This trip was all about natural living and human integration into nature ❤️
I didn’t plan it that way, I have to admit, it just happened so.
We booked a place on Airbnb on an acreage property in Margaret River. Two houses on it - one belongs to the owners and one they rent out.
I’ve been to much more luxurious places but none has won my heart over like this. The moment we arrived, we stepped into the aroma of a freshly baked bread - there was a warm loaf waiting for us, covered with a cloth. Next to it, softened butter and guava jam. Everything in a perfectly white cute porcelaine.
Freshly cut garden flowers in every room. Crispy white linen.
Everywhere you look, everything you touch took a special caring thought to look and feel that way.
The back of the property opens into the nature reserve with Margaret river quietly sipping through the valley only 50 meters away.
Birds... there is a book on bird varieties, binoculars for daytime bird watching and a spotlight for a night time bird lovers.
The owner takes us to two 10 meter tall old English mulberries. They are divine! Generously filled with pretty bunches of multi coloured berries. Dark purple, almost black, that stain your fingers the moment you brush against their delicate skins - they taste dreamingly sweet, like honey. Burgundy purple- those are like boysenberries - their overpowering sweetness is combined with the sour tartines. Cherry ripe colour - they are a welcomely refreshing palate cleanser when you feel you can’t eat any more of this berry sweetness. Pink coloured ones - they are your secret weapon against the stains on your fingers, under your nails, somehow the stains always get on your arms as well, and if you are as devoted as us, your lips, chin and cheeks - just rub them on and voila. The green ones - they are just for the contrast of colour.
Fabia recommends eating these amazing mulberries with home made kefir for breakfast. And a glass bottle of kefir magically appears on our kitchen table next time we are out.
Owners say birds and rabbits come to eat as well. They don’t seem to be concerned or in a hurry to change this. They state it as a fact, as the way the nature plays. Their tone says there’s enough for everyone.
And there is.
Do you know what I don’t like about mulberries - it’s all the mess you get on the floor. But here it is different. Dozens of rabbits come to feast. They pick anything that drops down. I think it is too much goodness for the little ones. So they fall asleep in the shade of the ancient trees and run away only startled by our steps and jump into their holes.
We walked down to the river. My daughter wanted to see where rabbits go. And just as she was stepping over a massive log, she fell into the rabbit hole.
I think you know what comes to mind. Alice in Wonderland. On our walk home I tell her the story to the best of my grown up ability. That afternoon we wander into a book store. Tell the girls behind the counter our “Tiana and the rabbit hole” story and warmed up by the smiles, walk through the store together to find the perfect edition of Alice in Wonderland.
At night, three generation of us lie on the outdoor couch, firmly tucked under the warm blanket as I read the chapters in the light of a candle.
When the sun starts falling behind the rolling hills, the birds come out. There are three water baths for them and they take full advantage. Some little blue birds are the first shy visitors. They are light and fast, a little sip, a curious stop on my sun lounge and off they go.
Then come green parrots. They are lazy and relaxed and feel quite at home. They take baths. I couldn’t stop laughing observing it for the first time. Usually they come in pairs. One watches. And the other takes absolute pleasure in having a bath. Wings, legs, dipping in, rolling on the side, opening the tail and making sure every feather gets wet... somehow they don’t take turns. It’s always one on the watch, and one getting the pleasure.
Then come black cockatoos. They are like honoured guests. Arrive loud, in large groups, take all your attention. They land with grace. 6-10 of them at a time would sit on a bird bath and drink in turns. Another large group would sit on a tree about and loudly comment. They make quite an appearance. Their red and yellow tails glowing in the last rays of sun as they are swooshing past.
Last come kookaburras. The sun is down. And you can barely see their outlines. You just guess that they are here by their hilarious laughs.
One time I get quite emotional. It feels like my home country used to feel when my grandmother was alive. You know, when somebody is waiting for your arrival. When that special someone takes a great pleasure in preparing things for you and watching your smile. When somebody lives in harmony with nature and you feel harmonious just by being around them.
We had restaurants booked that we skipped for the pleasure of cutting a thick crust off a warm loaf, crumbs flying off everywhere,butter forming glossy yellow puddles on it, fresh tomatoes with salt flakes...
or we make a Georgian ayran drink with kefir, garlic and herbs, barbecue freshly made kebabs and turn pig skins into a perfectly crunchy little squares to be washed down with chilled red wine.
If you are looking to stay in the heart of Margaret River but at the same time at the heart of nature, when you feel you want to rest and relax, when you want to feel welcome and be amazed