Walpole to Albany – Tuesday 18 October 2011
We woke to a fairly ordinary day, it rained most of the night, but the day was dry, very windy and overcast, so decided to move onto Albany for a few days. Stopped off to visit Green Pools and Elephant Rocks in the William Bay National Park, even though it was cool and windy the water still looked a million dollars, very green and spectacular. We pulled into Denmark for a look around the town and had a bite to eat before heading to Albany.
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| Elephant Rocks |
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| Green Pools - on a brighter day it looks sensational |
Arrived Albany early afternoon and stayed at the Middleton Beach Caravan Park, very nice, however the weather was a shocker, wet and very cold, we thought we had missed winter but no it found us. Spent the afternoon updating the blog and admin stuff.
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| Dog Rock - Albany |
Albany - Wednesday 19 October 2011
A marked improvement in the weather today, warm and sunny, we headed out to check out the sights of Albany, along with Derek and Leanne. Headed out to Whale World, this place closed in the late 70’s when whale catching was stopped by the government. A very heart reaching place, the guide decided to us on how they caught the whales bought them in and butchered then. We were pleased it no longer operates, but good to see how it all happened.
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| The lighter side of Whale World |
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The rock in the bay where the whales were
held once towed in and until they were butchered |
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| The slipway where the whales were dragged up to be butchered |
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| A real harpoon on the front of the ship |
We went for a drive out along the coast to Torndirrup National Park to look at the Gap and Natural Bridge formations. On the way back into town went up to Mt Clarence to look at the Anzac Memorial and views over the city. Albany was where the troops left for Gallipoli in 1914, and also the site for the first Anzac Dawn Service.
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| Natural Bridge |
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| The Gap |
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| Marlene, Leeanne and Derrick on the edge of The Gap |
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| Memorial to the Troops who left from here in WWI |
Walpole – Thursday 20 October 2011
Back-track day today, we decided to head back to Walpole to go on a cruise of the waterways and Nornalup Inlet. We had intended to do this while in Walpole but the weather was against us. It was well worth the trip back, the cruise (WOW Wilderness Cruise) is very different but worth it, very entertaining approach to getting the environmental message across. If, you are ever in Warpole make sure this cruise in on your bucket list. Back to Albany again, stopped for lunch at Denmark on the way.
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| Walpole Beach |
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| The majestic waterways at Walpole |
Albany to Esperance – Friday 21 October 2011
Back on the road to Esperance today, one of the biggest days we have done over the past 2 weeks, today is 470+km. Easy trip, a bit of head wind, the country side was slowly getting back to what it was like up north, the tall trees and green rolling hills are disappearing and flat bushy scrub is back. Stopped in at Ravensthorpe for fuel and lunch then arrived in Esperance mid-afternoon. We stayed at the Esperance Seafront Caravan Park, with great views over the bay, only problem is a very strong SE blowing.
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| Things you see on the road - #2 |
Esperance – Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October 2011
Nice day today, we are meeting up with an old friend (Dave) we met him and his wife in Townsville 23 year ago, when they made friends with a very young Catherine. The last time we visited them was when we were here with kids 19 year ago. Unfortunately Dave’s wife passed away 2 weeks before we arrived. We had a great day, Dave now 85, showed us around his town and took us out for lunch with his family.
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| Our dear friend Dave and his family |
It was really great to catch up and spend some quality time with a lovely friend. We toured the town and went and visited the Stonehenge, a real size replica of the English Stonehenge. All built from granite quarried in the area, just spectacular.
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| Stonehenge - Esperance |
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| Marlene & Dave |
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| The granite rocks range in weight from 18 to 55 tonne |
Saturday night the rain started and it rained constantly all night, we woke to a wet, windy and cold Sunday, with 44mm of rain overnight. But the weather didn’t stop us, after we watched Frosty in his Mighty Ford WIN on the Gold Coast we went for a drive and had a look out along the coastline and around town, very pretty spot, the sands are so white and the seas very green.it is still one of Marlene’s favourite places in Australia. With the strong winds the seas were up, we saw a few guys out on windsurfers and kites, surfing a fantastic break, just incredible. Back home again we had drinks with Derrick and Leanne and watched the Kiwis win the Rugby World Cup and of course we witnessed Australia win the Bronze (just for you Maureen).
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| Coastline pure white sand |
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| and the greenest of seas |
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| windsurferes tackiling the seas |
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| Twilight Beach |
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| Frosty winning on the Gold Coast |
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The view across the ocean from Derrick & Leeanne's
bus while watching the Rugby Finals |
On the road tomorrow, heading to Kalgoorlie for a couple of days then across the Nullarbor, should be in Port Lincoln by next weekend and Adelaide for the Melbourne Cup.
