On yet another blue-sky-perfect Western Australia morning, and Australia Day to boot, it would be distinctly non-Aussie to do anything but head for the beach. The long curve of sand – barely a ten-minute drive from where we are in Burns Beach, Iluka – is a firm family favourite.
Can you believe the colour of that water?The kids unselfconsciously sang “Advance Australia Fair” right there on Mullaloo Beach. You’ve got to love little girls!
The girls were singing “Advance Australia Fair” for me and Roy on the beach this morning – all the verses. Seriously!
Catching up with daughter-in-law Carrie on Mullaloo Beach
Lunch was a backyard barbie onto which Carl chucked the garlic prawns and then some locally made boerewors. (You can take the Saffer out of Safrica, but …)
Prawns on the barbie for lunch – plus boerewors, of course!
Australia Day would not be complete without fireworks, so we’re taking a picnic to battle the King’s Park crowds. Wish us luck!
Born and raised in Durban, South African Verne is a writer and editor. She and Roy met in Durban in 1992, got married four years later, and moved briefly to London in 2000 and then to Singapore a year later. After their 15 or 16 years on that amazing island, Roy retired in May 2016 from a long career in shipping.
That's when I started Travels with Verne and Roy (travelswithverneandroy.com). For several summers, we explored the waterways of France on our beautiful new Piper Boats barge, Karanja. The rest of the year was shared between Singapore, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and other wonderful places.
After covid restrictions locked us down with family in Perth, Western Australia, we sold our Karanja. That was a bit of a wrench, but it did free us up for different adventures - road trips, ocean cruises and more all over the world.
Now based in the lovely new home that we built here in Burns Beach, WA, we continue to address the joint bucket list while also revisiting our favourite destinations. Do come along for the ride!
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You cannot beat the beach in WA. Happy Australia Day.
What a fab day for you all! ?? xx
Nice cap, Verne! What a beautiful day on the beach!