The plan was to have a couple of weeks exploring the coast east of Esperance. However, wind, fire and a small plague* conspired against us and we were only able to fit in two nights before I needed to start making tracks back to South Australia. So my last couple of days beach camping in Western Australia were at Menbinup Beach. Storms had been forecast and for most of the time heavy, leaden skies contrasted with white beaches and picturesque aqua marine waters: all three being a regular feature of this beautiful but turbulent coastline. The nearby Munjinup River, with its deep tannin hues and protected from the wind, provided a gentle, albeit fishless, paddle. When the sun did make an appearance we could retreat to the grotto: a shady tangled web of old-before-their-time paperbark trees. Menbinup was a camping location worthy of more than the two nights that we were able to stay but you fit in what you can and it was a good battery recharge post-ear infection and prior to three solid driving days.

* A small plague = a one centimetre insect stuck in my ear + an ear full of pus and fungus + four trips to emergency, including a wait of eight hours (no doctors available in Esperance) = several days lost but an ear on the mend. My nurse was very patient.