Well w made it to Singapore without any problems. the flight on Royal Brueni was comfortable and the service wav excellent. By the time we landed in Singapore it felt like we had been eating non stop from the time we got on the plane. The weather was mostly fine as we flew across Australia and as we approaced Brueni I as struck by the contrast to the dry continent we had passed over and now we were over lush green tropical islands - very different.
We had a 3 hour wait in Brueni and by now we were all getting a little flat from hours and hours of travelling. I had a quick shower at the airport to freshen up which helped. The toilets were a different experience with some western style and some asian squat style. I wasn't game to try the squat ones - too difficult in jeans.
singapore is a very interesting Ciy with a wide variety of cultures eah proud to display their heitage. We spent yesterday walking the streets and our first stop after breakfast was Little India where I did the sari shopping. I'll have change for eveyone when I get back and I hope you like them.
Yesterday we explored little India, Little china, and a variety of local shopping malls. We did a river cruise on a bum boat, visited th Royal Selangor gallery and had a Singapore Sling at Rafles - very nice (got to be careful with these, could drink far too many if it weren't for the price). By now I was exhausted so John and I haeded back to the hotel where I relaxed in the hot spa and refreshing pool while John caught up on some sleep. the others went to the nocturnal zoo. Good thing I didn't go with them or I would be a complete wright off today ans they returne at 1am local time.
Hope ALL IS WELL AT HOME. Internet access is slow and expensive on the ship so might not get to write again until we are in Singapore again.
We are safe and having a great time.
Linda
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Beechmont to Bayswater and back - 2400km in 3 days
This rather unexpected adventure started when our youngest daughter received a call from Kathy Core at Bayswater Station in the central west of Queensland inviting her to work for her as part of her RITE training course. Stephanie had had her heart set on becoming a Jillaroo for the past 4 or 5 years and had applied to Rural Industry Training and Extension (RITE) to do a Certificate III in Agriculture - Beef Cattle Production. Her hope was to be placed on a station in far north Queensland and work with either her uncle Howard or uncle David. The wet season in the north has been very good this year and Steph had not expected to receive a call until March so was caught off guard when Kathy called from Bayswater station on Thursday asking if she could start the following Tuesday. Suddenly life went into overdrive as she made final arrangements to leave and handed in her resignation at her current job at Binna Burra Lodge. Our first attempt to get to Bayswater was on Monday 19th but we only made it to Toowoomba before Kathy rang to say it was raining out there and we would most likely not get through. We postponed the trip for a few days which gave Steph a bit of time to do the last few things that we didn't have time for on the first attempt.
We left Beechmnont around 10.30am on Saturday 24th January 2009 and headed for Bayswater again determined to get at least as far as Tambo if we could not go all the way. The weather was fine if a little cloudy and our last contact with Kathy indicated that there had been some rain in the past few days but the road was passable. We took the gamble and decided to go for it.
Our first stop was in Toowoomba where we had a late lunch with mum and dad before heading on to Miles for the night. Leaving Toowoomba we headed out via Oakey, Dalby and Chinchilla and on to Miles. The recent rains have revived the tired country and it was so good to see everything looking fresh and healthy, the best we had seen it for some time. The roads here are straight as we head out along the plains of the western downs where broad acre agriculture is the mainstay of the local economy creating a patchwork quilt effect as the large paddocks vary from the lush green of young chickpea or cotton crops, to the varying hues of sorghum in all its stages of development. The bright orange-brown tops of the sorghum contrast magically with the bright green of the young shoots that support the heads and as the crop matures this changes to a rich brown heads against a light brown stalk waiting to be harvested or the withered, dry heads on plants that are well past their prime and looking somewhat forlorn. Interspersed with the sorghum in all its stages and the young chickpea and cotton crops are the rich black or red soils of paddocks in fallow waiting for their next crop to be sewn or the occasional grass paddock for grazing stock. The overall effect is a rich tapestry of farming life in this part of the country.
The road stretches in a seemingly endless straight line of black bitumen following power lines that are lined up in a straight row like soldiers at attention pointing the way. As I gaze around evidence of the area's richness and diversity is all around us. Farm houses are dwarfed by the massive machinery sheds that sit next to them accommodating the giant harvesters and tractors that are a vital part of this type of farming.
Each small town we drive through offers some insight into the economic activity that supports its residents. Huge silos in a cluster close to the main road are filled with grains from the recent harvests while still more grain is stored under massive blue tarps that attempt to protect it from the elements. Every now and then giant irrigation systems snake across a paddock like a giant caterpillar ready to provide the much needed water for a healthy crop, but for now they rest as the rains do their job for them. Piles of coal sit beside the rail line waiting transport to its next destination giving nothing away of the turmoil that the conflict between farming and mining is creating in parts of this beautiful area.
The bitumen rolls on into the horizon calling us forward on our journey. As we drive across the black soil plains the roads are rough as they move and buckle with the effects of the weather on this unstable soil and we bounce along in the cab of the Toyota ute getting a workout that we had not bargained for. Although the ute is rough on these unforgiving roads we at least have the luxury of air conditioning and a CD player, luxuries we don't have in our other vehicles, and the trip is more bearable because of it.
We arrive at Michael and Katie's at Miles at around 6pm and are warmly greeted by Michael even though it has been several years since we have seen him. Katie and Ella are in the bathroom with Katie supervising Ella's bath time which she so obviously loves. It is great to catch up with Michael and to finally meet Katie and Ella and we have a wonderful evening catching up on their lives and loves. We are ever grateful for their wonderful hospitality and comfortable bed.
We woke at 5am the next morning to clear skies with high cirrus clouds tinged with pink as the sun begins its journey across the southern skies. With the sun at our backs we head further west into the heart of cattle country. The landscape is now mostly mallee and brigalow country with some cleared grazing lands. As we approach Roma I am reminded that this is cattle country with the famous Roma cattle yards on our left while industrial machinery, silos and agriculture support services flank the highway. Although Roma is predominately a cattle town it is also known for its oil and gas reserves and proudly displays its history in the museums that we pass.
After a quick fuel and food stop we are once again on our way. The road stretches endlessly across the rolling plains with only a few low hills visible in the distance. Everything out here is fresh, green and lush. A welcome sight. the plains offer little by way of diverse landscape and my attention is drawn to the skies with a wispy blanket of cirrus cloud dotted with fluffy white pillows of cumulus clouds which build and change as the heat of the day intensifies adding another dimension to the sky scape.
This section of the highway from Roma to Tambo and beyond is known as the Long Paddock. The road verges are wide and form a stock route that has been used by graziers to drove cattle during leaner times. But now the paddocks are lush and healthy after the recent rains and the Long Paddock is having a spell.
The hours tick by and we pass few other vehicles on this lonely road. Most that we do pass offer a wave, a salute to fellow travellers of the outback and a reassurance that we are not alone on our journey. Occasionally there is a stark reminder of the dangers of this country. A cross on the side of the road marks someones last breath or a kangaroo carcass reminds us to be vigilant and to respect the land.
As the day wears on and the heat intensifies so too do the storm clouds which are now building all around us. We arrive in Tambo around 12md and after a quick fuel and food stop are on our way to Bayswater station which is 135km out from Tambo and over 100km of red soil and gravel roads to cross. The road is rough in places and still a little boggy in spots from the recent rains but we have no trouble getting through. Steph manages the challenging sections of road well in her little
Subaru Outback and we make it to Bayswater around 2.30pm.
As we turn into the driveway of Bayswater we are greeted by a father emu and his six chicks. The drive to the house and sheds is a couple of hundred metres and we are warmly greeted by Kathy as we pull up. The house is small and old fibro in nature and I think perhaps Steph is a little disappointed but it is comfortable. Kathy shows her to her new room and offers us a cup of tea. We enjoy the refreshments and chat for a while. I find Kathy to be refreshingly honest and open and a born bushie who has grown up on the land and has lived on properties all her life. She will be able to teach Steph a lot about this life, especially about horses and camp drafting. This is the beginning of a huge adventure for Steph that will impact on the rest of her life and I am very proud of her for following through on her dream and being willing to push herself so far out of her comfort zone.
As we begin to stroll around the yards it becomes obvious that storms are now forming all around us and Kathy advises us that if we have to be out by the morning we should perhaps not stay as if the storms fall across any section of the road out we may not get through. With much reluctance we say our goodbyes quickly and head off again. I feel terrible about leaving Steph so soon and feel as if we have abandoned her. I pray a silent blessing on Bayswater and Steph and Kathy as we race to beat the storms and trust that God will look after and protect her for us.
We manage to make it back to bitumen before we encounter any of the storms and drive through a few heavy showers on our way back. We decide to push on through the night for a while and eventually stop at Morven for a meal before heading on to Mitchell for the night. This extension on our day's journey makes the next day's trip much more comfortable. The motel at Mitchell is small and basic but comfortable and we sleep well. Our dash the previous night means we can sleep in and it is not until 8am that we leave Mitchell and head on in to Toowoomba where we once again have lunch with mum and dad. While our journey out to Bayswater was filled with anticipation our journey home is filled with relief. I am pleased that we managed to get Steph there before the big helicopter musters on the 26th and the 28th and I am pleased that we didn't get stuck there. But now the long journey is catching up with me and I am tired. I doze most of the way from Roma to Dalby where we break for a coffee and pit stop before heading on into Toowoomba. My shoulder is aching and I am pleased that I have the acupressure needles in and the TENS machine offers some relief.
We spend a couple of hours at mum & dad's and catch up with Mary & Mike before heading home, arriving at 6.30pm when I promptly collapse in the hot spa for an hour or so before later collapsing in bed. 2400kms in three days is a long haul and I am glad I don't have to do it too often. John on the other hand was just about settled in to long haul driving of days past and was ready to keep going - but not with me!!!! We rang Steph before going to bed and was pleased to hear that she is settling in well and she is enjoying the work. I am glad that we were able to get her a laptop computer before we left so at least she can have some of her own entertainment when she needs it. My heart eases a bit when I hear that she has settled in well and I hope it is not too long before Christina or the other kids get out to visit her. The next time we head out there it will be for a couple of weeks so the trip won't be so rushed.
This wasn't exactly how we had planned to spend the Australia day long weekend but I guess there is not much more of an Aussie way to celebrate our national holiday than by driving into the heart of the outback and back again. HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY 2009.
We left Beechmnont around 10.30am on Saturday 24th January 2009 and headed for Bayswater again determined to get at least as far as Tambo if we could not go all the way. The weather was fine if a little cloudy and our last contact with Kathy indicated that there had been some rain in the past few days but the road was passable. We took the gamble and decided to go for it.
Our first stop was in Toowoomba where we had a late lunch with mum and dad before heading on to Miles for the night. Leaving Toowoomba we headed out via Oakey, Dalby and Chinchilla and on to Miles. The recent rains have revived the tired country and it was so good to see everything looking fresh and healthy, the best we had seen it for some time. The roads here are straight as we head out along the plains of the western downs where broad acre agriculture is the mainstay of the local economy creating a patchwork quilt effect as the large paddocks vary from the lush green of young chickpea or cotton crops, to the varying hues of sorghum in all its stages of development. The bright orange-brown tops of the sorghum contrast magically with the bright green of the young shoots that support the heads and as the crop matures this changes to a rich brown heads against a light brown stalk waiting to be harvested or the withered, dry heads on plants that are well past their prime and looking somewhat forlorn. Interspersed with the sorghum in all its stages and the young chickpea and cotton crops are the rich black or red soils of paddocks in fallow waiting for their next crop to be sewn or the occasional grass paddock for grazing stock. The overall effect is a rich tapestry of farming life in this part of the country.
The road stretches in a seemingly endless straight line of black bitumen following power lines that are lined up in a straight row like soldiers at attention pointing the way. As I gaze around evidence of the area's richness and diversity is all around us. Farm houses are dwarfed by the massive machinery sheds that sit next to them accommodating the giant harvesters and tractors that are a vital part of this type of farming.
Each small town we drive through offers some insight into the economic activity that supports its residents. Huge silos in a cluster close to the main road are filled with grains from the recent harvests while still more grain is stored under massive blue tarps that attempt to protect it from the elements. Every now and then giant irrigation systems snake across a paddock like a giant caterpillar ready to provide the much needed water for a healthy crop, but for now they rest as the rains do their job for them. Piles of coal sit beside the rail line waiting transport to its next destination giving nothing away of the turmoil that the conflict between farming and mining is creating in parts of this beautiful area.
The bitumen rolls on into the horizon calling us forward on our journey. As we drive across the black soil plains the roads are rough as they move and buckle with the effects of the weather on this unstable soil and we bounce along in the cab of the Toyota ute getting a workout that we had not bargained for. Although the ute is rough on these unforgiving roads we at least have the luxury of air conditioning and a CD player, luxuries we don't have in our other vehicles, and the trip is more bearable because of it.
We arrive at Michael and Katie's at Miles at around 6pm and are warmly greeted by Michael even though it has been several years since we have seen him. Katie and Ella are in the bathroom with Katie supervising Ella's bath time which she so obviously loves. It is great to catch up with Michael and to finally meet Katie and Ella and we have a wonderful evening catching up on their lives and loves. We are ever grateful for their wonderful hospitality and comfortable bed.
We woke at 5am the next morning to clear skies with high cirrus clouds tinged with pink as the sun begins its journey across the southern skies. With the sun at our backs we head further west into the heart of cattle country. The landscape is now mostly mallee and brigalow country with some cleared grazing lands. As we approach Roma I am reminded that this is cattle country with the famous Roma cattle yards on our left while industrial machinery, silos and agriculture support services flank the highway. Although Roma is predominately a cattle town it is also known for its oil and gas reserves and proudly displays its history in the museums that we pass.
After a quick fuel and food stop we are once again on our way. The road stretches endlessly across the rolling plains with only a few low hills visible in the distance. Everything out here is fresh, green and lush. A welcome sight. the plains offer little by way of diverse landscape and my attention is drawn to the skies with a wispy blanket of cirrus cloud dotted with fluffy white pillows of cumulus clouds which build and change as the heat of the day intensifies adding another dimension to the sky scape.
This section of the highway from Roma to Tambo and beyond is known as the Long Paddock. The road verges are wide and form a stock route that has been used by graziers to drove cattle during leaner times. But now the paddocks are lush and healthy after the recent rains and the Long Paddock is having a spell.
The hours tick by and we pass few other vehicles on this lonely road. Most that we do pass offer a wave, a salute to fellow travellers of the outback and a reassurance that we are not alone on our journey. Occasionally there is a stark reminder of the dangers of this country. A cross on the side of the road marks someones last breath or a kangaroo carcass reminds us to be vigilant and to respect the land.
As the day wears on and the heat intensifies so too do the storm clouds which are now building all around us. We arrive in Tambo around 12md and after a quick fuel and food stop are on our way to Bayswater station which is 135km out from Tambo and over 100km of red soil and gravel roads to cross. The road is rough in places and still a little boggy in spots from the recent rains but we have no trouble getting through. Steph manages the challenging sections of road well in her little
Subaru Outback and we make it to Bayswater around 2.30pm.
As we turn into the driveway of Bayswater we are greeted by a father emu and his six chicks. The drive to the house and sheds is a couple of hundred metres and we are warmly greeted by Kathy as we pull up. The house is small and old fibro in nature and I think perhaps Steph is a little disappointed but it is comfortable. Kathy shows her to her new room and offers us a cup of tea. We enjoy the refreshments and chat for a while. I find Kathy to be refreshingly honest and open and a born bushie who has grown up on the land and has lived on properties all her life. She will be able to teach Steph a lot about this life, especially about horses and camp drafting. This is the beginning of a huge adventure for Steph that will impact on the rest of her life and I am very proud of her for following through on her dream and being willing to push herself so far out of her comfort zone.
As we begin to stroll around the yards it becomes obvious that storms are now forming all around us and Kathy advises us that if we have to be out by the morning we should perhaps not stay as if the storms fall across any section of the road out we may not get through. With much reluctance we say our goodbyes quickly and head off again. I feel terrible about leaving Steph so soon and feel as if we have abandoned her. I pray a silent blessing on Bayswater and Steph and Kathy as we race to beat the storms and trust that God will look after and protect her for us.
We manage to make it back to bitumen before we encounter any of the storms and drive through a few heavy showers on our way back. We decide to push on through the night for a while and eventually stop at Morven for a meal before heading on to Mitchell for the night. This extension on our day's journey makes the next day's trip much more comfortable. The motel at Mitchell is small and basic but comfortable and we sleep well. Our dash the previous night means we can sleep in and it is not until 8am that we leave Mitchell and head on in to Toowoomba where we once again have lunch with mum and dad. While our journey out to Bayswater was filled with anticipation our journey home is filled with relief. I am pleased that we managed to get Steph there before the big helicopter musters on the 26th and the 28th and I am pleased that we didn't get stuck there. But now the long journey is catching up with me and I am tired. I doze most of the way from Roma to Dalby where we break for a coffee and pit stop before heading on into Toowoomba. My shoulder is aching and I am pleased that I have the acupressure needles in and the TENS machine offers some relief.
We spend a couple of hours at mum & dad's and catch up with Mary & Mike before heading home, arriving at 6.30pm when I promptly collapse in the hot spa for an hour or so before later collapsing in bed. 2400kms in three days is a long haul and I am glad I don't have to do it too often. John on the other hand was just about settled in to long haul driving of days past and was ready to keep going - but not with me!!!! We rang Steph before going to bed and was pleased to hear that she is settling in well and she is enjoying the work. I am glad that we were able to get her a laptop computer before we left so at least she can have some of her own entertainment when she needs it. My heart eases a bit when I hear that she has settled in well and I hope it is not too long before Christina or the other kids get out to visit her. The next time we head out there it will be for a couple of weeks so the trip won't be so rushed.
This wasn't exactly how we had planned to spend the Australia day long weekend but I guess there is not much more of an Aussie way to celebrate our national holiday than by driving into the heart of the outback and back again. HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY 2009.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Bullsbrook, Fremantle, Perth, Rottnest Island, Mandura
Mandura and Fremantle
We left Bunbury around 11am after collecting our cute little bubble car - a Suzuki Swift. We now head to Bullsbrook via Mandura and Fremantle. We follow the coast road to Mandura where we stop for lunch at jetty fish and chips. Mandura is yet another beautiful inlet area along the coast with spectacular waterways and beautiful homes and is fast becoming the Gold Coast of the west with many Perth residents making this their holiday getaway destination. Being just over and hour from Perth it makes for an easy weekend away. We end up here again on Sunday when we visit Richard & Karen Slingsby who take us for a tour around the area and point out the fast growing areas and massive development that is currently occurring in the area.
Fremantle is the main port area of Perth and is largely industrial although over the years tourism has played a much larger role in its development with many restaurants, cafes, markets, museums and boutique breweries springing up around the wharf precinct area. Many of the houses along the main road in reflect the history of the area and are quite cute and well preserved. Fremantle is the home of Australia II and hosts hundreds of avid boaters as it is just an hour by river to Perth and 30 mins to Rottenest Island.
Bullsbrook
Terry trusty GPS finds a track for us to follow to Bullsbrook which is inland somewhat. Here we stay with Pat & Bernard Herrera who have been friends of my family for a very long time. Pat & Bernard have a 300acre property here where they once raised prize winning Charolais stock. Bernard has now downsized his Charolais operations and is now more focused on raising thoroughbred horses which he is having some success with. They have a large clay mine on their property for which they receive tidy royalties and Bernard also agists another 150 acres of a neighbouring property. He has developed a great working relationship with the mine and with his neighbours which works well for everyone concerned. Out here John is in his element as he and Bernard talk all things farming and we both enjoy the country air and the space. It would have been great to spend more time here but time is something we are fast running out of now.
Perth
On Thursday we head back into Perth again with the guidance of the GPS. This time it takes us through the Swan Valley and more wine country. Here the wineries are much more compact and closer to each other. We drive through the valley with wineries and cellar doors on either side of the road complemented by museums, cafes and unique food factory outlets - jams, preserves, fudge, chocolates etc. We don't stop and eventually arrive in Perth around 4.30pm where we check in to the Hilton and freshen up before going to Peter &Mary de Verteuil's for dinner. Peter is my cousin and it is good to catch up with him and the latest family news. We have a yummy Chinese meal at their home after reviewing their various home renovation projects and a drink or two. More chatter and John & I finally get back to the Hilton around midnight.
Friday is a beautiful day, warm and relatively calm and we head off to Rottenest island on the ferry from Perth. The one hour cruise down the river is very enjoyable and is complemented by an interesting commentary from our skipper. The wealth of the region becomes very obvious as you cruise down the river with its million dollar mansions on each side and hundreds of yachts and boats of every shape and size dotting the waters around the many yacht clubs. The most expensive home on the river is now up for sale and at a price tag of $85M will be the most expensive private residence ever sold in Australia when it eventually changes hands. The Swan River inlet really is a beautiful area and is every bit as picturesque as the Sydney Harbour with Perth being infinitely more livable than Sydney in my humble opinion.
We finally get to Rottenest around 12md which gives us very little time to explore the island and we instead settle for a wander around Thompson's Bay. We have a delicious lunch at Dome Cafe before heading back to Perth on the 2.30pm ferry. We had left our car at the Hilton and as we were checking out and moving across to The Melbourne hotel we didn't want to over stay the 24 hour car parking period. Our room at the Melbourne is very comfortable and will be home for the next 3 days. We settle into our room and collapse onto the bed after a long hot shower where we make the most of the movie channel and totally veg out. It is nice not to be going out for a change and we make the most of the room service on offer.
Saturday is spent with more of my family friends. We drive out to Jackie Knox's where we are shown around the retirement complex before being joined by Jocelyn and Michelle Herrera. The Knoxes and Herreras used to live very near to us in St Joseph's Village in San Fernando before we all eventually migrated to Australia in the 1960s and early 1970s. It was great to catch up with them all and I am sure it was an interesting day for John as the only male in the bunch. Jackie drove us around the area and we eventually had lunch at one of the newer marina complexes on the north coast which was very nice. After lunch we drove around a bit more and stopped in at Michelle's caravan set up on the beach before ending up at Hillary's Wharf complex for a bit of shopping and a delicious Italian ice cream. Once again the wealth of the region is plainly obvious. We drive back to Jacki's via her son Ian's home where we call in for a quick hello before passing by Jocelyn's son Phillip's home. Back at Jackie's we relax with a cup of tea and recover from all the chatter and laughter of the day before heading back to our hotel. As it is still light we head back via Kings Park which is some 400hectares of parkland on the banks of the Swan River. John & I wander around the botanical gardens and stroll across the treetops walk enjoying the cool of the evening before getting back to the hotel around 8pm. Once again we relax in with room service.
Sunday we catch up with Helen & Mark for breakfast before heading down to Mandura to visit Richard & Karen Slingsby. Helen & Mark had been in Perth for the cricket on Saturday and it was great to catch up with them again if only for a brief moment over breakfast. We walk down Hay street Mall and then up Murray Street Mall before finding somewhere for breakfast. It strikes me how quiet Perth is in the City on Sunday morning and eventually it dawns on me that Perhaps the people of Perth realize that there is so much more to life than shopping prefering instead to make full use of the wonderful parks and waterways on offer.
In Mandura it was lovely to catch up with Richard & Karen and to meet their two girls. We get back to The Melbourne around 7.30 and begin the task of sorting out our stuff ready for our return journey home on Monday night.
Monday we do the tour of the Bell Tower which I found very interesting before catching up with Jenny Herrera during her lunch break at work. It was lovely to catch up with Jenny after so many years. Our walk back to the hotel took us through Hay Street mall once again and this time a totally different picture was presented as we were swallowed up by the sea of people rushing around in their lunch hour finishing last minute xmas purchases and finailising business deals before the xmas break.
After lunch we headed up to Kings Park again where we drove around a bit more before finally settling for an ice cream on the lawn over looking the river.
We enjoy sitting in the sun (me) and shade (John) soaking in the symphony of the city with the traffic on the freeways below blending into the background as the breeze sings through the trees and the birds join in with their chorus amidst the chatter and laughter of those lucky enough to be enjoying this beautiful summer's day in the lead up to Christmas. On the rivers below others are making the most of the summer's breeze sailing in the more sheltered parts of the bay and all the while many are caught up in the mania of city living, constantly rushing here and there, not daring to stop least they might have to spend some time with themselves. Here in the park life takes on a different meaning as those who care enough take time out to stop, relax and spend time with their favourite people. Sisters play ball, children run and explore, friends share a bottle of wine and chat over a meal while somewhere else lovers walk hand in hand. All enjoying the majesty and beauty of this special place on such a beautiful day. For John & I it is a time to chill out and enjoy the solitude after three hectic weeks in West Australia before we head home and back to the reality of our lives. It is so nice to stop and relax and reflect on how blessed we are. The holiday has been great but now we are looking forward to heading home and to spending time with our family and friends until our next adventure.
We left Bunbury around 11am after collecting our cute little bubble car - a Suzuki Swift. We now head to Bullsbrook via Mandura and Fremantle. We follow the coast road to Mandura where we stop for lunch at jetty fish and chips. Mandura is yet another beautiful inlet area along the coast with spectacular waterways and beautiful homes and is fast becoming the Gold Coast of the west with many Perth residents making this their holiday getaway destination. Being just over and hour from Perth it makes for an easy weekend away. We end up here again on Sunday when we visit Richard & Karen Slingsby who take us for a tour around the area and point out the fast growing areas and massive development that is currently occurring in the area.
Fremantle is the main port area of Perth and is largely industrial although over the years tourism has played a much larger role in its development with many restaurants, cafes, markets, museums and boutique breweries springing up around the wharf precinct area. Many of the houses along the main road in reflect the history of the area and are quite cute and well preserved. Fremantle is the home of Australia II and hosts hundreds of avid boaters as it is just an hour by river to Perth and 30 mins to Rottenest Island.
Bullsbrook
Terry trusty GPS finds a track for us to follow to Bullsbrook which is inland somewhat. Here we stay with Pat & Bernard Herrera who have been friends of my family for a very long time. Pat & Bernard have a 300acre property here where they once raised prize winning Charolais stock. Bernard has now downsized his Charolais operations and is now more focused on raising thoroughbred horses which he is having some success with. They have a large clay mine on their property for which they receive tidy royalties and Bernard also agists another 150 acres of a neighbouring property. He has developed a great working relationship with the mine and with his neighbours which works well for everyone concerned. Out here John is in his element as he and Bernard talk all things farming and we both enjoy the country air and the space. It would have been great to spend more time here but time is something we are fast running out of now.
Perth
On Thursday we head back into Perth again with the guidance of the GPS. This time it takes us through the Swan Valley and more wine country. Here the wineries are much more compact and closer to each other. We drive through the valley with wineries and cellar doors on either side of the road complemented by museums, cafes and unique food factory outlets - jams, preserves, fudge, chocolates etc. We don't stop and eventually arrive in Perth around 4.30pm where we check in to the Hilton and freshen up before going to Peter &Mary de Verteuil's for dinner. Peter is my cousin and it is good to catch up with him and the latest family news. We have a yummy Chinese meal at their home after reviewing their various home renovation projects and a drink or two. More chatter and John & I finally get back to the Hilton around midnight.
Friday is a beautiful day, warm and relatively calm and we head off to Rottenest island on the ferry from Perth. The one hour cruise down the river is very enjoyable and is complemented by an interesting commentary from our skipper. The wealth of the region becomes very obvious as you cruise down the river with its million dollar mansions on each side and hundreds of yachts and boats of every shape and size dotting the waters around the many yacht clubs. The most expensive home on the river is now up for sale and at a price tag of $85M will be the most expensive private residence ever sold in Australia when it eventually changes hands. The Swan River inlet really is a beautiful area and is every bit as picturesque as the Sydney Harbour with Perth being infinitely more livable than Sydney in my humble opinion.
We finally get to Rottenest around 12md which gives us very little time to explore the island and we instead settle for a wander around Thompson's Bay. We have a delicious lunch at Dome Cafe before heading back to Perth on the 2.30pm ferry. We had left our car at the Hilton and as we were checking out and moving across to The Melbourne hotel we didn't want to over stay the 24 hour car parking period. Our room at the Melbourne is very comfortable and will be home for the next 3 days. We settle into our room and collapse onto the bed after a long hot shower where we make the most of the movie channel and totally veg out. It is nice not to be going out for a change and we make the most of the room service on offer.
Saturday is spent with more of my family friends. We drive out to Jackie Knox's where we are shown around the retirement complex before being joined by Jocelyn and Michelle Herrera. The Knoxes and Herreras used to live very near to us in St Joseph's Village in San Fernando before we all eventually migrated to Australia in the 1960s and early 1970s. It was great to catch up with them all and I am sure it was an interesting day for John as the only male in the bunch. Jackie drove us around the area and we eventually had lunch at one of the newer marina complexes on the north coast which was very nice. After lunch we drove around a bit more and stopped in at Michelle's caravan set up on the beach before ending up at Hillary's Wharf complex for a bit of shopping and a delicious Italian ice cream. Once again the wealth of the region is plainly obvious. We drive back to Jacki's via her son Ian's home where we call in for a quick hello before passing by Jocelyn's son Phillip's home. Back at Jackie's we relax with a cup of tea and recover from all the chatter and laughter of the day before heading back to our hotel. As it is still light we head back via Kings Park which is some 400hectares of parkland on the banks of the Swan River. John & I wander around the botanical gardens and stroll across the treetops walk enjoying the cool of the evening before getting back to the hotel around 8pm. Once again we relax in with room service.
Sunday we catch up with Helen & Mark for breakfast before heading down to Mandura to visit Richard & Karen Slingsby. Helen & Mark had been in Perth for the cricket on Saturday and it was great to catch up with them again if only for a brief moment over breakfast. We walk down Hay street Mall and then up Murray Street Mall before finding somewhere for breakfast. It strikes me how quiet Perth is in the City on Sunday morning and eventually it dawns on me that Perhaps the people of Perth realize that there is so much more to life than shopping prefering instead to make full use of the wonderful parks and waterways on offer.
In Mandura it was lovely to catch up with Richard & Karen and to meet their two girls. We get back to The Melbourne around 7.30 and begin the task of sorting out our stuff ready for our return journey home on Monday night.
Monday we do the tour of the Bell Tower which I found very interesting before catching up with Jenny Herrera during her lunch break at work. It was lovely to catch up with Jenny after so many years. Our walk back to the hotel took us through Hay Street mall once again and this time a totally different picture was presented as we were swallowed up by the sea of people rushing around in their lunch hour finishing last minute xmas purchases and finailising business deals before the xmas break.
After lunch we headed up to Kings Park again where we drove around a bit more before finally settling for an ice cream on the lawn over looking the river.
We enjoy sitting in the sun (me) and shade (John) soaking in the symphony of the city with the traffic on the freeways below blending into the background as the breeze sings through the trees and the birds join in with their chorus amidst the chatter and laughter of those lucky enough to be enjoying this beautiful summer's day in the lead up to Christmas. On the rivers below others are making the most of the summer's breeze sailing in the more sheltered parts of the bay and all the while many are caught up in the mania of city living, constantly rushing here and there, not daring to stop least they might have to spend some time with themselves. Here in the park life takes on a different meaning as those who care enough take time out to stop, relax and spend time with their favourite people. Sisters play ball, children run and explore, friends share a bottle of wine and chat over a meal while somewhere else lovers walk hand in hand. All enjoying the majesty and beauty of this special place on such a beautiful day. For John & I it is a time to chill out and enjoy the solitude after three hectic weeks in West Australia before we head home and back to the reality of our lives. It is so nice to stop and relax and reflect on how blessed we are. The holiday has been great but now we are looking forward to heading home and to spending time with our family and friends until our next adventure.
Albany, Warpole, Denmark
Our weekend was fairly quiet. We watched Australia the movie on Saturday followed by lunch back at Helen's and an evening of cards, laughs and a few drinks. Sunday was a catch up day which we badly needed. It was a hot day (for a change) so in the afternoon we headed off for Italian ice cream followed by a long walk along the beach. It was so nice to feel the ocean lapping between my toes and the Fremanlte doctor cooling us off. Back to Helen's for a quick shower and change before going out to dinner at Barbados with some of Helen's lovely friends. It has been great getting to know Helen's girls and her friends and to see how happy and settled she is here in the west.
Albany
On Monday morning Helen was back to work bright and early so John & I headed off to Albany for a night on our own - yay!!!! We finally left Bunbury around 7.45am and headed towards Albany some 4 hours drive away. Once again we drove the Harvest Highway to Manjimup where we turned off to Mt Barker. The country between Manjimup and Mt Barker is a mix of native forests. Mainly eucalyptus species interspersed with stunning candle banksia and grass trees amongst others and broken up by pockets of grazing land and pine and blue gum plantations with one or two orchards thrown in to complete the mix. the roads here are generally excellent and with an open speed limit of 110kmph it makes for easy driving. the country from Manjimup to Mt Barker is mostly hilly with gently rolling rises giving way to some beautiful scenery. Along the way we stopped at Lake Muir Observatory. Lake Muir is a study area for wetlands conservation and management particularly with regard to salinity control and management. We walked some 70 metres along a purpose built board walk to the elevated observation platform where you can look out over a vast expanse of water and swampland. immediately as we head east from Lake Muir the vegetation is mostly low saltbush country eventually giving way to the taller eucalypt forests and finally plantation timbers. As we pass vast areas of young bluegums it as if we are passing millions of little Aussie Xmas trees and the bluegums with their silver blue leaves and gum nuts need no further decoration. As we approach Mt Barker we once again enter wine country and the home of Goundary wines. all throughout the drive the landscape is dotted with remnant outcrops of the season's wildflowers in a wide variety of variety and colour and it is easy to imaging just how beautiful this country must be in the height of the wildflower season.
At Mt Barker we head into Albany and just outside of Albany we stop at the Sandlewood factory and I am in my element. I remind John just how much restraint I am exercising in this shop as it would be easy for me to spend hundreds of dollars here. Unfortunately we are restricted by time so have to forgo the massage and sound therapy treatments. I will have to save that for a future visit.
Our next stop is Whale World which offers a fascinating insight into the whaling industry in this area and the plight of the whales today. We spend around 3 hours soaking in the history and interactive displays and trying to imagine what sort of life the whalers and their families must have lead. Whaling was ceased in this area in 1978 so when Jo, Helen & I went through in 1979 the station was closed and town was still very much in mourning for a lost industry. Today Albany thrives on tourism particularly drawing on its stunning natural assets and its history.
We then explore the coastline and head for the blow holes, the Gap and Natural Bridge. The path to the blowholes is long and steep and as we meander down the hillside which is covered in spectacular native ground cover and low shrubs I drink in the beauty of the remnant wildflowers and imagine what a spectacular sight this must be when the flowers are in full bloom. The bright blues, purples, pinks, reds, oranges and yellows light up the landscape backdrop with its varying hues of green and blue-greys. The twisted and gnarled limbs of the shrubs which have been shaped by the weather over the years add greater character to the already stunning landscape. As we get closer to the coastline the shrubbery gives way to spectacular rocky outcrops some of which look as if an artist has come along with is brush and highlighted some of the rocks in a brilliant orange. Against the coastline the colours stand out adding character and uniqueness to the area. Exploring the Gap and natural Bridge areas brings back vivid memories of my time here in 1979 with Jo and Helen when we skipped over the rocky outcrops with the surefootedness and reckless abandon of mountain goats.
As we leave this area the grey clouds that have been menacing the day finally give way to a heavy mist that doesn't really interfere with our plans but drops the temperature even further. We detour now to the wind farm on the coast where massive wind turbines groan against the otherwise silent landscape working to generate much needed green power for the area. Leaving here Terry's trusty GPS system guides us to our accommodation for the night. A lovely one bedroom apartment with spa bath which we naturally make the most of. After a late lunch at the Whale Watch Centre we settle for dinner of wine, cheese, crackers, strawberries, cherries and chocolate and an early night.
After a leisurly breakfast we are off again and stop in at the Princess Royal fortress ewhich was a war post for Australia with large cannons and bunkers built in to the side of the hill. the history is interesting but we are conscious of the long drive ahead and our interest in the giant timber forests of the Warpole-Nordalup National Park.
Albany is a pretty little town nestled into the hillside of the southern coast of Australia overlooking a stunning natural harbour. The town is steeped in history with many of its buildings reflecting its early heritage. We would have liked more time in this area but will certainly have lots to do on a return visit in the hopefully not to distant future.
Denmark
We then took the toursit drive to Denmark through what appeared to be predominately dairy country. We stopped at the information centre and then headed out along Ocean Road looking for somewhere to have a coffee but with no luck. We then decided to try to find the fudge factory but after driving about 16km along Scottsdale Road we gave up and headed back to town, again conscious of the time. We finally stopped at the Denmark Tavern for coffee and delicious apple pie before continuing on to Warpole-Nordalup National Park via the scenic route to the valley of the giants. Here we drove through mixed grazing country and forests where the ghostly fingers of the old growth trees seem to be reaching up to the heavens in a plea for help.
The Valley of the Giants treetop walk is really amazing and offers a completly different perspective on forest life. The walk is some 600metres long ascending to a height of 40metres. The forest here is a mix of tingle, jara, karri, marri and other species with the tingle being the largest. Tingle trees can grow to a height of 90metres and a girth of 20metres. The tallest we saw was 75metres. They really are a spectacular tree and quite unique in that for such a large tree they have a very shallow root system. The walk through the forest provides an opportunity to put life into perspective and to soak up the wisdom of the ancient trees, some as old as 400 years. The tingle trees seem to be particularly prone to burles, probably as a result of their shallow root system, which gives them a unique characteristic as they develop unusual shapes and branch patterns.
From here we drive through the park to Circular Pool. The forest changes enroute to the pool with the magestic trees giving way to the lower shrub country before reverting back to the tall tree forests. Our drive continues over hilltop road through more forests. As we drive through this peaceful and magestic place we soak in the wisdom of the land and the forests and can't help but wonder what life must have been like for the first Australians and early European settlers. Reluctantly we head back to Bunbury as the day draws to a close.
Tonight is our last night in Bunbury and Helen cooks a lovely meal after which we reminisce over old photos and good port.
Albany
On Monday morning Helen was back to work bright and early so John & I headed off to Albany for a night on our own - yay!!!! We finally left Bunbury around 7.45am and headed towards Albany some 4 hours drive away. Once again we drove the Harvest Highway to Manjimup where we turned off to Mt Barker. The country between Manjimup and Mt Barker is a mix of native forests. Mainly eucalyptus species interspersed with stunning candle banksia and grass trees amongst others and broken up by pockets of grazing land and pine and blue gum plantations with one or two orchards thrown in to complete the mix. the roads here are generally excellent and with an open speed limit of 110kmph it makes for easy driving. the country from Manjimup to Mt Barker is mostly hilly with gently rolling rises giving way to some beautiful scenery. Along the way we stopped at Lake Muir Observatory. Lake Muir is a study area for wetlands conservation and management particularly with regard to salinity control and management. We walked some 70 metres along a purpose built board walk to the elevated observation platform where you can look out over a vast expanse of water and swampland. immediately as we head east from Lake Muir the vegetation is mostly low saltbush country eventually giving way to the taller eucalypt forests and finally plantation timbers. As we pass vast areas of young bluegums it as if we are passing millions of little Aussie Xmas trees and the bluegums with their silver blue leaves and gum nuts need no further decoration. As we approach Mt Barker we once again enter wine country and the home of Goundary wines. all throughout the drive the landscape is dotted with remnant outcrops of the season's wildflowers in a wide variety of variety and colour and it is easy to imaging just how beautiful this country must be in the height of the wildflower season.
At Mt Barker we head into Albany and just outside of Albany we stop at the Sandlewood factory and I am in my element. I remind John just how much restraint I am exercising in this shop as it would be easy for me to spend hundreds of dollars here. Unfortunately we are restricted by time so have to forgo the massage and sound therapy treatments. I will have to save that for a future visit.
Our next stop is Whale World which offers a fascinating insight into the whaling industry in this area and the plight of the whales today. We spend around 3 hours soaking in the history and interactive displays and trying to imagine what sort of life the whalers and their families must have lead. Whaling was ceased in this area in 1978 so when Jo, Helen & I went through in 1979 the station was closed and town was still very much in mourning for a lost industry. Today Albany thrives on tourism particularly drawing on its stunning natural assets and its history.
We then explore the coastline and head for the blow holes, the Gap and Natural Bridge. The path to the blowholes is long and steep and as we meander down the hillside which is covered in spectacular native ground cover and low shrubs I drink in the beauty of the remnant wildflowers and imagine what a spectacular sight this must be when the flowers are in full bloom. The bright blues, purples, pinks, reds, oranges and yellows light up the landscape backdrop with its varying hues of green and blue-greys. The twisted and gnarled limbs of the shrubs which have been shaped by the weather over the years add greater character to the already stunning landscape. As we get closer to the coastline the shrubbery gives way to spectacular rocky outcrops some of which look as if an artist has come along with is brush and highlighted some of the rocks in a brilliant orange. Against the coastline the colours stand out adding character and uniqueness to the area. Exploring the Gap and natural Bridge areas brings back vivid memories of my time here in 1979 with Jo and Helen when we skipped over the rocky outcrops with the surefootedness and reckless abandon of mountain goats.
As we leave this area the grey clouds that have been menacing the day finally give way to a heavy mist that doesn't really interfere with our plans but drops the temperature even further. We detour now to the wind farm on the coast where massive wind turbines groan against the otherwise silent landscape working to generate much needed green power for the area. Leaving here Terry's trusty GPS system guides us to our accommodation for the night. A lovely one bedroom apartment with spa bath which we naturally make the most of. After a late lunch at the Whale Watch Centre we settle for dinner of wine, cheese, crackers, strawberries, cherries and chocolate and an early night.
After a leisurly breakfast we are off again and stop in at the Princess Royal fortress ewhich was a war post for Australia with large cannons and bunkers built in to the side of the hill. the history is interesting but we are conscious of the long drive ahead and our interest in the giant timber forests of the Warpole-Nordalup National Park.
Albany is a pretty little town nestled into the hillside of the southern coast of Australia overlooking a stunning natural harbour. The town is steeped in history with many of its buildings reflecting its early heritage. We would have liked more time in this area but will certainly have lots to do on a return visit in the hopefully not to distant future.
Denmark
We then took the toursit drive to Denmark through what appeared to be predominately dairy country. We stopped at the information centre and then headed out along Ocean Road looking for somewhere to have a coffee but with no luck. We then decided to try to find the fudge factory but after driving about 16km along Scottsdale Road we gave up and headed back to town, again conscious of the time. We finally stopped at the Denmark Tavern for coffee and delicious apple pie before continuing on to Warpole-Nordalup National Park via the scenic route to the valley of the giants. Here we drove through mixed grazing country and forests where the ghostly fingers of the old growth trees seem to be reaching up to the heavens in a plea for help.
The Valley of the Giants treetop walk is really amazing and offers a completly different perspective on forest life. The walk is some 600metres long ascending to a height of 40metres. The forest here is a mix of tingle, jara, karri, marri and other species with the tingle being the largest. Tingle trees can grow to a height of 90metres and a girth of 20metres. The tallest we saw was 75metres. They really are a spectacular tree and quite unique in that for such a large tree they have a very shallow root system. The walk through the forest provides an opportunity to put life into perspective and to soak up the wisdom of the ancient trees, some as old as 400 years. The tingle trees seem to be particularly prone to burles, probably as a result of their shallow root system, which gives them a unique characteristic as they develop unusual shapes and branch patterns.
From here we drive through the park to Circular Pool. The forest changes enroute to the pool with the magestic trees giving way to the lower shrub country before reverting back to the tall tree forests. Our drive continues over hilltop road through more forests. As we drive through this peaceful and magestic place we soak in the wisdom of the land and the forests and can't help but wonder what life must have been like for the first Australians and early European settlers. Reluctantly we head back to Bunbury as the day draws to a close.
Tonight is our last night in Bunbury and Helen cooks a lovely meal after which we reminisce over old photos and good port.
Monday, December 22, 2008
dolphin discovery centre, Ferguson Valley, Pemberton
Dolphin Discovery Centre
On Wednesday we visited the dolphin discovery centre in Bunbury. they have a lot of dolphins that come in regularly to the calm waters of the bay and as a result have set up a discovery centre to facilitate dolphin research. We wandered around the centre's various displays, which are very interesting, before going out to the bay area but as it as afternoon we didn't see the dolphins. We returned on Saturday morning and were lucky enough to have a close encounter with several dolphins which was awesome.
Ferguson Valley
Thursday we drove through the Ferguson Valley which is yet another wine producing area. Our intention was to do a winery tour but most of the ones we went to were closed including the brewery which is normally open on Thursdays but on this occasion was closed for a private function - just our luck. We did manage a tasting at Willowbridge winery which was very nice -naturally we brought a few bottles to take home with us. From here we visited Gnomesville, a cute little gnome village that has progressively grown over the years. Apparently it all started when someone left a couple of gnomes on the corner of a major intersection and has been added to from there, particularly after it was vandalized. Now there are gnomes as far as you can see in every direction with many little gnome settlements and tributes hidden in all sorts of corners, next to trees and along the creek bed. It really is very cute. And yes, I am talking about the garden gnome in all its various shapes and sizes. Will add some pictures when I get home.
The drive through the Ferguson Valley was a pleasant change from the coastal scenery and it was nice to be driving through the hills, although their hills are more like bumps in the landscape compared to what we are used to. While here we also drove through the jarra forests including a visit to the king tree. Lunch was at the Bull & Bush tavern in Boyanup which was lovely. Thursday night we had dinner at Just One Thai restaurant which was delicious and resulted in yet another late night.
Pemberton
Our drive on Friday took us through the Harvest Highway to Pemberton via Bridgetown and Manjimup. The area north of Pemberton from Kirup to Manjimup is predominately a fruit growing area, mostly stone fruits, apples, pears and grapes with a smattering of cattle and huge timber plantations. similar to our Granite Belt region I guess. The landscape is often peppered with scores of hay bales waiting to be stored for the long, hot, dry summer ahead. We stopped at Bridgetown for morning tea an then at Manjimup to check the itinerary for the Cherry festival on the weekend. Unfortunately the main day of the festival was Saturday and we had planed to attend on Sunday so had to change our plans - good thing we checked or we would have been disappointed. I was surprised that even though we were in the heart of cherry growing country and the cherry festival was imminent there were very few cherries for sale and those that were, were very expensive. Quite a disappointment really.
Once in Pemberton we spent several hours exploring the national parks including the jarra forests and a visit to the Bicentennial tree which was dedicated as a fire lookout that visitors can climb in 1988. We didn't climb the tree on this occasion as my dicky shoulder wouldn't have stood it and John was also suffering from a strained shoulder. However, having climbed the Gloucester Tree in 1979 I don't feel that I missed out. We also visite the Cascades in Gloucester National Park as well as the Beedulup falls in Beedulup National Park. It was great to revisit some of the places that Helen & I visited with Jo in 1979 and we missed Jo on these occasions. John really enjoys the timber country and has been enjoying being a passenger so he can really appreciate the country that we are driving through. We also visited the Pemberton wine centre where we brought a bottle of a delicious white port that is not available on the east coast so you will have to visit us soon if you want to try it as it is only a small bottle - very nice!!! We then had a late lunch in Pemberton before wandering through the Pemberton museum which was very interesting. Pemberton is predominantly a timber town with a huge mill that caters for the many timber plantations in the south west. It also thrives on tourism on the back of the wine industry and the national parks. We covered a lot of miles on Friday through some very picturesque country and it was a long day topped off by dinner at Helen's and subjecting the boys to watching Mamia Mia.
On Wednesday we visited the dolphin discovery centre in Bunbury. they have a lot of dolphins that come in regularly to the calm waters of the bay and as a result have set up a discovery centre to facilitate dolphin research. We wandered around the centre's various displays, which are very interesting, before going out to the bay area but as it as afternoon we didn't see the dolphins. We returned on Saturday morning and were lucky enough to have a close encounter with several dolphins which was awesome.
Ferguson Valley
Thursday we drove through the Ferguson Valley which is yet another wine producing area. Our intention was to do a winery tour but most of the ones we went to were closed including the brewery which is normally open on Thursdays but on this occasion was closed for a private function - just our luck. We did manage a tasting at Willowbridge winery which was very nice -naturally we brought a few bottles to take home with us. From here we visited Gnomesville, a cute little gnome village that has progressively grown over the years. Apparently it all started when someone left a couple of gnomes on the corner of a major intersection and has been added to from there, particularly after it was vandalized. Now there are gnomes as far as you can see in every direction with many little gnome settlements and tributes hidden in all sorts of corners, next to trees and along the creek bed. It really is very cute. And yes, I am talking about the garden gnome in all its various shapes and sizes. Will add some pictures when I get home.
The drive through the Ferguson Valley was a pleasant change from the coastal scenery and it was nice to be driving through the hills, although their hills are more like bumps in the landscape compared to what we are used to. While here we also drove through the jarra forests including a visit to the king tree. Lunch was at the Bull & Bush tavern in Boyanup which was lovely. Thursday night we had dinner at Just One Thai restaurant which was delicious and resulted in yet another late night.
Pemberton
Our drive on Friday took us through the Harvest Highway to Pemberton via Bridgetown and Manjimup. The area north of Pemberton from Kirup to Manjimup is predominately a fruit growing area, mostly stone fruits, apples, pears and grapes with a smattering of cattle and huge timber plantations. similar to our Granite Belt region I guess. The landscape is often peppered with scores of hay bales waiting to be stored for the long, hot, dry summer ahead. We stopped at Bridgetown for morning tea an then at Manjimup to check the itinerary for the Cherry festival on the weekend. Unfortunately the main day of the festival was Saturday and we had planed to attend on Sunday so had to change our plans - good thing we checked or we would have been disappointed. I was surprised that even though we were in the heart of cherry growing country and the cherry festival was imminent there were very few cherries for sale and those that were, were very expensive. Quite a disappointment really.
Once in Pemberton we spent several hours exploring the national parks including the jarra forests and a visit to the Bicentennial tree which was dedicated as a fire lookout that visitors can climb in 1988. We didn't climb the tree on this occasion as my dicky shoulder wouldn't have stood it and John was also suffering from a strained shoulder. However, having climbed the Gloucester Tree in 1979 I don't feel that I missed out. We also visite the Cascades in Gloucester National Park as well as the Beedulup falls in Beedulup National Park. It was great to revisit some of the places that Helen & I visited with Jo in 1979 and we missed Jo on these occasions. John really enjoys the timber country and has been enjoying being a passenger so he can really appreciate the country that we are driving through. We also visited the Pemberton wine centre where we brought a bottle of a delicious white port that is not available on the east coast so you will have to visit us soon if you want to try it as it is only a small bottle - very nice!!! We then had a late lunch in Pemberton before wandering through the Pemberton museum which was very interesting. Pemberton is predominantly a timber town with a huge mill that caters for the many timber plantations in the south west. It also thrives on tourism on the back of the wine industry and the national parks. We covered a lot of miles on Friday through some very picturesque country and it was a long day topped off by dinner at Helen's and subjecting the boys to watching Mamia Mia.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Bunbury, Augusta, Brusselton, Margaret River
Busselton
Cale Leuwin Lighthouse
John & I at Augusta
Georgie, Mark, Helen
BunburyEvery day seems to be busy and we are seeing a lot of the country in this corner of the world.
Bunbury
I think I referred to Bunbury as a town similar in size to Beaudesert but I was wrong. It would be closer in size to Toowoomba. Bunbury is a town that very much relies on outdoor activity for entertainment. Most of the people here are involved in some sort of sporting activity with sailing, wind surfing, surfing, canoing and swimmig being perhaps the most popular. There is an abundance of sporting clubs for the various codes of football with AFL being the most popular. Cricket and netball are also popular. Bunbury, like most of the south west that we have seen so far is relatively flat and would lend itself well to biking and walking, althouth I haven't seen too many dedicated bike trails.
Bunbury
I think I referred to Bunbury as a town similar in size to Beaudesert but I was wrong. It would be closer in size to Toowoomba. Bunbury is a town that very much relies on outdoor activity for entertainment. Most of the people here are involved in some sort of sporting activity with sailing, wind surfing, surfing, canoing and swimmig being perhaps the most popular. There is an abundance of sporting clubs for the various codes of football with AFL being the most popular. Cricket and netball are also popular. Bunbury, like most of the south west that we have seen so far is relatively flat and would lend itself well to biking and walking, althouth I haven't seen too many dedicated bike trails.
The harbour is the centre of activity in Bunbury and is really very pretty. Over the years it has undergone quite a facelift to make it more picturesque and tidy with recent years seeing a spate of yuppy style development around the foreshore (lots of upmarket units, offices and cafes). On Sunday afternoon as we were recovering from Helen's party we had coffee at one of the surf clubs by the beach and had timed it just right so as to be able to watch the Crystal classic sailing race in which about a dozen or more sailing boats took part. It was lovely to be able to sit and watch as the boats completed the designated course before heading back into the harbour and out of our view. After coffee we did a tour of Bubnury including the lookout which offers spectacular 360 degree views of the harbour and surrounding areas.
Margaret River
Monday we headed down to Margaret River and on to Augusta and the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. Our first stop was the Margaret River chocolate factory where they make very decadent gourmet chocolate (read very expensive). Large bowls of white, milk and dark chocolate buttons are on display with spoons for visitors to help themselves to - very nice! The factory itself is kept fairly cool so as to preserve the chocolate at its best while visitors generally freeze while they are brousing. I guess it works to deter visitors form spending too much time brousing and eating choc buttons. We enjoyed a coffee with a choc brownie and tripple choc cookie before making the obligatory purchase and heading on our way.
Our next stop was in the town of Margret River where we visited the rammed earth church. The church is made almost entirely of rammed earth bricks and glass and looks spectacular. The overall effect is stunning. From there it was on to Karridale where we visited the Santa shop which started out as a specialized jewelry shop and then diversified into all things Christmas so now they sell Christmas decorations all year round as well as their own spectacular range of jewlery. Naturally we couldn't resist and had to buy something there. We also stopped at the fudge factory, a quaint little natural soaps shop and a cellar door with multiple winery tastings.
Margaret River area is quite large and encompases not only the town of Margaret River but many small towns in the region. While the area is perhaps most famous for its wines, it is also a significant dairy area which is famous for its cheeses and dairy products as well as venison. The region is quite picturesque to drive through and some of the wineries are particularly spectacular. Yesterday we had lunch at Flutes restaurant at Brooklands winery. After following the beautifully manicured driveway for a several hundred metres we came to the restaurant which is set on the banks of a beautiful lake and overlooking the vineyards. This would make a spectacular venue for a wedding or other special occasion but I have no doubt you would pay through the nose for it. Lunch is a very decdent but expensive affair and with what John & I had (a main with one glass of wine) there was very little change from $100. This is 5star yuppy quality at its best. The wines that we tried were very nice.
Augusta
Augusta sits on the south western most point of the mainland and is constantly windswept. Monday was no exception. There is a lovely river inlet that balloons out to a lake area just inland so this area is perfect for families with small kids and for windsufing, swimming and canoing. We had a picnic lunch on the foreshore and were entertained by the seagulls and pelicans. The coastline is rugged and mostly rocky but the water is the most amazing blue and green and crystal clear - absloutely pristine (and no doubt freezing). We ventured up to the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse and did our best not to get blown away. At this point the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean and the mix of currents creates al sorts of problems for ships and boats in the area, hence the need for a lighthouse. It also produces a unique mix of sea life but is not the best spot for fishing. From March to October this would provide a spectacular vantage point for watching the whales on their annual migration and the free telescopes at the lookouts would certainly enhance the experience. The area is also known for its seals and fairy penguins although we did not see any this time round.
Busselton
Yesterday we visited Busselton, home fo the longest jetty in the world. At just over 1800metres it is quite a hike to the end where they have set up an underwater observatory. they used to have a train running out to the observatory but at the moment it is under repair so walking is the only option. Busselton used to be a busy port but throughout the years the port was moved to Bunbury which offers better harbour facilities and now the jetty is soely used for tourism. We didn't walk to the end of the jetty which turned out to be a good decision as it rained when we were there and we would have gotten soaked which would have put a real damper on the rest of the day. It was also freezing. Instead we visited the museum and gift shop before having an indulgent Simmos ice cream while sheltering from the rain. The beach at Busselton is relatively flat and easy to access and the water is also pristine.
Cape Naturaliste
Yesterday we also visited Dunsburough and several other coastal towns including the lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste. Unlike Cape Leeuwin, this is a relatively short lighthouse and is set back from the coastline on a hill. It is a category one lighthoue and is likely to always be in operation. We did the tour of the lighthouse which was very interesting. The conditions that the lighthouse keepers worked under were quite difficult and would probably not be tolerated by today's obsession with workplace health and safety. It is probably a very good thing that it is now fully automated. The view from the top of the lighthouse was quite spectacular. Most of the coastal towns in ths region are used as holiday getaways for people in Bunbury and Perth and surrounding areas. Beachfront land is extremly expensive with little available under seven figures and most in the high end of that. Although it is lovely I really haven't seen anything that I have lusted after, prefering the beaches on the east coast.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
West Australia - week 1
John & I left home on Sunday 30th December for Perth in West Australia. We had a good run to the airport and arrived with plenty of time to have lunch with Ben and Steph before they headed back home. Our flight was with Qantas and was very comfortable. The food was reasonable and the flight smooth. I started reading "Fishing for Stars" by Bryce Courtenay and managed to get fair way into it. Our seats were right at the back of the plane with John on the window seat. The trip was uneventful and we arrived in Perth on shcedule. They are doing a bit of renovatins to the Perth airport so it was a bit messy and we had to use the stairs and walk across the tarmac. With our luggage in tow we stood in line for a taxi, a process that took a good 15-20 min as we were all lined up in the snake line. From the airport it was another 15-20 min into Perth.
Our first night was at the Parmelia Hilton (courtesy of Fly Buys) and we were lucky enough to have our room upgraded to a king suite. The room was very nice, giant king size bed with oversized pillows of vairying thicknesses so we could find one that was just right. We also had a small lounge suite, TV, mini bar and desk with internet access and a complimentary bottle of champagne. Very nice, although we did save the champagne for another night when we would have help drinking it. We ordered room service and relaxed for the night. The following morning we enjoyed the Hilton buffet breakast with every possible breakfast food on offer. The fruit was fresh, the eggs cooked to order and the tea and coffee delivered in individual pots - very decadent.
On Mondy morning Richard & Elspeth O'Connor collected us from the Hilton and took us back to their place. A quick shuffle of bags to reduce the load to a weekend bag and we were off to Gilderton on the Moore River. When I had Googled Moore River before we left I only found the Moore River National Park which was inland a bit so I was plesantly surprised to find that we were actually staying at Gilderton which is a quaint little seaside village that is mostly a holiday get away spot for Perth residents. Richard & Elspeth's house is a family holiday home and we were lucky that it was their week to use it. The house in a lovely spot and overlooks the river with fresh sea breezes most of the day. It was quite windy when we were there so swimming in the ocean was out of the question and the breeze was quite fresh and the water quite cold by Queensland standards. It was lovely to have the first couple days of our holiday relaxing by the water and getting into holiday mode and further into my book. Leary & Gillian also joined us for the couple of days we were there and it was great getting to know them also. Richard and Elspeth were wonderful hosts and took us driving around quite a bit so in our first week we manged to see quite a bit of Perth and the northern beaches. The vegitation here is so different to what we are used to. My first impression was that we could easily have been in a Mem Fox book. Gum nuts of vairying shapes and sizes everywhere. The soil is mostly sandy and you would wonder how anything grows. It is a much more desolate landscape to what we are used to. the one big advantage of the sandy soils is that roses love it and many people make use of this fact so the rose gardens are prolific and the scents georgus.
On Wednesday we were back at Richard & Elspeth's home in Perth by lunchtime and after a rest we went visiting their boys and their families who live close by. The only one we didin't meet was Phillip who lives in Karatha - a bit far to go for an afternoon drink.
On Thursday John & Ophelia Ingram picked us up and took us driving again. This time through Kings Park and down to Freemantle where we had a lovely seafood lunch by the warf before going back to their place for a while. It was lovely to catch up with them again. For those of you who haven't been to Perth, Kings park is a massive park in the middle of Perth on the riverbank. It has many walking and bike trails and a wonderful botanical garden section. The park is large enough to drive through and the streets through the park are lined with trees that have been planted for fallen service men and women, a wonderful tribute to their war heroes.
On Friday morning we got the train to Perth City where we hooked up with the 'train' to Bunbury which is actually a bus on Fridays. Helen met us at the train station at lunchtime and it was wonderful to see her again. Her home is a quaint little place with a Mediterranian feel about it on a lovely big block with a pool. Bunbury strikes me as a town probably not much bigger than Beaudesert but on the water. Relatively quiet and certainly not as busy as Perth. Helen's home is just a short walk to the shops (1min) and to the beach (5min). She has graciously given us her room with ensuite so we are being very spoilt. On Friday night we went out to the Barbados Club for drinks where we met a few of her friends. The Brbados is in a lovely location overlooking the bay and harbour but the drinks are expensive - we didn't try the food as the restaurant was very busy. We then went into town for dinner where we ended up having Pizza at a local favourite pizzarea before heading to Mark's place for a cuppa. Saturday was Helen's big 50 party so the day was spent getting ready for that. The party was very busy, probably about 50 or 60 of Helen's friends helped her celebrate her special occasion and it was a privilage to be among them. Helen's idea of catering for a party is to get everyone to bring a plate so of course everyone was very generous with their catering and we had bucket loads of food for at least two more parties. The hilight of the evening was the sing star competition but I'm not too sure who won. I am sure that there definately aren't any budding superstars amongst this mob.
Today is rest and recovery day and hopefully tomorrow we will begin exploring the South West corner and down to Margaret River which is just 1hr15min from here so an easy day trip.
Our first night was at the Parmelia Hilton (courtesy of Fly Buys) and we were lucky enough to have our room upgraded to a king suite. The room was very nice, giant king size bed with oversized pillows of vairying thicknesses so we could find one that was just right. We also had a small lounge suite, TV, mini bar and desk with internet access and a complimentary bottle of champagne. Very nice, although we did save the champagne for another night when we would have help drinking it. We ordered room service and relaxed for the night. The following morning we enjoyed the Hilton buffet breakast with every possible breakfast food on offer. The fruit was fresh, the eggs cooked to order and the tea and coffee delivered in individual pots - very decadent.
On Mondy morning Richard & Elspeth O'Connor collected us from the Hilton and took us back to their place. A quick shuffle of bags to reduce the load to a weekend bag and we were off to Gilderton on the Moore River. When I had Googled Moore River before we left I only found the Moore River National Park which was inland a bit so I was plesantly surprised to find that we were actually staying at Gilderton which is a quaint little seaside village that is mostly a holiday get away spot for Perth residents. Richard & Elspeth's house is a family holiday home and we were lucky that it was their week to use it. The house in a lovely spot and overlooks the river with fresh sea breezes most of the day. It was quite windy when we were there so swimming in the ocean was out of the question and the breeze was quite fresh and the water quite cold by Queensland standards. It was lovely to have the first couple days of our holiday relaxing by the water and getting into holiday mode and further into my book. Leary & Gillian also joined us for the couple of days we were there and it was great getting to know them also. Richard and Elspeth were wonderful hosts and took us driving around quite a bit so in our first week we manged to see quite a bit of Perth and the northern beaches. The vegitation here is so different to what we are used to. My first impression was that we could easily have been in a Mem Fox book. Gum nuts of vairying shapes and sizes everywhere. The soil is mostly sandy and you would wonder how anything grows. It is a much more desolate landscape to what we are used to. the one big advantage of the sandy soils is that roses love it and many people make use of this fact so the rose gardens are prolific and the scents georgus.
On Wednesday we were back at Richard & Elspeth's home in Perth by lunchtime and after a rest we went visiting their boys and their families who live close by. The only one we didin't meet was Phillip who lives in Karatha - a bit far to go for an afternoon drink.
On Thursday John & Ophelia Ingram picked us up and took us driving again. This time through Kings Park and down to Freemantle where we had a lovely seafood lunch by the warf before going back to their place for a while. It was lovely to catch up with them again. For those of you who haven't been to Perth, Kings park is a massive park in the middle of Perth on the riverbank. It has many walking and bike trails and a wonderful botanical garden section. The park is large enough to drive through and the streets through the park are lined with trees that have been planted for fallen service men and women, a wonderful tribute to their war heroes.
On Friday morning we got the train to Perth City where we hooked up with the 'train' to Bunbury which is actually a bus on Fridays. Helen met us at the train station at lunchtime and it was wonderful to see her again. Her home is a quaint little place with a Mediterranian feel about it on a lovely big block with a pool. Bunbury strikes me as a town probably not much bigger than Beaudesert but on the water. Relatively quiet and certainly not as busy as Perth. Helen's home is just a short walk to the shops (1min) and to the beach (5min). She has graciously given us her room with ensuite so we are being very spoilt. On Friday night we went out to the Barbados Club for drinks where we met a few of her friends. The Brbados is in a lovely location overlooking the bay and harbour but the drinks are expensive - we didn't try the food as the restaurant was very busy. We then went into town for dinner where we ended up having Pizza at a local favourite pizzarea before heading to Mark's place for a cuppa. Saturday was Helen's big 50 party so the day was spent getting ready for that. The party was very busy, probably about 50 or 60 of Helen's friends helped her celebrate her special occasion and it was a privilage to be among them. Helen's idea of catering for a party is to get everyone to bring a plate so of course everyone was very generous with their catering and we had bucket loads of food for at least two more parties. The hilight of the evening was the sing star competition but I'm not too sure who won. I am sure that there definately aren't any budding superstars amongst this mob.
Today is rest and recovery day and hopefully tomorrow we will begin exploring the South West corner and down to Margaret River which is just 1hr15min from here so an easy day trip.
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