22 Aug 10 - Middle Lagoon and Cape Leveque

By Lou: The Dampier Peninsular was just magic. We stayed 4 nights with Renee and Lee at Middle Lagoon campground which is an Aboriginal family owned and run property. What a champion woman that Renee is. With only a few hours notice, she was able to reconfigure her gear from the camper to her vehicle for 4 nights' camping, doing all the packing of swags and boxes on the roof of the vehicle all on her lonesome. And not a broken fingernail in sight.

From the campsite there were two beaches to walk to and lovely clear water to swim in. It was beautiful warm weather, and had a very laid back feel to it. The kids slept soundly after running in and out of the water all day while the adults enjoyed some time around a small campfire at night.





As Renee and Lee will be returning to Cape Leveque in a month or so with Evan, one day we left them beachside and headed for a day drive further up the peninsular.


We did a tour of Cygnet Bay pearl farm which was interesting and visited the two beaches at Cape Leveque.










It is a beautiful part of the world, and reminded me a little of Cape Gloucester near home, not so much in terms of the shoreline, but more the climate and pristine landscape where development is conspicuous by its absence.




























On the day of departure we had a final swim and headed to nearby Whale Song Café for beautiful homemade pizza and freshly squeezed juice overlooking a beautiful bay.


Lee is a very cute dude, and he delighted us all by referring to Craig as Crag. Cra-ag? Where’s Sam, Cra-ag?

















By Craig: Getting to some of these places is fun, no wonder the poor old trailer takes a beating.












Fishing, I love it and again I found myself in a beautiful location, Middle Lagoon. Close to shore the fish hadn’t been biting for a while however there is something about launching the tinny from the beach that just sets the right atmosphere for a relaxing day.




Unfortunately I managed to find the nursery and every fish caught, Schnapper, Trevally and Coral Trout were all undersize all except for an old Cod which I felt sorry for. After all it took a while and some surgery to get my lure back.
One other place in addition to Lou’s overview was Beagle Bay.








The church was an interesting feature although a little gaudy for my liking.














Where’s the bay? I kept asking myself, as it looked close to the coastline on the map and they did name it as a bay. Well after a while I gave in and asked two local lads. No bay around here brother, just a couple of muddy creeks and crocs.
Well no bay but at least we know how they got the other half of the name. OK so I’m guessing but the first thing we saw an arriving at the Beagle Bay Church was a Beagle dog, albeit a fat one.










Oh! And I almost forgot, the local signage had us in fits of laughter, possibly we have been on the road too long. You judge for yourself.