Bread.

As I mentioned earlier, James and I spent this weekend at Empire Retreat, which is near Dunsborough and Yallingup (about 2 1/2 - 3 hours south of Perth). The retreat itself was beautiful and we spent plenty of time just lounging around there, enjoying the spa and having an incredible hot stone massage (yes, please!). But one of the best things we did during our weekend away was visit Yallingup Woodfired Bread. The simplicity of this place was fantastic. First of all, we drove past the turn off twice before finding it, but were determined to get there because we had been meaning to visit ever since James read something about it ages ago...plus we had tasted the bread with our breakfast at Empire and it was delicious! When we eventually found the entry to the bakery, all it was was a huge rock with a sign reading "Bread" - fantastic. When we got further in we found the place deserted but an honour system in operation: a line of beautiful loaves, a tin of money and a sign saying "Please help yourself". Brilliant. We bought a loaf of the "Wave Pure Whitebread" and devoured it in nearby Yallingup with some cheese and salami. All the bread is made in a woodfired oven using locally-milled biodynamic flour and rainwater. The German baker bakes during the day instead of at night, because he prefers it that way (my kind of guy). I love this place, and not just because the bread was delicious!

If you're ever down Yallingup way, you should definitely drop in (it's on the corner of Biddles & McLachlan Rds), or alternatively pick up a loaf at one of a few spots around Perth (I'll post up a list later today).

***Here is that list, and a bit more info about the thinking behind this delicious bread: