Turning the corner

We have just done a big left hand turn around the south-west corner of Oz and are now feeling like we are in the homeward stretch (not that we know where home will be just yet, but we’re pretty sure it’s not in WA).  Prior to turning the corner, however, we have gotten up to all sorts of adventures.  So many little bits and pieces in fact, that to write about all of them would take pages and pages, so I am going back to my report writing days and embracing the bullet point format … The following list is what we’ve been up to since leaving Shark Bay. It’s in approximate geographic (north to south) and chronological order.

Kalbarri – explored the national park and saw Nature’s Window and lots of pretty wildflowers.  Explored windswept coastal cliffs where there is meant to be good snorkelling, but the surf was heaving so we didn’t venture out.

Point Gregory – visited the aptly named Pink Lake.  Check the photos – it’s even pinker in real life.  Colouration caused by crustaceans with high concentrations of beta carotene (they “mine” them for the vitamin industry – is there no end to the mining obsession in this state??).

Geraldton – biggest town since Darwin, so bought cheap beer and fuel (!).  Visited HMAS Sydney memorial and museum, which had excellent exhibits about the HMAS Sydney and other shipwrecks off this stretch of coast (e.g. Batavia).

Jurien Bay – celebrated my 33^rd birthday with tasty little cupcakes and fry up breakfast.

En route to Lancelin – celebrated Troopy’s 300,000 km mark (this was a somewhat reluctant celebration on Troopy’s behalf – she didn’t want to start that morning and we had to call the RAC for a jumpstart).  Walked and drove through the Pinnacle Desert.  We decided that contrary to all scientific thought that the stones rising straight up out of the sand are fossilised termite mounds, since they look exactly like the live ones we were seeing across the top end.

Lancelin – found not much but windsurfers and derelict camping grounds (we didn’t stay there but rather at a quaint little town down the coast).

Perth – we decided that we needed some time out of the Troops and so stayed in cabins in the northern beaches area and then Freemantle for two days each (funded by birthday money – thanks Mum, Dad, Mary and Pa!).   Went to the movies (Moneyball is ok, but probably best to wait for the DVD), art gallery, museum, beach and caught up with friends (ironically from Adelaide and Townsville).

Busselton – walked out to the end of the 2 km long jetty, twice actually, since we forgot to take our masks for snorkelling the first time!!  It’s the longest wooden jetty in the world, but they’ve recently renovated and it’s mostly concrete now, so not sure if they can continue to claim the longest title.  We snorkelled around the old pilons at the end, which was lot’s of fun, especially peering in the window of the “aquarium” at the very end where people had paid $30 to admire the fish (we paid $2.50 to walk/swim out).

Yallingup – made a base here for surfing and winery exploration.  We hired boards from the local surf shop, but unfortunately picked the windiest three days to have them and so just got some little beachies (which didn’t really matter because we were totally out of surfing practise).  We were only able to explore the wineries in the northern Margaret River region, due to the massive bushfire, but still made the most of that opportunity.  The top three (and ones that we purchased from) were Happs (thanks Tom and Lee for the suggestion), Juniper Crossing (across the road from better known Vasse Felix) and Howling Wolf (we stopped because we liked the name and it delivered for us – gotta love that!).  We also did some (read a lot) of tasting at a couple of breweries, chocolate and nut shops!  Let’s just say, we’re definitely heading back to Margaret River region for future holidays!!

Hamlin Bay – we had to high tail it out of the northern MR region because the place was getting inundated with schoolies arriving for their end of school partying.  Hamlin Bay is located in the coastal Cape Naturaliste NP and was a good retreat for a night.

Southern forests (western edge) – turned the corner into this region yesterday.  We stopped right on the edge to overnight at a lovely forested spot that was free of smoke from (another) bushfire.  Today the smoke had lifted and so we did some walking, birding (got a good look at some Baudin’s Cockatoos) and further gustation – The Cidery at Bridgetown (yum) and the Wine and Truffle Co at Manjimup (ok wine, yum truffle mustard).

In addition to all the above, we have also really enjoyed being in the west for listening to the cricket in South Africa – the time difference worked well – start of play around beer o’clock, lunch at our dinner time and close of play due to poor light at bedtime.  Luke has given up on the Aussies in complete despair and is now supporting NZ, which will make for an interesting time when the first test at the ‘Gabba begins.

And the best news last … we are now an uncle and aunty!  Karina (Luke’s sister) had a bouncing bay boy yesterday (25^th Nov – yep, another Nov b’day) and so we are very much looking forward to meeting Noah Lucus when we get to SA.

Click here for photos