April 14 to April 24

TUESDAY 14th APRIL 2009 – HYDEN TO ALBANY W.A. - DAY 36

We pack up and get away early as we have a long drive ahead of us to Albany. We back track from Wave Rock (5 kms) to Hyden where we fill up with petrol and hot coffee before we notice across the street some unusual looking lifesize metal figures.

We stop and on closer investigation notice these rusty old objects are 'Junk Art' and on reading the descriptions they started with a local farmer playing in his shed, turning his old junk into 'junk art'. This became a competition between the farmers so now there are approximately 20 displays. We found some of them very amusing and extremely clever. It amazed us of the talent some people have.

From here we drive west for a while before turning south towards Albany on the coast. We stop at a very quaint little town called Lake Grace which is a major grain growing region for this state producing wheat, canola, oats, barley, lupins and legumes. And as we drive we can't help but notice the sandy plains which are beginning to be transformed into a sea of colour for, although a little early, the wildflower season.

As we are driving through town, we notice there is a Mission Hospital Museum here which we think might be of interest. It is adjoining the local Hospital so we drive into the Accident and Emergency Parking area (quite an unusual sight for this sleepy little town as we are towing our 16' caravan). We find a safe and out of the way area to park and head towards the entrance of the old hospital. It is all closed up so we walk across the lawn to the 'nurses tearoom'. It is full of activity and chatter with morning tea in full swing. If you have ever worked in a hospital, you will know what I am talking about as sometimes, this is the busiest and liveliest place to be. We ask the nurses if we can enter the museum and we are told that we need to phone a number on the door as it is not manned regularly. I guess typical of the country.

The nurses on duty were delightful and so helpful but we weren't prepared to wait and lose time so we decided to push on and continue our journey.

It was on this drive south we started to notice the names of the towns, mostly ending in “UP”! We decided to make a note of them as we were driving through them ie Pingrup, Gnowangerup, Ongerup, Jerramungup, Kojonup, arriving into Albany at around 4pm.

We found a nice quiet caravan park about 4kms out of town at Emu Bay and a lovely site with a view of the beach and while Nick set up camp I went into town to buy some supplies for the next couple of days.

As I was driving through the roundabout Jan was just crossing the road in front of me. I park the car and after Alan also finding us we stop for a chat. They arrived here yesterday and are staying at the caravan park next to ours. We don't make any definite arrangement to catch up as they are going to be playing a bit of golf but we are in phone contact.

I buy the few things we need and then head back to camp. Lucy has made friends with a gorgeous black afghan named Lara who is staying in the tent next to ours. They have a lovely time romping around and playing with each other.

The wind is beginning to come up so we cook dinner, batten down the hatches and after watching a little bit of TV we are off to bed.


WEDNESDAY 15TH APRIL 2009 – ALBANY W.A. - DAY 37

We wake up today to a beautiful day. Sun is shining and temp is forecast to be around 22 – 24 degrees. A perfect autumn day here in the west.

We pack a picnic lunch of sandwiches and fruit and with Lucy take a drive around the coast (the Tourist Drive) of Albany. It is so scenic and we are getting so used to each beach being nicer than the last one. With a swim here and a swim there the fear of a shark does not even enter our thoughts despite there being many shark attacks here in the west over the years.

West Cape Howe National Park is stunning and as we were able to leave Lucy in the car for a little while it gave us the opportunity of sightseeing on foot. We then drove around to Two People's Bay and onto the yacht club where there were many interesting boats moored.

We found a lovely spot in a park on the bay where we had lunch and thought it was the best of year to be here, not too hot which would bring the crowds.

On our way back to camp we passed the 'Amity' a full scale replica of the brig that brought Albany's first settlers from Sydney in 1826 and Dog Rock which is a granite outcrop resembling the head of an enormous labrador not to be missed if you are ever this way.

Once back at camp I had a test message from Jan to say she had just walked 40kms (20kms there and 20kms back) of the Bibbulum Track. She must be mad!!! This track was opened in September 1998, the track stretches 964kms from Albany in the south to Kalamunda in the Perth hills. It is now considered one of the world's great long distance walking trails which provides spectacular coastal and forest views.

I phoned her to get the low down on her adventure and it would certainly make good reading as she encountered exhaustion, cramp, thirst and not to mention the snake! Despite all this the scenery was breathtaking, the wildflowers a sea of colour and view magnificant. Would she do it again.......................watch this space!!!!

Terry McGuinness perhaps the Bibbulum Track could be on the agenda for a future walk for the Maroubra Walkers!

THURSDAY 16TH APRIL 2009 – ALBANY W.A. - DAY 38

I have a few things to do today so I leave Nick to have a swim while I go into town. Albany is a lovely busy town with strip shopping which I like so I made the most of 'my time' and walked up and down heach side of the street (I am convinced this is a 'form of' exercise so I don't feel to guilty). I am keen to work on my patchwork quilt so I go into the local craft shop to buy a few more materials from a bigger variety. This should keep me going for a while.

Nick mentions it might be nice to drive around to the Emu Bay Marina for a look and maybe lunch. We find many lovely marine craft tied up at the moorings, fisherman on the jetty and people out just enjoying the sunshine.

We find a lovely little shop selling cooked seafood so we place an order and share a plate of fish, chips and squid. It is so fresh and delicious this will be our main meal for the day and we enjoy this as we watch a group of pelicans waiting for 2 local fishermen, who are scaling and filletting their catch to throw to these beautiful graceful birds the remnants of what is left behind. It is fascinating so after a few photos we head back to camp.

I enjoy an afternoon of sewing while Nick reads. Jan calls by to invite us for drinks thisevening. This will be a good opportunity of giving her, her birthday present as she celebrates her birthday the same day as Nick on 29th April, we are not sure we will be in the same place at that time as we are keen to take our time a bit and to see friends on our way up the WA coast. We arrange to be at their camp at 5pm.

We arrive armed with wine and gifts and enjoy a pleasant evening chatting and catching up. Our gift to Jan is a tri-pod for her camera as we have found it amusing watching her try to balance her camera on tree stumps, car bonnets, wooden fences etc to get that perfect shot of her and Alan together. She seems happy with her gift and Alan confesses at least now their photos will not be so lopsided.

Lucy gives her a gift of 'leopard skin rubber gloves and dish tickler (a little like the d....... tickler we saw at the brothel in Kalgoorlie – maybe not quite as soft though)!!!!!

Jan and Alan's gift to Nick are chocks to put behind and in front of the caravan wheels. Nick has been using 2 ½ broken bricks and it is quite a site as we pull up alongside other vans that have all the mod cons and up to date aparatus on their vans. No ours might not stand out so much.

We have a lovely night, say our goodbyes and 'see you on the road somewhere' and we are off and back at camp. They are leaving tomorrow as well and will head towards Margaret River.


FRIDAY 17TH APRIL 2009 – ALBANY TO MANJIMUP W.A. - DAY 39

We leave Albany today and will head across to Denmark only 50kms away. We have lovely friends, Arthur and Trish Kennedy whom we met in Townsville on our 2005 trip around OZ and with our other friends Peter and Jane from New Zealand had great fun. Arthur and Trish spend their days travelling having sold their home in NSW and buying a van a few years ago they have seen most of Australia. They love Denmark here in W.A. and have told us not to miss it.

After a few phone calls to them (they are visiting their daughter and grand-daughter in Brisbane until August) and unable to talk them into meeting us down here we made notes of all their recommended 'things to see'.

By the time we got to Denmark (known to Aborigines as Kurrabup – another 'up' word) we felt we hadn't really driven far enough so would have a quick look around and then head across towards the west coast.

Denmark is home to the famous Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, a unique walkway which rises up to 40m above the forest floor. You can view the magnificent tingle forest canopy to get a different perspective on the shapes and movement of the forest.

We drive down further on and stop at a small service station to fill up and have lunch. We have been recommended to come here for the freshest Marron you would ever taste. Marron is a very small crayfish and when cooked has the sweetest tasting flesh. They possibly resemble our Balmain Bugs or Moreton Bay Bugs to taste and size but only in the shape of a very baby lobster.

We order 6 to share with salad. We were not disappointed as they were (tiny) but delicious nevertheless – washed down with a lovely cold glass of Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc – we were amazed that this unassuming little petrol stop would serve the most delicious food.

After lunch we keep driving up through Pemberton as we had been told to visit Manjimup. We pass magnificent karri forests and rich farmlands but this area is also the centre of a thriving fruit and vegetable industry. It is well known for its apples and is the birthplace of the delicious Pink Lady Apple (my favourite).

We see signs to Fonty's Pool Caravan Park just off the highway so as its getting late we go to investigate. We drive down a dirt road and the most beautiful scene of lovely grounds and a beautiful lake come into view. The autumn leaves are beginning to fall off the trees and it is a picture site.

As they are pet friendly we decide this is where we will camp for the night and after checking in we are directed to a lovely campsite. There are not many caravans here and it is dotted with campers – a few children around very quiet and peaceful

We back onto a lovely green lush paddock where there are beautiful black healthy cows grazing. Our campsite is perfect and before long its 5 o'clock and we are sipping another lovely glass of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. This is really the life!!!

We notice a man driving around in his ute selling buckets of firewood. We ask him how much and are permitted to have our own fire! We pay $10-00 for wood that will last us a while and Nick – who is becoming expert – gets out our 'Gerilla' and proceeds to stoke and get the loveliest of fires happening.


I have some local steak so we decide to cook it over the fire, outside to have with salad. The night is clear and the stars are shining. This is a really beautiful place.

SATURDAY 18TH APRIL 2009 – MANJIMUP TO FLINDER'S BAY, AUGUSTA – DAY 40

We plan to drive to Augusta today rather than Margaret River. There is a Wine Festival on over the weekend and we feel it will be very busy with tourists etc. A concert is planned for one of the vineyards with Trumpeter James Morrison and Blues Singer Denni Hines. We have seen James Morrison perform before and I must say I am not a huge fan of the trumpet. I know he is very talented and with the enhancement of Denni Hines voice I'm sure it would be enjoyable however, as I am not a great fan and I don't find the prospect of encountering large crowds we are happy to stay away from that area, for the weekend at least. I think we will plan to spend a day there when it is not quite so busy.

Our drive to August is much the same as it has been though we are amazed at the site of the many apple orchards with the most enticing looking fruit just sitting on the ground under the trees. We decide to stop on the roadside nearby for a photo and to Nick's horror I go and pick 3 of the most delicious, colourful rosy Pink Lady Apples off the tree. He is sure we will be arrested for stealing – what out here!!!!

On his boosting we make a quick getaway, sure we are being followed, and make our way back to the main highway leadiding to Albany.

We arrive at around 3:30pm, drive through town and out to the beach. The first caravan park we see says 'No Dogs' so we drive on and hope there is another caravan park further on. To our delight there is a pet friendly park and we pull up and both go to check in.

We are going to wait here until Chelsea sends our mail to us from Sydney and as it's Sunday she won't be able to do this until Monday or Tuesday. Therefore, we won't get it until later in the week which brings us to another public holiday weekend (Anzac Day) so we decide to stay here until next Monday (27th April). It is a long time but we need to get our mail and with the fear of not getting accommodation over the long weekend we decide to stick with this option.

We pick a site and set up camp before we take the short drive into Flinders Bay to buy fish for tea.
We order and I pay while Nick waits in the car. I am astounded. The price for 2 tiny pieces of grilled fish, a handful of chips, and a hamburger plus 2 drinks is $36-00. I am so shocked I and still trying to add it all up that I hand over the money, get my numbered ticket and wait. By the time I pick up the order and take it to the car I am still in shock as I tell Nick the price.

We make a decision that no matter how hungry we are we will never never eat from this little cafe again. We are astounded next day when we drive past and it is crowded with tourists!!!!

I get a message via email from a lovely young couple we met in Fiji a couple of years ago. Elizabeth and Buz are originally from New Zealand and have now settled in W.A. They know we are travelling and are keen to see us so I email them to say we will be in Rockingham not far from where they live, early next week. I hear back from them to say they would like to have dinner with us which we arrange for Tuesday evening (next) at the Stinking Pig Pub – a very popular and well known pub in W.A we believe. We will be in contact with them though closer to the time.

SUNDAY 19TH APRIL 2009 – FLINDER'S BAY, AUGUSTA – DAY 41

The view from this caravan park is idyllic with a picturesque bay. The weather is still quite warm so we decide to go for a swim thismorning. I'd say the water temperature is about 20 degrees (Nick who always tries to convince me it is warmer than what it is) tells me it is about 23. Of course I don't believe him and as usual 'take my time' to get wet. Once in though it is gorgeous and as he swims laps I am happy to frolic in the waves that are gently rolling onto the beach.

After hot showers we decide to take a drive to 'have a look around'.

We drive through Augusta which is a lovely quiet little town overlooking the Blackwood River and waters of Flinder's Bay. As we drive by the ocean towards Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse the cliffs are rugged and rocky and once the lighthouse comes into view it reminded both Nick and I of the scene we saw as we sailed through the British Isles and past the water logged villages of Scotland with their white limestoned cottages (resembling the Keepers Cottage). Despite being quite a 'grey day' it was picturesque nevertheless. We took many photos and loved the smell of the ocean and wind on our face. It was a bit difficult to see this area as we had Lucy with us so decided we would come back and explore in depth as there was much to see.

We came back to camp and opened another bottle of this lovely Margaret River wine to have with dinner.

TV coverage here is very poor, in fact, non existent so I find our portable DVD player and find a movie for us both to watch. We have had this little player since we travelled the first time and I think with all the use and just 'age' it beginning to give up the ghost. We are having trouble trying to put together the pieces of the movie that are being skipped so after some perseverance we decide to abandon that idea, give it a decent burial and will hopefully purchase a new one tomorrow. We read our books instead.


MONDAY 20TH APRIL 2009 – FLINDER'S BAY, AUGUSTA W.A. - DAY 42

We wake up to a glorious morning, a little cool but pleasant. I suggest to Nick that it might be nice to drive to Margaret River. He is a little reluctant as he says we are heading that way any way when we leave here so it might be best to do that on the way. I am not keen as it is much easier sightseeing when not towing the van. He finally agrees and we decide to leave Lucy on her leash outside the van today. It is quite pleasant and not too warm for her so I think it best she be outside. Always our fear is that she will fret and bark as she is now so used to being with us. We take the risk, give her plenty of water and some dry food, her toys and her daybed and off we go.

It is 30kms drive along the Bussell Highway and we pass many farms and a few wineries along the way.

We notice a signe that says “Watershed Winery”. This is a winery recommended to us by Arthur and Trish so we make a quick detour and drive in the lovely gates. The Cellar Door is a stunning modern building with beautifully groomed girls offering wine to tasters. We decide to try some.

The problem with a lot of the wines you taste at Cellar Doors is that the wines are too new – usually need to be 'put down' and they are quite expensive anyway compared to the local bottle shops.

After a tasting of a white (for Nick) and a red (for me) we take a few photos of the beautiful grounds and make our way to the town.

Margaret River township has not changed from when we were here as a detour at a Headmasters Conference 7 years ago. It is very busy with boutique shops, cafe's, specialty food shops, kitchen shops and bookshops along the sidewalk. We decide to take it all in and walk up one side to the top of the street then walk back to the car on the other side. We find a nice coffee shop and then as we need to replace our ancient portable DVD player I try to find an electrical shop. No luck. I am told though at the local Target shop (yes they have Target in between all these cute little designer shops) that there is a Betta Electrical Shop a few streets away on the way out of town.

We find the shop easily and find there are more 'practical' shops in this area. I purchase a little Portable Panasonic DVD player and notice across the road a lovely market selling fresh fruit and vegetables. Nick waits in the car while I make some purchases before heading back to Flinder's Bay.

On our way home we see a sign that says to Leeuwin Wines and Voyager. Another two wineries recommended to us so we take a turn and drive the dusty road with many vineyards along each side of the road.

We take a turn to the left and drive up to the most stunning set of iron and limestone gates with the name “VOYAGER ESTATE”, and beyond that is a very long gravel driveway and the biggest union jack flag I have ever seen. I must take a photo!!

Beneath this flag are the most beautifully manicured gardens and grounds I have ever seen. Simply stunning.

Voyager Estate has its origins under the label of 'Freycinet” which was started by Peter & Jennifer Gherardi in 1978. A first generation Italian-Australian, Peter had been brought up surrounded by wine and winemaking which he then complemented with a Wine Science degree.


Although the location fell within the confines of his professors study, neither the study or the degree could prepare him for the enormous quantity of rocks resting beneath the surface at Freycinet. They were literally in the way of any vineyard development.

With all the work done by Peter, Jennifer and his extended family, they worked tirelessly removing the rocks by hand before they could plant their first vine.

In 1991 the vineyard was sold to a 4th generation Australian Michael Wright who had Scottish farming ancestors and with an inherited love of agriculture and his quest to diversify led him to the wine industry.

Over the next 7 years Michael conducted major improvements to the property and its infrastructure, including a name change to 'Voyager Estate' and, most significantly, the creation of the Cape Dutch-style gardens and cellar door.

After spending much time walking through the gardens and taking many photos we decide to do what we came here for and that is 'to taste some wine'.

They have 2 types of wines here to taste. The first lot are grown and developed to 'drink now' and the second lot are called 'Saves' – which is self explanatory. We purchased a couple to 'drink now' as with limited room in the van and our eagerness to drink fine wine most days we did not take the “saves” option.

By this time we felt we needed to get back to camp and to Lucy as we thought if she was barking and a nuisance we may be evicted and needed time to find another camp!!! To our delight she was sitting happily as we left her and by speaking to a couple of 'our neighbours' in the park there was not a sound out of her the whole time. I promised her a fresh chicken wing for being so good!

After a long day we opened one of the bottles of Voyager Estate, Sauvignon Blanc and enjoyed a glass (or two) before (and during) dinner. It was a lovely way to finish off another perfect day.


TUESDAY 21ST APRIL 2009 – FLINDERS BAY, AUGUSTA W.A. - DAY 43

It is a little windy today and as Nick is wanting a swim I decide to do some washing and baking and plan to go out to see the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in the afternoon.

By the time Nick returns from his swim I am taking freshly baked scones out of my little oven and they smell delicious. Fresh scones with Margaret River Strawberry and Champagne jam and fresh cream.

We leave Lucy inside the van with her daybed and toys and head to the Lighthouse. Nick is keen to do a 'tour' but I decline the 176 steps up to the top of this limestone lighthhouse. I take his word that the view is 'sensational. I am happy to wander around the cliff face, taking photos and reading about the history of this very unique place.

Known for its treacherous reefs, rocks and weather, Cape Leeuwin is regarded by mariners as one of the most dangerous coastlines in the world.

Cape Leeuwin marks the most south westerly point of Australia where Matthew Flinders began mapping the Australian coastline in 1801.

The Lightouse was built in 1895 to safely guide ships travelling to Australia's eastern ports. By 1896 the lighthouse was fully operational and today it still features the original lens that shines a light with the intensity of a million candles.

By the time Nick returns, the weather is turning nasty and windy and cold so he finds me sitting in the glass walled cafe having hot coffee. We order a ploughman's lunch to share while enjoying the rugged beauty in the comfort of the coffee room.

We had back to camp, refilling our empty gas bottle on the way and buying some fresh vegetables which I will cook up for dinner.

We watch a couple of movies on our portable DVD player before heading to bed.


WEDNESDAY 22nd APRIL 2009 – FLINDER'S BAY, AUGUSTA. W.A. - DAY 44

About 2am we woke to the sound of our awning outside blowing against the van. We decided to wait to see if it was just a freak gust of wind or if it was 'setting in'. About an hour later we decided it was time to pack up the awning as with the wind getting stronger we were afraid it might do some damage.

Lucy and I stayed tucked up in bed while Nick put the awning away and secured everything tightly under the van (ie tables, chairs, etc). He is much better at doing these things himself and we have an agreement I do the cooking and 'inside stuff' while he does the 'outside' stuff. This seems to work for us and certainly saves any disagreements which is important.

We make sure everything is secure and before long we are back in our warm snug cosy cave drifting off to sleep.

By morning (we wake up late at 8:00am) there is still wind blowing, its raining and cold. I get out my tracksuit and ugg boots which I haven't needed up until now.

I have a missed call on my mobile from Ben Brown. He is the son of our friends' Peter and Debbie from Banora Point near the Gold Coast. Ben is living in Scarborough, Perth with his girlfriend Erin and, as he heard we were in town, is keen to catch up with us while we are here. I phone him back and we have a lovely chat. Ben is a very close friend also of my son Mitchell and they keep in contact often after meeting when they were tiny little babies in navy blue nappies 26 years ago.

After leaving school, Ben has spent the last 9 years travelling and working his way throughout Australia and the world and his girlfriend (or lifelong partner) Erin who is also originally from the Gold Coast is finding that, all her friends are getting married and having babies and she is a little homesick. Ben has decided, understandingly but reluctantly to go back home with her and he feels the time has come to finally 'settle down' !!!!

As our next stopover will be in Rockingham about 40 minutes away from where he lives in Scarborough so we arrange that he will visit us there next week.

I do my 'housework' inside while Nick takes Lucy for a long walk on the beach. She is becoming gamer as she loves running into the waves (as long as they are about 8 inches high and already broken). He brings her back salty and a little wet but as its a bit windy and cold we decide not to bath her today. We will have to be firm with her that she doesn't get up onto our bed as she so often loves to do!

It is such an awful day, windy, overcast and cold we decide to stay around camp and Nick reads while I update my blog. I am finding it a bit of a challenge as the days seem to go so fast, if I don't update it every second or third day I find it difficult to remember everything we did that day. I have asked Nick to remind me to update it often.!

We decide to drive into town to the the local bakery to buy some fresh crusty bread to have with our vegetable/pumpkins soup for lunch. It's definitely that sort of weather. We spend the afternoon doing crosswords, catching up on emails, and reading (and as I sit here and listen to the gentle snoring of my travelling companion) and hoping our night ahead will be calmer than the last.

THURSDAY 23RD APRIL 2009 – FLINDER'S BAY, AUGUSTA W.A. - DAY 45

The weather has turned really nasty with intermittent showers, windy and overcast and we have seen everything here that we wanted to see so we can either spend the day around camp reading or watching videos or I suggest that we drive up to Yallingup and Busselton about 90kms away and that we take the Caves Road which takes us through the Margaret River Wine Region.

As I am keen to see Laurance Winery the one our friends Arthur and Trish said was not to be missed. We decide to take the second option despite the long drive it will mean we won't have to go through this area when we leave here on Monday on our way to Rockingham.

Nick takes Lucy for a long walk as I get ready and tidy up.

About 40 minutes later he arrives back at camp visibly shaken. He tells me that when he let Lucy off her lead to have a run she was fine on the beach but once they got more into the bush she took off (obviously after something) in very thick scrub. It was too dense for him to follow her and after all efforts calling her she did not appear. He became frantic as this area is known for snakes and as she normally comes when called (eventually) she did not appear and the silence he said was deafening.

15 minutes he said went by before she finally emerged. In his final relief though, he told me his greatest fear was not so much that she was lost but the reaction from me when telling me!!! (I didn't realise he was so scared of me)!!!!! Anyway, from now on he will keep a tighter rein on her if they go walking in the bush. I told him I would never have gone into the bush anyway and its safer to stick to the beach.

We pack into the car (the 3 of us) and drive the coast road which is a lot quieter and more bushier than the busier Bussell Highway.

Hamelin Bay and Gracetown are on the coast from the beautiful Fitzgerald River National Park . There are some fantastic spots for fishing and swimming and we were fascinated as we watched many of the passionate local wetsuited surfers paddling such a long way out to catch that elusive perfect wave and can understand why this WA Coast is such a popular spot.

We were in this area seven years ago and couldn't help but notice the development as far as houses and resorts which now dot the hillside overlooking the ocean. It is such a shame but as they say 'that is progress'!!!!

We pushed on further north where we passed many of the wineries, Gralyn, Evans & Tate, Vasse Felix, Wildwood, Driftwood and Hunt's Foxhaven Estate just to name a few.

The grounds of most of these wineries are stunning and they seem to put so much effort in the visual effect surrounding these estates. In other words its as if you are looking through a 'Living Window'.

We stopped at Laurance Winery and again, the surrounds did not disappoint. At the entrance there is a beautiful lake with manicured lawns and colourful gardens surrounding it. In the lake there is a huge statue rising out of the water. It is of a female high diver all in gold and the water fall is protruding from underneath her. A sight not to be missed.

Lucy was to stay in the car while we decided to go in, try some wine and have lunch. As it was a little chilly the open fire place was very inviting so we order our lunch and sat down to taste some wines together with local olive oil, crusty bread and Margaret River olives. Delicious!

I cannot help but to mention the bathroom in this establishment. It was the most stunning one I had ever seen. Each room huge (as big as our caravan) with a beautiful oak vanity, white italian ceramic basin, paintings on the wall and lovely fresh roses in the empty wine bottles. I had to take a photo is was so lovely!

After taking many photos of the grounds we ventured on further up to Yallingup and onto Bussellton.

The Jetty here is 2kms long and as the weather was becoming very unfavourable I took a couple of photos of the jetty and the 4 little blue jetty houses before buying hot coffee and heading back to Flinder's Bay.

On the way we continued noting more of the town ending in 'UP' – Ninndup, Boranup, Boodijup, Calgardup, Nuralingup, Karrinup, Kudardup, Cowaramup, Willyabrup, Metricup, Marrinup, Jangalarup, Wardanup, Gunyulgup, Kilkarnup, Carbunup, Gunyulgup, Yallingup, Meelup, Quindalup, Wonnerup. This activity seems to quell the boredom – a bit like 'spotto' I guess.

I buy a BBQ chicken on the way and cook some roast veges as with enjoy it in the warmth and comfort of our van as the rain gently falls outside.

FRIDAY 24TH APRIL, 2009 - FLINDER'S BAY, AUGUSTA, W.A. - DAY 46

We feel the cooler weather with intermittent rain has now set in so swimming and walking on the beach is not really an option. We are committed to stay here until our mail arrives (hopefully today) but as it has to go through Perth from Sydney first then make its way down here to the bottom of WA I am not that confident we will get it until Tuesday. We are getting really bored as there are only so many times we can watch the re-runs of McLeods Daughters!!!!!

Our booking here is until Tuesday so can only hope it arrives as we are keen to push on and head north to warmer weather.

As we had such a huge day yesterday we are keen to spend the day around camp. I think I will use up some of our vegestables and make a bit pot of soup. The perfect weather for it and as we have found a lovely little bakery in town that serves the freshest crustiest bread it will make our confinement that little more enjoyable.