Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
CHRISTMAS DAY 2011
Christmas Day dawned fair and fine, after another night of strong winds and interrupted sleep.
We spent the morning receiving good wishes from friends and family, some of whom forgot about our 3 hour time difference and so 8 o'clock their time was 5 a.m. our time, but we loved it all. We talked to our daughter Leanne and her happy little band in Brisbane, they were cheerily preparing to tuck into their lunch. We then packed our bags to drive to friends Tina and Andrew at Thornlie who had invited us to spend the day with them. Tina cooked a sumptuous lunch and we enjoyed their company and of Andrew's Mum and Dad, Jim and Christine and good friend David. We all had a great time and spent a very happy day.
Tina and Andrew had kindly offered us to stay overnight so that John could have a few drinks, and this we did after a pleasant evening sitting on the back terrace till the wee small hours.
Needless to say we toddled home to Serpentine Valley next day and spent an easy resting day to make up for our convivial celebrations on Christmas Day.
The weather is warming up 38deg expected Wednesday and Thursday, I wonder how I will cope, I am usually a puddle of sweat, thank heavens for air con, but cannot use that all the time.
We spent the morning receiving good wishes from friends and family, some of whom forgot about our 3 hour time difference and so 8 o'clock their time was 5 a.m. our time, but we loved it all. We talked to our daughter Leanne and her happy little band in Brisbane, they were cheerily preparing to tuck into their lunch. We then packed our bags to drive to friends Tina and Andrew at Thornlie who had invited us to spend the day with them. Tina cooked a sumptuous lunch and we enjoyed their company and of Andrew's Mum and Dad, Jim and Christine and good friend David. We all had a great time and spent a very happy day.
Tina and Andrew had kindly offered us to stay overnight so that John could have a few drinks, and this we did after a pleasant evening sitting on the back terrace till the wee small hours.
Needless to say we toddled home to Serpentine Valley next day and spent an easy resting day to make up for our convivial celebrations on Christmas Day.
The weather is warming up 38deg expected Wednesday and Thursday, I wonder how I will cope, I am usually a puddle of sweat, thank heavens for air con, but cannot use that all the time.
LEAD UP TO CHRISTMAS
I have always believed that one can't have bad luck all the time and so it was, and we completed all our chores, and tourist drives afterward without any more incidents.
Amongst it all one day we drove home through beautiful, lush green Harvey. Oh my, what a lovely little place. Once again it was rural, and so beautifull, nestled on green fertile land, we later learned it was irrigated farm land. We saw evidence of dairy, beef cattle, oranges, and multiple other crops. I loved it, it was like home for me nestled among rolling hills.
The Visitor Centre was interesting, with stories about author May Gibbs, and her Gumnut Babies Snugglepot and Cuddlepie amongst other friends. It is believed that she drew much of her inspiration for her bush stories and illustrations from her experience whilst living in Harvey in 1885; in the literature I learned that her books have never been out of print since 1918.
Also at that location was a memorial shrine built by local Italian families to those Italians and Germans interned in that area during WWII.
One of the writings was this "Amidst the horrors and misunderstandings of a world war these men were representing both sides of the conflict while living in peace and harmony".
We spent a very pleasant afternoon wandering arount the formal gardens and taking photos, then popped up
to see that damm that helped the area be so bountiful and there read that it also pumps some water to Perth and out to the Goldfields, what a wondrous place.
Amongst it all one day we drove home through beautiful, lush green Harvey. Oh my, what a lovely little place. Once again it was rural, and so beautifull, nestled on green fertile land, we later learned it was irrigated farm land. We saw evidence of dairy, beef cattle, oranges, and multiple other crops. I loved it, it was like home for me nestled among rolling hills.
The Visitor Centre was interesting, with stories about author May Gibbs, and her Gumnut Babies Snugglepot and Cuddlepie amongst other friends. It is believed that she drew much of her inspiration for her bush stories and illustrations from her experience whilst living in Harvey in 1885; in the literature I learned that her books have never been out of print since 1918.
Also at that location was a memorial shrine built by local Italian families to those Italians and Germans interned in that area during WWII.
One of the writings was this "Amidst the horrors and misunderstandings of a world war these men were representing both sides of the conflict while living in peace and harmony".
We spent a very pleasant afternoon wandering arount the formal gardens and taking photos, then popped up
to see that damm that helped the area be so bountiful and there read that it also pumps some water to Perth and out to the Goldfields, what a wondrous place.
Monday, December 19, 2011
SERPENTINE NATIONAL PARK
Our journey now takes us back toward Perth as it is 20 December and time to organise Christmas festivities. Wishing to avoid the big touristy towns we have booked in to a c/park in the Serpentine Valley Topurist Park, and find that it is indeed quiet and peaceful and about 60 klms from Perth. Today the temperature has climbed to 32 deg, hope it cools down for evening.
This morning we drove to Rockingham to do some grocery shopping and visit the hardware shop, both of those we achieved, but we also went to an advertised tv antenna shop to find that was closed down - Strike No 1. Then we received a phone call from the 'Park' saying there was water gushing from our connection at the van, in concern we cut short our day and came back to sort it out, Strike No 2.
After a spot of lunch we decided to drive to the Serpentine Valley waterfall - fine - parked and walked into the fall - the camera told us it did not have a memory card in it - Strike No 3. Crestfallen we returned to the park again. Soooo that is why I am doing a little blogging.
Tomorrow we intend to travel closer to Perth for some parts for the van - please cross your fingers for us!
This morning we drove to Rockingham to do some grocery shopping and visit the hardware shop, both of those we achieved, but we also went to an advertised tv antenna shop to find that was closed down - Strike No 1. Then we received a phone call from the 'Park' saying there was water gushing from our connection at the van, in concern we cut short our day and came back to sort it out, Strike No 2.
After a spot of lunch we decided to drive to the Serpentine Valley waterfall - fine - parked and walked into the fall - the camera told us it did not have a memory card in it - Strike No 3. Crestfallen we returned to the park again. Soooo that is why I am doing a little blogging.
Tomorrow we intend to travel closer to Perth for some parts for the van - please cross your fingers for us!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
NAMASTEY LAVENDER FARM
Before leaving the area I was determined to visit the local lavender farm, named Namastey, those who know me, know I love Lavender and I am a practitioner of Yoga which uses the universal sign of welcome - the Namastey !
Situated on the side of a sunny north facing hill, in a picturesque area where hills abounded, I had chosen the right time as the lavender was in flower and on alighting from our vehicle the sight and smell was beguiling.
On walking into The Lavender Shed I was delighted by the strong smell of lavender and consequently in my element. We enjoyed a devonshire tea containing Lavender Scones, jam and cream and talked about the subject of Lavender in general and took a few photos, bought some of their distilled lavender oil.
I learned that as a plant gets older the heads of the flowers get shorter, and the penny dropped that I need to replace my bushes !
Situated on the side of a sunny north facing hill, in a picturesque area where hills abounded, I had chosen the right time as the lavender was in flower and on alighting from our vehicle the sight and smell was beguiling.
On walking into The Lavender Shed I was delighted by the strong smell of lavender and consequently in my element. We enjoyed a devonshire tea containing Lavender Scones, jam and cream and talked about the subject of Lavender in general and took a few photos, bought some of their distilled lavender oil.
I learned that as a plant gets older the heads of the flowers get shorter, and the penny dropped that I need to replace my bushes !
A FULL DAY TRIP
We had been recommended to check out "Gnomesville" a whimsical collection of gnomes, and when we arrived there was thousands, placed by members of the public, some from overseas, often with written descriptions of themselves. We were disappointed we had not realised we could have added one ourselves.
There was gnomes in every position imaginable and the display was still extending, across the little creek and into the wooodlands, thousands of them.
We have decided we are now Grey Gnomads.
Another day trip was to the coastal town of Busselton, situated in the very shallow but huge Geographe Bay, learning that the jetty grew to be 2klm long in an attempt to get out to water deep enough for boats to load.
Rather than ride the little mock train we opted to walk along the jetty and were entertained by the many displays, memorials, people fishing, swimming, and walking.
Continuing further along the coast to the tourist friendly and once again picturesque township of Dunsborough.
On our return to Collie, the locals were setting up stalls to accompany their Christmas Parade, so we bought something for our tea and stayed to watch the parade of enthusiastic locals, a much larger crowd than the size of the town suggested. The local senior high school played appropriate music, lollies were thrown, excited children scrambled for them a happy time was had by all.
Two tired folk returned to their caravan that Friday evening.
There was gnomes in every position imaginable and the display was still extending, across the little creek and into the wooodlands, thousands of them.
We have decided we are now Grey Gnomads.
Another day trip was to the coastal town of Busselton, situated in the very shallow but huge Geographe Bay, learning that the jetty grew to be 2klm long in an attempt to get out to water deep enough for boats to load.
Rather than ride the little mock train we opted to walk along the jetty and were entertained by the many displays, memorials, people fishing, swimming, and walking.
Continuing further along the coast to the tourist friendly and once again picturesque township of Dunsborough.
On our return to Collie, the locals were setting up stalls to accompany their Christmas Parade, so we bought something for our tea and stayed to watch the parade of enthusiastic locals, a much larger crowd than the size of the town suggested. The local senior high school played appropriate music, lollies were thrown, excited children scrambled for them a happy time was had by all.
Two tired folk returned to their caravan that Friday evening.
COLLIE & SURROUNDS
Our next destination was Collie, a mining town, still inland and quiet, from this we were able to drive to Bunbury one day, a lovely town of about 33,000 souls, on the coast, another smaller lighthouse and some delightful views from the viewing platforms. From the newness of some of the housing Bunbury has experienced growth over the last 5 to 10 years and is really full of services, some of which we took advantage of.
The Dolphin Discovery Centre and interaction zone was very informative, we were there in the afternoon and so missed the live dolphins, but we watched the stunning displays in the 3D theatre and 360 deg. surround theatre was spellbinding. Then we interacted with the various sea creatures in the tanks, sea horses, baby octopus, marron, crayfish, shrimps, turtles, various brightly coloured finned fish, swimming among the coral, including nemos, sea stars, anemone, learning lots about them from the helpful volunteers and attendants.
The Dolphin Discovery Centre and interaction zone was very informative, we were there in the afternoon and so missed the live dolphins, but we watched the stunning displays in the 3D theatre and 360 deg. surround theatre was spellbinding. Then we interacted with the various sea creatures in the tanks, sea horses, baby octopus, marron, crayfish, shrimps, turtles, various brightly coloured finned fish, swimming among the coral, including nemos, sea stars, anemone, learning lots about them from the helpful volunteers and attendants.
MANJIMUP CHERRY HARMONY FESTIVAL
Our visit to the area coincided with Manjimup's Cherry Harmony Festival and we set off on Saturday -
to our delight there were buses disgorging passengers brought in to enjoy the day, so there was a good, happy and appreciative crowd.
It began with a parade including elves, vintage cars and tractors, one pulling coaches with passengers, a stilt walker (+'companion') army band a pair of Clydesdales pulling a cart and various locals dressed festively.
There was wood chopping, lots of stalls, with 'stuff' to buy and food outlets, some wine and produce tasting stalls and cooking demonstrations, finally a fashion parade as the day became warm and summery.
John was a little stunned to realise he had worked as a mechanic on most of the makes of vehicle in the "vintage" parade, oh dear !
to our delight there were buses disgorging passengers brought in to enjoy the day, so there was a good, happy and appreciative crowd.
It began with a parade including elves, vintage cars and tractors, one pulling coaches with passengers, a stilt walker (+'companion') army band a pair of Clydesdales pulling a cart and various locals dressed festively.
There was wood chopping, lots of stalls, with 'stuff' to buy and food outlets, some wine and produce tasting stalls and cooking demonstrations, finally a fashion parade as the day became warm and summery.
John was a little stunned to realise he had worked as a mechanic on most of the makes of vehicle in the "vintage" parade, oh dear !
Thursday, December 15, 2011
QUINNINUP & SURROUNDS
Quinninup is in the Southern Forests of Western Australia, so as with my own dear home there is considerable logging and in fact on the site of this c/park is the remains of the foundations of a mill which burned down in 1953.
One Wednesday night we went to the local Tavern for 'Pizza' night. Very large (enough for 2) with a very thin base, tasting not a wit like your Dominoes etc - home made mmm.... Very tasty and in the company of the caretaker couple and another couple Lorraine and Peter, from the park, a good night and then home to see an episode of Sherlock Holmes - only 4 stations received in Quinninup ! but as long as one of them is ABC, we are usually O.K.
From this location we were able to take day trips to firstly to Augusta and on to Cape Leeuwin and the lighthouse, at this corner the great Indian and Southern Oceans meet, fantastic, we employed some of our time trying to see where one stopped and the other started (as a giggle!)
In Augusta we were delighted to find a shop offering Flake and chips, hadn't had that for years, we ate it at the waters edge, with envious seagulls looking on.
Whilst we were in the area we took the opportunity to return home along the Caves Road, through Margaret River, did not catch sight of their recent devastation, then cut back via Nannup to Quinninup.
Yet another discovery of coal has been made in the area of Margaret River, to the consternation of a lot of people, it remains to be seen if it is allowed to be mined, in this highly prized tourist area.
One Wednesday night we went to the local Tavern for 'Pizza' night. Very large (enough for 2) with a very thin base, tasting not a wit like your Dominoes etc - home made mmm.... Very tasty and in the company of the caretaker couple and another couple Lorraine and Peter, from the park, a good night and then home to see an episode of Sherlock Holmes - only 4 stations received in Quinninup ! but as long as one of them is ABC, we are usually O.K.
From this location we were able to take day trips to firstly to Augusta and on to Cape Leeuwin and the lighthouse, at this corner the great Indian and Southern Oceans meet, fantastic, we employed some of our time trying to see where one stopped and the other started (as a giggle!)
In Augusta we were delighted to find a shop offering Flake and chips, hadn't had that for years, we ate it at the waters edge, with envious seagulls looking on.
Whilst we were in the area we took the opportunity to return home along the Caves Road, through Margaret River, did not catch sight of their recent devastation, then cut back via Nannup to Quinninup.
Yet another discovery of coal has been made in the area of Margaret River, to the consternation of a lot of people, it remains to be seen if it is allowed to be mined, in this highly prized tourist area.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
ALBANY
We towed back along the South Coast Highway, passing through Ravensthorpe and overnighting in Jerramungup and duly arrived in Albany, visited information centre, chose a park on the King River. Delightful park, if a bit old, a mixture of tall trees, green underfoot, lots of permanents, but being refurbished by the owners. There were ducks coming up from the river, roaming around quacking and various birds, we began to learn the history of the duck families over our stay.
We dropped into the farmers market next morning amid threatening skies, continued on to the Princess Royal Fortress and Museum atop Mr Clarence, with fortified gun emplacements, slit trenches, underground magazine, a lot of guns from navel ships, including HMAS Swan, displays of many things military from 1st and 2nd World Wars.
Albany was the main departure point for naval ships carrying troops from New Zealand, Australia and America to the wars.
Later we heard that the Federal Government has committed $1.3M into a new interpretation centre and that Albany is intending to have a renactment in 2015 of the troops' departure for Gallipoli.
We did further tours around the dramatic coastlines, through beautiful National Parks where you can see lots of people recreating, camping, fishing etc.
Visisted an Alpaca Farm/Zoo containing Bisen, goats, sheep a variety of birds, a horse, rabbits, guinea pigs, Scottish cattle and their calves, emu, kangaroo, foxes, chickens, donkeys, koalas, feeding them along the way.
We continued our drive through rolling green hills with giant trees sometimes in the fore or back ground.
Spent more time exploring the bays and surrounds on subsequent drives till it became time to move on.
We dropped into the farmers market next morning amid threatening skies, continued on to the Princess Royal Fortress and Museum atop Mr Clarence, with fortified gun emplacements, slit trenches, underground magazine, a lot of guns from navel ships, including HMAS Swan, displays of many things military from 1st and 2nd World Wars.
Albany was the main departure point for naval ships carrying troops from New Zealand, Australia and America to the wars.
Later we heard that the Federal Government has committed $1.3M into a new interpretation centre and that Albany is intending to have a renactment in 2015 of the troops' departure for Gallipoli.
We did further tours around the dramatic coastlines, through beautiful National Parks where you can see lots of people recreating, camping, fishing etc.
Visisted an Alpaca Farm/Zoo containing Bisen, goats, sheep a variety of birds, a horse, rabbits, guinea pigs, Scottish cattle and their calves, emu, kangaroo, foxes, chickens, donkeys, koalas, feeding them along the way.
We continued our drive through rolling green hills with giant trees sometimes in the fore or back ground.
Spent more time exploring the bays and surrounds on subsequent drives till it became time to move on.
BEAUTIFUL ESPERANCE
Our first excursion was the Great Ocean Drive featuring may stunning bays and beaches in varying shades of turquoise with pure white sand, below in the waters were large granite rocks/boulders, some had gaping holes in them. Our camera received a workout - again !
Off shore is the Recherche Archipelago consisting of some 105 coastal islands.
There was yet another windfarm, and another pink lake - which due to an oversupply of fresh water had been diluted and therefore was not so pink.
In Esperance township there was a fabulous museum containing many wide and varying displays depicting the life of the early settlers, from the horse and carts through to early motor vehicles, a pilot boat which had guided traffic into Esperance, farm machinery, a steam engine and carriages and relics of the lives of people, since the 1860's.
There was also a display depicting Skylab, the first space station built by the United States which circled the earth for 6 years then tumbled back burning and breaking into many pieces and scattering around Esperence.
On another day we toured spectacular Cape Le Grande, magnificent coastline and striking mountain ranges, one being named 'Frenchmans Peak', similarly to Tassie's 'Frenchmans Cap', the reason being these areas were explored and named by the French, as was Tasmania, there is also a D'Entracastreaux National Park etc. etc.
We checked out the old Tanker Jetty, set up for fishing and Sammy the Sea Lion was swimming around hopefully waiting for scraps from the fishermen.
Off shore is the Recherche Archipelago consisting of some 105 coastal islands.
There was yet another windfarm, and another pink lake - which due to an oversupply of fresh water had been diluted and therefore was not so pink.
In Esperance township there was a fabulous museum containing many wide and varying displays depicting the life of the early settlers, from the horse and carts through to early motor vehicles, a pilot boat which had guided traffic into Esperance, farm machinery, a steam engine and carriages and relics of the lives of people, since the 1860's.
There was also a display depicting Skylab, the first space station built by the United States which circled the earth for 6 years then tumbled back burning and breaking into many pieces and scattering around Esperence.
On another day we toured spectacular Cape Le Grande, magnificent coastline and striking mountain ranges, one being named 'Frenchmans Peak', similarly to Tassie's 'Frenchmans Cap', the reason being these areas were explored and named by the French, as was Tasmania, there is also a D'Entracastreaux National Park etc. etc.
We checked out the old Tanker Jetty, set up for fishing and Sammy the Sea Lion was swimming around hopefully waiting for scraps from the fishermen.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
TRAVELLING TO ESPERENCE
Regretfully it came time to move on, Perth is a lovely place and we had had a great time.
The plan was - after consultation with other travellers and locals, to travell to Esperance and see it now before the Christmas/Hollidays rush.
Through more and more paddocks of grains we went, touching on Lakes Grace and King and grabbing photos and gradually the paddocks started to contain more cattle and sheep.
In Kulin we found a caravan site, but were put off by how run down it was, we proceeded further down the road and found the new you beaut version, drive thru sites, gravel, new facilities, spent a comfortable night.
As we drove from the town next morning a feature was the 20klm Tinman Highway a series of inventive
'sculptures' made from pieces of farm machinery and hay, placed in the paddocks by the road by obviously
competitive farmers, trying to outdo each other, to the viewers benefit.
Overnighting in Ravensthorpe a quaint park surrounded by bush, it had a sandal/thong tree, toilet bowl planters and various 'artefacts', placed quirkily, murals on the amenities block, lots of pot plants. We noticed once again that a proportion of the occupants were working nearby, a phenomenon we are becoming used to.
Experiencing more and more cattle and sheep interspersing the grain paddocks as we pushed on next day.
We chose a beachfront park in Esperance which was very windy and bordering on cold, but that ensured the washing dried quick smart.
The plan was - after consultation with other travellers and locals, to travell to Esperance and see it now before the Christmas/Hollidays rush.
Through more and more paddocks of grains we went, touching on Lakes Grace and King and grabbing photos and gradually the paddocks started to contain more cattle and sheep.
In Kulin we found a caravan site, but were put off by how run down it was, we proceeded further down the road and found the new you beaut version, drive thru sites, gravel, new facilities, spent a comfortable night.
As we drove from the town next morning a feature was the 20klm Tinman Highway a series of inventive
'sculptures' made from pieces of farm machinery and hay, placed in the paddocks by the road by obviously
competitive farmers, trying to outdo each other, to the viewers benefit.
Overnighting in Ravensthorpe a quaint park surrounded by bush, it had a sandal/thong tree, toilet bowl planters and various 'artefacts', placed quirkily, murals on the amenities block, lots of pot plants. We noticed once again that a proportion of the occupants were working nearby, a phenomenon we are becoming used to.
Experiencing more and more cattle and sheep interspersing the grain paddocks as we pushed on next day.
We chose a beachfront park in Esperance which was very windy and bordering on cold, but that ensured the washing dried quick smart.
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