry jam and fresh cream. The warmth of sun led me to falsely believe it’s Spring, but it’s actually the beginning of Autumn.

And this was part of our day trip to the Swan Valley.

The white painted timber gazebo that I amusingly titled as the leaning gazebo of the Swan Valley was surrounded by much loved, mismatched vividly coloured chairs and tables from the 50s.   The over grown grass  provided a lush green picnic rug for those wishing to sit by a two hippo width tree.   I said to my husband “I’m pretending I’m in Spain looking across the vineyards as we stop on our Camino journey for a rest”. He smiled.

One of our dream travel adventures is to spend three months leisurely walking the Camino de Santiago, discovering towns and exploring the countryside, meeting other “pilgrims”.

I’ve never been to Spain nor Europe and I wondered whether I was being too idealistic about what I might see and experience there.

The Cottage Tea Rooms

Quaint Cottages = Jam and Scones for me!

I always assume that where there’s a cottage tea house there will always be jam and scones, and I’m rarely disappointed. Devonshire tea is my most favourite English treat, minus the tea. I’m not really a tea or coffee drinker, I’m just happy with my scones, cream and jam….strawberry jam.

Mrs Stubbs, a grumpy grey haired old lady who’s retirement was long over due, taught us girls to make scones in year 10 home economics.   She gave me full marks for that class! Mrs Stubbs knew scone cooking talent! haha!

The outer layer of our shared scone was bound by a gentle crust and as I layered the jam then cream on my half of the scone I silently regretted that I had suggested to share a scone between the two of us.  Convincing myself it was the right thing to do and that I really didn’t need another, I savoured the taste of each small bite.  Adding more layers of jam on top of my already thick layer of melting cream, it was more like I was having a scone with my jam and cream not the other way around.

Things to Do in the Swan Valley

These are just a few activities and places to visit  on a day trip to the Swan Valley (which we didn’t get to do this time but have done previously) :

• The Margaret River Chocolate Factory
• Wineries
• Honey Farms
• Guildford Heritage Walk
• Swan Valley River Cruise

I enjoyed my quiet time with my half scone sitting on the veranda of the Cottage Tea Rooms,  adding to my collection of minisketches.

I could hear the conversations of a couple of Japanese (I assume) tourists also enjoying jam and scones.  I didn’t understand what they were saying only a couple of words here and there.  I understood  “the scones are delicious”  and something briefly about eating.  My limited knowledge of Japanese didn’t allow me to fully comprehend their conversation.  I didn’t learn Japanese in highschool or university but my dad was a Japanese teacher and I often regretted that I  didn’t take advantage of that opportunity to learn from my dad.   Despite the sound of  language being familiar, having spent a few months in Japan as an exchange student and a phase in my young independent adult life where I embarked on a solo trip to teach English and live in another country, I still didn’t quite grasp the ability to hold a conversation in Japanese.

Oasis in the Swan Valley

Our day trip to the Swan Valley actually  began with an adventurous and spirited game of minigolf at the Oasis Resort.   We’ve played and introduced friends to supa golf many times (nine and eighteen holes).  A ton of fun if you’re not a golfer like me and have no clue about what club is for what.  The clubs are supa big, the ball is a supa ball, the holes are supa wide, and the putting green is supa short .  And you’d have supa fun!

But we played mini golf and I managed to score 2 holes in one. Yes I know its only putt putt or mini golf but hey they were still hole in ones!  Just random luck really! 🙂

Each putting green was separated by running streams and vibrant turquoise coloured ponds, And tropical island palms shaded us from the strong Autumn Perth sun.

I felt like I was on holidays and I kind of was for the day.  It just goes to show we only need to explore our backyard to have a “travel” experience.

Where’s will your next day trip be?

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