2012 Around Australia: Day 115 - 116 7th June

Day 115 Thursday 7^th 2012.

Today is a very “mixed” day. Both sad and happy at the same time. Happy in the sense that Vania and I are recommencing our adventure and leaving the creature comforts of a “home” behind us again to continue our year long journey around Oz. And sad in the sense that Vania was leaving her very much loved brother who she hadn’t seen for a very long time.

For me it was wonderful to see brother and sister embrace lovingly, both with tears in their eyes and both acknowledging how much they love each other.

We “meandered” our way in, around and through Perth. The GPS that we have does not have the latest maps and Perth has had so many new freeways, roads, road extensions that our poor GPS got her knickers in a knot. Needless to say we managed to make our way along the coastal road and started heading towards Geraldton. The coastal road is very scenic and we had morning coffee and muffins in Sorrento. Like Sorrento in Victoria, Sorrento in Western Australia (WA) is overlooking the lovely waters of the Indian Ocean. Sorrento in WA is like a breakwater with moorings for many luxurious boats and lots of eateries overlooking the protected waters.

Vania and I normally try and find a campsite by 4.00PM. Vania had read about a “free” campsite a short distance south of Port Denison / Dongara. This campsite was right on the water looking out to the Indian Ocean and also had the fantastic long drop facilities (toilets). Vania and I prefer to do free camping as it provides a lot more privacy, is generally more scenic than caravan parks and costs bugger all (free). The money we save on accommodation goes towards our drinking money. What’s wrong with that?

When we arrived there were already 7-8 other free loaders as well. By about 6.00PM this had increased to 10-11 however we were not crowded in. Looking out in the distance on the Indian Ocean, Vania (old hawk eyes) spotted a “rig”. I reckon it is a gas rig. The “flame” was very large despite the fact that it was a decent distance out. At night time it looked even more spectacular.

Vania's Arty Farty sunset

Sunset's are absolutely amazing.

Rig in the distance. At night time the "flame" was spectacular

Another "free" campsite right on the beach. About 11-12 Grey Nomads pulled into this site.

Sand dunes virtually in the middle of "no where", on the way to Kalbarri.

Storm clouds brewing around Sorrento WA.

Sorrento Quay. great spot to have a coffee and muffin.

Day 116 Friday 8^th 2012.

We had a little shower overnight. I find it difficult to sleep with the noise of rain on the canvas.

Most of the “grey nomads” in the camping spot were heading out at the same time. Campground is usually all clear by about 9.30AM. It is amazing as you travel around Oz how often you meet / see / encounter the same people along the journey. There is an unspoken type of relationship between fellow caravans on the road. It is very, very common to wave at each other in passing and get them back in return.

We had morning tea in Dongara. Dongara is a twin town with Port Denison. Port Denison was very attractive as we drove passed the foreshore. Vania and I don’t have a firm itinerary and only have a “general” rule of stopping somewhere by about 4.00PM.

We went into Geraldton and visited the local Information Centre. We have been to many, many information centres around the country so far and most of the people working in them have been extremely helpful and friendly. Unfortunately the lady (???) in this Information Centre was NOT very friendly or helpful at all. She gave me the impression she did not want to be there.

We walked around briefly in Geraldton and saw the memorial for the sinking of HMAS Sydney and visited the local Catholic cathedral. I’m learning all the “etiquette” of entering a Catholic cathedral / church. Had lunch at the local “Rice Noodle” shop. As we walked around Geraldton we noticed shop with sandbags in the front of them. Curiosity killed the cat and satisfaction brought it back. I simply had to find out why the sandbags. Reason being that last Wednesday that had some shops flooded with the heavy rains and they were expecting major rains again on Saturday and Sunday. I recalled seeing the weather forecast for this part of the country at Lester’s place and recall very nasty looking radar (lots, lots of red).

Vania and I decided to keep going further north to try and run away from the heavy expected rain in Geraldton. Lots of people told us to go and see a place called Kalbarri. I had already heard that the Kalbarri National Park was closed due to the heavy rains earlier. We decided to head towards another free campsite on the Murchison River about 12.7 k’s from the Kalbarri turnoff, which is 55-65k’s from Kalbarri. We will make up our minds what we will do tomorrow depending on how the weather is tomorrow. We will probably use this free campsite as a “base” and drive into Kalbarri and see the sights. Will probably take the “fishin” rods as well as it is meant to be excellent “fishin” all along this coast.