file - photographs by David de Vleeschauwer

TRAVEL BLOG DEBBIE PAPPYN

Western Australia’s Finest Inn: Bridgefield

17/11/2010, 8:55

Journalist Debbie Pappyn’s travel blogs on DeMorgen.be are about the art of travel - for travel news found nowhere else; and to read tips and tricks for daily commuting, and personal thoughts on the road.  Happy travels!

Every year in the travel industry “best of” lists are made. In my list, in addition to traditional categories, I include a group which is often overlooked: ‘the sweetest old local place’. Because, admit it, often your special moments on your travels to unique destinations, are to be found there.

Ending up on my list this year is the quiet and friendly Sam (Salvatore) Caruso, owner of the highly charmingly eccentric Bridgefield Guest House in Margaret River.  His Australian accent is among the best, but sometimes I detect traces of its origin.  Sam was born in Sicily.  He left the island with his parents at age eleven, for better life opportunities and employment.  "From my grandmother’s house, we had a view of the Aeolian Islands and of Stromboli," says Sam. "When I returned after many years, everything looked much smaller than in my memories. The city was actually a small village and the marketplace turned out to be a village square. I’ll go back again one day."

Sam has spent the last six years enhancing Bridgefield and building, with his own two hands, Admiral Stirling Inn.  He has added plenty of unconventional details to them - such as original circa 1904 backbenches and desks from the Western Australian Legislative Council.  For a business partner to the on-site cafe/restaurant, he chose the ever-smiling Australian, Nathalie.  She has French roots and, even after all these years in Australia, is able to switch with ease from English into the language of her youth.

Sam’s hobby is vintage cars. ‘Boadicea’, the 1950 Mark V Drophead Saloon and ‘Bess’, the 1969 420G Saloon Jaguars are great classics that will have any auto fan melt immediately.  These two shiny oldsters were given their names by him.  When Sam drives us through the landscapes of Margaret River, flooded with vineyards, it feels as if we’re sitting in our own private lounge zooming along.  Handy automatic windows were incorporated by Sam into Boadicea and, during our trip, he puts on a CD of fifties tunes.  The sweet, slightly musty smell in the car mixes with the salty sea air of Surfers Point.  Some cool surfers look strangely when the vintage Jaguar is parked between the surf vans.  Welcome to Australia...