Still heading West

 Mar 23rd

This morning, after packing up camp, we shouted ourselves to a slap-up breakfast at the Old Telegraph station. It was recommended to us by a couple of people and didn't disappoint. We ran into our fishing tutors from yesterday and swapped travel tips.

We're now in Albany.

Cheers.

Town Emblem.

Jubilee Bandstand.

A Great Pub.

Old Customs building.

I think more towns should have these tally boards. Last time we were here it was 107 Foxes, 150 Rabbits and 0 Cats. I think they're winning.

Mar 24th

Today we rode around the coast From Albany to Emu Point stopping at the many points of interest along the way. Charles Darwin collected many of his samples from this area. The Lizards were thick as thieves; it seemed they were just around every corner.

We cooked home made Pizzas in the Camp kitchen for tea and had a good old chat with a couple more backpackers stealing Jobs from our local youth.

A Family of 12 lived here.

These Lizards were everywhere along the track. Nearly half a metre long.

Coast track.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

Gun emplacement.

Mar 25th

We had another go at fishing off the pier today. Our least successful day so far. One Gar fish and one Leather Jacket. Neither of which was a keeper. The competition is still neck and neck with 7 apiece.

 Mar 26th

Albany was in turmoil this morning. The power was off in the Southern part of the state. The only shop open was Uncle Dan's, so we panic-bought alcohol. 😉 We drove up to Mount Melville lookout to enjoy the views of town, and by the time we got back, power had been restored. The day was cool and very windy, so we went to see Project Hail Mary at the local cinema.

Albany Entertainment Centre and Port.

I can see our house from here.

Mar 27th.

Today we left Albany and headed to Walpole, stopping off for morning tea in Denmark. Another lovely place we have fond memories of. The big talk around these parts at the moment is the Cyclone heading down the coast. According to the BOM's predictions, we're heading in the right direction. It'll be wet but hopefully not too windy.

Nice to be back amongst the trees.

The track into town.

A flower along the track.

A weird ant nest on the track. 

Mar 28th

It's been raining continuously for the past 24 hours, so we had a pretty lazy day, reading and listening to podcasts. When the rain eased, we took the umbrellas for a walk into town for a couple of drinks at the Pub.

A Dad joke.

Povo Catholic church.

The track to the Pub.

Mar 29th

A travelling day today. It's a scenic drive from Walpole to Margaret River. The Road is undulating and winds its way through the tall timbers. It was a lovely sunny afternoon, so we wandered down to the Brewery and enjoyed a couple of drinks in the Beer garden. We were walking back to camp to cook tea when the Heavens opened, and we had to seek shelter out the front of the Thai restaurant. They had a spare table, so we had dinner there instead. I reckon we might go back for another meal before we leave town.

Highway One.

Mar 30th

Spent the day exploring the town of Margaret River by bike. We followed the river trail home which was a bit slippery.

Lying down on the job.

Mar 31st

A bludge day today.

Apr 1st

A long ride today down to Prevelly and along the coast, where they're preparing for the annual Margaret River surf carnival. The weather looked threatening at times however, we managed to avoid the showers for a change. We were pretty hungry by the time we got back, so we finished up at our new favourite Thai restaurant.

Looking a bit wet.

The Fence of shame.

Apr 2nd

A one-night stopover in Pemberton on our way back to Walpole. Bloody Hell. There are kids everywhere.

Another lovely drive through the Tall Timbers. We had a nice chat with a German fella in the Camp kitchen, he was doing the dishes so he could get out of putting his daughter to bed. In the end, we had to send him home.

The Pemberton Tram.

Pemberton Mill houses.

Moooooo.

The Bush is recovering.

Apr 3rd

We had trouble finding somewhere to stay over Easter. Fortunately, we heard Walpole had a few cancellations, so we've come back. We were here a week ago, and it rained most of the time, so we'll have another go. 

Our morning tea stop was at Northcliffe. Last time we were here, the Museum was closed, but today it was open. An unexpected treat, well organised and gave you a feel for what life was like for the early settlers. Also, a great rock and gemstone collection, mainly collected by one of the locals.

All the Kangaroos we've seen around the Walpole Caravan park have a white arrow on their forehead.

Northcliffe Museum

Apparently, this was the official Australian flag from 1901 to 1954

Some pretty rocks.

Local Arrowhead Roo.

Apr 4th

The Caravan park is full to capacity, and most of the campers are families away for Easter. Consequently, there are Kids Everywhere! To escape the mayhem in the morning, a walk along the beach seemed like a good idea. (It's only 100 metres from camp) Surprisingly, it was virtually deserted and quite peaceful.

We had a go at fishing off the beach. Our worst performance yet, not a nibble. The session turned into casting practice. After we gave up, it was back to camp to get the fire going and prepare a bed of coals for roast pork on the spit. Delicious, even good crackle.

These modern parents are pretty soft. By 8pm, all the kids were in bed and by 9:30, so were the parents. Linda and I sat around the fire having a nightcap, amazed by the serenity.

Coalmine beach.

Coalmine beach.

Coalmine beach boat ramp.

More arrowhead Skippys.

Apr 5th

Another wet and miserable day in Walpole. We had no option but to head for Nornalup for some craft Beer and a Pizza.

The perfect use for old records.

Nornalup estuary.

Apr 6th

Today we rode the sections of the Bibblumun and Munda Bidi tracks around Walpole. The landscape varies quite a lot over a short distance.

1880s saw pit.

Cousin IT's house.

Apr 7th

This morning, we packed up early so we could take the WOW Eco tour. Old mate Gary, who runs the tour, is a real showman and full of information about the local environment and conservation. The tour was on a flat-bottomed boat around the Walpole and Noralup inlets.  The commentary by Gary includes the history of the Walpole, how the forest was saved from colonists wanting to turn it into farms and its conservation as an ecosystem. We arrived at a jetty on the other side of Nornalup Inlet, then walked to Shelly Beach, where we collected plastic beads that had washed up on the beach as part of a study by the University of WA.  The plastic beads fell from a cargo ship off the coast of Ecuador. A great trip was had by all.

Mt Frankland south National Park.

Shelly beach.

Plastic collection.

Shelly Beach.