Part 11
1st of November 2021
Recovery Day! Taking it slowly today as again the weather is not that great. Peter went off for a bike ride, while I again got caught up with the washing. As we always get a little cabin fever, we took off for a drive around town. And checking out the old jetty’s around the town. Peter went and checked out the Old Sawpit and was impressed.
2nd of November 2021
This morning we arranged to meet Belinda, a lady we met on the whale shark tour out of Exmouth, at The Valley of the Giants Treetop walk at 10am. Firstly we did the treetop walk in the rain, so not that great! (We did it again later when the sun came out, a whole lot better!) Then met the group for the tour of the Tingle Tree forest with lovely Belinda! Really informative tour, that makes you appreciate protecting these precious trees.
Review on The Treetop walk centre, without a doubt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ go there, worth doing the tour! Very informative.
We headed back into Walpole after the tree top walk, and had a long fun Cup Day lunch at a The Philippine Magic Cafe. We soon became friends with the owner, who was a personality and a half. He is married to a Phillippino lady (the chef) and did he have some stories to tell. The food if you order the traditional Phillipino dishes, is very nice! Fun afternoon lots of laughs again with Alison and Glenn, and our final good bye for the trip 🥲
Tonight Peter was adamant to light the fire pit outside the van! Now we are finding lighting a fire seems to draw a crowd. So tonight by our fire we met two nice couples. One from Queensland Dan and Robyn renting their house out, and the other couple from Wangaratta, sold their home travelling. Lots of travel stories by the fire, just another fun night!
3rd of November 2021
The Wow wilderness ecotour was a really interesting tour of the Walpole area and history of the area, also the bird life. The way Gazza takes this your is hilarious, the guy does not draw breath!
After our morning tour we went off again exploring the area. Our first stop was the Lookout on the way to The Giant Tingle tree.
Next stop The Giant Tingle Tree, yes it is a giant too!
Through a beautiful Tingle tree forest towards, Circular Pools. We had it all to ourselves, so off we went on a crazy photograph session. Peter is loving the new iPhone 13, he’s over taking me on the photos and loving what he produces!
More Fomo overload with a stop at the Swarbrick Art Trail through another forest!
Now it’s getting late, but just one more thing when we are up this far! The Mt Frankland summit walk. It’s getting a little crazy, we set off at about 5:30pm on the walk to the summit and again the only ones here. It was quite steep, but getting to the top was pretty special, especially for the sunset! Now to get down before it gets dark! No one can blame just me for my fomoism, Peter is just as bad, if not worse! We both had a great day, a little tired but worth it!
Big Day! Home at 7:30pm
4th of November 2021
Peter up early for a walk from the caravan park, finally the bay was still.
With one more day here in Walpole, we headed out to see the little town of Peaceful Bay. Recommend by Willow, in Augusta. So off we went to Peaceful Bay. Our first stop was on the actual town beach for a look. Then we drove off following a loaded Ute, with camping stuff. They turned off to a four wheel track, so we did too. The track lead us to Rams Head, we meant to find The Gap here. Another wow moment, a stunning beach with no one else to be seen, we love that! Here you drive onto the beach across to some massive rocks, but as we where here on our own, we didn’t push the car also the tide was coming in. Lots of fun here!
After our drive out of the track, we ran into the guys we followed in, Peter had a beer with them and a few laughs while airing the tyres back up. As Peaceful Bay fish and chip shop claims to have won awards, we had to give it a try! Here we bumped into a couple Peter and Alison from Coffs Harbour, (rented both their houses out for 6 months) who are staying at the same caravan park in Walpole. So we sat with them, having our fish and chips, that really did not rate that high, and did cost a little high!
5th of November 2021
Walpole to Denmark, about an hour up the road! Here we are staying at Denmark Rivermouth Caravan Park, and yes another view of the toilet block from my kitchen window! We are so lucky with camp sites by the toilet, think I must have a look of incontinence when I check in at these caravan parks. As we cannot crack good weather down this end of Western Australia, where we are staying just doesn’t look that great in cold, miserable weather. More ducks hanging around this park, which means lots of duck shit to stand in. Once I used to love seeing ducks hanging around, thinking now I really can’t stand the sight of them.
We arrived at the park and quickly got set up, interrupted by one of those True Grey Nomads, who wanted a sticky in our van. As I had a booking for lunch at the new restaurant, The Dam, I had to brush her off quickly! Belinda our Denmark friend recommended we go here, and it was a really good recommendation too. It’s a brand new architectural building, with the most beautiful concrete floor we have both ever seen. The guy who owns this place, owned a pearl farm once, so he has had pearl shells from Broome crushed and scattered into the black concrete, polished, it looks amazing! We both loved the lunch, gin cocktail and the Local Marron. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for The Dam
Another recommendation from Glen and Alison, Jazzi’s Leather shop for a hat just like Glenn’s, Peter loved so much! Yay 😆
Willow recommendation to stop at Bartholomews Meadery Shop, for a tasting and the honey ice cream, and yes it’s delicious 😋
Off course one more stop for the day, Boston Brewery for happy hour 🍻 then in walked Peter and Alison, now here staying at the same park in Denmark. So we got to get to know them a little more! Really nice couple.
6th of November 2021
This morning Peter went off for a big bike ride around the area, and a coffee down the street. While I caught up again on the washing, blog, ect. As our friend Belinda the local around here, advised us on the must visit places along with Willow, so we where off to try out a few today. Duckett’s Cheese Factory was our first stop for lunch. And yes true to Belinda’s recommendation, it was very good! We bought a few pieces of cheese for a platter later too.
Our next stop along the way was Singlefile Winery, off course we had to stop by! We did a tasting here, it’s really nice here as it’s quite small and very cosy with a big fire burning. We bumped into the chef from Bullara Station here. She made a special dish for Helen on the night we had dinner in the old sheep shearing shed. So of course I had to say hi, and show her the photo of her at Bullara. She was flattered I think, as she was with some friends. Singlefile wines won a big award in 2018, for their delicious Chardonnay.
Tonight our friend Belinda, from here picked us up for dinner and a catch up, at Boston Brewery. Fun night.
7th of November 2021
This morning was an interesting one! A market at Kwoorabup Steiner School hall in Denmark! We met our friend Belinda a local here at 10:30am, as this market starts at 10. It’s just a small market with all local produce and food stalls. A lady from Lao’s has a yummy stall, selling bao buns, spring rolls, rice paper rolls, apples wrapped like a rose, and crazy good banana fritters, which we bought all of. All of her vegetables come from her garden. We bought lots of local fresh vegetables and the best tasting oranges of my life, wish I’d bought more.
Next and finally due to waiting for some sunshine, William Bay. First Greens Pool, and boy is it beautiful, the colours today of the sea where stunning. Just a tad cold for swimming in, unfortunately!
Next we walked to Waterfall beach, along a high track overlooking Elephant Rocks, another serious wow moment. We where the only ones on this walk there and back. The walk is so beautiful, as in scenery overload, the sea and all the wildflowers are putting on the prettiest display ever. Geraniums are the top of the show, purple everywhere. Today I was totally in a happy place! Plus the iPhone camera had a massive workout, so much scenery to see.
Our stop at Waterfall Bay, Peter laid down for a power nap, while I wandered over the rocks looking for the waterfall, a small one to the right of the stairs. Then a der moment the real one to the left, as I should of seen the water coming out to the sea.
After Elephant rocks we went for a drive to Madfish Bay, had to see it as I like the wine named in the beaches honour!
Best Day here in Denmark the beaches are beautiful, even if the weather is not!
My Favourite Day down this end of Western Australia! Love to come back here on a Summer Day!
8th of November 2021
It’s raining AGAIN! So Peter settled in for a Netflix hit, with Queen of the South. While I went down the street to wonder through all the shops, having a lovely time! Denmark is a very crafty, arty kind of place, a lot of talented people live around here. Later we went for a bike ride around the river. I put a roast on while we had happy hour at the very cosy Denmark Tavern.
We popped into the Denmark Tavern for a drink by the fire. The bar here is really cozy on a cold day.
9th of November 2021
Mount Barker day trip from Denmark
Another CRAP weather morning, not happy!!!!!
10th of November 2021
This morning we left Denmark for Albany. We arrived at our next caravan park, Happy Days in Albany, by the King River. The park owners here are so nice, they let us check in early. And yes we have a lovely view outside the kitchen window, to the Toilets yay!!!!
After setting up, we headed out to the Main Street of Albany. We called into the information centre, to get all the info on the must do and see’s. While we where in the information centre, two girls had just finished the Bibbulum Track. Here at the information centre you get your card stamped, fill out the book and ring the bell, to let everyone know you’ve completed the long walk. As the girls rang the bell, we gave them a big cheer and clap! Every where down this end we have seen parts of the track, and always think how much Peters brother, Michael would love this challenge!
So we set off for a drive around town to get our bearings. The first photo stop is at this massive Silo near the port, for its art work. Peter loves looking at the Ports we come by, all the huge machinery and piles of whatever is about to be shipped out.
We drove along the road towards Middleton Beach, as you can see not the greatest day, windy and cold. Then back up to the Anzac Desert Mounted Corps Memorial, at the top of Mount Clarence.
Then we drove out towards the Whaling Station, by now it’s late in the afternoon. We stopped off at The Gap. We where blessed with a touch of blue in the sky here. And almost to ourselves, very impressive!
Back at the caravan park, I cooked the Bullara burgers in the camp kitchen for dinner tonight.
11th of November 2021
Matt Barnes made a big call, to visit Shelley Beach his favourite beach down this way. So of course if someone recommends a place my Fomo will not rest unless we go and see for ourselves! We where definitely not disappointed, as it’s a beautiful drive through the National park. Then up to a lookout overlooking Shelley beach, where hang gliders have two ramps to jump off.
We had a really lovely time today, we walked the beach and waited for a blue cloud to shine on the water. My favourite thing to do is stroll along a beach collecting and checking out the types of shells, different beaches come up with. (Purple shells here) Shelley beach is truly beautiful, as Matt had said. There is a camp spot here which would be amazing in nice weather. Here another funny thing happened, at the car getting our picnic bits, a very young gay Vietnamese guy (he told us he was from Vietnam also he had been year for years, yet his English wasn’t great) talked to us. Telling us how he and his partner had caught so many fish! He was getting a net out of his car, Peter happened to comment about needing a licence, which he replied he had one. Ok so then we where interested to see all the fish, they had been catching. So we sat nearby, and saw the partner, a very older Australian bloke. They put the net out and the young guy must of told his partner about the conversation with us, as in just a few minutes they ran off! Ummm ?
This area is crazy beautiful, if only we could of cracked the weather! Just another place on the list to re visit around February next time!
12th of November 2021
Today was a bit of a late start due to a few Calls from Kristie leaving Miami for LA today. Travelling in a covid world is not fun, so many hurdles to jump! So a late start and not a very nice day off to The National Anzac Memorial museum we went. It is set out perfectly. When you enter they give you a card of a soldier that served in the war, which you scan at certain stations along the way, to follow his journey from enlisting in the army, and where it lead him too. 
I loved this story of General Harold Pompey Elliot, is slated to tell how at the French village of Corbie Eugene Boullet amassed the finest known butterfly collection in the world. Eugene fled the town for a safer place, leaving his beautiful chateau for the Australian soldiers to try and save. The Australian General came across his incredible butterfly collection. He then he arranged for the collection to be taken to Paris.
In April 1918, the collection faced devastation during some of the most pivotal battles of World War One.
But Australian commander Brigadier General Harold ‘Pompey’ Elliott – passionate and headstrong but facing his own personal battles – became the collection’s unlikely saviour.
Back at the caravan park tonight, Peter lit a fire, so of course we collected some new friends for the evening. Carol and John (nudge) from Narrabean /Sydney and Laura and Kurt from Adelaide, who had been working In Darwin, also another couple who from Kalgoorlie, who kind of just didn’t fit in! A tad inappropriate with their views!
13th of November 2021
This morning Peter headed off to the Albany show, to see the wood choppers the most. He enjoyed himself, doing all the boy stuff!
14th of November 2021
Sunday in Albany, first off the Albany Boatshed Market down by the foreshore.
We spent a few hours at The Great Southern Museum, as there was a exhibition on Australian Nurses at War, a tribute to the women who have dealt face to face with war which was really interesting. As was the Replica of the Brig Amity, and history of the European settlers into Albany. The supplies they needed to bring to set up a new Settlement miles from Sydney.
We ended up at Emu Point, so we sat in a window seat for lunch. While sitting there we had a view out to the waterfront. There was a couple of fishermen fishing off the rocks. We noticed this kid running for help to bring in his catch. So we had to go and check out his fish. He was so happy with himself, I took a photo and sent to his father!
On our way home we accidentally came across the Chainsaw Sculpture drive, we had heard about so obviously we had to check it out!
15th of November 2021
Monday – down the Main Street of Albany at Kate’s Cafe for a coffee. Before heading off to the Whale Station Museum.
Albany Whale Station, thank goodness this place is shut down and a thing of the past. For me the most enjoyable part of this experience was the shell collection left to the museum. Peter loved all the old machinery and the ship.
After our day at the Whale Station, Peter just had to drag me to King River Tavern. This place we kept driving past our cars park, looked like some kind of Bikie clubhouse. Nothing on the outside that looked like it was still open. We where there only with about six other people. So we got to know the owner Sam, a lady with lots of funny stories to tell! A rough diamond for sure. stories to tell! And no it wasn’t Skimpy night tonight!
16th of November 2021
Peter went off early this morning, to try and catch a fish at oyster bay. This morning we had a bit of book work, phone calls to catch up on. We went into town after lunch, Peter got a haircut and I did a grocery shop. Ready to move on from Albany, the weather has got to us!
17th of November 2021
We left the lovely Happy Days caravan park in Albany, heading for Bremer Bay today. On our way we stopped to give the van a bit of a wash, at a car wash in Albany.
We stopped along the way at a funny little town of Wellstead, for a coffee, on the way. Really just for a break.
We arrived at Bremer Bay caravan park, quickly set up and had lunch. Then off to explore Bremer Bay beaches. Once again the weather is xxxx!!! Enough grey skies!!!! What can you do but just push through and go and visit these beautiful beaches.
We just drove up to The Wellstead Homestead museum, on Peppermint Grove farm after we had checked out all the beaches near by.
18th of November 2021
Today finally the home sickness is clicking in, Kirstie is stuck in Sydney we are miles away and the weather is horrid. Enough is enough now. Cabin fever is hitting hard. So we went off for a walk down the estuary to the Old Telegraph station for lunch. We walked back to the caravan park, filled in the day washing, while Peter tried to go fishing, but the weather gods didn’t let him. So we’ve made the decision to leave here a day early and make another plan tomorrow. fishing
Review of Bremer Bay – This would be such a beautiful place when the sunshine’s!
19th of November 2021
As this weather is relentless it’s time to quit waiting for it to turn, and hit the road towards home. Today we left Bremer Bay a day early. Our first stop of the day was Ravensthorpe Silo’s for a picture.
While we where here I happen to look at Instagram and saw a post from@crooks _in _a_caravan here in Ravensthorpe, so I messaged Mandy and we had a really nice catch up at the local cafe in town! (We met Mark and Mandy via Andy and Tina at Olive Hill) Also found an op shop and bought some Golf clubs for the Nullarbor golf course. The lady who served us laughed and said we would need them for protection!
Our Esperance caravan park – Bathers Paradise , so friendly I did do a review on Wiki Camps due to the flowers in the bathrooms and a really lovely owner Sharon.
We did the usual quick set up and off for a drive around town to get our bearings. We took the scenic coastal road, which lead us to a lookout. Here there was a tour group, so we spoke to the tour leader and she gave us a few tips on beaches to see. Twighlight beach was definitely the best.
Unfortunately for me dear Sharon the owner of the caravan park, told Peter to book a table for dinner here, great meals! So off we went to the only pub in Esperance on a Friday night.. First problem I’m the driver tonight, second our car is parked out the very front of the pub. This is the Capital of Bogans, Mullet heads. Biggest Issue world problem, Peter ordered a Parma, the worst Parma of all time! If Peter gets a bad meal, we’ll let’s tell everyone, particularly after he’s had a couple of beers. As I have not had a drink, I’m starting to fear who he tells about his meal. Then I made a mistake talking to someone, who now joined Peter in a shout.
20th November 2021
Today was our last day as a tourist in Western Australia! Feeling very Grateful for the past six months being Covid safe, in a most beautiful state having an amazing time.
So just one more tick off the bucket list, a big one! Lucky Bay and we have finally cracked a blue sky day Sooooooo Happpppy!
21st of November 2021
Time to hit the long straight road, the Nullarbor leaving Esperance early this morning. Our first quick stop was Norseman for a coffee in the van.
Our first night on this leg of the trip we stayed at a free camp near Cocklebiddy. Tonight we where the only ones at this free camp, I felt a little nervous, of course Peter didn’t. We had a fire here tonight, as the camp sites have fire pits.
22nd of November 2021
We headed off early this morning and stopped at Eucla for lunch in our van. We had a walk around and got a tip to go down to the old telegraph station ruins, which of course we did! We also met a really nice policeman, on duty at the boarder, we had a nice chat too.
Bunda cliffs where another bucket list wish, they are really interesting! We drove into one spot along the way you can camp. We parked well away from the edge of the cliffs. Two motor homes where parked very close to the edge, one lady was sitting on the edge of the cliffs overhanging. Then in came a car with two oldies , driving in quite quickly within a metre of the edge of the cliffs. Got out of the car with there dog, luckily on a lead, how one of them didn’t fall off the cliff top was quite amazing. The rain has made the edges very soft. Also saw a guys drone shot at the cliffs, right under us are caves. Didn’t feel the need to camp right up close to the cliffs at all.
We stayed the night at the Nullarbor roadhouse, of course someone had to have a beer at the bar. The whole place is quite new so it’s lost the outback feel! Although the bar is pretty cool. As the art works of Australian music icons is really cool, someone was sitting up against the painting I liked with John Farmham, Barnsie,Kylie ian Moss, ect. Peter was quick to meet the neighbour’s too, so fun night.
23rd of November 2021
This morning we played a hole of golf here at the Nullarbor golf course. We had lots of fun here as the course is rough as! Also in the middle of the course is a landing strip, a bit of a highlight of the crossing!
Not far down the road from the roadhouse is The head of the Bight, so of course we stopped by here. More amazing scenery of the cliffs, to bad we where to late to see the whales go by, another next time moments!
We stopped at Penong to see the windmill collection
We stopped in Penong to see the famous Windmill collection and play another hole of golf, with a few laughs! While we where here a massive rain storm happened, so we had lunch in the van until it passed.
Forever we’ve heard lots of surfer stories of Cactus Beach, so of course while we are in the area we may as well check it out! We drove via the pink lake of Lake MacDonnell, very pretty.
We made it to Ceduna tonight, and stayed at the foreshore caravan park. The pub is next door so we walked over for the famous oysters. We where oblivious to the oyster issue’s in Coffin Bay, thankfully! Ceduna didn’t really leave us hanging to return, it’s a bit of a passing through kind of town. To be fair the caravan park is very good.
24th of November 2021
Ceduna to Coffin Bay today, stopping to see the sights along the way. Once again the weather is not great, first stop along the way was Smokey bay for a quick drive through. Followed by Perlubie beach. Here you can camp on the beach beside a shade canopy, made from tea tree.This place would be so nice to stay at when the weather is better.
We stopped for a couple of hours here, lunch overlooking the jetty which was nice. Peter had a fish off the jetty, while I walked the Main Street shops and bought a coffee at Drift. Another nice little place worth coming back to.
We arrived in Coffin Bay and quickly set up. We went over the road and had our own picnic of prawns and Prosecco, as you would not believe we are out of luck with eating oysters at the home of them!!!! As the oysters have been recalled due to people getting gastro!
Funny 😆 note here, as we’ve been away since May, I miss my spa bath the most! So at this caravan park they happened to have a children’s bathroom with a bath!!!! hello anyone who knows me , would know I wouldn’t pass this opportunity even though I’m a little to big for a child bath size! And Peter had to get in too! As there was no lock on the door, he was supposed to be the security guard, we ended up putting a block on the door!
25th of November 2021
A stop off in Port Lincoln for lunch on the way, see the sights. Not a great weather day so it’s hard to make a fair judgment.
Our next stop along the way the cute beach town of Tumby Bay, like all these old seasonal towns they have a Silo to draw you in, then followed by a mural trail, which I do love! Finding these murals to me is like playing bingo to me! Tumby bay is a place I would like to come back to, it’s Main Street is small and has a nice old vibe to the town.
Tonight we stayed at Whyalla caravan park, not a place I really ever want to return! The caravan park is beside the locals burn out, meeting spot. And the wind was like we where in a cyclone!
26th of November 2021
We arrived back where we started from in Adelaide, The Big 4 at West Beach. Set up in two sites as Peter wasn’t keen on the first site. We caught up with Helen And Paul at their local pub The Lockley’s Hotel, for a fun Friday night!
27th of November 2021
This morning we both woke super excited to see Kirstie today. We did a quick shop at Kmart, for a doona for her and Aldi by the airport. Finally we got the text that the plane had landed at 11:10am
We really had the best afternoon together after a long few years!
To be continued!!!!
