Day 71: We said our goodbyes to Mum and dad as they head back to Perth.! We head from Margaret river down to Hamelin Bay and Pemberton. I loved Perth but being back in these little towns is great! And well ,after the week with Mum and dad and eating out for morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner it’s back to attempting to stay within the budget!! Mum has gone home to what she calls ‘dry august’. I think that might be taking it a little far on mine and chris’ behalf though! Hamelin Bay was gorgeous, well I could see how it would be gorgeous on a nice day. Weather, wind and rain has been a shocker so we viewed the bay from the comfort of the BT-50 to avoid being blown away! Then headed to climb one of the famous Karri trees in the Pemberton area. And when I say climb, I mean about 3m up a 52m tree. These trees were used for spotting fires back in the 1930’s-40’s. I’m not scared of heights BUT you are allowed to climb these trees without harnesses! The amount of things we have commented on the things you are allowed to do on this trip that there is no way in NSW you would be able to do!
Top laughter moment of the day: Let’s just say it has been interesting living in a caravan for 3 months with a sleepwalker. And a sleepwalker that is on the top bunk. Caught him last night (and thank god we caught him because it was day 1 after a grocery shop) about to pee in the fridge!
Day 72: We did a day trip loop from Pemberton and explored Manjimup, Green Bushes, Bridgetown, Nannup and Beedelup falls. Well if there were a couple of weeks for weight gain on the trip, this is it! Old school Lolly shops, relishes, dressings, truffles, bakery’s, ciderys, Winerys.. it’s only fitting to bring a bit of money to these small towns right?
We had such a beautiful day stopping into all these little towns surrounded by amazing scenery, and with a well stocked condiments cupboard! Beedelup falls was a quick stop late afternoon and we were so glad we did, they were cranking with all the rain we have had and they had a (wobbly) suspended bridge to walk across over the top of the falls which was a bit of a thrill for the kids. We stayed at big brook campground. Beautiful but bloody cold! Disappointment for the day: Target (and every other shop) at Manjimup sold out of flannelette sheets. Massive cold front is headed our way and it’s not going to get any warmer. The kids are braving the playground at 3.4 degrees.!
Day 73: Day trip Windy Harbour and it lived up to its name.! Beautiful cliff faces and another nature’s window, and a climb up a huge granite rock at Mount Chudalup lookout. Currently feels cold enough to start snowing! And it has in some parts of south east WA!
Currently staying 2 nights at sids campground northcliffe,we havnt had power for a few nights so $22/per night for power to defrost and attempt to dry some towels was a welcome change! Campfires with the old camp host Mick of a night time was great listening to the history of the area.
Day 74: Pemberton Tram ride, informative and a nice old ride through the forest over the cascades and the warren bridge. Gigantic fire back at sids campground and a few (too many) vinos. I had been saving a nice bottle of sparkling Shiraz from the fabulous Hungerford hill vineyard back home. Decided this was the night to crack it. Slow cooked beef and fire all match perfectly with the Shiraz right?Popped it in the caravan and ended up with a coating of sparking Shiraz throughout the caravan🙄😬. Those vibrations on the road must have taken its toll on the wine cellar. So we have to do what we have to do and open the rest of the champas to make sure they are still ok. A few more shoe-ins for our out-takes video from this night (Luke ward).
Day 75: Next stop, Ayr Sailean, a farm we will base ourselves at to explore Walpole and Denmark. Lovely couple running the farm and would highly recommend this stop those of you taking notes (I know there are a few of you).
First stop in the area was ‘valley of the giants’ treetop walk. It was hard to believe how something so incredible was constructed. You are 40 metres high on a platform (chris thought it was a classic to wobble it, me, I didn’t think it was funny at all) walking amongst the treetops of some of the highest red tingle trees. The kids were not frightened at all, and they thought it was hilarious to tell every other tourist around that ‘my mum is the only one complaining’. With feet back safe on ground level, you can do another walk around the base of the trees and learn about their sheer size, circumference and walk through the base of some that had been damaged by fire and attacked by fungi and insects. Kids did a school workbook on the valley of the giants.
Day 76: This was the pick of the days weather wise so we explored the coastline. Peaceful bay, conspicuous cliff lookout. We spotted a southern right whale amongst the waves at conspicuous cliff, so close to the shore! Apparently they hang around this coastline inshore for a couple of months at this time of year! Then we explored the gorgeous Greens Pool and Elephant Rock, then spent the afternoon at an alpaca farm. Benefits of winter and not great weather was we were the only ones there and the kids got to do the full round and feed all the baby animals their milk. Baby goats, lambs, kangaroos and 7 month old Scottish highland cows. A great experience and the kids loved it. Chris kept up appearances and made friends with a donkey AGAIN!
Day 77: school work morning as we listen to the hail outside the van at a chilly top of 7 degrees. Visited the giant tingle tree and circular pool, after all the rain we had overnight the pool was full of froth and definitely circling! After that we went to the Swarbrick Art Loop with a 60m wall of reflection and sculptures in the middle of the forest!
Day 78: En route to Albany via Denmark.
We visited the Anzac Memorial Heritage Park at Albany. Such an amazing display that gives you a brilliant insight into the lives of the men and women that left from this shore in the convoys in late 1914.
Day 79: The gap and the natural bridge. The construction and the money that has gone into these viewing platforms is incredible. A suspended bridge over the top of the cliff faces and crashing waves. You know that funny ‘feeling’ you get when standing over suspended heights like this?? That ‘feeling’ is in full swing this week!
Then we headed to the whaling museum. Albany was very well known for their whaling and it was always on our radar as a recommendation to see. We didn’t realise until we got their we hadn’t really spoken to the kids about what they might hear and see. They have learnt a lot this week between the whaling station, Anzac memorial, alpaca farm, red tingle tree history, how honey is made and the Pemberton tram ride. Just a different type of education this week!
Enjoy the slideshow of our adventures of week 11 below. The weeks are flying by!
The Butler did it 