BLOG #5 17TH MARCH

BLOG #5
17th March 2011
Well, today we are in Bremer Bay, approx.230klms. east of Albany. Could be a pretty place if we were experiencing good weather, but no, it is cloudy, showers, and a little windy. Temperatures have dropped to 19-20deg. Have had a couple of nights down to 14-15degs. And time to get out the Ugg Boots...
After spending 4 nights in Denmark, west of Albany, we had 1 week to explore Albany before arriving here in Bremer Bay on Tues. 15th.
Just to fill in the spaces, we found Denmark a lovely place and only 50klms from Walpole. The park, The Denmark Rivermouth Caravan Park, right on the water at Wilson Inlet, where our site was backed onto, a great spot. The village like atmosphere is lovely. They have the best award winning gourmet pie bakery in all of Australia for 2010-11. We can vouch for that too, as we backed up on 2 occasions, and myself normally not a pie eater. As we have said before one of the best parts of travelling around is meeting beautiful people. One such couple here was Jacqui & Adrian along with their lovely dog, Bomb. Thank you for your company, we enjoyed meeting you and sure we will keep in touch. Plenty of bike and walk trails that took us alongside the river and through parks and around town. Also have never seen a place with so many black swans. Hundreds of them, as per photos and some beautiful scenery.
Then it was time to visit Albany. Although only 50klms from Denmark. The Albany Gardens was our choice here. Plenty of room with drive through sites. Sat. morning is the farmer’s markets in town and Sunday The Boat Shed markets down at the Port, where fresh seafood is sold. We cannot believe the prices of fresh fish here in WA. It is over the top. Of course we decided against it, as well as the line for purchasing was so long. Other fresh foods also available.
Arrived at the right time to see a visiting cruise ship, Rhapsody of The Seas from the Carribean. Takes 2435 passengers. What a massive ship.
A trip up to the lookout on Mt. Clarence, where there is an Anzac Memorial was on our agenda too. D’Arcy’s father during the 1st World War and in the Light Horse regiment of NZ visited Albany during the journey from NZ to the Middle East. It was good for him to see where the ships anchored and a bit history during this time. The Museum was also very interesting with lots of memorabilia from that time.
A riverboat cruise which took up ½ a day also very informative. The Kalgan Queen cruises the sheltered waters of Oyster Harbour and Kalgan River. A stop off at a winery, for wine tasting and then back on board for billy tea, coffee and damper well recommended. Jack told us his mum was the damper maker and not just ordinary damper. It was beautiful. The history of the area and wild life told by our skipper, Jack. His interaction with the pelicans and sea eagles was amazing. Before the cruise started he was down in the water hand feeding a stingray. Even in the wild came across 1 lonely pelican, (he had a name, but forgotten)he befriended 9yrs ago and will do a dance in a circle a couple of times before she gets her fish.
A visit to Whale World is a must. The last whaling station to close in Australia, in 1978 is now a museum. You need at least 2-3hrs to experience this facility. After doing a guided tour you can roam around and witness and read and watch videos about this part of our history. There is a cafe where you can have a break and then continue. Also out on this peninsula you find The Gap and Natural Bridge. This part of the coast was joined at one stage to the Antarctic before breaking away 45 million years ago and leaving this rugged coastline.
Mt. Romance, the sandalwood factory was also on our list of visits as we had visited their other factory last year in Kununurra. WA. Their sandalwood products are beautiful and I needed to buy some more of their oil, which will inhibit a good night’s sleep if need be. It does work.
Till next time.......
Sorry for so many photos, but couldn't decide!!!!

BLOG #4 FEB.MARCH

FEB.MARCH.11.
BLOG # 4
On our return from the East on 15th Feb. It was back to our rig at Wattle Grove. During our time away Perth experienced devastating bush fires. Wattle Grove was right in the middle of two fires and because we were in a very dense tree area, Don, the caretaker at the camp moved our rig away from trees, to be on the safe side. Of course we were worried due to the fact there was very strong winds and the fires were moving fast. A drop in the winds and change of direction was on our side.
After a few days we headed off to Freemantle, only 45mins. away, but a chance to see the coastal town south of Perth. They have a good free bus service in Freemantle which is great, as there was a boat show happening at the time and a bit difficult for parking we decided to use it. The buses come along every 10mins. I had a great feed of chilli mussels down at the boat harbour from a fresh seafood outlet. D’Arcy just loves his seafood chowder which was excellent. A visit to the Maritime Museum well worth it. Housing Australia 11, our America’s Cup winner in 1983. A stroll around the boat show gives you all sorts of perspectives and one we came across was a portable ocean swimming pool. Just drop it off the back of your boat and you can swim safely anywhere. Check out the photo.
22nd Feb. Departed early and stopped for breakfast at a rest area along the way. Approx. 200klms south at Donnybrook it was time for morning tea. A further 132klms and we arrived at our destination, Pemberton, where we stayed at the Pemberton Caravan Park for 3 nights. An unknown fact is that there are more wine grapes grown in the Pemberton area than the Margaret River wine region and apart from wine grapes, the area grows the most avocados in Australia. There are many very large Karri trees in the area. The Gloucester Tree has 153 rungs up to the viewing platform 60m above. Used in the early days for fire spotting it now is a good viewing spot across the region. To take a drive along the tourist trail was very beautiful country viewing. During our excursion came across some backpackers who were having a problem with their vehicle and asked for help, as per photo of D’Arcy helping out. They couldn’t thank him enough. Also experienced the tourist tram ride, with open windows, going through the Karri forests and over 7 railway bridges with commentary from the driver on the history of the rail line.
After experiencing really good roads in WA, it was a bit of shock to our next destination, Walpole, 128klms. The locals say it is the worst part in WA. A bit narrow and very bad shoulders. Rest Point Holiday Village situated at the junction of the Walpole & Nornalup Inlets and in the centre of the Walpole Nornalup National Park was our choice. With an 18hole golf course at the back door (although we don’t play golf yet) and scenic walks through the national park. A week was needed in Walpole. A visit to the Valley of the Giants was a must. Located 14klms from town the immense trees are not to be missed. The unique red Tingle trees found there can reach a height of 70mtrs, while their girths can attain a circumference of 20mtrs. at ground level. Hence the name “Giants”. The Tree Top Walk, where you are 40mtrs above the ground, gives you a different perspective of looking down on these giants, while the ground walk gives you a closer look at the grove of veteran Tingle trees, one you can actually walk through the hollowed out butt.
Another nice experience was meeting a lovely couple and their dog. We invited them over for a drink with us one evening although we did know a little about them. Carol & Glenn who are both deaf along with their dog, Ned, also deaf. Carol could not speak but did sign language (or wrote things down),with Glenn, who could lip read and related conversation to Carol. They had requested from the vet that if a dog came along that was deaf they wanted it, so they have had him 4 years from a pup. He is a blue healer and can also read their signs. He got excited when he thought he was going for a walk, through their signs. A beautiful experience. It is amazing how you can actually communicate when the need arises. Will keep in touch through email or sms.
Till next post........