Sunday 22nd December - parked the camper and Triton in the storage area at Advent Park, and caught a taxi to Perth airport for our trip back to Sydney to see family for Xmas. Arrived in Sydney after 5.00pm and got our hire car for the week, and then proceeded to get stuck in Sydney traffic - oh how we missed this over the last 9 months!!!! A break-down in the M5 tunnel had caused mayhem, and we didn't get to Di's mums place until after 7.00pm. To say she was happy to see us was an understatement - and she knew we were coming.
Monday - we took mum shopping in the morning and got a few things done, and then in the afternoon Di went into her old work and said Happy Christmas to her "oldies" that she used to entertain each day. Had a quiet night at home.
Tuesday - got the final things for the lunch celebrations, and then we went to spend the afternoon with Sharon and Grant for Xmas. Out on the back deck at their place, we chatted over all the things that had happened in our lives for the last little while, and had the odd ale or 2 and some wines. Some more wine and champagne over dinner, before grant and I broke open the scotch and proceeded to drink the bottle dry - not much we were saying made much sense - he's a VERY bad influence on me. Di drove home to mums.
Wednesday - woke up a bit bleary but all good for the big family lunch. Matthew came over before lunch and stayed for a while until he had to go for another lunch across town. We were joined by David's family and Emanuel's family, and all sat down to a feast. More food than you could possibly eat, and lots of full bellies afterwards.
Thursday - packed up the left-overs into an esky and drove over to the Langstaffs, parking down the street so they couldn't see us arrive (we were in a non-descript hire car anyway). We wanted to sneek in and surprise them, but they were sitting in the loungeroom at the front of the house. Unbeknowns to us, they had discussed with the Campbell's about creating "Hammo and Di" masks and taking pictures to send to us as we couldn't be there for the traditional Boxing Day celebrations. As we wandered across the lawn, Simon's first reaction was that the Campbell's had outdone themselves with the masks until he realised it was actually us, and then the screams started. It was awesome being able to surprise not only them, but also the Campbell's, the Rollsey's, and young Mick. Lots of fun throughout the day, and was really great to catch-up.
Friday - Di had arranged to spend the day with Matthew and do some shopping and chatting, so the boys told me I had to join them for the day starting in Parramatta at the Bavarian Beer Cafe for lunch, and then into Balmain for drinks after. A long day ensued, with way too much money spent, but lots of laughs. Di had a great day with Matthew and got to catch-up with what was happening in his world.
Saturday - Di dropped me to the end of the earth to catch-up with Mitchell, while she had coffee with Matthew and his girlfriend Stephanie. After some time with her mum, she picked me up in the afternoon, and then we had a final dinner with Mum, Matthew and Steph,
and then back to mums for the night.
Sunday - up at 4.20am to get to the airport for the flight back to Perth - it was going to be a long day. On arrival in Perth, we caught a taxi back to Advent Park to pick up our home, and headed south, with the aim to get about half-way to Busselton. We finally stopped in at Pinjarra after re-stocking with food and supplies, and lunch at Jarrahdale in the park. Once we were set-up in the bush setting of the caravan park, we went for a walk along the river, and were in bed early.
Monday - on the way south we detour into Leschenault Inlet and have a look at the lake before the mozzies make us retreat from the area.
From here into Australind and then into Bunbury where we have a look around, and have lunch beside the marina. From here we drive to the lookout tower,
and climb the steps to the top to take in the views over town.
From here we follow the coast SW to Busselton and towards Dunsborough to the caravan park we had booked months ago (unpowered site is $40 per night - and this was only a dirty, sand spot in between some trees). Soon Rhys and Effie arrive, and after chatting a bit, we head to the apartment that James and Amy have rented for the fortnight for a further catch-up and dinner. It was great to be able to spend some time with them and hear about their adventures - and for Rhys and Effie to have driven across the country in 4 days just to spend NYE and a few days with us was awesome.
Tuesday (NYE) - after a walk along the beach before breakfast, we head into Busselton and spend most of the day looking around. Went cossie shopping, visited the art gallery, saw a guy doing some glass blowing and making pendants, and walked along the foreshore and had a coffee overlooking the water. Some last minute supplies for tonight, and back to the caravan park to pick-up Rhys and Effie before arriving back at James and Amys for the night. We all chatted lots more over nibbles and hot finger food (party pies and sausage rolls and pasties - with sauce of course - yummo). We watched the 9.00pm fireworks, and then waited around for the midnight fireworks, by which time we were all tired and way oveerdue for bed. Did the countdown, wished all well, and then headed for bed.
Wednesday 1st January 2014 - Happy New Year to everyone - after another walk along the beach, this time the opposite way, Amy and James had invited us back for a cook-up for breakfast at a leisurely 10am.
Then went for a swim in the resort pool, before Effie and Di went down to the beach for a swim while we all relaxed. We all played a couple of games of Logo, before we all head into Busselton for the walk along the jetty
- 1.8km's out to the end, dodging the fisho's along the way.
Back to camp for an early night.
Thursday - Rhys and Effie
and James and Amy are heading off today to do some exploring, so we say goodbye and decide to spend our day exploring the area NW of Dunsborough to Cape Naturaliste lighthouse. First stop was Dunsborough beach, then Meelup beach,
and from here to Gannet Rock.
Then Point Picquet, and onto Sugarloaf Rock.
From here to the lighthouse, and then to Bunker Bay for a coffee overlooking the beach. Then to Eagle Bay where we have some lunch while watching the waves. Then back into Dunsborough and spend some time looking through town and the shops, especially the photo gallery. We buy some scones from Coles and drive via the new housing estate to the beach and have our afternoon tea again overlooking the water.
Friday - another day of exploring, this time south of Dunsborough along the western beaches. First stop was Yallingup
and then Smiths beach. Then into the art galeries, where we visited 4 and saw some amazing works (but also some very expensive works). From here to Canal Rocks, where the surf rushes through a small channel in the rocks.
Had lunch just up the hill overlooking this beautiful area, and the bays look just like a love heart - use your imagination people!!!
From here to Injidup beach to watch some surfers carving up the waves, and then to Cape Clairault, before finally to Moses Rock. Another day spent exploring some spectacular beaches and coastline. James and Amy had returned from their trip with Rhys and Effie, so we all sat down to Di's minestrone soup for dinner back in the caravan park.
Saturday - we cleared the back seat of the Triton and James and Amy jumped in to spend the day exploring some more with us. First stop was the Yallingup Art Exhibition, which featured lots of local artists. Next we went to Gracetown and stopped at both the South and North points. Next was Cape Mentelle where the Margaret River flows into the ocean. From here to Prevelly
and then to Gnarabup, before driving into margaret River to have some lunch along the river, where there were lots of marron swimming in the shallows. After lunch we parked the car in the main street and did some retail therapy, buying lollies, ice-creams and thickshakes and coffees. From here it was back through the wineries, stopping in at Wills Domain for a coffee overlooking the vineyards. Back to camp via Coles at Dunsborough to get supplies for dinner.
Sunday - time to say goodbye to James and Amy, who are heading north to Fremantle and Perth, while we are heading south towards Augusta. Along the way we stop in at Gralyn winery to taste the chocolate port - very, very nice, but at $55 per bottle we couldn't justify the $$$. From here to Redgate beach which was packed so we continued to Witchcliffe which was a lot smaller than we had imagined. So without stopping, we continued on to Cape Freycinet
and Contos Inlet, where we went for a short walk over the rocks. Then south through the Boranup forest, where we had lunch amongst the karri trees.
From here we took a detour to the coast again, stopping in at Hamelin Bay which was picture postcard lovely, but the water was too cold to go for a swim - sounding like Qld'ers aren't we?
Finally into Augusta where we book into a caravan park to recharge the batteries in the camper.
Monday - had a quick drive through Augusta looking at the beaches, before heading to Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, which is the most SW point of mainland Australia.
Paid our money and did the audio tour around the grounds, but couldn't climb the tower - need to pay more money for that. We saw the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, but the line was only very faint - you might be able to make it out below.
From here we back-tracked, stopping in at Point Matthew so Di could get a photo for her boy.
From here we head north to Karridale, and then east towards Pemberton, where we decide to stay in the Warren NP along the river. Had a swim in the river before dinner.
Tuesday - continue south, via Northcliffe and Mount Chudalup (where we climbed to the summit)
and then to Windy Harbour, which surprisingly is not really windy at all - very unlike WA. Had a walk along the beach, before driving out to Cathedral Rock,
and then to Point D'Entrecasteaux, where we walked to the lookout over the cliffs down to the ocean - very spectacular.
Back to Northcliffe and the info centre, and then out to the picnic area at HollowButt, a massive tree that had the centre hollowed out by a fire. We then follow lots of tracks from the OziExplore topo maps rather than along the highway, finally finding our way to the main road, and arrive at Fernhook Falls camping area for the night - a great bush setting, with our own hut, water tank, and a camp kitchen just down from us. Had a walk down to the river, and went for a quick swim, where the water was lovely and warm for the top 20cm's but quickly got cold as you went down a bit.
Wednesday - after packing up, we did the loop walk around the campsite, and then drove through the bush to Mount Frankland, where we did the walk to the summit - over 300 steps, including a couple of ladders.
The view from the top, which also happens to be a fire lookout point is magical, and we could see the rain clouds moving across the valley below us. From here we drove to Walpole, stopping along the way at the Swarbrick Art Loop, which is a short walk through the bush to see art that didn't make any sense at all - very confusing, but the trees were nice.
Stopped in at Crystal Springs campsite, and then drove out to Mandalay Beach, which had stunning views out to Chatham Island.
Back to Crystal Springs for some lunch,
before dropping the camper into the caravan park where we had booked for 2 nights. Had a quick look around the town of Walpole, and had a coffee and cake at the bakery, and then across the road to the info centre.
Thursday - did the tree top walk through the forests of tall karri trees and the rare red tingle trees (which were not in fruit - ha, ha, get it???)
These trees only grow in a very small area, and they grow from the inside out, so that the bit just below the bark is the actual structure, and as they grow taller, the trunk becomes very thick at the base, becoming up to 20 metres around. As the trunk gets thicker, it starts to hollow out, and after fires etc, they can become big enough to walk underneath - truly amazing to see. From here we follow the trail to Peaceful Bay and drive out onto the beach, and then out to Conspicuous Cliff (who names these places???) which is very spectacular, with a stunning beach backed by rugged mountains and cliffs.
We go for a walk along the beach and onto the rocks at the end where the colours are really nice.
Back to camp for lunch before heading out to explore again, this time to Circular Pool, where we go for a swim in the warm water.
Then to Coalmine beach which was a bit ordinary, and then to Hilltop lookout which looks back over the inlets and small islands. The last thing we see is the Giant Tingle tree, which is big enough to drive a car underneath - amazing how nature works.
From here we will continue heading east to Albany and Esperance, before trekking across the Nullarbor to SA.
It was truly wonderful being able to go home and see family and some friends for Christmas, but also very special to spend time over New Years with friends over here in WA - it makes Australia seem that little bit smaller. And I know Di loved spending some time with Matthew and her mum.
More to come soon.
Di and Hammo
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