Day 107 30th May 2012

Day 107 Wednesday 30^th May 2012.

Casually got up this morning after Vania and I played a few games of compulsory Sudoku. Headed out around 9.30AM. Went to local attractions near campsite (i.e. approx... 40-50k’s from campsite).  Greens pool, Elephant Rock and Mad Fish Bay.  We borrowed some snorkel gear from Vania’s brother Lester but unfortunately we did not have it with us. Greens pool would have been absolutely fantastic to do some snorkelling. Mind you it would have been a bit cold.

Hawk eyes (Vania) spotted a pod of whales about 200-300 metres offshore in Mad Fish Bay.  I reckon there were at least 3.  We spent about 30-40 minutes in awe. Vania was like a little kid. It was lovely to see her relax and enjoy the simple things in life. After this we visited a honey winery and a toffee place and let the proprietors know we spotted whales. They were extremely excited as they could then tell all their customers.

Headed off to the tree top walk and the Valley of the Giants. This part of WA has Karri, Tingle and Jarrah tree forests.  These magnificent trees grow to about 60-80 metres tall and are up to 400 years old. I managed to get  2 “senior” concession tickets for the tree top walk. I suggested to Vania that she look like a senior. Well once we started walking the steel structure she certainly looked the part. The tree top walk reached a height of 40 metres. You could feel the structure moving under your feet and I must admit it was a bit “spooky”. The “Otway Fly” in the Otway Ranges was higher, longer and more spectacular.

Before we headed back to our campsite we visited “Circular Pools”. This was a series of rocks with fresh water flowing into 2 deep ponds. Headed back to campsite. Vania had a “coolish” shower in the campground and I was preparing to BBQ some meat for tea. After 107 days I’m starting to not burn Vania’s meat. Vania likes it rare-medium whilst I like it medium-well done.

Vania and I need to sit down tonight and work out what we are going to do in terms of going further east to Esperance and the Arid Dry National Park or start heading north.  We are meeting Vania’s brother Lester and sister in law Annie in Busselton on Friday. Staying in Busselton with them for 3-4 days  in a chalet to celebrate Lester’s 50^th birthday.

Greens Pool. Great spot to do some snorkling.

Greens Pool, again

This is closer to "Elephant Rock"

Reflecting before moving inbetween 2 huge rocks that are only 3 feet apart.

View from "Elephant Rocks".

Another view from "E;ephant Rocks".

Vicious dog at toffee shop! Just about "licked" us to death!

This structure is 600 metres long and the maximum height is 40 metres. One person died whilst construting the structure in 1969.

One of the many large "Tingle" trees - Grandma Tingle

Many of the "tingle" trees have "burnt" out basis and yet they are still alive. The leaves get their nurishment from a thin layer just under the bark.

he girth of this "tindle" tree was 23 metres.

View inside one of the large "Tingle" trees. You could easily drive a car through it.

Finaly, managed to photo one of my favourite birds. The "Red tailed Black cockatoo". Queit rare.

Waterfall at "circular Pools".

This certainly beats work!

Day 106 29th May 2012

Day 106 Tuesday 29^th May 2012

Last night was very quiet at Parry Beach campsite. Only the gentle noise of waves crashing could be heard. Wonderful sound to go to sleep by.

Decided to take in the sights within this vicinity. On our way to Denmark / Albany we saw a sign saying “great coffee”. So not having any set agenda or time restraints we headed off to a place called “Cosy Corner”. Chattered with the lovely lady serving coffee and also had raison bread. Sitting outside with the heat of the morning sun on our faces was absolutely superb. By the way,  the coffee was truly GREAT. The lady suggested we go to a nearby beach called “Shelley” beach. Vania commented that what may appeal to one person may not appeal to another. This of course is very true. Well when we got to Shelley beach we were both amazed. Off came the shoes and a stroll on the beautiful white sanded beach was in order. Vania was feeling a bit energetic so she challenged me to a race along the sand. Don’t want to brag but even on one leg I managed to beat her, despite the fact that she said I “cheated”. Two adults behaving like kids. Great.

Onwards towards Albany where we visited our friendly visitor centre. We went to a fort which was used to protect the shoreline from possible invasion. Similar to Queenscliff in Victoria. You had to pay to view the fort relics, Vania and I decided not to pay despite the fact that I managed to get a discount due to my “seniors” card.  

 Saw the “touristy” sights in Albany. Albany is really a beautiful spot with a lot of historic buildings overlooking magnificent water views. This part of the country is really beautiful.  Rolling hills with very lush green grass, well feed cattle, vineyards and wineries scattered throughout and a beautiful vista to with it all.

We went to the “Gap” and “Natural Bridge”. The way nature has formed and weathered the rocks is absolutely amazing. If people in “blog land”  get an opportunity then head down this part of the world as it really is worth seeing.

We had intended to do and see a lot more on our drive back to our campsite. However, we were both feeling a bit tired as we hadn’t done so much outdoor activities for quite a while. Additionally we also knew that we could catch up tomorrow on the other bits and pieces we wanted to see and do.

Beauty about a trip like this is that there is no schedule or time frame to adhere to. Struggled a LOT with this concept initially but as Vania keeps reminding me  “ do you have an appointment somewhere”. Guess I don’t.

About to launch at Shelley Beach

Beautiful pure white sand

Fresh water "brook" flowing into sea

Paradise. Crystal clear waters and absolutely magnificent beach

Tufts of "grass" growing in fresh water brook

Soaking feet in "icy" cold fresh water.

Typical road leading into "Shelley Beach". Karri's are absolutely magnificent.

View from one of the many lookouts into Albany. Many inlets / esturies around Albany. Beautiful spot.

The "Gap". About 30 metre straight drop down to a turbulent sea.

Natural Bridge. This will eventually collapse leaving another "gap".

Taking it all in.

"I've got me a line and I'm going "fishin"'. So, so , peaceful

It is very difficult to catch the "beauty" of this coastline.

Working our way up to "sunset". Back at Parry Beach

Sunset again!

Birds enjoying the "sunset"

One of the many Alpacas we saw in the Alpaca farm on our scenic drive in the backblocks in Albany.

Anzac Memory in Albany with Gallipoli pine tree.

Probably an ocean Salmon that was entree for something much, much bigger. Possibly a "shark".

Day 103 - 105 26th May - 28th May 2012

Day 103 Saturday 26^th May  

Today was another maintenance day on WDU564 (car) and the caravan. I took the toilet canister to the nearest “dump” point in Pinjarra (approx. 70K’s return)  to clean it out whilst brother (Lester) and sister (Vania) continued work on installing the TV antenna and radio antenna in the caravan.  Vania is a terrific apprentice and she has definite ideas on what and how she wants things done. Lester has done a fantastic job and it all looks great. TV reception now totally relies on the quality of the antenna.  All digital channels were great however analogue was a bit “snowy”. Hope the Olympics is telecast on digital. The TV came without the power adapter and a few screws missing from the base so the people who sold us the TV said that they will do a complete change over on Monday.

Since all the “maintenance” work has now been completed Vania and I decided to move on. We were initially planning to leave the caravan at Annie and Lester’s but decided to take our little snail home with us as we were concerned at the forward weather forecast.

Aerodynamic antena. Must remember that we need to allow for an addition 22cm in campsites.

Work in Progress. Lester needed to run coaxial cable as well as 12volt power.

Surprise Annie! Caught you having a quick drink.

Day 104 Sunday 27^th May  

Packed WDU564 up and the last bits and pieces into the caravan and said our farewells to Annie and Lester. It was fantastic to stay with Annie and Lester and both Vania and I are very, very appreciative. It was also a fantastic opportunity for Vania and Lester to rekindle precious family ties. It is Lester’s 50^th birthday next Sunday (sorry Lester) and we agreed to book a chalet near Busselton from next Friday to Monday to seriously celebrate Lester’s birthday. It will also provide the opportunity to do some really serious “fishin”.

Although we had been to Mandurah previously to service the car Vania and I went down to the wharf area for a quick look. Well, the development down here is absolutely amazing. Huge houses and apartments on water canals. Obviously very, very expensive as a lot were unoccupied.  

Lester had told us about a place east of Bunbury called “Gnomesville”.  The way Lester described it Vania and I knew we had to go there and have a look for ourselves. Well, when we arrived there Vania and I could not believe what we saw. Literally thousands of “gnomes”. All shapes and sizes.  The really great thing was that all these gnomes were literally in an area of the side of the road. All out in the open and there were no fees to pay to wander round and look.  We left "Houdini” in the car as we felt people would think that we stole him. Low and behold there was Houdini’s identical twin. Great.

After spending a fair amount of time with the friendly gnomes we started out to find another “free” campsite. The parking areas around here are very close to the road and don’t offer much privacy. As we drove along looking at side roads and everywhere we came across 2 possible great sites in Lowden. The first was at an open area in the Lowden voluntary fire-fighters ground and the second was a beautiful flat secluded spot just outside the Lowden cemetery.  Yep the “dead centre” of Lowden. After a very long deliberation (at least 3 seconds) Vania wanted to go back to the fire fighters ground.  We set up camp and settled in for the night. Vania was extremely lucky as she had a ventilated toilet nearby (see photos).

Little brother Lester and his cat.

Smiles all round, including Houdini

Appartments / houses on the water canals in Mandurah.

View into Mandurah harbour from cafe.

You could almost think you were in Venice.

On the "back beach" at Bunbury.

One of the many gnomes at Gnomville.

So many different types of gnomes.

Houdini's twin (on the right) and "blog" editors gnome (on the left). Fancy meeting each other so far from home!

Literally 1000's of gnomes, all shapes and sizes.

Some "frisky" gnomes as well.

Gnomes go caravaning around the country as well!

"Free" campsite at Lowden. I thought the cemetary campsite was better.

Day 105 Monday 28^th May   

Up and at it relatively early. No real destination only a broad area. This part of southern WA has the magnificent Karri and Jarrah trees.  We stopped at one of these magnificent Karri’s (Diamond tree lookout) and I was amazed at how high this tree was. Additionally they had iron rods drilled into this tree so that people could climb to the very top were there was a lookout. The tree was 54 metres high. I’m usually not scared of heights but when I saw the so called “steps” I started to get goose bumps. No way was I climbing this thing. Vania pretended to show me up and started to climb at least 4-5 steps and then quickly came down. OK, Vania I believe that the steps were hard on your feet (yeah, yeah, yeah).

We drove through several beautiful towns (Donnybrook, Balingup, Bridgetown, Manjimup, Quinninup, Walpole, etc…). The thing that really intrigued me in this part of the world was that a lot of towns / hamlets names ended in “up”. One place in particular I found rather amusing was “Yoursup”. Put the “up” first and see what you get.  

We were heading towards Parry Beach which is approx. 25k’s west of Denmark. Bit apprehensive as all the documentation on this site says it is not recommended for large caravans because of the low lying branches.  Well, when we got here we were amazed. Beautiful shaded campsites and the beach is only 100 metres away. We quickly organised our fees ($10/night) with the caretaker and found a lovely spot. After our episode in “Deep (shit) Creek” Vania and I now ensure that we can get the caravan IN, OUT and look at HEIGHT in every campsite. Boy are we experienced grey nomads now.

Vania tested out our new “Cobb” oven. She set it going, poured some precious beer into the bottom, wrapped lots of vegies in foil and placed some pork in the Cobb.  Well, talk about a magnificent feed. Pork was tender and juicy and the veggies simply melted in your mouth. I have a feeling there will be a lot more “Cobb” experiences coming up.

The "Ladies" conveniance was very close by. Vania had all the luxuriousin this campsite.

Cannot help myself with the "arty-farty" macros.

Diamond tree lookout. 54 metres up to the top lookout.

Campsite at Parry Beach. Note the Cobb oven (black on the ground)

Sunset at Parry Beach

Vania's arty farty flare shining through.

Sunset.

More sunset

View from the "driveway" in our campsite towards Parry Beach

This is the lookout at the top of diamond tree lookout. No way Vania and I were going up there.

These were presented to us when we ordered coffee and raison bread in Bridgetown.