Creamy Potato & Leek Soup

We’re making soup simple this winter, with this creamy yet chunky potato and leek soup.

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil

800g waxy potatoes, sliced 1cm thick

2 leeks, sliced

1.5L vegetable stock

1 large bunch of baby spinach, torn into bitesized pieces

1/4 cup Greek yoghurt, plus more for serving

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

4 spring onions, thinly sliced

1 cup parsley

Salt & pepper

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over mediumhigh heat. Add potatoes and leeks and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until the leeks are bright green and have begun to sweat, 5 to 8 minutes.

2. Add the vegetable stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the liquid has reduced a bit and the potatoes are basically falling apart (about 40 minutes).

3. Using a wooden spoon, break the tender potatoes so that they fall apart even more (this will thicken the soup, turn it creamy whilst allowing a chunky texture).

4. Add the greens, stirring to wilt them into the soup.

5. Add the yoghurt and vinegar and simmer for another minute or so. Blend if you prefer it smooth, otherwise leave it chunky. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Ladle soup into a bowl and serve with a dollop of yoghurt, spring onions and parsley.

The Return of the Whales

There’s two guarantees in Kepa Kurl (Esperance) for June… rain and the beginning of the annual migration of whales! For millennia, Southern Right Whales have passed Kepa Kurl’s shores.

Migration is a global phenomena, often surrounded by a huge amount of celebration, spirituality, wonder and mystery. And the passing of the Southern Right Whales through Esperance waters is no different. This annual migration has all the normal trademarks of a family holiday - males courting females, careful protection and nursing of newborns, the young whale calves playing, frolicking and, most importantly, learning from the elders.

The migration we observe is the whales moving north into warmer waters for winter and spring, leaving the sub-Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean where they hang out over summer.

The Southern Right Whale has been historically threatened and almost became extinct due to intensive whaling in the 1800’s. If you’d like some more information on Western Australia’s history of whaling, Esperance’s local historian Karli Florisson has an excellent episode on her podcast ‘Wild: Stories from Western Australia’s Past’ about just that.

Now, populations are surely but steadily recovering and we are once again seeing thousands of whales move across the south coast. But they still face threats today in the form of climate change and human disturbance. It’s important to avoid getting close to whales in boats, jet-skis, drones or paddle-boards: doing so can disrupt behavior, threaten wellbeing and cause distress.

Where to see these magnificent creatures? Purely based on my observations over the past few years! Chapman’s Point, Esperance Bay (Castletown Quays area), West Beach and a bit further afield at Thomas River or Alexander Bay… my goodness, we are lucky to be in Esperance.

KATIE WHITE - CALADENIA CO.

BUSH BANTER IS KINDLY SPONSORED BY VALANNE FOUNDATION

“Continuing the family tradition of giving back to the community”

01 An eight-day off-road 4WD journey from Esperance to Kalgoorlie raised more than $200,000 for sick, disadvantaged, and disabled children. The Variety WA 4WD Adventure saw 17 teams depart Esperance on May 5, making their way to Wharton Beach before heading inland. The convoy, which travelled along beaches, over rocks, and down dirt tracks, made several stops along the way, including a visit to Condingup Primary School.

02 Local runner Jayme Bergman won her division of the Margaret River Ultra Marathon on May 6. Bergman finished the 80-kilometre race in a time of seven hours and 49 minutes, placing her first in the Prime 20-39 Female category and fourth overall. It was her first time competing in an ultra marathon. Some 279 runners competed in the event, which started at Hamelin Bay and ended at Howard Park Wines.

03 Lucky Bay was named the world’s best beach, topping Banana Boat’s World’s 50 Best Beaches . Compiled by more than 750 travel influencers, journalists, and experts from around the world, the list saw beaches ranked according to their untouched nature, remoteness, how swimmable they are, annual days of sunshine, and average temperature. Little Hellfire also made the list, coming in at number 28.

04 It was announced telecommunication infrastructure will be upgraded at Fanny Cove, boosting mobile coverage in the event of an emergency. Located within Stokes National Park, 85 kilometres west of town, Fanny Cove is one of 18 regional beaches around Western Australia which will receive Cel-Fi repeaters to expand mobile coverage in the area. Installation is expected to commence in the second half of the year.

ESPERANCE MUSEUM STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW

Open for public consultation from 19 May – 30 June 2023. What does the Esperance Museum mean to you and our community? What should be our focus for the next 10 years? Have your say. Consultation is on the Shire Website and in house at the Esperance Museum on the weekend of 15-18 June.

Public Notices

OLD TIME / NEW VOGUE BALLROOM DANCING

Held at RAOB Hall every Friday, starting at 7pm. All welcomed, with or without a partner and we will teach you if you don’t know the dances. Contact Daryl on 0419370089 or Jan on 0420638851.

TABLE TENNIS PLAYED AT THE SCOUT HALL

Thursday Mornings 9am - 11.00am. $5.00 each session.

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